Busing in Peru

We decide to spend one day of rest in Cerro de Pasco, and then to take a bus to Huancayo, thus avoiding busy and narrow roads on the high central plain. Cerro is quite animated, though not really refined. On our first day, we mostly explore the extensive market streets and the old town. Part of the exploration is, of course, to visit the "Ground Terminal Terrestre Cerro de Pasco", where buses leave for Huancayo. We are told we can take the “big” bus (so the bicycles fit in the trunk) at 15:30 tomorrow.

The next day at 14:50 we are duly at the bus station. We try to buy the ticket - but apparently there is no 15.30 bus today. We can instead take the night bus or a “big” bus tomorrow at 9:30 - for which we should turn up at 8:00.

We return to the hotel, pay another night...
... and at 8:00 the next morning, yet again, no “big” bus, only a minibus with a large roof rack leaving at 9am.

The bikes get tied up on the roof, this way that way (pretty well actually) and we then squeeze ourselves in with another 15+ people in our minibus. The minibus is absolutely full almost all the way. The moment someone gets off, the driver picks up someone else who is waiting further down the road. It looks like these extra passengers are essentially pocket money (they do not get formally registered as we did).

Oh yes; seat belts. The driver keeps his seatbelt dutifully fastened... behind his back. When he spots a police check point he deftly pulls the seatbelt over his shoulder. A few minutes later he reverses the operation.

The ride is actually pretty nice, but the road is indeed narrow and busy. Overtaking is ruthless, Alain feels back in the early 60's in France. We are glad not to be cycling in such company.Read more