Tour Evaluation: Hop Bus Excursion in Peru
Peru Hop: A Top-Rated Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Service in Peru
Peru Hop is a highly-rated hop-on hop-off bus company that connects major tourist destinations in Peru, offering a unique travel experience for tourists who want to explore the country at their own pace.
Established in 2014 by Irish business partners Will and Connor, Peru Hop aims to make overland travel in Peru easier and more accessible for foreign tourists. Their service allows passengers to buy a ticket from Lima to Cusco (or vice versa) with stops at Paracas, Huacachina, Nasca, and Arequipa.
The company's hop-on hop-off system offers travelers the flexibility to explore multiple destinations with the convenience of guided bus travel. The routes cover a variety of geographic and cultural regions, from coastal deserts to high-altitude lakes, and famous archaeological sites.
One of the standout features of Peru Hop is its local hosts who accompany passengers on the journey. These hosts share stories and insights not found in typical guidebooks, creating a more authentic travel experience. The guide from the bus stays at the hostel and is friendly and sociable, adding to the overall experience.
Peru Hop's founders, Will and Connor, are super hands-on and meet all their passengers. They have grown the company into a highly regarded brand among travelers for multi-day and solo travel itineraries, emphasizing safety, cultural immersion, and traveler community.
The buses are well-maintained, and the service is reliable, contrasting with typical public bus options in Peru. Passengers can hop off the bus for extended stays, with tickets valid for one year.
Peru Hop passengers receive discounts at hotels in Huacachina, such as Casa de Arena. The route from Paracas to Huacachina includes a stop at Paracas National Park. The bus from Huacachina to Arequipa includes an optional tour of a Pisco vineyard and a stop at the Nazca lines viewing tower.
There are two ticket options for departing from Lima: one leaves at 6am on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, and the other leaves at 9am on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays for an additional $10, which includes a full-day tour. The bus collects passengers from their hostels and drops them off at the door of their hostels at each stop.
Peru Hop is the only bus company that goes straight to Huacachina, rather than Ica. The company also books hostels and tours for passengers at discounted rates. The recommended tour takes about six days, with one night in Paracas, one in Huacachina, an overnight bus to Arequipa, a quick stop in Nazca for the viewing tower, and two nights in Arequipa before the last stretch to Cusco.
Passengers receive a free Inti Card for discounts throughout South America. The route from Cusco to Arequipa with Peru Hop is considered safer than the direct road from Lima to Cusco. Peru Hop's office replies quickly to emails, often within five minutes.
Peru Hop was inspired by New Zealand's Kiwi Experience, and it continues to provide a top-rated transportation choice for tourists traveling overland in Peru.
- Travelers who want to explore the fashion-and-beauty scene in Peru can take advantage of discounts at hotels in Huacachina, such as Casa de Arena, offered by Peru Hop.
- If you're planning a multi-day or solo travel itinerary, Peru Hop has grown to be a highly regarded brand among travelers, emphasizing safety, cultural immersion, and traveler community.
- Peru Hop's hop-on hop-off system allows passengers to explore multiple tour destinations with the convenience of guided bus travel, covering various geographic and cultural regions of Peru.
- On the journey, local hosts accompany travelers, sharing stories and insights not found in typical guidebooks, creating a more authentic travel experience.
- Shoppers looking for souvenirs can find them along the route, as Peru Hop also books tours and accommodations for passengers at discounted rates.
- After a long day of sightseeing, passengers can indulge in local food-and-drink options, as the routes include stops at Pisco vineyards and Paracas National Park.