Alright y’all, buckle up (preferably with seatbelts fastened, absolutely no llamas allowed in the bus aisle), because we’re about to take a ride So you want to see a lot of Peru and get a solid feel for the “best of” throughout this beautiful country, and aren’t quite sure how to do it. Well, I’m going to provide an option to you, that is, if you are open to seeing the world in a different style than you may have before.
PeruHop and the destinations/tour options they offer. Imagine a travelogue written by someone who’s part backpacker, part stand up comedian, and part overly enthusiastic tour guide (with an unnatural fondness for pisco—I’ll explain what that is in a moment for those who don’t know). But get ready for a journey into South America like none other and see the one of the 7 Wonders of the World while you are at it. You will love that you did!
So, you may ask, where do I even start when tackling a country like Peru. Well, I’ll tell you. Lima, it is. Most international flights take off an depart from Lima. Cuzco is your other option, but I’d recommend starting with Lima as the elevation is doable from the start (unlike Cuzco, which will kick your tail if you aren’t used to being at altitude).
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When you book your flight into Lima, get ready to see a magnificent city, friendly people, amazing food, and more than enough traffic. So where should you stay?
Barranco or Miraflores (preferred) districts. $330 for a week or $800-1300 for a month Airbnb for a 1 bedroom. 2 bedrooms will run $1800+ depending on location and time of year. If you book for a few days or a week, be prepared to pay more (especially if you are wanting to stay at a 4-5 star hotel). The JW Marriott which is located in the Larmer Shopping center will run you over $300/night. If you choose to keep your apartment for several months at a time, wait until you get into country and take a tour with a local realtor. I’m sure you can find something special for 3+ months for much, much less a month.
Exchange rate: The exchange rate is pretty decent in Peru. 1 USD to 3.5 soles. This equates to the following:
– Meals: Generally, $10-$15 per meal. $1-2 for an empanada (grab 3, they are amazing). $50+ for a nice dinner.
– Cup of coffee $2-$4
– Beer $2-3 in a bar, $1-2 at the beach
– Trip from airport to Miraflores Uber: approx. $20 (either taxi, Uber or Cabify)—Just a heads, taxis are a bit fickle in Peru. If you try to get them to go short distances, they are just as likely to tell you to go fly a kite and leave you on the side of the street.
Tipping
Some restaurants and hotels include a voluntary 10-15% service tip within the bill. You can remove this or pay it, but check before you pay. Be careful not to confuse an included tip with the 18% sales tax (called IGV) on bills. In many areas, Peruvians do not expect an additional tip. In the areas with tons of tourists like Lima (well, y’all we did it to ourselves) it is now kind of expected). But remember, a little goes a long way here and they do truly appreciate what we do provide.
Here are some guideline tipping amounts for the various service providers you may meet during a Peru tour:
Eat, drink and be Merry. The food is amazing the drinks (most importantly, Piscos) are amazing. Pisco is a tradition South American drink made with egg white, lime, bitters, and of course Pisco (it comes from the pisco plant). Peru is known for their chefs and the quality/type of food, and it did not disappoint. Ceviches are very popular, along with heart (yes, I said it and will expand on that later), alpaca, and Guinea pig. While I’ll stick mainly to the norm, I did try the others just because.
While exploring the many dishes of the country, take in the active nightlife, the shops, the beautiful beaches, and the culture. The catacombs were interesting and in a different part of town, in addition to street performers and a ton of art museums. I will tell you that in Lima, you will never be bored.
Now, if you want to expand your horizons and see the rest of the country, you are in for a treat. PeruHop provides a service that was so much fun and allowed us to see a significant part of the country.
Let’s start with the basics: PeruHop is basically a hop-on/hop-off bus system in Peru that straddles the line between full-blown guided tour and freewheeling solo travel. It’s sort of like the nicer adult version of those hop-on/hop-off buses in big cities—but with llamas, high altitudes, sand dunes, secret tunnels, and the occasional altitude sickness moment. If you want to see the country, meet a solid group of people to explore the country with and get the most out of it, you have a ton of trip options. You can see as much or as little as you desire, you can focus on excursions or use it as a source of transportation to get you to each area you would like to see.
When I arrived, I knew absolutely nothing about Peru. I came with and open mind and open heart with the intent to visit Machu Picchu at the end of my rainbow. Once I got there it was time to figure out how to actually get there. It’s not close-by and it’s certainly not a quick trip if you’re taking a bus. If you fly, that’s one thing, but getting there also takes a bit of doing. Also, make sure to pay attention to the altitude.
Machu Pichu stands at 7,972 feet, and if you are used to being at sea-level and temps that are Florida hot, you are in for an awakening. You can’t breathe when trying to hike and you’re likely to be very cold in September (the beginning of summer for Peru, but definitely not there yet). So, make sure to add some time to get acclimated to both climate and altitude. Not that it can’t be done, but you’ll probably have to implement a few workarounds to enjoy it.
So, for me, I arrived in Lima and spent 3 weeks enjoying the culture, the food, new friends, and experiencing the city as I awaited my friend’s arrival. After he arrived in my third week, we took the solo trip to a duo trip and purchased the 4-day trip (the express trip thru Peru to get from Lima to Machu Picchu).
If I had to do it over again, I’d go with a different approach and take more time to get there, as this country is beautiful, the people are wonderful, and OMG the food!!!
If you choose to do a 4-day trip, the fastest way to get from Lima to Machu Pichu inclusive of overnight travel on the bus, here’s what you can expect:
That said: it’s not perfect, it is still a bus trip. Some travelers note that independent booking of side tours can sometimes cost less. Some others warn you that Peru is informal and delays happen occasionally (although we didn’t face those issues). Reddit But that’s life in Peru (and life in general), so sit back and enjoy. Delays may happen, circumstances may not be perfect “all the time,” but I truly have no complaints with this group. You’ll survive (most likely better than your phone data plan) and see so much and want to still go back.
Okay, with that out of the way, let’s take a ride on to the stops—and yes, I’ll attempt to keep this both entertaining and informative.
Below is (roughly) the standard southbound route for many PeruHop passes. You can also do things in “all directions,” but this is the classic flow:
Lima → Paracas → Huacachina → Nazca → Arequipa → Puno → Cusco
Plus side excursions like Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca, Rainbow Mountain, etc.
Let’s stop at each town (and some side spots) and see what’s on the menu.
Start where every tourist starts: Lima, a city that simultaneously feels ultra-modern and mildly disorganized. Think of it as New York + tropical humidity + traffic insanity + more ceviche than you can shake a bowl at. Folks are truly horny around here (car horns that is).
Starting in Lima. Fly in, stay as long as you like as I mentioned above and build it in as your staging ground, and take off back home point. From my experience it is the most affordable location to fly into while heading into this beautiful country.
You’ll be picked up from your hostel or hotel and boarded onto one of the big buses. They sometimes offer day trips from Lima (if you don’t plan to do the full hop).
Things you might do (or should try to do, if you have time) while in Lima:
Paco & Yonque. Oh my gosh, so much fun! The vibe both to get in and once you enter are amazing, and the drinks are potent. It’s hidden inside a cool little sandwich shop, and it’s 100% worth the trip. They have a ton of “magic potions” to entertain you.
Well, the drinks are amazing, but the heart moonshine so to speak, just say no. LOL. I will tell you that it is “an experience”. The tour of the facilities and how they prepare the drinks isn’t one to miss, ask the staff.
If you book a table at Huaca Pucllana you can fully take in and enjoy the outdoor seating and the sights of the ancient ruins. Theya re beautiful and the location is romantic. You’ll be glad you did.
Once you leave Lima, your first stop will be Paracas. Paracas sits on the Pacific coast, south of Lima. It’s where desert meets sea, marine life plays tag with waves, and your camera’s “wildlife” setting will get serious mileage.
PeruHop includes a few fun bits in Paracas as part of many passes. Peru Hop Passes Here are the highlights (plus my commentary):
Yes, you read that right. The Ballestas Islands are sometimes called “Peru’s Mini-Galápagos.” Why “mini”? Because you don’t have to take a multi-day cruise—just a morning boat trip. You’ll see sea lions, penguins, pelicans, myriad sea birds, and someone may even try to photobomb your selfies. You can book the excursion on the bus with the tour guides (the company even recommended waiting until you are on the bus to book rather than booking early). It cost me $20 and it was a 3-hour tour that was well worth it.
Pro tip: Go early in the morning (the sea is calmer) and bring motion sickness meds if your stomach is delicate.
This is where desert dunes crash into the ocean. The colors, winds, solitude—very dramatic. It’s almost poetic. It’s also dramatic for your hair (i.e. very windy). Many PeruHop passes include a stop in the national reserve, so make sure you check which one you are getting.
Yes, there is a somewhat morbid but fascinating addition: underground tunnels used historically for smuggling slaves in the 17th century. It’s “secret” (relatively) and PeruHop includes an “exclusive guided tour of the Secret Slave Tunnels” in some itineraries.
In other words, if you thought you were only going to see cute penguins and dune vistas, prepare to get your dark history fix too.
If Paracas is desert + sea, Huacachina is desert + party. This tiny oasis town is surrounded by massive sand dunes. It’s like someone stamped “Oasis Zone” in the desert with a giant rubber stamp.
Here’s the menu of things you can (and probably should) do there:
If you’re a pro, unlike myself, you can rent skiing or sandboards for the standup version. The typical tour only includes the board you will lay or sit down on to get down the mountain.
Caution: that sand will get into your shoes, camera, hair, clothes, soul (okay maybe not your soul). Bring extra plastic bags or dustproof pouches.
The following morning several individuals chose to take the tour to the Pisco vineyard stop. While we did not (as the night before was enough), the individuals who did go said you could skip this one and mentioned that it was more about trying to sell you on Piscos than too much of a tour.
Nazca is something like the place where ancient people drew giant geoglyphs on the desert floor long, long ago. You’ve probably heard of the Nazca Lines, famous for giant drawings of animals, shapes, and things that look like extraterrestrials waved down with binoculars. On this tour, you can experience the Naz Lines in two ways. 1) By flight 2) From a tower the bus stops at for about 20 minutes.
Nazca Lines Flight: Fly over the lines in a small plane and see giant drawings like the monkey, spider, condor, etc. It’s neat to see, but our friends who took the flight after an evening out and about they did not recommend the flight. Also, while neat, I think I saw the jist from the ground. Now, if this is your kind of thing, then by all means! It’s about $125 for a 30-minute flight.
Also, these flights often have weight limits (e.g. max ~ 100 kg /220 lbs) and extra fees for heavier passengers.
Moving deeper into the highlands, we arrive at Arequipa, sometimes called the “White City” for its beautiful white volcanic stone buildings. It’s scenic, historic, enchanting, and full of opportunities to wonder if you’re hallucinating at altitude. While we didn’t stay long as we were short on time, this would 100% be a place I’d like to explore.
What to expect (and tours to do):
Some travelers prefer Arequipa to Puno (Lake Titicaca) in terms of overall vibe and comfort.
From Arequipa you approach Puno, which is your gateway to Lake Titicaca. Now, this is where things get spiritual, cool, and breath-taking (though you might need to breathe carefully).
Here’s what typically happens:
This is one of those places where you feel simultaneously small (because infinite lake) and awestruck (because local culture, mountain/magical vibe).
PeruHop offers day trips from Cusco for Lake Titicaca, or includes it in longer passes
Finally, after a long bus-and hop journey, you reach Cusco, the ancient Inca capital (altitude ~3,400 m or ~11,200 ft) and the launchpad to Machu Picchu. Let’s just say as we got closer, the altitude started to kick in. The headaches began to kick up and walking was a heck of a lot more difficult.
Note—Get your Machu Picchu passes well in advance of your trip. Thankfully it wasn’t high season and we managed to get in a line when we arrived and scored a ticket. For many, this was not the case. So, you really, really should plan several months in advance if you’re going to do it!
o Note—You can choose either PeruRail or IncaRail
Shopping in Cusco was quite interesting. The local goods made by hand were stunning! Let’s just say, I had not planned to buy two pairs of shoes while making our way to a fusion of Italian/Peruvian food, but it happened. There were definitely things in the ole suitcase that did not make it back home because of it 😉
Panzotis – I recommend this place and it was tasty. There are a ton of options, even Jill’s for coffee afterwards (yes, we had to do it just for me).
Because Cusco × Machu Picchu are iconic, many travelers plan their trip around that as the climax, with PeruHop acting as the “epic road trip to the climax.” Definitely worth the time and money to go!
For us, we flew back to Lima after returning to Cuzco. I would say a bus ride 1 way is enough for me.
So, now that you have a decent idea of what the locations around Peru are like, here are a few sample itineraries PeruHop offers:
Now for the juicy part: actual sample tours, comparison, and humor-laced reflections.
One of PeruHop’s shorter packages is a 4-day trip from Lima through Paracas, Huacachina, and Nazca (returning to Lima).
What you get (in broad strokes):
Things not included: food, lodging (optional add ons), airport taxes, etc.
Why you might pick this:
Humorous caution: On Day 3, you’ll probably be sand-scratched, windblown, and absolutely covered in dust. You’ll also be that person pulling bits of sand out of your ears at night. But you’ll be smiling about it and exhausted, but you’ll get there fast!
This is a super-intense, “blink-and-you’ll-miss-something” version of the 4-day route. You’ll pack in:
Why choose it: You have very little time (e.g. a layover in Lima) but want to still squeeze in those deserts + lines.
Pros: You’ll feel like a true adventure warrior if you survive.
Cons: You’ll have zero downtime, likely no room for sickness or delays.
Expect to collapse into your Lima hotel the final night and vow never again (until you see the photos, then regret that vow).
These are the bread & butter of PeruHop. You pick a route (e.g. Lima → Cusco), get a flexible pass, and decide where/when to stop. You can, say, linger in Arequipa for 3 days, skip Nazca, or stay extra in Puno.
Advantages:
Many travelers use the flexible pass up to Cusco, then book local tours to Machu Picchu etc.
If you fly into Cusco (doing Machu Picchu independently) but have a spare day or two, PeruHop also offers day trips:
From Lima: desert/ocean escapes (e.g. Huacachina, Ballestas Islands, Nazca)
From Cusco: Lake Titicaca, Rainbow Mountain, etc.
These are classic guided tours—you get one day, one guide, one destiny, and return that evening (assuming times work).
This is for people who want to do the full trajectory: Lima → all the stops → Cusco (then Machu Picchu). You might spend two weeks or more, combining major and minor stops, acclimatizing, taking side treks, and really stretching your legs (and patience) in high altitude
These are more logistical but rewarding: you get coastal, desert, Andean, cultural, lake, ruin, and mountain. You’ll see “the whole south of Peru” in one connective thread.
If your life motto is “if I don’t see Machu Picchu, did I even go to Peru?” this is your route.
Because nothing is perfect, especially not tour companies full of enthusiastic hosts, altitude, and dusty roads. Let me share some pros, cons, and amusing expectations.
Pros:
Cons & Realities:
One Reddit user’s comment sums up the trust factor:
“Peruhop is a very safe company with a very high standard of quality (that’s why the cost is so high).” Reddit
Another warned:
“Peru is a highly informal country so you might experience delays booking through smaller companies. PeruHop seems to be foreign tourist oriented.” Reddit
So, temper expectations: it’s a fantastic service, but you’re still in Peru, not Switzerland.
Here’s a fictional but plausible “Day in a PeruHop Life” (my version):
You wake up with sand in your hair, sandals still half-buried in dunes from last night’s bonfire. Breakfast is slightly crunchy from stray sand. Your PeruHop host (Peruvian, with an Irish accent because the founders are Irish-ish) greets you and says, “Are you ready to dune-buggy so hard your soul hums?” You climb into a buggy. Wind slaps your face but it’s okay—your sunglasses now look like alien eyes. You plunge into dunes, bounce up, catch air, then ride down on a board, grinning like you’ve found Narnia.
At the little Nazca airstrip, the propeller plane waits. Inside, the seats are snug. The pilot does his safety speech: “If we go down, try to land in cactus, not in sand… just kidding, don’t worry.” You take off. The ground below is vast, flat, a canvas—and you see the spider, dog, hummingbird. You squint and think, “Those ancients had a sense of cosmic prank.” Camera clicked. Heart sighs.
You’re dozing, drooling lightly (it’s acceptable for tourists). The host announces: “Next stop, Pisco vineyard for a tasting!” You choke awake, clean drool, and stumble off the bus (gracefully?). You taste pisco. It burns pleasantly. You toast: “To Peru, to desert, to altitude, to sand in every crevice!” The host laughs, pours you another.
You arrive. Breathing is a bit labored. You’re dizzy. But you’re so excited you stagger to a bar, order a chicha morada and whisper, “I made it. I saw everything. I always wanted this.” Your phone has 3,000 photos. You will spend 3 hours later tonight deleting duplicates, correcting horizons, and regretting selfies with forehead glare.
That, dear traveler, might be your PeruHop life. It may not be serene, but it will be memorable.
To maximize laughs and minimize regrets, here are my best tips (plus extra disclaimers):
1. Book side tours early
If there are add-ons you really want (Nazca flight, Colca Canyon, island sleep nights), reserve them in advance. They can sell out.
2. Bring layers & altitude gear
Temperature swings = real. Bring longsleeves, sunblock, hat, windbreaker. And take altitude meds (acetazolamide, or local coca leaf tea) if you’re prone to soroche.
3. Carry snacks & water
On bus legs, food stops may be limited. Plus, you’ll want water to hydrate (especially at altitude).
4. Protect your gear from sand & dust
Seal your camera, phone, bag in Ziploc/ziplock liners. Hide from wind where possible.
5. Be flexible
Buses may delay, weather may shift, you’ll feel tired. Accept that your perfect schedule might bend.
6. Learn basic Spanish
Even a few phrases go a long way with locals or in rural stops. “Gracias,” “¿Dónde está?,” “¿Cuánto cuesta?”
7. Don’t overpack
With constant movement, light luggage will save you pain, especially in hostels, bus trunks, and dusty lounges.
8. Respect local culture
At indigenous villages or floating islands, behave respectfully. Ask before taking photos of people. Support local artisans.
9. Rest days are not wasted days
It’s okay to linger somewhere you like (Arequipa, Cusco) rather than constantly chasing new towns.
10. Check schedules & weight limits
For flights (Nazca) or certain bus legs, understand weight restrictions or cutoff times.
Also, many Reddit users recommend comparing costs between booking add-on tours via PeruHop and local independent operators. Some local agencies might offer slightly cheaper deals—but you lose the convenience of PeruHop’s coordination. Reddit
One user’s practical advice:
“Booking online is way more expensive … in some agencies here the Machu Picchu tour is half the price locally.” Reddit
But of course, sometimes that cheaper option comes with more risk or less reliability, so choose wisely.
Here are a few sample itineraries (with rough days) that meld ambition, flexibility, and sanity checks.
Itinerary A: “Desert & Lines Sprint” (4–5 days)
Warning: you’ll be tired. But if you want a desert + sea + lines sampler, this does it fast.
Itinerary B: “South to Cusco in Style” (10–14 days)
This is more balanced—coast, desert, highlands—and allows time to adjust to altitude, rest, and absorb Peru rather than sprint through.
Itinerary C: Cusco First, Desert Later (if you start in Cusco)
If your flight lands in Cusco first, you could reverse or adapt:
Just note that descending altitude is easier than ascending, and doing the high altitudes first gives your body time to adjust before you move on to the desert bits.
Peru is significantly cheaper than the US, and it truly depends on how long you want to stay, what you want to do, and what level of services you desire. For me,3 weeks in my Airbnb in Lima, PeruHop (3-day trip) with both restruaunts and grocery stops, and the train and entry tour to Machu Picchu, ran me right around $2500. So, all in all, a month and a week trip (my airfare I used 30K points+$70 on an American flight from Miami to Peru and back. I’d say, to do everything I got to do in that period of time, was way better than sitting on my couch at home, watching the news, and complaining about gas prices! I couldn’t have asked for a better trip!
Peru is a magical place, and PeruHop offers something pretty magical: it gives you the illusion of being a free spirited overlanding traveler and the safety net of organization. You get to hop off whenever you please, explore, tweak your plan—but you also don’t have to reinvent the bus route or decipher local bus schedules in broken Spanish when you’re half-dehydrated.
It’s not perfect. You’ll get dusty. You’ll get tired. You maybe will curse your decision to ride dusty buses over cheap flights one too many times. But if your heart wants to see penguins, desert dunes, Nazca’s mysteries, volcanic cities, floating islands, and Inca stone terraces—all in one contiguous (and semi-coherent) journey—PeruHop gives you a framework.
If I were you (and let’s pretend I were), I’d aim for a flexible middle-length pass (around 10–14 days) so you can linger where your soul vibes (Arequipa, Cusco) and rush through where you must (Nazca, maybe Paracas). And carry extra socks (sand is the world’s most persistent hitchhiker).
Use Skyscanner to find a cheap flight. This is my very first stop when I’m looking for my next trip. It’s a fast, easy-to-use search engine that is perfect for finding an affordable flight, a perfect hotel, and the right rental car for you in locations around the globe.
If you are looking for a super budget friendly location and are open to a hostel stay, make sure you book your hostel with Hostelworld. It offers the broadest range of quality hostels around the world.
If you’d prefer a hotel or a guesthouse for stays less than 28 days, drop on over to Booking.com It’s perfect for providing excellent options, a ton of user reviews, and prices to fit every budget.
For stays over 28 days, AirBnB still remains my #1 choice. User reviews and monthly pricing allow for some incredible deals all around the world.
Travel insurance is but a small up-front investment that you won’t want to leave home without. After just one experience of having to delay or cancel your trip or having your luggage stolen, you’ll wish you would have made that investment. I’ve hated my life a few times when the moment arose, and I decided to skip out. Let’s just say, I’ve changed my ways and recommend each of the following companies to protect your ass-ets.
Travel credit cards allow you to earn points that can be redeemed for free flights and accommodation — all without any extra spending. Check out my guide to getting free flights to get started.
Check out my Resource Page for the best companies to help you book your travel at reduced rates! This list will help you get to where you’re going. I know-I use them ALL the time!
Hi, Jill Here
Hi! I’m Jill, a Dallas, Texas girl traveling the world. After a career in the Air Force and touring over 50 countries later, my need to explore keeps going! It’s time to rock & roll and find all those places I never knew I was missing.
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