We highly recommend PeruHop and BoliviaHop as our experience with them was memorable. The company is well managed and you get the feeling that they really care about their customers … the result is a memorable experience.
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There are a number of different tickets and travel can be done either south to north or north to south. A ticket is valid for a one year so you have many options for stopping on the way. Ideally make as few firm bookings as possible so that you can adapt and create an itinerary as you go. The accommodation linked to the tour also offers free changes to any bookings.
Instead of taking a flight we bought a PeruHop bus ticket from Lima in Peru to La Paz in Bolivia.
Our route had stops at Paracas, Huacachina, Nazca, Arequipa and Copacabana. The minimum time that this route takes is 6 days and we did it in 12. We did not stay overnight at Nazca as we didn’t plan to do the flight over the Nazca lines.
There was also an option to go to Cusco. As we had previously visited Cusco and done the Inca Trail and also our trip time was running out we chose to give this a miss.
There was one overnight ride, from Huacachina to Arequipa, but this was more than comfortable.
The drivers drove carefully and adhered to the speed limits and we were regularly reminded by the guides to wear seat belts.
The bus seats are semi-cama and comfortable … when the person in front fully reclines you nearly have their head in your lap … the solution is to live with it or fully recline your seat!
There was a wide range of ages of travellers although the bulk are in their 20’s and 30’s.
Many of the roads are narrow with precarious sides. There are many trucks and I assume the roads are quite dangerous if the crosses and flowers on the side of the road are indicators of fatalities.
Like many Developing (Third World) economies Peru has a plastic pollution problem – with fences and highway strewn with bags.
Our overall experience was “we loved it” – we met many interesting people and some with whom we’ve already started to build relationships. Backpackers and bus travellers are an interesting, unique breed.
As we were parting company on one leg of the journey there was a memorable talk and message by Alex, one of the PeruHop guides. He spoke passionately about the sustainability of tourism, the subtle abuse of animals by locals and the lack of sensitivity to these issues by visitors. The abuse of eagles, baby condors, alpacas, llamas and vicuñas being the subject of “cute” selfie photographs.
He acknowledged that the world is in a mess and no country more so than Peru. But his message is that society improves one small deed at a time. Whether with litter or corruption. We are all responsible.
The environment must be cared for so that it is sustained for our children and grandchildren.
Peru, Bolivia and Colombia have a cocaine problem driven by the demand from the United States and the western world. This is made worse by pathetic efforts and empty slogans of fighting a “War against illegal drugs”. The only consequence is making the drug lords, drug barons, and narcotraffickers rich and powerful.
Instead of slogans and failed attempts when will some politicians have the kahunas to realise that there is a solution to this feeble, wretched never to be won “war” … legalise all illegal drugs.
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Balestas islands, Bolivia hop, BoliviaHop, Colca Canyon, Isla de Sol, Lake Titicaca, Paracas, Peru Hop, PeruHop, sandboarding
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