HOPSTAGE 1: LIMA TO PARACAS

A: RECOMMENDED DEPARTURE WITH EXTRA STOPS

 
DEPARTURES: MON/WED/FRI/SAT/SUN
DEPARTURES FROM: Any hotel/hostel in Miraflores or Barranco. Selected points in downtown (old town) Lima.
DEPARTURE TIME: 07:00am
ARRIVAL TIME: 14:00pm
 
FREE STOPS ON THIS JOURNEY:

• Cristo del Pacifico, Lima – Get the best views of Lima and learn all about the war between Peru and Chile at this stunning location.
• Pachacamac, Lima – Enjoy a FREE panoramic view of this pre-Inca Temple – Lima’s version of Machu Picchu.
• Bread Oven Breakfast – We take a unique stop to taste Peru’s freshest bread for around $1!
• Hacienda San Jose, Chincha – Discover secret slave tunnels from the 17th Century. These tunnels stretch over 17km underground and were only discovered 100 years later!

B: EXPRESS SERVICE – direct bus to Paracas (no stops)

 
DEPARTURES: DAILY
DEPARTURES FROM: Any hotel/hostel in Miraflores or Barranco. Selected points in downtown (old town) Lima.
DEPARTURE TIME: 06:00am
ARRIVAL TIME: 10:00am
 
RECOMMENDED NIGHTS:
We recommend staying at least 1 night in Paracas. We can help you book your accommodation onboard.
 
MUST-DO EXTRA ACTIVITY:

• Ballestas Islands – Take a 2 hour speed boat tour of the islands where you will see penguins, sea lions, marine birds and maybe dolphins, all living in their natural habitat. Ballestas Islands are known as “poor man’s” Galapagos. Boat tours begin at 08:00am or 10:00am and last 2 hours.

 
SHORT ON TIME?
If you take the express 06:00am bus it is not necessary to spend the night in Paracas. You can arrive at 10am and have 3 hours in Paracas before leaving for Huacacina at 1pm. Enjoy a visit to the Paracas National Reserve (included free stop) OR a boat tour to Ballestas Islands (optional extra) and continue to Huacachina the same day. Note – there is NOT time to do both the Reserva and the Ballestas. However, we strongly recommend the 07:00am bus to stop and see more along the way!
 
OTHER THINGS TO DO:

• Rent quad bikes and drive around the desert.
• Rent bicycles.
• Practice kitesurfing.
• Chill out by the pool or at the beach.

HOPSTAGE 2: PARACAS TO HUACACHINA

DEPARTURES: DAILY
DEPARTURES FROM: Residencial Los Frayles (within close walking distance of most hotels/hostels in Paracas).
DEPARTURE TIME: 13:00pm
ARRIVAL TIME: 14:15pm
 
FREE STOPS ON THIS JOURNEY:

• Paracas National Reserve – Experience one of the largest protected desert reserves in South America. The bus to the reserve departs at 11:00am on MON/TUE/THU/SAT before the bus to Huacachina.

 
RECOMMENDED NIGHTS:
We recommend staying 1 night in Huacachina. We can help you book your accommodation.
 
MUST-DO EXTRA ACTIVITY:

• Dune Buggy and Sandboarding – Guaranteed to be one of the biggest adrenalin rushes you will have in your life! Dune Buggy up and sandboard down…what can go wrong?! Tours begin at 16:00pm and last 2 hours.

 
OTHER THINGS TO DO:

• Explore the only desert oasis in South America.
• Visit a Pisco Vineyard.
• Camp overnight in the dunes.
• Relax by the pool.

HOPSTAGE 3: HUACACHINA TO NAZCA TO AREQUIPA

DEPARTURES: MON/TUE/WED/FRI/SUN
DEPARTURES FROM: Casa de Arenas (within close walking distance of most hotels/hostels in Huacachina).
DEPARTURE TIME: 13:00pm
ARRIVAL TIME: 05:30am (next day)
 
FREE STOPS ON THIS JOURNEY:

• Pisco Vineyard – Take a tour of a boutique vineyard to discover how Pisco, the national drink of Peru, is made. Best of all, get lots of free samples of pure pisco, sweet wine, and Pisco baileys! The tour begins at 13:15pm.
• Nazca Lines Viewing Tower – Climb the tower and see 3 of the biggest Nazca Lines for free!

 
RECOMMENDED NIGHTS:
We recommend staying 2 nights in Arequipa. We can help you book your accommodation.
 
MUST-DO EXTRA ACTIVITY:

• Colca Canyon Tour – A relaxed mix of bus rides and walking for those who cannot stay 4 or 5 days in Arequipa to do a difficult trek.

 
OTHER THINGS TO DO:

• Colca Canyon Trek which requires more time to adjust to the altitude.
• Go white water rafting.
• Explore the snow-capped volcano, Misti Mountain.

 
EXTRA TIP:
Arequipa is probably Peru’s most beautiful city… Take time to explore this incredible place.
 
NAZCA FLIGHTS INFORMATION:
We only stop in Nazca for 1 hour. If you want to do the Nazca Lines Flight, you can take a public bus from Huacachina to Nazca at 08:00am, take the flight, and we will pick you up at 07:00pm in Nazca. If interested, your guide will provide detailed information and can help you book your flight! We do not recommend spending time in Nazca as there is not much to do, but your ticket does allow you to hop off in Nazca and get on the next bus if you so wish.
 
IMPORTANT TO KNOW:

• Colca Canyon 2 day tour begins at 08:00am (can be done on the same day as arrival).
• Full day tour begins at 03:00am (stay 1 night Arequipa, do this tour the next day).
• Treks begin at 03:00am (2 and 3 day treks available).

HOPSTAGE 4: AREQUIPA TO CUSCO

DEPARTURES: MON/TUE/WED/THU/SAT
DEPARTURES FROM: Any hotel/hostel in central Arequipa.
DEPARTURE TIME: 05:45am
ARRIVAL TIME: 17:30pm
 
FREE STOPS ON THIS JOURNEY:

• Pukara – Stop for a cheap lunch at a local restaurant in this non-touristy town.

 
RECOMMENDED NIGHTS:
We recommend staying 3-4 nights in Cusco.
 
MUST-DO EXTRA ACTIVITY:

• Machu Picchu Tour – Do either a trek (Classic Inca Trail or Salkantay), or maybe a combined trek/biking tour (Inka Jungle Trek) or train in and back (can be done as a full day but 2 days staying the night before in Aguas Calientes advised).

 
OTHER THINGS TO DO:

• Explore the historic city of Cusco.
• Venture to the Sacred Valley.
• Go white water rafting (Urubamba/Apurimac rivers).
• Quad biking.
• Horseriding.

 
WHAT HAPPENS ON ARRIVAL
We drop you off at your hostel in Cusco and you get lots of tips and advice at our office in Cusco and maybe even a free tshirt if they are in stock!

HOPSTAGE 5: CUSCO TO PUNO

 
DEPARTURES: MON/TUE/WED/THU/FRI/SAT/SUN
DEPARTURES FROM: Peru Hop Private terminal just 10/15 minutes from hotels (address will be provided on booking confirmation).
DEPARTURE TIME: 22:00pm
ARRIVAL TIME: 06:00am (next day)
 
FREE STOPS ON THIS JOURNEY:

• Breakfast stop upon arrival in Puno to fuel up for the early morning boat ride out to the islands.

 
RECOMMENDED NIGHTS:
We recommend staying 1 night in Puno. We can help you book your accommodation.
 
MUST-DO EXTRA ACTIVITY:

• Floating Islands Tour – See how locals build and live on the floating islands of Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world.

 
OTHER THINGS TO DO:

• For those who might want to experience more, take a full day tour and even stay 1 night on Isla Amantani at a local homestay. We can help organize these extra activities!
• Visit the Sillustani burial towers.
• Kayak on the highest navigable lake in the world.

EXTRA TIP:
Puno is a small place with not much to do apart from visiting the Uros floating islands, Isla Taquile, and Isla Amantani on Lake Titicaca. Overnight stays on Isla Amantani are possible for those who want to explore more of the islands.

HOPSTAGE 6: PUNO TO COPACABANA

 
DEPARTURES: MON/TUE/WED/THU/FRI/SAT/SUN
DEPARTURES FROM: Any hotel/hostel in central Puno.
DEPARTURE TIME: 08:30am
ARRIVAL TIME: 13:30pm
 
FREE STOPS ON THIS JOURNEY:

• Peru/Bolivia border – Our guides will assist you with the necessary paperwork and immigration processes to cross the border. Check with our Cusco office before departure for nationalities that may require additional VISA requirements. Please have your passport and immigration slips in order. Overstay fines should be paid before leaving Cusco.

 
RECOMMENDED NIGHTS:
We recommend staying 1 night in Copacabana. We can help you book your accommodation.
 
MUST-DO EXTRA ACTIVITY:

• Isla Del Sol (Island of the Sun) – According to Inca legend this small island in the middle of Lake Titicaca was home to their most revered god, Inti, and was the mythical birthplace of the first Inca ancestors. A 4 hour round trip in our private boat takes you out to see the ancestral terracing and ruins of the southern part of the island as well as the existing island communities (includes a 1 hour walk from the original sun temple to the small island town of Yumani). Includes island entrance fee.

 
OTHER THINGS TO DO:

• Climb ‘El Calvario’ hill for amazing panoramic views of Lake Titicaca (sunset).
• Visit the sacred church and pilgrimage centre of the Basilica de Nuestra Senora de Copacabana.
• Hire a kayak or duck-shaped pedalow and head out onto the lake.
• Relax lakeside with a cold beer and dine on the local speciality of freshly caught lake trout.

HOPSTAGE 7: COPACABANA TO LA PAZ

 
DEPARTURES: MON/TUE/WED/THU/FRI/SAT/SUN
DEPARTURES FROM: White Anchor in Copacabana port
DEPARTURE TIME: 18:00pm
ARRIVAL TIME: 22:30pm
 
FREE STOPS ON THIS JOURNEY:

• Tiquina lake crossing – passenger ferry across the Strait of Tiquina. Boat fare is included.

 
RECOMMENDED NIGHTS:
We recommend staying 2-3 nights in La Paz.
 
MUST-DO EXTRA ACTIVITY:

• Bike the North Yungas Road – THE DEATH ROAD!!

 
OTHER THINGS TO DO:

• Take the newly constructed city Teleferico (cable car) for the most stunning views of the city.
• Visit the infamous witch market. Learn the history of the coca leaf and its continued use in indigenous culture in the Coca Museum.
• Feel on top of the world scaling the infamous peak of Huayna Potosi – 6000+m (3 days).

EXTRA TIP:
Puno is a small place with not much to do apart from visiting the Uros floating islands, Isla Taquile, and Isla Amantani on Lake Titicaca. Overnight stays on Isla Amantani are possible for those who want to explore more of the islands.
 
WHAT HAPPENS ON ARRIVAL:
We drop you at your hostel in La Paz and you get lots of tips and advice on what to do and see.