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On my travels, I spent some time trying to decide whether Peru Hop would be worth the money or not. Across recent traveler write-ups, Peru Hop earns consistently positive feedback—especially for its seamless logistics (hotel pick-ups, coordinated stops), friendly English-speaking guides, and the value you get once activities and transfers are included. After comparing options and reading those reviews, I chose Peru Hop—and the experience confirmed it was worth it for my trip. Here’s why:
First I looked solely at means of transport from destination to destination regardless of extra tours & discounts etc.
Lima → Paracas ≈ $14.29
Paracas → Ica/Huacachina ≈ $8.57
Ica → Nazca ≈ $11.43
Nazca → Arequipa ≈ $40.00
Arequipa → Puno ≈ $22.86
Puno → Cusco ≈ $25.7
TOTAL: $122.86
Multiple short hops between hotels/towns and bus terminals along the route
Subtotal (taxis): ≈ $42.86
Time impact from taxis + terminal waits: ≈ 420 minutes
TOTAL: $ 174
Then I accounted for the activities Peru Hop includes on this route:
Hacienda San José . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $19
Paracas National Reserve . . . . . . . . $20
Pisco Vineyard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $20
Nazca Lines Viewing Tower . . . . . . $23
TOTAL (public bus with taxis + activities): $256
Peru Hop’s pass for this route was $217—and once I added the usual taxi transfers and activities to a public-bus plan (≈$256), Peru Hop actually came out $39 cheaper. After comparing inclusions and reading recent traveler feedback, the value was clear for my trip.
After analyzing the cost instead of just looking at the upfront price, I realized Peru was not only cheaper, but safer and makes my trip a non-stressful one!
So I’d already weighed up the pro’s, con’s and price list before I took Peru Hop, but here’s a few things I felt like mentioning that made Peru Hop worth the money even more for me.
I’ve always been good at making friends so I wasn’t worried about that. However, the group activities, meals and games organized by Peru Hop really helped form a lot of the bonds I made. I also ended up going on a lot of the same tours and staying in the same accommodation with these amazing people I’d met along the way so I made friendships stronger than I ever would have travelling alone.
I wanted to learn about Peru but explore the country without paying someone to walk me through a step by step tour. Peru Hop was the perfect balance. Our guide told us all about the fascinating places we stopped in but we also had enough space to do our own thing at all of the destinations. It was more than a book or lonely planet could have given, but also not overbearing!
When I flew into Lima, I couldn’t get over the crazy state of the roads over here. There was loud, foggy traffic in every corner and then once out of Lima and on the open road, cars, buses and trucks all seemed to be throwing all speed limits out the window. I was also probably a little on edge from a few crashes I’d heard about while in Peru, however the whole time I was pretty glad I’d opted for the safer option! It gave me the freedom to sit back and take in the beauty of Peru knowing everything else was looked after!
Overall after my experience, I would definitely say Peru Hop is worth it! It was one of the best trips of my life and I’m glad I got to spend it with so many amazing people and at such ease! Thank you Peru Hop! For those who don’t want to just take my word for it, you can check out a whole load more reviews on the Peru Hop web page.
If you’re thinking of doing the same Peru Hop trip I did, you can find everything you need to know here! There are also several day trips and other passes to choose from if you want to take Peru Hop but not the same route as me!
ENTERTAINMENT TIP: If looking for fun at night, or to watch sports during the day, or even a taste of home, visit the Wild Rover Hostels Chain for great food, sports and beer! Entrance to their bars is free even for non-guests
