Exploring Nazca, Huacachina & Paracas with Peru Hop
Why Choose Peru Hop?
Peru had a way of surprising us. Just when we thought we’d seen its best side in Cusco and hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, it showed us something completely different! Vast deserts and the coast offering a completely different and breathtaking landscape.
We wanted to explore as much as we can going from Cusco to Arequipa and then to Lima. Therefore, we decided to travel from Cusco to Lima with Peru Hop. Earlier in our journey in Bolivia, we had crossed from La Paz to Cusco with Bolivia Hop and loved every moment of it. The onboard guide, the smooth travel, and how much we learned about the places along the way enriched our experience. Having someone share stories, answer questions, and handle logistics while you simply enjoy the ride makes a world of difference.
This time, from Cusco to Lima, we stayed two weeks in Arequipa (to hike the Colca Canyon), one night in Huacachina and one night in Paracas, with a wonderful team – one main guide and two trainees. All three were amazing people: friendly, organized, and full of local knowledge.
Of course, we could have done this route independently, hopping on public buses and arranging everything ourselves. But it wouldn’t have been the same. We would have missed the small but meaningful moments – the spontaneous stops, the hidden stories, and special experiences like the Secret Slave Tunnel, something we might never have discovered on our own.
Traveling with Peru Hop felt like being part of a small traveling community, learning as we went, and enjoying every mile of Peru’s endlessly changing landscape – from mountains to desert to coast.
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Stop 1: Nazca — Lines of Mystery
Our first travel day began bright and early – 5:30 AM, when Peru Hop picked us up right from our hostel in Arequipa. Still sleepy but excited, we settled in as the bus rolled out into the early morning light. We were picked in a shuttle van but then transferred to the big Peru Hop bus once everyone was picked up.
A few hours later, we stopped for breakfast at a traditional bread oven, and I still remember how fresh the bread was – filled with ham, cheese, and olives. It was a simple roadside café, nothing fancy, but that kind of meal somehow tastes better when you’re on the road, halfway between mountains and desert.
After a quick 20-minute break, we continued toward the coast. The scenery began to shift – the air warmer, the colors lighter, until finally, we stopped again for lunch at a restaurant by the ocean. It felt incredible to suddenly see the sea after days in high-altitude towns. We enjoyed a local meal, watching waves crash against the rocks, before continuing our drive toward Nazca.
Nazca Lines Viewing Tower
We arrived around 4:30 PM, and our guide took us to the Nazca Lines viewing tower. From there, you could clearly see three distinct figures carved into the desert floor – enormous and precise, even after centuries. Standing on that tower, gazing out at lines that stretch endlessly across the sand, I felt a deep mix of awe and curiosity.
Our guide explained what’s known (and unknown) about the Nazca Lines – how they might represent animals, celestial maps, or spiritual symbols – but no one truly knows exactly why they were made. That mystery is part of what makes Nazca feel almost sacred. It’s quiet, vast, and humbling.
For those who wanted to take a flight to see the Nazca lines the next day, stayed in Nazca overnight.
For the rest of us, by early evening, we were back on the road. As the sun set behind us, we finally reached Huacachina around 7:30 PM.
Settling In To Our Hostel
Peru Hop made it super easy to manage our luggage. They dropped everyone off at Wild Rover Hostel, and since we had booked our stay at Wild Olive Hostel, we could leave our big bags at Wild Rover and just carry what we needed for the night. That small convenience made such a difference.
Tip: For anyone planning this, Wild Rover is known for its big parties and loud music, so if you prefer quiet nights, Wild Olive (just a 5-minute walk away) is a perfect peaceful alternative.
Stop 2: Huacachina — The Desert Oasis Adventure
The next morning, we woke up to sunshine and the surreal sight of a lagoon surrounded by towering golden sand dunes. Huacachina truly looks like a mirage – a tiny oasis town wrapped in golden dunes, with palm trees reflecting on the still water.
We spent the morning exploring at our own pace. The air was warm but dry, and we wandered around the lagoon, stopping at small cafés, watching locals and travelers start their day. Around midday, we joined Peru Hop’s free Pisco Vineyard tour, a complimentary experience included in the ticket.
Pisco Vineyard Tour
The tour took us to Nietto Vineyard, where we learned how Pisco – Peru’s national spirit – is made, from grapes to glass. The tour guides were fun and knowledgeable, and the tastings were generous! We tried several types of wines and Pisco sours, and later you have an option to purchase your favorites. If you like, you can also join the group for lunch (paid out of pocket) or you can choose to come back to town and have lunch at your desired restaurant.
Once back in town, we had lunch at our hostel, and I have to mention this – the pizza at Wild Olive was one of the best we’ve had in Peru. It was massive – big enough to share, with a thick, crispy crust and fresh toppings.
Dune Buggy and Sandboarding Tour
Later in the afternoon, it was time for our main adventure – the dune buggy and sandboarding sunset tour, which we had pre-booked with Wilder Tours. They had been super responsive on WhatsApp, sent us a receipt, and let us pay in person on arrival, which was very convenient.
The tour started at 4 PM, and for the next two hours, we felt like we were on the wildest rollercoaster of our lives. The dune buggy driver was incredibly skilled, speeding up and down massive dunes, twisting and turning just enough to make us scream and laugh all at once. The desert stretched endlessly around us, golden under the late afternoon sun.
When it came time to sandboard, we each got a board and three chances to go down. It was thrilling! The trick, we learned, was to relax your body – and if you want to go faster, keep your feet lifted above the sand. The more your feet touch, the more you slow down.
Just as I thought the fun was over, our driver revved up again, and we zoomed across the dunes one more time – this time to catch the sunset. Watching the sun dip below the horizon, painting the desert in hues of orange and pink, was pure magic. There was silence, a cool breeze, and that warm glow that makes you forget time for a while.
By 6:15 PM, we were back at Wild Rover to catch our Peru Hop bus to Paracas. We’d kept our bags packed and ready, so we made it just in time. It was a short and easy ride, and by 9 PM, we were in Paracas. The bus dropped us at Hotel Los Frayles, and from there it was just a five-minute walk to our accommodation.
Stop 3: Paracas — The Coastal Calm
If Huacachina was all about adrenaline and sunsets, Paracas was the opposite – calm, breezy, and peaceful. Paracas is known for its rich marine life, dramatic landscapes, and the gateway to the Ballestas Islands and Paracas National Reserve.
Ballestas Islands Tour
The next morning, we joined a boat tour to the Ballestas Islands, often called the Galápagos of Peru for their abundant wildlife. We booked with Embarcadero Islas Ballestas, a tour operator with excellent reviews and communication. We arranged everything through WhatsApp and paid on arrival.
The two-hour boat ride was one of the highlights of our trip. As we cruised across the blue waters, the wind in our hair, we spotted penguins, sea lions, and hundreds of seabirds – cormorants, pelicans, seagulls. The boat stopped at various viewpoints where we could see the animals up close, lounging on rocks or diving into the water. This was the first time we saw penguins!!
The rock formations were stunning – sharp cliffs and caves carved by time, some covered in white from nesting birds, others glowing gold in the morning sun. We even saw a group of six penguins huddled together near the rocks, which felt surreal in a desert country like Peru.
Tour To Paracas National Reserve
In the afternoon, we joined the Peru Hop complimentary tour to Paracas National Reserve. If you ever visit, don’t skip this – it’s an entirely different kind of beauty. The reserve is vast and untouched, a mix of red cliffs, blue ocean, and open desert. At the viewpoint overlooking Playa Roja (the red beach), the colors were so vivid it felt almost unreal – red sand meeting turquoise water under a pale blue sky.
By late afternoon, we were back in town, relaxing for a bit before our 4:30 PM departure. But the day wasn’t over yet – on the way to Lima, Peru Hop took us to the Secret Slave Tunnel, another complimentary stop.
Secret Slave Tunnel
The Secret Slave Tunnel was a powerful and moving experience. Walking through the underground passages and hearing about the history of Afro-Peruvian slaves transported through these tunnels was deeply emotional. It’s one of those hidden stories that changes the way you see a place – and it’s something we never would have known about if not for Peru Hop.
By 10:30 PM, we reached Lima, tired but full of gratitude – for the landscapes we’d seen, the people we’d met, and the history we’d learned along the way. And excited to see what Lima has to offer us!
The Peru Hop Experience
What makes Peru Hop special is that it’s more than just a bus service – it’s a guided journey. The guides bring the route to life with stories, context, and humor. They take care of logistics, help with bookings, and create a sense of community among travelers.
The flexibility is fantastic – you can choose to hop off and stay longer in any destination. The safety and comfort make long-distance travel easy. And the bonus experiences – like the vineyard tour and the slave tunnel – are the kind of extras that make your trip richer.
Final Thoughts
In just three days, we experienced so many faces of Peru – from the ancient mystery of the Nazca Lines, to the wild beauty of Huacachina’s dunes, to the peaceful coast and wildlife of Paracas.
It’s hard to believe that you can see desert, ocean, and history all within a few hours’ drive. But that’s Peru – endlessly diverse and full of surprises.
What we loved most was how alive the journey felt. Traveling with Peru Hop connected us not just to places, but to people – our guides, fellow travelers, and locals. It reminded us that sometimes, the road itself is the destination.
If you’re traveling through southern Peru, we can’t recommend Peru Hop enough. It’s convenient, safe, and filled with meaningful experiences – the kind that stay with you long after the trip ends.
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