We are a fit, mature couple planning to travel independently to Peru and Bolivia next May for about 5-6 weeks. I have been reading travel advice from various sources but would like to know from fellow travellers whether the bus routes and journeys through the mountains are really as scary as they sound!! We want to use buses rather than flights so that we see more. Can anyone recommend a good company to use in either country? Are there any routes to avoid?
We also want to take an Amazon tour in Bolivia but are on a budget. Any suggestions for a reliable tour company to use that isn't totally basic? Thanks.

Hi Bevj

I used the bus everywhere in Peru and Bolivia. Most of the journeys I did in Peru were overnight - which is probably better, because if I'm honest, it's better it's dark and you trust the driver, as it's a lot of mountain driving! (I did one in daylight and was a bit scared!) I can't remember the name of the companies off the top of my head, but if you go to the bus stations it's quite obvious which ones are better quality. I must say, the quality of buses was amazing. If you were to =select the most premium seat on a Peru bus overnight, it will recline right back like a bed! In Bolivia the journey's I did were more daytime and the transport much more basic. I don'tthink there were any named companies.

Hope that's helped a bit :-)

Hi Kathryn
Thanks for your honesty! I think I would be awake all night if i took the night bus! I know the reclining seat buses you mean cos we had them in Vietnam. I think we will have to go on the principle that the more expensive the bus the more they will want to take care of it!

No worries, I just remembered something else too - they give you a meal on the long-distance Peru buses, and I also played a game of bingo on one, and I won! I remember thinking I was going to be so embarrassed if I'd got my Spanish numbers wrong, but I hadn't, well done me!

And I remembered the name of one of the bus companies I used, which was very good - it's Cruz del Sur.

Enjoy it, I'm so jealous, Peru is one of my favourite countries! (And I loved Bolivia too)

Thanks for recommendation. Very helpful! I think we will definitely do Peru (Buses sound fab!)and maybe a more limited version of Bolivia.

Hi
I can only talk for Bolivia but the buses we have taken here have had no problems so far. Touch wood We are currently in la paz and about to head up into peru. If you are going to visit the salt flats in Bolivia a good company from la paz is called todo turismo. They have an office in la paz and a website, although you can´t buy direct through it, you can only reserve. They are a little more expensive at 230 bolivianos but we felt completely safe and their trips are always at night. They are semi-cama and include food as well, although that isn´t anything spectacular.

If you are a light sleeper you may want to purchase some sleeping tablets as well, the roads can be very bumpy at times along certain routes.

Hope that helps

Andy

Thanks for your tips. We don't mind paying a bit more to feel safe, although I'm not sure if I fancy night trips! P'raps it's better if you can't see what's happening! Great to have more info on Bolivia...