Why every solo traveler should visit Peru at least once
Ready to dive into a top-of-the-bucket-list destination as a solo traveler? From cosmopolitan Lima to mystical Machu Picchu, you’ll find Peru inspiring, magical, and adventurous. Home to the world’s largest rainforest and some of the most mysterious ancient sites, this South American country is wildly wondrous and an absolute must for every solo traveler. Read on to find out why traveling solo to Peru with our expert guides is more enjoyable, less stressful, and full of opportunities that are hard to come by when going it alone.
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3 reasons why solo travelers should visit Peru on a guided tour
If you’ve been dreaming about exploring the wonders of Peru as a solo traveler but you're unsure where to begin, a guided tour makes the best sense. That way, you can take in all of Peru’s beauty without planning a thing. “It was so nice to be able to just enjoy every moment and take in the sights and experiences while someone else was in charge of all the details,” said traveler Maryann after traveling on our A Week in Peru: Lima, Cuzco & Machu Picchu tour. Here are three reasons why visiting Peru as a solo traveler alongside our experts is the way to go.
1. You’ll explore Peru with passionate travelers
“This was my first time on a group tour and it turned out to be one of the best trips I’ve had,” said traveler Joseph about of our A Week in Peru: Lima, Cuzco & Machu Picchu tour. “As a solo traveler, it was a great experience meeting fellow travelers in the tour group.”
Solo travel on a group tour to Peru has many advantages, including your own hotel room to retreat to at the end of the day. But taking a guided tour also means experiencing the awe of that first glimpse of Machu Picchu, your first sip of a pisco sour, or a treetop walk through the Amazon rainforest with fellow travelers. Sharing those memorable moments with people who are just as excited as you are to be in Peru (and are happy to snap that once-in-a-lifetime photo of you) adds an extra layer of meaning to your journey.
2. From the Sacred Valley to the Sun Gate, we’ll get you there
“The local tour guides for Cusco, Lima, and Machu Picchu were extremely knowledgeable, and enhanced the experience way beyond what we would have had if we had gone on our own,” said traveler Janet of her time on our Ancient Peru & Machu Picchu tour. “The tour is much more enjoyable when you can rely on great guides to manage the logistics and provide all the information you could want. This was a tour of a lifetime, and we are grateful for the excellent guides that made it so.”
Deciding the best route to get to Machu Picchu, the easiest way to view the mysterious Nazca geoglyphs, or what to do with a free day in the Sacred Valley can feel like a lot when you’re on your own. That’s especially so in Peru’s rural areas, where indigenous languages are widespread. That’s why traveling solo on a group tour makes so such sense. Our experts will help you securely and easily navigate this incredible country’s cities and back roads so that you can soak in every moment of the bucket list attractions in Peru. Never been here before? No problem. Your Tour Director and local guides will take you from Peru's off-the-beaten-path haunts to its most famous icons and ensure you see the very best of each spot.
3. You’ll travel off the beaten path with peace of mind
“Our tour guide was excellent, always making sure we were ok and keeping us together,” said traveler Olivia after her Grand Tour of Peru: Machu Picchu to Lake Titicaca. “He was also a wealth of information, about the area, culture, and anything we might need. He knew where to find ATMs, banks, restrooms, snacks, laundry, pharmacies, really anything that we needed.”
We can’t overemphasize the comfort and security that solo travel on a guided group tour provides, especially when you strike out for far-flung places like Peru. Navigating the country takes some know-how for even the most experienced travelers. In addition to enjoying the expertise of local guides, traveling with a group gives you a familiar set of fellow travelers to invite along for a Peruvian cooking class in Cuzco, a free afternoon exploring in Lima, or a treetop walk deep in the Amazon.
See more top experiences on our Peru for Solo Travelers: Lima, Cuzco & Machu Picchu tour →
3 of the best places to visit in Peru as a solo traveler
Once you’ve made the long journey to Peru, you’ll want to see as many of its unforgettable destinations as possible. From its ancient Inca sites to its Pacific coastline, there's a lifetime full of wonders to explore in South America’s third-largest country. If this is your first trip, these are three of the best places to visit in Peru that should be on every solo traveler’s itinerary.
1. Lima
*“What an awesome experience,” said traveler Cynthia about our *Ancient Peru & Machu Picchu tour. “Machu Picchu was a beautiful experience, as I expected it would be, but there was so much more. Visiting and learning about some of the many other archeological sites and indigenous people truly enriched the experience. The Larco Museum in Lima was breathtaking with over 40,000 artifacts—it brought me to tears.”
Cosmopolitan and lively, Lima is Peru’s capital city. The City of Kings, with its pre-Columbian and colonial heritage, vibrant arts scene, and culinary hot spots (two of the world’s top 50 restaurants are here), is well worth exploring. Take time to stroll the artsy Barranco district, take in the views of the Pacific Ocean during a walk along the boardwalk in the Parque del Amor, and try Peru’s national dish, ceviche (spiced raw fish and seafood marinated in lime juice).
2. Cuzco
“Cuzco was gorgeous!” said traveler Domenic, who traveled with us on our A Week in Peru: Lima, Cuzco & Machu Picchu tour. “Our tour director David is from Cuzco and he kept telling us that Cuzco was the most beautiful city in South America. Now, I have not been to every country on the continent, but he might be right.”
The ancient capital of the Inca Empire, Cuzco is the gateway to many of the country’s must-see destinations. If you’re headed to Machu Picchu or the Amazon, you’ll pass through this charming city. It’s worth more than a quick stop. From the impressive Sacsayhuamán ruins (once covered in all gold) to the San Pedro market filled with local art and fresh fruit to cobbled streets and the inviting Plaza de Armas, you’ll be enthralled. Set high in the Andes, the city is a great place to leisurely explore Peruvian cuisine, music, and history as you acclimate to the elevation. On our guided tours to Peru, you’ll shop for local textiles and have the opportunity to try your hand at spinning sheep and alpaca yarn on the loom at a local textile cooperative.
3. Machu Picchu
“I have been on many tours to several different countries and had many ‘pinch me' moments,” said traveler Cara, who visited on our A Week in Peru: Lima, Cuzco & Machu Picchu tour. “I can honestly say that seeing Machu Picchu for the first time was not only breathtaking but left us speechless. It truly was an experience that takes you back in time. You must travel to Peru.”
For most solo travelers to Peru, Machu Picchu is at the very top of their must-see destinations. No matter how much you anticipate seeing it in person, the experience never fails to exceed expectations. Sitting pretty at 8,000 feet above sea level, this magnificent and mysterious ancient Inca site is worth every step of the journey, not least for its panoramic views. To get there, you’ll need a local guide and a pre-purchased ticket (entry is limited to 2,500 visitors daily). Our tours to Peru will take care of both, leaving you to savor the mountaintop and its ancient secrets.
Explore Peru’s top sites on tour →
3 of the best things to do in Peru as a solo traveler
In a country with storied topography, so much history, endless bucket list sites, Peru offers something for everyone. Whether you love adventure, history, or food, you’ll experience it all under the guidance of your expert Tour Director and local guides. This is your chance to journey by train through the Sacred Valley, navigate a hands-on cooking lesson of Peru’s most famous foods, and more. Here are three top things to do on your solo travel tour of Peru.
1. Cruise down the Amazon River in search of exotic wildlife
“Phenomenal tour!” said traveler Davis about our Grand Tour of Peru: Machu Picchu to Lake Titicaca. “The time spent in the Amazon was one of the most wonderful experiences I've ever had.”
The Amazon River, which feeds the world’s largest rainforest, begins its long journey to the Atlantic Ocean in Peru’s lush Andes Mountains. For solo travelers to Peru, a cruise on the Amazon River offers the adventure of a lifetime. With a naturalist guide aboard, you’ll search for pink river dolphins, monkeys, sloths, and more. Want to go deeper? Opt for a treetop walk that gives a bird’s-eye view of the rainforest and endless opportunities for incredible photos you’ll treasure long after you return home.
2. Explore the Sacred Valley
“I enjoyed this trip so much, I am considering returning on my own to hike part of the Inca Trail and to live in the Sacred Valley or the charming village of Machu Picchu for as long as my passport permits,” said traveler Jennifer after her Ancient Peru & Machu Picchu tour.
For an authentic taste of Peru, the Sacred Valley offers historic Inca sites, picturesque villages, less touristy markets, and a world of outdoor adventures. On our solo tour of Peru you’ll explore the colorful stalls of the open-air Chinchero Market, marvel at the still-standing Inca homes and fortress stone walls at the ancient Ollantaytambo ruins, and soak in the spectacular views as you travel to Aguas Calientes by train. This peaceful valley is the perfect precursor to Machu Picchu's higher elevation.
Get all the details on our new tour: Peru for Solo Travelers: Lima, Cuzco & Machu Picchu →
3. Eat and drink like a Peruvian
“I am a self-proclaimed foodie, and I was in heaven sampling the many culinary delights in Peru,” said traveler Scott after his Ancient Peru & Machu Picchu tour. “The many varieties of corn and potatoes alone make Peru special, but there is also ceviche, causa, empanadas, tamales, lomo saltado, pollo a la brasa, and chichi morada.”
With its smorgasbord of regional dishes and celebrated wines from the Ica vineyards, Peru is a foodie’s delight. For the adventurous, you’ll find grilled guinea pig (cuy) and alpaca on the menu. But most of Peru’s dishes (featuring chicken, seafood, and lots of potatoes) are more traditional. On tour in Cuzco, you can learn how to make some of Peru’s classic dishes in a hands-on lesson with a local chef. Or indulge in a gastronomy tour in Callao (outside Lima), where the stunning street art is as delightful as the delicious food.
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