Solo-ish Peru - 9 Days

It’s highly recommended for travellers to book pre-nights in Lima so they are able to become acquainted with this pulsing city before the adventure inland begins. An activity in the area you could book ahead of time is the Lima city tour.

Enter the Barranco neighbourhood in Lima, known as the SoHo of the city. This hip area is adorned with colourful street art, tucked-away bars and coffee shops, old mansions, museums, mouth watering food, and plenty of bohemian vibes. Cross one of the most famous landmarks in the area, the Puente de los Suspiros (Bridge of Sighs), and make a wish. It’s said that if you hold your breath until making it across the 100-ft long wooden bridge, then your wish will come true. After your CEO-led walking tour, the group will visit the local market to learn about and taste different native fruits, before the included cooking experience. Here, the group will learn from an expert Lima chef how to prepare two of the most representative dishes in all of Peruvian cuisine, ceviche and causa. In this intimate setting witness how the sharing of food has the power to bring strangers from all over the world a bit closer. The remainder of the afternoon and evening will be free for optional activities in the area.

Today is all about Peru's highlands in the Andes. First, enjoy breakfast at the hotel in Lima before boarding your flight to Cusco. Upon arrival the group will transfer to Chinchero in the province of Urubamba. This town is flanked by the large snow-capped mountains and brings together 12 Andean indigenous communities. Those who live here are dedicated to preserving the cultivation of native species, livestock, and the protection of their traditional ways of life. Sit down together for a group lunch at a local restaurant dedicated to generating development opportunities for the immediate environment and community. Finish the day at the hotel property in the Sacred Valley where you will have free time to be as social or solo as you please.

Prepare to experience what the tour operator does best and enjoy an epic day in the Sacred Valley with a surprise G twist occurring somewhere along the way. Witness how tourism can change lives for the better with a stop at Cuyo Chico, a local pottery making community in a rural village where groups of families support themselves by making traditional adobe ceramic crafts. During your time here, learn about the ceramics process, the materials they use from their natural surroundings, and take in the stunning views of the nearby Pisac Ruins. Enjoy a guided tour of the ruins and later, sit down for a lunch featuring traditionally prepared Peruvian food staples at the the tour operator-supported Parwa Community Restaurant. The best part? Proceeds from this meal go directly back into this remote community allowing them to preserve their traditional ways of life.

Travel deeper into the surrounding landscapes on a journey by train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes, the town at the base of Machu Picchu. Pass through the spectacular Urubamba Valley on the winding tracks, taking in the changing landscapes and small farms along the way and arrive at this village nestled between the mist-covered hills. The remainder of the afternoon and evening will be free for you to explore a bit on your own, and opt in for one of the activities offered locally in the area. We think a nice long soak in the natural hot springs is just what you need to relax before tomorrow’s big reveal of the ‘Lost City of the Incas’.

Breakfast is essential for this jam-packed day to visit the ‘Lost City’. In the morning, board the bus from Aguas Calientes up the winding roads to the entrance of Machu Picchu and set off with a local guide to fully explore and appreciate this impressive, UNESCO World Heritage site. Travel back to Aguas Calientes and find a fun spot for lunch on your own. Later, return by train to Ollantaytambo before a private vehicle transfer back to Cusco arriving in the evening. Dinner will be at your leisure and there’s plenty of great spots in the central part of the city that are the perfect vibe after a full day of adventure.

Opt to visit and hike the famed Rainbow Mountain, pre-book on the checkout page to include this optional activity on your tour or ask your GCO or travel agent for assistance.

Begin your final day in Cusco with a walk to Koricancha with your CEO and group. This beautiful site is one of the most important and sacred temples of the Inca empire. Enter the space whose name roughly translates to, “Walls of Gold” and admire the mix of Indigenous and colonial architecture of this temple on the hill overlooking the bustling Avenida el Sol below. Afterwards, walk along the cobble-stoned streets to the San Pedro Market, the city’s oldest main food hub and shopping area. As your CEO takes you through to various stalls you will experience the true aromas, sounds, and tastes of the city. Sample a variety of traditional fresh products harvested from throughout the region including, fruits, vegetables, cheeses, and sweets. The remainder of the day is free to explore as you choose. There’s much to do and little time, but we know you will find something to make your solo heart soar. Gather in the evening for an optional final meal together to cap of this Peruvian solo-ish adventure.

You arrived a solo traveller and are leaving with many new friends. Say goodbye to your fellow Solo-ish travellers and depart at any time.