Solo travel in Peru – a complete guide for joining a group

Plenty of people backpack Peru alone. Even so, it is one of the countries where joining a group can make the most practical difference, especially if this is your first trip to South America.

Permits and tickets

Entry to Machu Picchu is limited by daily ticket numbers, entry times and set routes (circuits) through the site. The classic Inca Trail requires a permit and must be walked with a licensed operator, and permits for the busiest months can sell out months in advance. A group trip handles these bookings, along with the trains to Aguas Calientes, so you are not trying to fit all the pieces together yourself.

Altitude needs planning

Cusco sits at about 3,400 metres and Lake Titicaca at around 3,800 metres. Most people need a couple of days to adjust. Group itineraries usually build in acclimatisation by starting lower, for example in the Sacred Valley, before moving up. Having a guide who knows the signs of altitude sickness is reassuring when you are on your own.

Long days are better with company

Overnight buses between Arequipa, Puno and Cusco, early starts for Colca Canyon or Rainbow Mountain, and multi-day treks such as Salkantay or Lares are tiring. Sharing them with a group means someone to talk to and help if you feel unwell.

Language

English is spoken in hotels and tourist businesses in Cusco and Lima, but much less elsewhere. In rural Andean areas, Quechua is often the first language. A guide helps you understand markets, villages and the history behind the Inca and pre-Inca sites.

What to check

Look at the group size, the age range, how many nights are spent above 3,000 metres, whether porters are fairly treated on treks, and if you can book your own room. Ask how flexible the plan is if someone is affected by altitude.

Peru has three very different climate zones: the desert coast, the Andes and the Amazon. The best time to visit depends on which you want to see, but for most travellers the priority is the Andes and Machu Picchu.

The Andes (Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Arequipa, Puno)

The dry season usually runs from around May to September. Days are often sunny, around 18–20°C in Cusco, while nights can drop close to or below freezing. This is the most popular time for treks and Machu Picchu, so it is also the busiest. The wet season, roughly November to March, brings regular afternoon rain, muddy trails and cloudier views, and February is usually the wettest month. The classic Inca Trail is closed each February for maintenance. April and October are good compromises, with fewer people and generally decent weather.

The coast (Lima, Paracas, Huacachina, Nazca)

Lima's summer, around December to March, is warm and sunny. From around May to October the capital is often grey, with a low coastal mist known as garúa, although it rarely rains properly. Further south, around Paracas and Huacachina, it is usually drier and sunnier.

The Amazon (Puerto Maldonado, Iquitos)

The rainforest is hot and humid all year. Rain is heavier from around November to April, when river levels are high. The drier months, roughly May to October, can make walking trails easier.

Festivals

Inti Raymi, the Inca festival of the sun, takes place in Cusco on 24 June, with celebrations in the days before. Corpus Christi in Cusco and the Virgen de la Candelaria festival in Puno, usually in February, are also major events. Expect higher prices and book early around these dates.

The key challenge when packing for Peru is that you might go from desert heat to freezing mountain nights to humid jungle in the same trip. Layers are the answer.

Layers for the Andes

In Cusco and around Lake Titicaca, mornings and evenings are cold, but the midday sun is strong. Bring a thermal base layer, a fleece, a warm insulated jacket, a hat and gloves. Many guesthouses have little or no heating, so warm sleepwear helps. If you are trekking, a good sleeping bag is often available to rent, but check its temperature rating.

Sun protection

UV levels at high altitude are very high, even when it feels cool. High-factor sun cream, sunglasses with good UV protection, lip balm with SPF and a hat with a brim are essential.

Footwear

Worn-in walking boots or trail shoes are important for Machu Picchu's steps, the Inca Trail, Colca Canyon and Rainbow Mountain. Bring comfortable shoes for Cusco's cobbled, steep streets and sandals for the coast.

Rain and jungle

A waterproof jacket is useful all year in the mountains and essential in the wet season. For the Amazon, pack long, light-coloured sleeves and trousers, strong insect repellent and a head torch; lodges often switch off generators at night.

Health and practical items

Talk to a travel clinic about altitude medication, vaccinations and whether malaria precautions are needed for the Amazon region you plan to visit. Carry a basic first-aid kit, blister plasters, rehydration salts and any personal medicines. Bring a refillable bottle and purification tablets or a filter. Small notes and coins are useful for markets, toilets and tips. A copy of your passport is helpful, and you will need the original passport to enter Machu Picchu.

Entry rules depend on your nationality and can change, so treat this as a general overview and check official sources before you book.

Visa-free tourism for many nationalities

Many travellers, including citizens of the UK, EU countries, the US, Canada and Australia, have generally been able to visit Peru for tourism without a visa. The length of stay is decided by the immigration officer on arrival, so it may be shorter than you expect. If you plan a long trip, say so when you arrive and check the number of days you have been given.

Arrival records

Peru uses a digital system to record entries for many travellers, rather than a paper card stamped in your passport. Check how your entry is recorded and keep any confirmation, as you may need to show it when leaving or at hotels, where foreign visitors can sometimes avoid a sales tax by showing proof of tourist entry.

Other things to check

• Passport validity: your passport should be valid for at least six months from entry, and in good condition.
• Immigration may ask for proof of onward travel.
• Health requirements: yellow fever vaccination may be recommended for some Amazon areas, and some neighbouring countries ask for proof of vaccination if you arrive from Peru. Check with a travel clinic.
• Overstaying usually results in a fine per day when you leave.
• If you are continuing to Bolivia, Ecuador or Chile overland, check those countries' rules separately.

Where to check

Use your government's travel advice (GOV.UK foreign travel advice, travel.state.gov or Smartraveller) and contact the Peruvian embassy or consulate in your country if you are unsure about anything.

Day-to-day costs in Peru are moderate, but a few big-ticket items, especially around Machu Picchu, make a big difference to the total. These are approximate 2026 ranges in euros; prices are paid in Peruvian soles (PEN), and some tourist services quote in US dollars.

Peru budget per day

Budget travellers using hostels, set-menu lunches (menú del día) and long-distance buses can often manage around €30–45 per day, not counting Machu Picchu and treks. Mid-range travellers with comfortable hotels, restaurant dinners, some guided excursions and domestic flights usually spend around €70–130 per day.

The Machu Picchu budget

• Entry ticket: sold for a specific date, time and circuit, with numbers limited. Book only through official sales channels or a licensed agency.
• Train to Aguas Calientes: often one of the most expensive parts of a Peru trip; prices vary by class and season.
• Bus up to the site: a separate ticket from Aguas Calientes, or you can walk up a long, steep path.
• Treks: the Inca Trail, Salkantay and Lares are paid as packages including guides, permits where required, meals and camping.

Other costs

The Cusco tourist ticket (boleto turístico) covers many sites in the city and the Sacred Valley. Colca Canyon trips, Lake Titicaca island visits, Amazon lodges and Nazca Lines flights are all extra. Domestic flights save long bus days, for example Lima to Cusco.

Money tips

ATMs are easy to find in cities; some charge fees, so compare. Cards are accepted in many hotels and restaurants, but cash is needed in markets, small towns and on treks. Carry small notes, as change can be hard to get for large ones. Restaurants in tourist areas may add a service charge.

All figures are approximate and change with exchange rates and season – check before you go.

Many solo travellers, including women, visit Peru every year without problems, particularly on the main Lima – Cusco – Arequipa – Puno route. Petty theft is the most common issue, and altitude is a health risk that is often underestimated.

Petty theft and street crime

Pickpocketing and bag snatching happen in busy areas of Lima, Cusco, bus stations and markets. Keep your phone out of sight on the street, use a cross-body bag and keep valuables in a locker or hotel safe. On buses, keep your daypack on your lap rather than in the overhead rack.

Taxis

Use ride-hailing apps, taxis booked through your accommodation or official airport taxis rather than hailing unmarked cars on the street, especially at night. Government travel advice has warned about robberies in unofficial taxis.

Bus travel

Choose well-known long-distance bus companies with good reviews and assigned seats, rather than the cheapest option. Many travellers prefer daytime travel on mountain roads.

Altitude

Altitude sickness can affect anyone, regardless of fitness. Symptoms include headaches, nausea, breathlessness and poor sleep. Take it easy for the first days, drink water, avoid heavy alcohol and descend if symptoms get worse. Coca tea is widely offered in the Andes. Talk to a doctor before you go, especially if you have health conditions.

Women travelling alone

Catcalling can happen, particularly in cities; ignoring it and walking on is usually best. Dress tends to be more conservative in the Andes than on the coast. Choose accommodation with good reviews from other women, be careful with drinks in nightlife areas, and be wary of anyone offering spiritual ceremonies such as ayahuasca, which carry real health and safety risks.

Nature and demonstrations

Road blockades and protests can sometimes disrupt travel, particularly in the south. Follow local news and your government's travel advice, and allow flexibility. Some remote border regions carry specific warnings, so check before travelling off the main route.

Peru is a big country with mountains in the middle, so journeys take longer than the map suggests. A mix of flights, buses and trains is usual.

Domestic flights

Flying is the quickest way to cover long distances, such as Lima to Cusco (around 1 hour 20 minutes), Lima to Arequipa, Cusco to Puerto Maldonado and Lima to Iquitos, which cannot be reached by road. Morning flights into Cusco are sometimes affected by weather, so leave a buffer before connecting trains.

Long-distance buses

Peru has a large network of intercity buses. Better companies offer cama (bed) or semi-cama seats that recline a long way, with meals and toilets on board. Popular routes include Lima to Paracas and Huacachina, Arequipa to Puno, and Puno to Cusco. Overnight services save time but are tiring; on mountain roads, many travellers choose daytime buses.

Trains to Machu Picchu

There is no road to Aguas Calientes, the town below Machu Picchu. Trains run from Cusco (Poroy or San Pedro stations, depending on season) and from Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley. Seats sell out in high season, so book together with your Machu Picchu tickets. There are also tourist trains between Cusco and Puno and to Arequipa, slower and more expensive, but very scenic.

In the cities

In Lima, ride-hailing apps are the simplest option. The Metropolitano bus rapid transit and the metro line are useful for some routes. Cusco's historic centre is best on foot, but take it slowly at first because of the altitude. Colectivos (shared minibuses) link Cusco with Sacred Valley towns such as Pisac, Urubamba and Ollantaytambo.

Boats

On Lake Titicaca, boats from Puno visit the Uros floating islands and Taquile and Amantaní islands. In the Amazon, lodges use river boats to reach their properties.

Peru combines Indigenous Andean and Amazonian cultures with Spanish colonial history and Afro-Peruvian, Chinese and Japanese influences. This mix shows most clearly in the food.

Etiquette

• A handshake is common when meeting; friends and women often greet with a single kiss on the cheek.
• Learn a few Spanish phrases. Buenos días, por favor and gracias are appreciated everywhere. In Andean villages, Quechua greetings such as allillanchu (how are you) are a nice gesture.
• Always ask before photographing people. In Cusco, people in traditional dress with llamas often expect a small payment for photos.
• Dress modestly in churches, and respect sites such as Sacsayhuamán and Machu Picchu, where climbing on walls and certain items are not allowed.
• Bargaining is normal at craft markets, but keep it friendly and fair.

Food to try

• Ceviche: raw fish cured in lime with chilli and red onion, best eaten at lunchtime on the coast.
• Lomo saltado: stir-fried beef with onions, tomatoes and chips, a famous example of Chinese-Peruvian (chifa) cooking.
• Ají de gallina: shredded chicken in a creamy yellow chilli sauce.
• Causa: layered mashed yellow potato with fillings.
• Anticuchos: grilled skewers, traditionally of beef heart, sold at street stalls.
• Cuy: roasted guinea pig, a traditional Andean dish around Cusco and Arequipa.
• Rocoto relleno: stuffed spicy peppers, a speciality of Arequipa.

Drinks include pisco sour, the national cocktail, chicha morada (a non-alcoholic purple corn drink) and Inca Kola. Peru has thousands of potato varieties, and markets such as San Pedro in Cusco are great for trying fruit and juices.

Traditions

Many Andean communities make offerings to Pachamama (Mother Earth). You may see this before treks, when a guide makes a small offering of coca leaves.

Peru is part of the classic South America backpacker circuit, often combined with Bolivia, Ecuador or Chile, so you will meet travellers on long trips as well as people on two-week holidays.

Hostels

Cusco has many social hostels near the Plaza de Armas and in the San Blas neighbourhood, with bars, group dinners and trip desks. Lima's Miraflores and Barranco districts, Arequipa's historic centre and the oasis of Huacachina are also easy places to meet people. In Cusco, choose a quieter hostel for the first nights so you can sleep well while acclimatising.

Treks and tours

Multi-day treks are one of the best ways to bond with people. Spending four or five days on the Inca Trail, Salkantay or Lares, sharing meals in a dining tent and reaching the passes together, creates strong friendships. Day trips to Rainbow Mountain, the Sacred Valley, Colca Canyon and Lake Titicaca also put you with the same small group.

Classes and activities

Spanish schools in Cusco, Arequipa and Lima run group lessons and social activities, and are a good way to stay longer and improve your language. Cooking classes in Lima and Cusco, surfing lessons on the coast north of Lima and sandboarding in Huacachina are also popular.

Joining a group trip

A group trip suits travellers who want the altitude, permits and transport handled, and who prefer to share the experience. It is a popular choice for over-50s and first-time visitors to South America. Many people add a few days alone in Lima or Cusco afterwards.

Meeting Peruvians

Locals are often curious and friendly, especially if you try some Spanish. Markets, football matches, local festivals and lunch at a busy menú del día restaurant are good ways to experience everyday life.