Travel Planning: Peru

 

Where in the world am I? Peru planning

 

Hi there. I'm Dr. Mary Travelbest, returning from a recent trip to Asia. I'm in San Diego now, sharing my best travel ideas and working on another book for you to enjoy: 5 Steps to Solo Travel, Part C. I'm about to launch on a 90-day trip around the world.

Listener Story Spotlight

I want to tell you about a listener named Raquel from Peru.

She has been a friend for 40 years and has encouraged me to travel to Lima since then. She created all the images and designs for my first published travel book in 1993. She's been a friend for swimming in the ocean, concerts, joint baby showers, the funeral for her eldest son, and many shared life experiences. She's an awesome traveler and has a lot of advice for me.

Where am I headed? Peru

 

Lima Daytime: Stroll the clifftop Malecón in Miraflores for Pacific views, then relax on Playa Waikiki (the closest swimmable stretch).

Evening – Barranco bohemian district (street art, safe pedestrian areas).

Airport → MA iraflores taxi ≈ Ucosts S $20. The Etropolitano bus is cheaper but busy. Keep valuables close . Lima is generally safe but practices big‑city vigilance. 

The next day, Cusco Early Sky Airline or LATAM flight (1 hr 15 min; from ~US $31 one‑way) to acclimate gradually. Light walking tour of Plaza de Armas, San Blas artisans, coca‑tea stops. Book a morning flight so you can nap on arrival. 

Day 3 Ollantaytambo (Sacred Valley) Shared van tour Pisac market & terraces → Ollantaytambo ruins. Stay here to cut altitude (2 800 m vs Cusco 3 400 m) and be close to the train. Hostel examples: Mama Simona (~US $25 private).

Day 4 Aguas Calientes PeruRail Expedition train 07:45 or 10:32 (~1 h 40 min). Check‑in, soak in town hot springs, early bed. Expedition seats run ~US $65–75 each way. 

Peru Rail

Day 5 – MACHU PICCHU DAY Cusco (late) or Aguas Calientes (optional 2nd night)

Cusco Free day: San Pedro market breakfast, Qorikancha, café break, optional half‑day Moray & Maras salt ponds tour.

Morning flight Cusco → Lima; same‑ticket connection onward to Brazil (buffer at least three hours in Lima).

Don't-Miss Beach Breaks

If you'd like another ocean fix before Brazil, dedicate half a day to a Punta Hermosa day trip (1 hr south‑bound bus/Colectivo, US $4‑5). Choose calm Playa Caballeros for swimming or Playa Norte for quieter coves; eateries serve fresh ceviche on‑the‑sand. 

Machu Picchu in Detail – 1 June

Step What to do Tips & costs.

1. Tickets (book now!) Buy on tuboleto. Culture.pe—choose Circuit 2B (Classic Lower Terrace) for the iconic postcard view with moderate stairs. It costs 172 PEN ≈ US $45. Sales for 2025 opened on 19 Dec 2024; the daily cap is 5,6000, so June slots sell out early. 

Peru Rail

El País

2. Train 06:10 Inca Rail or 07:45 PeruRail Expedition from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes; arrive 08:30‑09:30. Sit on the left‑hand side for Urubamba River views. 

Peru Rail

3. Bus up. Buy a Consettur round‑trip ticket (US $24) at the kiosk the night before; the first buses roll at 05:30, and it's a 25-minute ride. 

Ticket Machu Picchu

4. Entry window Aim for the 09:00–10:00 slot (good light, less 6 am crowd, still before midday haze). Passport + ticket & small day‑pack only.

 

5. Guided visit (≈ 2 h) Hire certified guide at gate (~US $15 pp shared) to explore: Temple of the Sun, Sacred Plaza, Intihuatana, Three Windows.

 

6. Optional short hike Huchuy Picchu add‑on (easy 1 km, 30‑40 min, extra 48 PEN) – great summit photo without the steep drop of Huayna Picchu. 

Ticket Machu Picchu

7. Lunch & return Picnic outside gate (no food inside), stamp passport, bus down, 16:20 train back to Cusco (arr. 20:30) or stay 1 more night at Aguas Calientes if you prefer a slower pace.

Packing checklist: passport, printed tickets, layers (cool mornings/hot sun), rain shell, 1 L refillable bottle (no disposables), DEET, sunblock, walking poles with rubber tips, cash for snacks & toilets (2 soles).

Altitude & health: Machu Picchu sits at 2 430 m—easier than Cusco, but you'll feel stairs. Hydrate, avoid alcohol the evening prior, and ask your doctor about acetazolamide if you've struggled with altitude before.

Budget Snapshot (USD per person)

Item Low Notes

Lima hostel (2 nts) 2 × $20 – $40 Pariwana or Selina Miraflores (female‑only dorm vs private).

LI‑CU round‑trip flights $70 – $120 Book early; Sky basic fare includes 8 kg carry‑on only.

Cusco/Ollanta/Aguas stays (5 nts) 5 × $18 – $35 Mix of hostels & guest‑houses with private bath options.

Trains (round‑trip) $130 – $150 Expedition or IncaRail Voyager class.

Machu Picchu entry and bus: $45 ticket + $24 bus + $15 guide. Add $13 for Huchuy Picchu.

Food & local transport $25/day × 7 ≈ $175 Menu del día lunches ~$4–6; airport shuttles, colectivos.

Approx. Total $600–$750. It leaves room for souvenirs or a Paracas day trip.

Safe & Comfortable Stays

City Budget‑friendly, mature‑traveler‑approved Approx. price (private, en‑suite)

Lima Ibis Budget Miraflores (hotel), Wasi Barranco (B&B) $40–60

Cusco Niños Hotel (supports local kids), Tierra Viva Cusco Saphi $38–55

Ollantaytambo El Albergue (historic hostel‑hotel blend) $65 (splurge), dorms $25

Aguas Calientes Supertramp Eco‑Hostel (quiet female dorm), Terrazas del Inca $22–50

Quick Tips for a Smooth Trip

Book everything online in advance, including flights, trains, Machu Picchu tickets, and buses, to beat lines and lock in cheaper fares.

Cash is still king in small villages—carry small sol notes; ATMs are plentiful in Lima & Cusco.

Stay seaside savvy: Lima's Pacific is cold (wetsuits for surfers). Swim only on signed "safe" sections and watch rip currents. Lifeguards patrol Punta Hermosa in peak daylight hours. 

Solo safety basics: use registered taxis (Taxi Beat or Cabify apps), avoid isolated beach areas at night, and keep photocopies of your passport in separate bags.

Enjoy Peru's vibrant coast, Andean culture, and the wonder of Machu Picchu

If you like today's Confidence Challenge, Chapter 3 of my book dives deeper

https://www.5stepstosolotravel.com 

My brother says, "Never run in an airport," and that's excellent advice.

My sister says, when you get to a new place, tell yourself it's the "first" time you will visit, but not the last.

If you are looking for more solo female resources, you can find several tips and ways to navigate the pitfalls with Rick Steves and Lonely Planet travel guides.

The takeaway mantra is to see where the world takes you.

You can travel solo and never be alone. Dr. Travelbest.