Two weeks solo in Peru: incredible scenery, new friends and a new favourite beer.

Two Weeks Solo in Peru: Scenery, New Friends, and a New Favorite Beer

Overview
A two-week journey through Peru that began as a solo adventure and ended with new friends, unforgettable landscapes, and a few favorite discoveries along the way. This trip report summarizes a route, highlights, and what I’d consider different next time.

Lima (3 nights)
I started in Miraflores at Pariwana, a solid choice for solo travelers. It was easy to meet people right away, including fellow travellers with similar timelines and itineraries. Highlights included a coastal surfing session, meals at La Preferida and Tanta, and afternoon strolls around Miraflores. Evenings featured drinks at Molly’s and a football match, which hit the right note for a warm start.

The nightlife picked up quickly with visits to Lima Bar and Saha alongside fellow hostel guests. The late nights were memorable, though the mornings afterward weren’t as forgiving.

Paracas
Peru Hop served as my transport from Lima to Cusco, with the appeal of stopping at sights along the way rather than a direct ride. The group varied, but it proved easy to make friends, and familiar faces at subsequent stops made solo travel feel more approachable.

In Paracas, I joined a Ballestas Islands boat trip and explored the national reserve, with penguins being a particular highlight. I stayed at Viajero, which offered a relaxed evening atmosphere with a table quiz and some beers before moving on.

Huacachina (2 nights)
Huacachina is a surreal oasis—an actual oasis surrounded by towering sand dunes. On the way, a stop at a pisco vineyard provided a learning experience on production and tastings, complemented by a nice lunch.

Staying at Wild Rover, I kicked off with a pool afternoon that somehow morphed into a 6 a.m. send-off. The following morning featured an Irish breakfast and a football watch, balancing cultural immersion with laid-back camaraderie. The dune buggy and sandboarding excursion at dusk ranked among the most remarkable experiences of the trip; the scale of the dunes is hard to grasp until you’re there. It was followed by more beers and another late night. Two nights felt right, though I left needing a proper sleep.

Nazca and the bus to Arequipa
The ride to Arequipa was long but surprisingly restful, aided by reclining seats and blankets. I used the travel time to catch up on shows, including a healthy dose of Breaking Bad. A stop at the Nazca Lines added a sense of wonder without extra overnight travel, which was a practical choice given the packed schedule.

Arequipa
Arriving early, I stayed at Viajero again and found Arequipa to be both beautiful and laid-back, with excellent food and a pace that helped reset after a couple of intense days. I joined an organized pub crawl that finished at a salsa bar, though my dancing was more enthusiasm than skill. I also enjoyed a day of downtime at the hostel, which turned out to be one of the trip’s better decisions.

The full-day Colca Canyon tour was a standout, especially the sight of condors. In hindsight, I’d allocate more time for this region or consider an overnight hike rather than a packed day trip. The energy of the day left me exhausted by the end.

Puno and Lake Titicaca
Next, I headed to Puno, which was notably cooler than Lima. A visit to the Uros floating islands offered a unique glimpse into a different way of life. One night in Puno was followed by a memorable meal at Bianca, whose garlic sauce deserves a nod.

Cusco
The journey to Cusco involved several stops and a buffet lunch that induced a food coma. I stayed at a social Wild Rover location, which was enjoyable though the hill back to town after a night out was taxing. A city bus tour and a walking tour with some Norwegian travelers led to a Machu Picchu trip planned together, turning into a highlight.

One booking I would reconsider was a Sacred Valley half-day tour purchased on the Plaza; the guide’s limited English and rushed itinerary left me feeling I hadn’t learned as much as I wanted. I wish I had checked language support and itinerary details prior to purchase. Chango’s night out in Cusco was memorable, and the city easily lent itself to a longer stay.

Rainbow Mountain
I tackled Rainbow Mountain with Rainbow Mountain Travels after about four hours of sleep. The altitude proved challenging, but the vivid colors and surrounding peaks made the effort worthwhile. Guides provided oxygen for those who needed it. I returned to the hostel and collapsed into a deep sleep.

For future trips, I’d advise better altitude and stomach preparation, and to seek professional guidance on medication beforehand, rather than prioritizing hostel bar-hopping.

Machu Picchu
My Machu Picchu visit was with Norwegian friends and Yapa Explorers. Our guides were engaging, and clear weather made the experience exceptional. The queue at the Machu Picchu ticket office was shorter than expected, and our guide helped select the best circuit. The scenery exceeded expectations, and the experience was enhanced by a knowledgeable guide. An evening in Aguas Calientes included trying guinea pig for the first time before returning to Cusco by train.

Onwards to Bolivia
After a quiet night in Cusco, I continued to Bolivia via Bolivia Hop, with a stop in Puno before Copacabana. The border crossing was well explained by a fellow traveler, which I appreciated. Copacabana offered a slower pace by the lake after the prior weeks of travel, and I’ve since arrived in La Paz to continue the journey with Wild Rover.

What I’d Do Differently
– Allocate more time to the itinerary. Two weeks can deliver an incredible experience, but I’d extend Colca Canyon and Cusco to allow deeper exploration.
– Limit late nights before early starts. Admittedly, I’d likely repeat the same decisions, but a bit more balance would help.

Key Highlights and Recommendations
– Cocktails at Saha in Lima: the all-you-can-drink option set up memorable nights.
– Peru Hop: easy intercity travel and a great way to meet fellow travelers.
– Ballestas Islands: penguin sightings were a standout moment.
– Sandboarding in Huacachina: an extraordinary, unforgettable activity.
– Wild Rover Huacachina: a lively scene with a memorable football-morning.
– Colca Canyon: the condor sighting was unreal; consider an overnight hike for a more immersive visit.
– Machu Picchu: a must-see that lived up to the hype, with benefits from guided insight.
– Cusqueña Negra: a standout beer that left a lasting impression.

Final Thoughts
The landscapes were stunning, but the people made the trip. What started as a solo journey in Lima evolved into shared buses, meals, hikes, and evenings out with friends from around the world. Peru is highly recommended for solo travel, and I’m happy to answer questions about routes, hostels, or other trip details.