More Than Just Machu Picchu: Lena’s OWR Peru Experience

Lena recently joined an OWR group trip to Peru — a journey filled with ancient wonders, jungle walks, shared laughs, and the magic of traveling with like-minded people. Here’s her story.

Why Peru?

 A few years ago, I had the chance to go on a small group tour that focused on local culture and authentic experiences. It left a lasting impression and since then, I’ve been drawn to this kind of travel — one where you’re not just visiting a country but really getting to know it.

When I started thinking about Latin America, Peru felt like the perfect place to begin. The landscapes, the history, the spirit of the Andes and seeing Machu Picchu with my own eyes — everything about it spoke to me.

“THIS JOURNEY GAVE ME ALL AND MORE THAN I EXPECTED”

I came across the Other Way Round tour and was immediately intrigued. It had that rare balance of adventure and comfort, culture and nature, shared experiences and personal time, and all with a small group of single travelers from different countries.

Before starting the trip, I felt quiet excitement that comes before something new and unknown. I was curious about the places we’d visit, the people I’d meet, and the experiences waiting ahead.

Looking back now, I can say this journey gave me all and more than I expected — beautiful places, meaningful moments, a deep appreciation for this fascinating country, and a reminder of how much I love traveling.

The People Who Made It Special

I’ve traveled enough to know that the people you’re with can completely shape the experience. And this time, I feel very lucky — we had a wonderful group!

We all came from different places and backgrounds (Great Britain, France, Australia, Canada, Belarus/USA), but there was a shared spirit — a sense of curiosity, adventures and discoveries, lightness, and mutual respect — that made it easy to enjoy each other’s company.

We had plenty of laughs along the way!

“OUR GUIDE MANNY, OUR WALKING ENCYCLOPEDIA”

And then our guide Manny, our walking encyclopedia!

We could ask him anything about history, traditions, local life, what to order for dinner, or how to avoid altitude sickness etc., and he always had an answer, delivered with a smile.

He often shared fascinating facts with us, was joking a lot, was very attentive and caring so everybody enjoyed every minute of the trip, and he always managed to keep us on schedule. Manny truly loves his country and genuinely enjoyed showing it to others.

He didn’t just give us facts — he gave us stories, insights, and a sense of connection to the places we visited. Traveling with this group and Manny was a big part of what made this trip feel so meaningful and special. 

Lima – First Impressions & Flavors

Lima was our starting point. We spent three days there, and it was a lovely way to begin the journey.

On the first evening, we had our welcome dinner — almost the whole group together. That’s also when we were introduced to Pisco Sour, Peru’s famous cocktail.

A bit sweet, a bit sour, very strong — and very good. It set the mood for the days ahead!

The second day we explored Barranco, a colorful and artsy part of the city. I really enjoyed walking the streets and admiring the murals — there was so much history and creativity everywhere.

And then something truly unexpected happened. While wandering through the neighborhood, I ran into a couple I know from Orlando where I live — such a surprise! What are the chances?

Manny took us to try ice cream made with unique Peruvian flavors, like Lucuma, which I had never heard of before, but they were delicious. Accompanied by excellent coffee, it was the perfect afternoon break.

“THEN CAME THE COOKING CLASS, WHICH TURNED OUT TO BE ONE OF THE MOST UNEXPECTED JOYFUL EXPERIENCES OF THE TRIP”

During some free time, I also visited Kennedy Park — also known as the “cat park.” It is full of cats lounging on benches, flowerbeds, and sidewalks. Such an enjoyable place for cat lovers like me!

The next day, we had a short city tour of Lima’s historic center, which helped us understand a bit more of the capital’s story.

And then came the cooking class, which turned out to be one of the most unexpectedly joyful experiences of the trip. I had never joined a cooking class before and wasn’t sure what to expect, but it quickly turned into an afternoon of fun, teamwork, and delicious discoveries.

Working in groups, we prepared causa and other traditional dishes and of course learned how to shake up a classic Pisco Sour – it tasted fantastic!

Those days in Lima set the perfect tone for what was coming next.

The Amazon – Jungles, Cocoa, Tarantulas 

From Lima we flew to the Amazon. We landed in Puerto Maldonado, a tiny airport in the middle of the jungle that looked more like a bus station.

One gate, one terminal, lots of green all around, the hot and humid air – and suddenly Peru looked and felt completely different.

“OUR LOCAL GUIDE WAS INCREDIBLY KNOWLEDGEABLE AND PASSIONATE ABOUT THE AREA”

After a short bus ride, we arrived at the lodge, and after a short break, headed out for our first jungle tour. We crossed the river by boat to begin exploring. Our local guide was incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about the area; he showed us how cocoa beans grow and introduced us to other interesting local plants.

We also took part in a chocolate-making workshop — simple, natural, and very hands-on. We ground and roasted the beans ourselves and made fresh chocolate that we could take with us. It tasted strong, earthy, and very real — quite different from anything you buy in a store!

That evening we returned for a night walk in the jungle – because we wanted to explore the jungles to the maximum.

In complete darkness, with our flashlights, we saw various spiders, which our guide spotted with ease; numerous tarantulas were the most impressive for sure. Seeing them so close was fascinating (and a little scary too).

The next morning started before sunrise with a walk through the jungle to Lake Sandoval. The forest was quiet and full of birds — we saw many species, including parrots.

In the morning quietness of the lake itself, we had a chance to see local wildlife in their natural habitat – Cayman, monkeys, and river otters (rare luck to see them!) were the highlights of this experience.

“CELEBRATING TOGETHER IN THE MIDDLE OF THE JUNGLE FELT BOTH SURREAL AND JOYFUL”

Later that day, we went on a sunset boat ride. It was such a peaceful and beautiful way to end the days in the jungles!

And to make it even more special, we stopped on a small sand island to celebrate the birthday of our group member, surprisingly organized by our guides — with cake, flowers and Pisco Sour of course! Celebrating together in the middle of the jungle felt both surreal and joyful.

The Amazon was hot, intense, and full of discoveries, and it made me want to come back to explore it even more.

Sacred Valley – Pachamama Vibes

After the Amazon, we flew to the mountains to start exploring the Sacred Valley. This beautiful part of Peru is full of history. The 3 most memorable things from those days for me were:

1. Ollantaytambo, one of the best-preserved sites of the Inca Empire in Peru. The huge stone terraces (which we hiked to enjoy the gorgeous views and make great pictures) on the mountainside were really impressive. It’s hard to imagine how they were built, but they’ve lasted through centuries!

2. Salt mines — a few thousands of white salt pools spread across a hillside, which are in use since pre-Inca time and nowadays run by local families.

3. Group dinner at our hotel in Urubamba, which turned into a real mid-trip celebration. A local band came to sing for us and set a special vibe for the night, especially when they (and eventually we all together) were singing a song dedicated to Pachamama, the Andean goddess of the Earth.

The next big adventure was awaiting for us the next day: the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu.

“RIDING PERURAIL THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS WAS ALREADY AN EXPERIENCE ON ITS OWN”

Inca Trail & Machu Picchu – The Big Days

We left the hotel before sunrise, still half-asleep, and made our way to the train. Riding PeruRail through the mountains was already an experience on its own.

The views were beautiful, and they even gave each passenger a glass of champagne to celebrate 25 years of PeruRail, along with a small train-shaped magnet.

Such a lovely touch and memory on my magnet board now!

Before the hike, we were well prepared thanks to Manny’s detailed instructions. We packed light but smart — with lots of water, Gatorade and other electrolyte drinks, plus energy bars and snacks.

The hike from the trailhead took most of the day.

Some parts were steep, and the altitude made it more challenging to breathe, but the nature around us was amazing, mixed with the ancient Inca sites we passed along the way. In the end of the trail, we reached the legendary Machu Picchu.

That view was majestic and unforgettable, and such a reward after the long and exhausting hiking day!

When we reached our hotel, tired and happy, most of us went straight for a famous Inca massage. After it, I felt like I was reborn; I dare to say it was the best massage I ever experienced, and it’s a must if you visit Peru (Cusco region in particular)! 

The next morning, we returned to Machu Picchu, this time to explore the site up close. Walking through the ancient city with Manny guiding us made the visit even more special.

He shared so many stories and details — about the way the stones were placed, the meaning behind different parts of the city, the Inca beliefs and traditions; it made the whole experience more meaningful and deep for sure. 

Cusco, Alpacas & Rainbow Mountains 

After Machu Picchu, we made our way back to Cusco.

I must say it is one of the most beautiful and unique cities I’ve ever visited – with its cute narrow streets and street art, hills (walking in the city here required more energy sometimes than an average city walk!), ancient Inca stone walls, old buildings and gorgeous temples.

And tons of unique souvenirs in numerous shops!

“ONE OF THE FUN MOMENTS IN CUSCO WAS VISITING AN ALPACA FARM”

We explored and enjoyed Cusco with the guided tour and had enough free time as well to explore on our own and do some shopping, which was a really good experience in Cusco, especially in the city market.

Oh, and almost forgot! One of the fun moments in Cusco was visiting an alpaca farm.

Feeding those curious, fluffy animals and taking selfies with them was such a joyful experience!

On the day before we left Peru, we went to hike to Rainbow Mountains. It was a long drive — several hours climbing higher into the mountains and then walking a bit higher.

After the Inca trail, it wasn’t difficult at all. And the unusual view of colorful stripes of the mountains was absolutely worth it. 

“THIS TRIP TO PERU WAS ONE OF THE MOST SPECIAL EXPERIENCES I’VE HAD WHILE TRAVELING”

A Journey That Stays with You 

Looking back, this trip to Peru was one of the most special experiences I’ve had while traveling.

It wasn’t just about seeing famous places — though of course, Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley, and the Amazon were unforgettable.

It was about the mix of it all: history and nature, traditions and fun moments, peaceful walks and loud laughter, new tastes, new people, and unexpected surprises.

Everything was well organized from the time of booking to the very end, and I truly appreciated the care put into the itinerary — the balance of activities and rest, group time and personal space.

Our guide Manny made a big difference, always ready to explain, advise, or simply share a good story.

And of course, the group itself played a huge role. We started as strangers but quickly found a rhythm together. By the end, it felt like traveling with friends, happy to share a hike, a joke, or a Pisco Sour with.

That was an unforgettable trip for sure, and I am so grateful to “Other Way Around” for it.

It made me want to come back to Peru again and experience other countries in a similar style tour.