Peru with OWR: Nadia’s Journey of Adventure, Friendship, and Nature’s Wonders

 Nadia had been wanting to visit Peru for years, and in 2025, she finally decided to go for it.

She chose OWR and spent two weeks seeing, doing, and learning a lot while making friends along the way.

Peru had been sitting high on my travel wishlist for years. The problem was a lot of my friends had already been, and for a while I kept pushing the trip further down my calendar hoping someone would tag along. Eventually, I realised that if I didn’t just go for it, I might never make it happen. That’s when I decided to take the matter in my own hands and came across Other Way Round (OWR).

This was my second group adventure this year (I started with FlashPack), and I’ve come to appreciate how these kinds of trips are a brilliant way to explore new countries in comfort while meeting like-minded people who, like me, share a thirst for adventure but don’t want to sleep in a tent or hostels every night.

“THE DECIDING FACTOR FOR ME WAS THE ITINERARY: OWR WAS THE ONLY ONE INCLUDING A ONE-DAY INCA TRAIL TREK TO MACHU PICCHU”

Why I Chose OWR

After comparing various small group tour companies, the deciding factor for me was the itinerary: OWR was the only one including a one-day Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu. Most other companies went by train or bus only, but, having grown up watching Indiana Jones on loop, I wanted something more challenging and rewarding without having to commit to the full 4-day trail that would have extended the trip duration or meant sacrificing another trip leg.

That single detail sealed the deal for me, and I’m so glad of my decision because walking through the Sun Gate and seeing Machu Picchu unfold beneath us became the iconic moment of the trip.

“WITHIN TWO DAYS, OUR GROUP OF STRANGERS HAD BONDED”

First Impressions and the Group

From the moment I met our group members in Lima, there was a buzz of excitement. Within two days, our group of strangers had bonded. Yes, the various rounds of Pisco Sours might have helped! We laughed, sweated, and supported each other through every challenge. I know group travel can be hit or miss, but this one was a success from the start.

At the end of the trip, I remember thinking “two weeks ago, we were strangers, yet when it was time to say goodbye, I felt emotional and sad to go home”. I don’t guarantee you will glue with every one in the group but these group tours have a way of bringing together kindred spirits somehow.

And then there was Manny, a force of nature! Manny wasn’t just our guide, he was one of us. His deep knowledge of both ancient and modern Peru enriched every experience, and his enthusiasm was contagious. He went above and beyond throughout the trip, and I can confidently say the adventure wouldn’t have been the same without him. He’s also got banging 80s rock playlists and is talented at origami, making waiting times in trains or buses really entertaining!

“THE FIRST GLIMPSE OF MACHU PICCHU LEFT US SPEECHLESS”

Highlights of the Journey

Two weeks in Peru delivered countless highlights, each one special in its own way:

• The Inca Trail 

The one-day Inca Trail was demanding yet unforgettable. Six hours of hiking through cloud forest, ancient paths and the infamous “Dios Mio stairs” led us to the Sun Gate, where the first glimpse of Machu Picchu left us speechless. That “pinch me it’s real” moment, shared with my group, was worth every drop of sweat. Some of us even shed a tear of emotion!

Don’t get me wrong, this hike was hard partly because we all cope with altitude differently but Manny prepared us very well. We had plenty of snacks, drinks and coca leaves (to help with the altitude) along the way.  In the end, only one of us chose to not join and we all made it. We all cheered and supported each other until the end and I can’t think of a better way to discover Machu Picchu. The trail made my experience of this World’s Wonder 10 times better than if I had been by bus.

“THE COLOURFUL STRIATIONS OF THE LANDSCAPE FELT OTHERWORDLY, AND REACHING IT GAVE ME A SENSE OF ACHIEVEMENT I’LL NEVER FORGET”

• Rainbow Mountain

An optional excursion that turned out to be one of the most memorable. Since all of us were interested in this excursion, Manny arranged it for us and took us to a less touristy site than the famous overcrowded one. This meant driving further away into the countryside, we even saw wild llamas! Full disclaimer: the site is even higher than Machu Picchu so altitude sickness may hit you harder. Nonetheless, the colourful striations of the landscape felt otherworldly, and reaching it gave me a sense of achievement I’ll never forget.

• The Amazon Jungle

The minute you step out of the plane in Puerto Maldonado, you’ll feel the heavy heat of the Amazonian air. Our beautiful hotel was nested by the Madre de Dios River and I enjoyed the serenity and raw, vibrant beauty of the place.

Our lovely local guide, Eddie, introduced us to his cacao farm and showed us around the local birds, macaws and monkeys and other jungle animals.

I’ll never forget the sound of the cicadas, watching sunsets and sunrises paint the jungle sky, cotton flowers romantically raining down on us like some kind of exotic snow and the friendly fires while sipping a home made cocoa nib and honey pisco. 

• Cooking in Lima

In Lima, we rolled up our sleeves to make pisco sours, causas and lomo saltado from scratch.

You’ll get to know the secret to making a nice layer of foam on your pisco sours… and get doused in lemon juice in the process. Some of us sure did!

It was also fun to play with fire and learn how to use a wok pan. Honestly, it was the best lomo soltado I had in Peru.

“MEALS WERE ANOTHER HIGHLIGHT, FROM STREET FOOD TO RESTAURANT DINNERS AND SNACKS, THE FLAVOURS OF PERU SHONE THROUGH”

Comforts Along the Way

Adventure aside, the trip was also comfortable and well-organised. Our hotels were consistently clean and welcoming, a comforting base to return to after long days of exploring. It was a good mix of wow factor hotels (like the one in the Amazon) and more executive style hotels. 

Meals were another highlight, from street food to restaurant dinners and snacks, the flavours of Peru shone through. I still catch myself daydreaming about that first bite of ceviche! The only thing I’d say is that the menus were sometimes a bit too repetitive but I guess these can be limited for groups. Nevermind, we had enough time off from the group baked into the itinerary to go explore and eat something in a restaurant of your choosing.

Manny also went above and beyond to ensure two of my group members had their birthdays properly celebrated during the trip. Any dietary requirements were also duly taken into consideration.

The Group Dynamic

One of the best parts of the trip was the people. We were all from different backgrounds, yet our shared love of travel made it easy to connect. 70% of my group was female and we came from the US, Canada, Australia, the UK and France.

By the end, we weren’t just fellow travellers, we were friends. We celebrated each other’s triumphs, whether making it up a steep mountain trail or simply trying guinea pig for the first time.

I’ve also enjoyed the variety of local guides complementing Manny’s knowledge and showing us their local history and culture.

“IF YOU’RE CONSIDERING TRAVELLING WITH OWR: GO FOR IT!”

Reflections and Advice

Looking back, I still can’t quite believe all that we packed into two weeks. From city buzz to jungle calm, from strenuous hikes to slow, shared meals the trip was a perfect balance of adventure and connection. If you’d like to get a feel of my trip to Peru with OWR, check out my pinned stories of Peru on my open instagram account (Imperatrice87).

If you’re considering travelling with OWR: go for it! Be prepared for some challenging moments, particularly on the Inca Trail, but know that those challenges are part of what makes the journey unforgettable. Trust the process, lean into the group, and you’ll walk away with not only incredible memories but also new friendships (and, maybe, a llama tattoo on the ankle). Thank you, OWR, for curating such a unique adventure.

¡Al infinito y más allá!