Peru with OWR Travel: Andrea’s Honest Take on Traveling Solo

Andrea joined OWR Travel’s Peru trip hoping for adventure—and maybe a little soul-refresh, too.

What she got? A crash course in jungle peace, mountain grit, and why hiking the Inca Trail might just be better with a walkie-talkie. This is her take on the journey.

This trip was truly the trip of a lifetime. I had been dreaming of visiting Machu Picchu since I was a young teenager and always thought it would be the best honeymoon destination.

The honeymoon part of my life hasn’t happened yet, but I decided to book the trip anyway in an effort to re-energize my life. I’m so glad I made that decision.

I cannot express how much this trip changed me and that is exactly what I was hoping to get out of it. I chose Other Way Round because as a solo traveler, I wanted safety and guidance in a place where I didn’t speak the language. But even more, I craved connection and friendships that would let me be me without any expectations, just a “come as you are” vibe.

“FROM THE VERY START, EVERYTHING WAS SEAMLESS”

From the very start, everything was seamless. From communication with booking and answering my questions to pre-trip information and contact with the other travellers and trip guide. I, had the fun time, of having the airport shutdowns all over the U.S. on the day I was supposed to fly out to Lima, which delayed my trip and scared the hell out of me. I managed to get on the last flight from Atlanta to Lima, arriving at 6:00am and the official start of the trip was 8:00am.

“SHOUT OUT TO OUR GUIDE JC FOR BEING SO INCREDIBLE”

I’m telling you, I was cutting it so close, but the trip guide was in contact with me the entire time, literally from Atlanta, reassuring that I’d make it, that there would be a driver to pick me up from the airport and the hotel would be open and let me in my room and that they wouldn’t leave without me! (Shout out to our guide JC for being so incredible). Needless to say, he was right, everything was fine and I made it in time for the group meeting and exploring the city.

That was the only thing that went “wrong” the entire trip. I have never been on a trip to where I didn’t have to worry about or think about a single thing. I didn’t have to find rides, or ask for directions, feel isolated or alone, worry about my safety, nothing. All I had to do was enjoy myself, which I whole-heartedly did.

I hiked the Inca trail, and as a plus size woman, can scare some. But JC allowed me to go at my own pace.

I was given a walky-talky to stay in contact with the main group, and was able to meet so many other Inca trail hikers throughout the trail, that by the time we all made it to the Sungate and into Machu Picchu itself, I felt like a celebrity since I had walked with some many different groups, passing them while they rested or chatting a little while they took pictures.

It was truly incredible and so encouraging. I became one with “Mother Nature and Father Mountain”, even though I begged them to stop at all the stairsteps, especially after the “Oh my God staircase” that JC warned us about as the last obstacle to the Sungate. But “Oh my God” does not even cover the beauty and the impact of coming through the Sungate and earning you your first look at the wonder of Machu Picchu.

My group waited for me at the Sungate (I was only about 30 minutes behind them upon arrival), and we entered Machu Picchu together. 

“I KNEW IT WOULD BE AN AMAZING EXPERIENCE, BUT I HAD NO IDEA HOW MUCH I WOULD LOVE IT THERE”

In addition to Machu Picchu, I feel the unsung hero of the trip is the Peruvian Amazon. I knew it would be an amazing experience, but I had no idea how much I would love it there.

From the boat rides, to the sounds of the birds, it was so truly peaceful. I, and 2 of my traveller mates, took a nap in the hammock outside while listening to the bird sounds, and I’m pretty sure that is the definition of peace! Best nap of my life! We heard and saw howler monkey’s, and sloths. Wandered through the Tambopata National Reserve and Lake Sandoval.

And got to play in the water, on a dune, in the Madre de Dios river, while watching the sunset. Just peace. And honestly the mosquitoes were not bad at all, I used a citronella roll on stick (found on Amazon, the irony), which repelled everything!

The cutest hotel we stayed in was the Lizzy Wasi in Urubamba, Sacred Valley. It feels and looks like a fairytale. They even did our laundry for us. They also had a fire pit and a trampoline out in the yard which just made the evenings there that much more enjoyable. 

“THE OTHER TRAVELLERS IN THE GROUP HAVE NOW BECOME MY FRIENDS AND I GET TO SAY I HAVE FRIENDS ALL OVER THE WORLD”

I could go on and on about this trip but I encourage you to book the trip and experience it for yourself. I can’t talk about it or even explain how amazing it was well enough.

I’m pretty sure my family and friends here at home are sick of me talking about Peru at this point, but I can’t help it! I needed this trip and got so much more out of it than I ever expected.

The other travellers in the group have now become my friends and I get to say I have friends all over the world. If you are on the fence about visiting Peru or anxious about the group dynamic, don’t be, both will have lasting impacts in the best way. Do yourself a favor and book the trip. My next trip is Argentina/Patagonia, so hopefully, I will see then!