Peru is one of the easier South American countries to visit solo, and Machu Picchu — because it is so well-trafficked by tourism — is one of the most straightforward sites on the circuit. For women travelling alone, the main things to plan around are altitude (Cusco at 3,400 m hits harder than many expect), the fixed-time entry tickets, and the Consettur bus that climbs from Aguas Calientes to the citadel.
Solo trekkers can combine the ruins with the day-walk up to the Sun Gate or the half-day climb up Huayna Picchu, both of which attract plenty of other solo travellers and tour groups to walk alongside. Guided tours of the citadel are the easiest way to meet other travellers in the first hour.
Peruways books train, bus and entrance ticket in one place, so a solo trip doesn’t involve chasing three different operators. Visit Peruways to put a trip together, including hotel pickup in Cusco and a licensed Spanish or English guide for the site itself.
