Machu Picchu, the Incan citadel in the Peruvian Andes, is a doable solo trip. The combination of fixed trains, prebooked entry slots and small-town scale at Aguas Calientes keeps logistics simple for travellers moving alone.
Spend two nights in Cusco first for altitude. Walk the Plaza de Armas, San Blas and Qorikancha; take the train from Poroy or Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes. The journey winds down the Urubamba River and gives you the first look at the cloud forest you’re entering.
Inside the citadel, solo travel is actually the easier mode: you set your pace, stop as long as you want at the Temple of the Sun or the Intihuatana, and don’t negotiate photo stops. Add Huayna Picchu (steep, exposed) or Machu Picchu Mountain (longer, less exposed) for a hiking day on top of the main visit.
Peruways runs solo-friendly packages that handle the train, bus and entry ticket, with the option of adding a guide for the citadel only. Visit Peruways for pricing and dates.
Solo in Machu Picchu is quieter and more flexible than the group version. The scale of the Andes does the rest.
