Peru

So every year I take a trip out of the country around September or October. September 2025 I went on a group trip to Peru. One of the great things about group trips is everything is planned out and you don’t have to do extra planning. The only thing not included in the group trip price was the flight to Peru and travel from the airport to my accommodation and my accommodation to the airport. However, travel is provided for all the excursions on the trip. Majority of the meals were included in the price as well. I booked with TrovaTrip which is a travel agency where influencers can host a trip to destinations all over the world. I found the trip on instagram, and my one of dreams was to go to Machu Picchu so I was like sign me up. I didn’t know anybody on the trip but it worked out well. We also had an amazing guide, Armando, who coordinated everything. I can’t recommend him enough. He really is the best. I made friends with multiple people on the trip and it was definitely memorable to say the least.

Day 1 we stopped at llama and alpaca farm and fed the livestock. This was a core memory for me. I loved it and it was so much fun. Afterwards we learned about the difference between authentic alpaca wool and mixed alpaca wool. I think majority if not all of us ended up buying something from this family.

Afterwards, we traveled to Amaru to meet with a family who showed the techniques of weaving, dyeing, and treatment of alpaca goods. They let us try on the traditional attire which was so beautiful. The colors and patterns were so vibrant and bright.

After the textile demonstration, we travelled to Pisac to see an archaeological site. This site used to be used for agriculture. We ate dinner at this beautiful buffet style restaurant next to the water. Unfortunately, I didn’t take photos of the food because I was starving after a busy day. We ended the day in Ollantaytambo and stayed at Tunupa Lodge.

Day 2 was a wild day for sure. We woke up that morning to go Aguas Calientes and spend day part of the day before taking a bus to go to Machu Picchu. Well God had other plans. We walked to train station from our hotel and while we’re waiting we hear all trains are delayed for the time being. We learn from our guide that there were protests between the two different train companies Inca Rail and Peru Rail. As a result, there was damage to the tracks from people throwing rocks and pushing logs on the tracks. He informed us to wait in the city center until he texted us when we could get on the next train. However, as soon as he texted us we had to book it back to make the train station. We shopped and just when we settled down to eat lunch he texted us to come to the train station. I was like everybody let’s go it’s time. One of the girls was drinking a coke and I literally told leave the coke we gotta go. I ran from the city center to the train station. We make it in time to board the train. The train station was packed with people waiting to get on the train.

After arriving in Aguas Calientes we had a quick lunch because we needed to get in line for the bus to Machu Picchu. The bus ride up to Machu Picchu is on very narrow road which is a little nerve wracking. We found out later that day on the way back a bus driver had gone off the road a couple years ago and died. I was like well thanks for waiting to tell us after. At Machu Picchu we took the 2 route which I feel like gives you the most to see out of Machu Picchu. Its amazing to see how so much of it is still intact after hundreds of years.

After arriving back in Aguas Calientes, we got stuck at the train station again due to the protests. The reason for the protests is these two train companies are competing for the railway to Aguas Calientes. The former train company’s contract had ended a year ago but they did not want to leave due to the income they received from tourism. So multiple protests were happening while we were there. Our train was delayed for almost two hours. When we get on the train I noticed it was traveling slower than normal. Out of the nowhere we’re stuck on the tracks for 2 hours. We see police officers walking up the tracks outside our windows. We found out that there were people standing on the tracks blocking the train from moving. After the people moved off the tracks the train starts moving. Outside the windows on both sides are people holding candles watching us move up the tracks. We were all nervous because are they gonna throw rocks at us. I had never seen anything like it before. Our train was the last one to leave Aguas Calientes that night. Everyone else was stuck that night. I was very thankful for God’s protection over us and glad that we made it back safe.

Day 3 I was actually starting to get sick with a sinus infection at this point which made things difficult when it comes to hiking. High altitude and sinus infection don’t mix. Surprisingly though I did not take altitude sickness medicine while in Peru. I just drank coca tea and at coca hard candy occasionally. We went to Ollantaytambo Ruins and visited the ruins and local market. We visited the Moray Agriculture Terraces and the Moras Salt Mines. There are around 4,500 salt ponds here, and many families own their own salt ponds.

After the salt mines, we travelled to Chinchero. The locals there performed a traditional dance and fed us dinner. They cook the food in the ground over hot stones. This is called Pachamanca. I was shocked they were grabbing the food with their bare hands. You could see the steam coming from the ground. I would’ve burned my hands so bad if I attempted this. I tried guinea pig for the first time. Now don’t judge me it’s a delicacy there. Plus it was delicious it tasted like pork. I’m not afraid weird dishes or food local to that area. However, I draw the line at eating dog. I love dogs, and I refuse to do that. After leaving Chinchero, we arrive back to Hotel Raymi in Cusco where we stayed for the rest of our trip.

Day 5 my body truly got tested. Sinus infection had gotten worse even though I was taking sinus medicine. We were going to hike to Lake Humantay. This was by far the hardest hike for me. You start out at 12,800 feet before reaching the lake at 14,000 feet. It is 3.6 miles with an elevation gain of 1,354 feet. I had to stop multiple times due to the altitude and being sick. I was experiencing shortness of breath, ringing ears, and a racing heart. I knew I could do it but it was brutal while being sick because I couldn’t breathe to begin with. The guide was so patient with me. I would never wish a sinus infection and hiking at the same time on my worst enemy. It’s a nightmare. Some of the people in my group had chosen to ride up with a horse but a handful of us did hike it. When I reached the lake, I was emotional. I started to tear up because I was so proud of myself for doing this. The views of the lake were breathtaking. It almost felt unreal, and I feel like pictures will never do this place justice because of its beauty. I saw a mini avalanche as I got there and we ate snacks at the lake before going back down. I legit asked our guide if I could take a nap at the lake after all that. He told me no due to the altitude and it wasn’t a good idea stay this high up for too long.

Day 6 I was feeling slightly better. This day was an off and on rainy day. We explored the ruins in Cusco. Afterwards, we had the afternoon off so I decided to go out a get a llama tattoo to commemorate my trip to Peru and went a nice little solo dinner.

Day 7 was one of my favorite hikes. We hiked to the Waqrapukara site. This place is insanely gorgeous. I felt like it should be one of the 7 wonders of the world. I loved it. We were basically the only ones on the trail. The trail is 3.3 miles round trip. We ate lunch once we got to the site and relaxed for a bit before hiking back down.

Day 8 we hiked the iconic Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain. While hiking Rainbow Mountain you are over 16,000 feet. This is the highest I have ever hiked. The colors of Rainbow Mountain are really cool. They are not as vibrant as you think I feel like many people edit their photos to make the colors stand out more, but they’re still beautiful without the editing. We had the option to hike the Stone Forest while we were there as well. A small group of us ended up doing it which was a lot of fun. In the Stone Forest there is marker that tells you that you are 5,000 meters in the air which is also 16,404 feet. After leaving Rainbow Mountain, we had a farewell dinner with our guide, Armando. If you’re ever in Peru, I definitely recommend him.