Machu Picchu on a Budget
Peru
(Budget adventure travel, affordable destinations, solo travel tips)
.jpg)
It began with a dream—and a cheap flight to Lima. Machu Picchu had been my kid-self’s obsession, but I thought it was for loaded trekkers. Then a round-trip ticket cheaper than a winter coat changed that. I landed with a backpack, a loose plan, and a wallet to stretch. First up: a Miraflores hostel—15 bucks a night for a bunk, a kitchen, and Pacific views. I roamed coastal cliffs, dodged surfers, and slurped ceviche at stalls where locals argued soccer. The steal? Fresh ceviche—Peru’s finest—for less than a craft beer. Local eats kept me rolling.
I craved the Andes, so I bussed to Cusco. Solo travel tip: buses beat flights. Cheap, with killer views. I rode with travelers and locals, winding through mountains. Cusco’s cobblestone charm and alpaca scent hit me hard. A 10-buck guesthouse was my base, and I explored Plaza de Armas, haggled for textiles, and sipped coca tea against altitude woes. A cheap cooking class taught me lomo saltado—my chopping sucked, but the laughs were free. Real, not ritzy.
.jpg)
Peru had more. I hit the Sacred Valley via a collectivo for pennies, climbing Ollantaytambo’s ruins with a view that stopped me cold. Then, a budget train to Aguas Calientes and a pre-dawn hike to Machu Picchu. Legs burned, but the Sun Gate revealed the ruins through mist—pure magic. That’s why I chase budget adventure travel. From Lima’s coast to Cusco’s heights and Machu Picchu’s wonder, I left with chapped cheeks, a full heart, and money left. Epic on a dime? Peru’s it—pack light, bus it, and climb.
Click here to gear up for your adventure
