On New Year’s Day, the real adventure started. I joined the PeruHop bus route heading south.

We left Lima at 6:00 AM, heading first to Paracas. Here, I went on a boat tour to see the Ballestas Islands—often called the “poor man’s Galápagos.” Sea lions, birds, and dramatic rock formations made it a memorable stop.

From there, we continued to Huacachina, a surreal desert oasis surrounded by massive dunes. Sandboarding and dune buggying here were easily one of the most fun parts of the entire trip—fast, dusty, and slightly chaotic in the best way. For real, if I can recommend anything that's not on the typical Machu Picchu itinerary, it's Huacachina. 

We stayed at Hotel El Huacachinero, which was perfectly located right in the oasis and wasn't affected by the noise of the party hostels.

The next day brought a short stop in Nazca, where we visited the viewing tower to see parts of the famous Nazca Lines before boarding an overnight bus to Arequipa.

Sleeping on the bus… let’s just say it was an “experience.” But actually, it wasn't that bad and the bus was empty enough that we all got our own row to stretch out in. Plus, an overnight bus is a rite of passage for any South American backpacker! 

Another early start took us to Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world.

From Puno, I joined a boat tour to the Uros Floating Islands—entire islands made from reeds, where families have lived for generations. I also took time to walk around the downtown area and shop for some coca leaf products! 

The Uros islands felt almost unreal, like stepping into a living museum on water. The local people there were so kind and welcomed us onto their reed rafts to share about their lifestyle and the history of their floating homes. 

If you haven't started to feel the altitude you certainly will in Puno. At over 12,500 feet Puno was the highest city on my itinerary and boy did I feel it! I definitely took my time walking up hills and flights of stairs. 

This was the part of the trip I had been waiting for: Machu Picchu.

I booked a 2D1N trek with a guided hotel stay, which meant the journey was just as important as the destination. However, my travel partner injured her knee earlier in the trip so we had to pivot. We ended up visiting Machu Picchu in a 2D1N train journey. 

The first day was spent visiting the Sacred Valley—think verdant green terraces, Incan ruins, and incredible history.  We ended our day in Aguas Callientes where we stayed overnight before rising early to board the bus to Machu Picchu. 

Waking up early, zig zagging through cloud forests, and finally arriving at the citadel was emotional in a way I didn’t expect. Photos don’t really capture it—the scale, the mist, the silence between the mountains. This moment will live in my memory forever, the magic of Machu Picchu is just something you have to experience for yourself. 

After a packed schedule, I finally had a day to breathe. I joined a free walking tour, explored hidden corners of the city, and just enjoyed the atmosphere.

Cusco is the kind of place where you can slow down and still feel like you’re discovering something new every hour. I particularly loved shopping at the markets and collecting all sorts of handmade souvenirs!

I flew back to Lima for one final night at the Wyndham Costa Del Sol, right next to the airport—perfect for an early morning departure.

After two weeks of constant movement, having a comfortable hotel, a hot shower, and an airport shuttle felt like luxury.

On Jan 13, I flew home at 7:00 AM—completely exhausted, but full of memories.