This was such a meaningful trip for us, and Peru will always be the place that truly opened my eyes to how big and beautiful the world is. We’d love to return someday. We’d repeat our favorite spots, skip the parts we didn’t need a second time, and add in a few bucket-list experiences we missed. Here’s how I’d travel to Peru differently on a future trip.
Cusco & Surrounding Area
Sacsayhuamán
It’s a shame we didn’t make it the first time around, though I’m not sure I would have appreciated it as much as I would now. Have you heard of Graham Hancock? He’s got some fascinating theories on the true age of the earth, and he points to places like Sacsayhuaman as his evidence.
The stonework is unbelievable. Massive blocks fitted so tightly together that you can’t even slide a piece of paper between them. Next time I’d plan a slow wander through the entire complex, exploring the zig-zag walls, the viewpoints over Cusco, and the surrounding sites like Q’enqo and Tambomachay. This whole area has that mysterious, ancient energy Graham Hancock loves to talk about, and being there makes you wonder how much history we still don’t understand.
Q’iswa Chaka (Incan Hand-Woven Suspension Bridge)
This is one of the last remaining traditional rope bridges, rebuilt by local communities every year with braided grass. It hangs over a canyon with nothing but the rushing river beneath it. It’s a living piece of Incan engineering you can still walk across. Carefully.
Sacred Valley
Ollantaytambo
We rushed through this gem way too fast. Next time I’d stay overnight in the old town, explore the Sun Temple ruins without feeling hurried, and wander the narrow stone streets where water still flows through ancient channels. It’s one of those rare places where modern life and Incan history blend together so naturally that you feel like you’ve stepped into another time. If we brought the kids, they would love the llamas (me too, of course), the market stalls, and watching the trains come and go on their way to Machu Picchu.
Machu Picchu Region
Machu Picchu & Huayna Picchu
I’d absolutely return to Machu Picchu, it’s the kind of place you never forget and can’t get enough of. But instead of hiking up Machu Picchu Mountain again, I’d maybe try to get tickets for Huayna Picchu, the iconic peak that towers over the citadel. The trail is steeper, narrower, and carved right into the rock in places, but the views from the top look unreal. Plus, you can explore the Temple of the Moon, tucked into caves on the backside of the mountain.
Beyond the Sacred Valley
Nazca Lines
If we could make the travel work, I’d finally book the small-plane flight over the Nazca Lines. Seeing the hummingbird, monkey, astronaut, and condor from above feels like the only way to really appreciate their scale. It’s a longer detour than most people expect, but it’s one of those “once you’re already in Peru…” opportunities that would be worth the effort.
Please comment and let me know what I’m missing!
And with that, this wraps up my thoughts on how I’d redo a future trip to Peru. If you get a chance to visit, let me know what you’d recommend!
If you like this post, you can subscribe for free using the Subscribe button on the bottom right corner of your screen!
Packing for Adventure 
Leave a comment