06/26/2026
After soaking in the hot springs of Aguas Calientes and getting to bed early, we rose with the sun for one more visit to Machu Picchu. Before entering, Valerio guided us through a beautiful meditation as the first rays of sunlight rose behind the sacred mountains. It was the perfect way to prepare ourselves for what lay ahead—the climb up Huayna Picchu.
If I’m being honest, most of us were intimidated. The day before, we had looked up at the mountain wondering if we could really do it. But one step at a time, about an hour and a half and nearly 1,600 stairs later, all 17 of us reached the summit.
Sitting together on the large boulders at the top, looking out over Machu Picchu, there was a deep sense of gratitude and accomplishment. We had encouraged one another every step of the way, and reaching the top together made it even more meaningful.
On our descent, we passed through the “Womb Cave.” Emerging from the darkness into the light felt symbolic, almost like being born anew. It was another powerful moment on this pilgrimage.
By the time we reached the bottom, we were grateful to have had the earliest entry times. The narrow trail was now filled people making their way up. Walking through Machu Picchu a second time after seeing it from above gave me an entirely new perspective. It reminded me that sometimes we need to change our viewpoint to truly appreciate the beauty before us.
That afternoon we returned by train to Ollantaytambo and then by private bus back to Cusco. The next day, twelve of our group returned home, while five of us continued south for one more adventure.
After an overnight in Lima, we traveled to Paracas along Peru’s beautiful coastline before making our way to Nazca.
Flying over the Nazca Lines had been on my bucket list for more than 30 years, and it absolutely lived up to my expectations. Stretching across the desert are hundreds of enormous geoglyphs—monkeys, hummingbirds, spiders, condors, geometric shapes, and miles of perfectly straight lines—created by the Nazca people nearly 2,000 years ago. Their exact purpose remains a mystery. Some believe they were ceremonial pathways, others think they were connected to astronomy, water, or communication with the gods or extra terrestrials. Whatever their purpose, seeing them from the air leaves you with a profound sense of wonder.
Our adventure continued with a visit to the museum in Ica, where we learned about ancient cultures of the region and viewed remarkably preserved mummies and the famous elongated skulls that continue to spark both scientific study and curiosity.
From there, we arrived at the desert oasis of Huacachina. Racing across the towering sand dunes in dune buggies, watching the sun set over the desert, and sandboarding down the massive slopes brought out the child in all of us. We laughed until our faces hurt.
The following day we returned to Paracas for a boat excursion to the islands, where we observed sea lions, penguins, pelicans, cormorants, and countless other seabirds. It was the perfect ending before returning to Lima for our final night together.
As I look back, I’m realizing this journey was about so much more than the places we visited. It was about the people we shared it with, the wisdom we received, the challenges we overcame, and the moments that quietly changed us.
Even now, I’m still integrating it all. Every day another memory surfaces, another lesson reveals itself, another thread is woven into this beautiful tapestry. And for that, I am deeply grateful.
Runa Ñan Travel
