Why I Went to Peru Twice in One Year

Some trips are wonderful.

A few are unforgettable.

And every once in a while, you experience a journey so powerful that before you've even unpacked your suitcase, you're already wondering when you can go back.

That was Peru for me.

Last May, I joined a group of women on a trekking adventure with Salkantay Trekking. The plan was simple enough: hike through the Peruvian Andes, experience the beauty of the Sacred Valley, and ultimately arrive at one of the most iconic destinations in the world—Machu Picchu.

What I didn't expect was how deeply the experience would impact me.

The scenery was breathtaking. Snow-capped mountains towered above us. Ancient trails wound through valleys and cloud forests. Every turn revealed another view that seemed impossible to capture in a photograph.

But the landscapes were only part of the story.

What made the trip extraordinary were the women alongside me.

We came from different backgrounds, different seasons of life, and different levels of hiking experience. Some arrived feeling confident. Others wondered if they had signed up for something beyond their abilities.

Then the trail began.

Day after day, we climbed. We crossed mountain passes. We covered distances that felt intimidating on paper. There were moments when our legs were tired, our lungs were working overtime, and the next switchback seemed a little too far away.

Yet something beautiful happened along the way.

We encouraged one another.

We celebrated every milestone.

We waited for the person who needed a little more time. We shared snacks, Tylenol and Band Aids.

The women who questioned whether they could complete the trek discovered they were stronger than they realized. The women who arrived as strangers left as friends. And together, we earned our first glimpse of Machu Picchu. No photograph can truly prepare you for that moment. After days of effort, challenge, and anticipation, the ancient citadel appears through the mountains, and suddenly every step feels worthwhile. It's one of those rare travel experiences that stays with you long after you've returned home.

In fact, it stayed with me so much that I went back.

Just five months later, in October, I found myself returning to Peru for a second trek with an entirely different group of women. Well, almost entirely different. My sister came along too—she never wants to miss out on an adventure.

People often ask why I would do the same trek twice in one year.

The answer is simple. I wanted to experience it again, but I also wanted another group of women to discover what I had discovered.

Adventure travel has a way of stripping away the noise of everyday life. Out on the trail, there are no endless to-do lists, no packed schedules, and no expectations to meet. There is only the next step, the next conversation, and the next incredible view.

Somewhere along the way, you reconnect with parts of yourself that may have been buried beneath responsibilities and routines.

And when you're surrounded by women cheering for one another every step of the way, those discoveries become even more meaningful.

Yes, the mountains are spectacular.

Yes, Machu Picchu is every bit as impressive as you've heard.

Yes, the accommodations and hospitality provided by Salkantay Trekking were exceptional.

But what I remember most are the women. The conversations shared on the trail.The laughter around the dinner table.

The encouragement offered during difficult climbs. The collective joy of accomplishing something meaningful together.

Those moments are why I went back.

And they're the reason I know I'll return again someday.

Because the best journeys aren't simply about the places we visit. They're about who we become along the way.