These 10 Places Still Wow Me – Even After More Than 10 Trips to Peru

Machu Picchu
Andean Glaciers
Kuelap
Sipán Museum
Larco Museum
Paracas
San Blas
Humantay Lake
Manu National Park
Colca Canyon Condors

By Natalia Volchkova, Founder of PeruVisit

People often ask me, “Don’t you get tired of going to Peru?” And I always laugh. Because after more than ten trips—ranging from short escapes to month-long immersions—I’ve realized something: Peru is simply impossible to outgrow. Every time I return, I discover new magic, deeper meaning, and a stronger connection to this land that has completely stolen my heart.

Here are the 10 places in Peru that still wow me, no matter how many times I visit. Some are world-famous, others are quiet secrets—but each one feels like a love letter from Peru to those who make the journey.

1. Machu Picchu at Sunrise

There’s something sacred about being among the first to step through the gates of Machu Picchu in the early morning mist. As the sun rises behind the mountains and spills golden light over Huayna Picchu, the whole site glows like it's waking up. Even if the clouds linger (as they often do), it only adds to the mystery.

What to do: Book the earliest time for Route 2, stay overnight in Aguas Calientes, and wake up early to beat the crowds. Trust me—those quiet moments before the site fills up are pure magic.

2. Andean Glaciers in the Sacred Valley

The Sacred Valley holds many secrets, but the sight of snow-capped giants like Mount Chicon peeking through the clouds is something I never get used to. Driving through the valley, you're surrounded by these majestic peaks—the contrast between ancient Inca stonework and gleaming white summits is simply breathtaking.

These glaciers aren’t just beautiful—they’re sacred apus (mountain spirits), revered by the local communities. And you can feel that reverence in the air.

3. Kuelap – The “Machu Picchu of the North”

Riding the cable car to Kuélap feels like floating through the clouds into another era. Perched high in northern Peru, this ancient Chachapoya fortress is cradled by lush, mist-shrouded cloud forest.

What to do: Ride the scenic cable car, take your time exploring the massive stone walls and circular structures, visit Gocta waterfall, and soak in the solitude—there are no crowds here, just you and the echoes of a forgotten civilization.

4. The Museum of Sipán in Chiclayo

I still remember standing in front of the Lord of Sipán’s golden mask, completely speechless. It’s hard to believe all of this—jewels, armor, ceremonial tools—came from a single burial site. This museum offers a jaw-dropping look into the brilliance of the Moche civilization.

What to do: Give yourself at least two hours. Start with the dramatic entrance, shaped like a pyramid, and follow the chronological layout that builds suspense as you approach the grand finale—the Lord himself.

5. The Larco Museum in Lima

Ah, the Larco Museum. If you love art, history, or just stunning garden cafés, this is your spot. But what really sets it apart is the Moche pottery collection—especially the erotic ceramics that boldly illustrate how the ancients understood life, death, fertility, and power.

What to do: Arrive mid-morning, wander through the galleries, and then relax in the leafy café with a pisco sour. It’s a full-sensory experience you won’t forget.

6. Paracas – Where the Ocean Meets the Desert

I’ll never forget my first glimpse of Red Beach, where rust-colored sand meets sapphire waves beneath a cloudless sky. In Paracas, the desert collides with the Pacific in the most dramatic way.

What to do: Take a morning boat to the Ballestas Islands (look out for penguins and sea lions!), then explore the Paracas National Reserve by dune buggy or bike. End the day stargazing in the stillness of the desert night.

7. San Blas, Cusco

There’s a corner of Cusco that always pulls me back: San Blas, the artisan heart of the city. I could spend hours wandering its narrow alleys, peeking into workshops, sipping coca tea in cafés with sweeping views, and chatting with painters and silversmiths.

What to do: Visit during late afternoon when the light turns golden. Pop into a few galleries, grab a coffee, and listen for live Andean music drifting through the streets.

8. Humantay Lake

The hike to Laguna Humantay isn’t easy—altitude is no joke—but the reward is unforgettable. When you finally reach that shimmering turquoise lake cradled by snow-capped peaks, it feels like time stands still.

What to do: Go with a guide, start early, pace yourself, bring coca candy and plenty of water for the altitude. Most importantly, give yourself time to just sit by the water and take it all in.

9. Manu National Park

This is where the Andes dissolve into the Amazon. From misty cloud forest to deep jungle, Manu is an explosion of life. I’ve seen flocks of macaws at clay licks and caimans glowing under starlight during night walks.

What to do: Plan for at least a week. Short trips don’t do Manu justice. If you truly want to witness wild nature in its purest form, you need time—and the patience to let the jungle reveal its secrets.

10. Condors in Colca Canyon

You hear the gasp before you see them: massive Andean condors catching the rising thermals, their 11-foot wingspans slicing through the air. Watching them soar over Colca Canyon feels like stepping into an ancient myth.

What to do: Head to Cruz del Condor early in the morning, bring a blanket and a thermos of coca tea, and just be still. These birds are sky spirits, and watching them will move you in ways you didn’t expect.

Peru keeps surprising me. Every mountain trail, museum corridor, jungle river, and quiet alley in Cusco adds another layer to my love story with this country.

If you’re dreaming of Peru, I’d be honored to help you fall in love with it too—whether it’s your first time or your tenth. At PeruVisit, we don’t just plan trips—we help you create the kind of memories that keep calling you back.

Let’s make your Peru story unforgettable.