Peru Family Adventure
A family trip to Peru is a unique experience. The country is an incredible mixture of history, culture, adventure and cuisine. The cities of Peru are steeped in Mayan and Inca history, and incredible landmarks such as Machu Picchu stand as testaments to the countries past. If you are looking for a family trip with a lot of variety, Peru is one of the best countries to visit.
- Lima
- Cusco
- Sacred Valley
- Machu Picchu
- Hiram Bingham Train
- Chincero, Maras and Moray
- Ollantaytambo Ruins
Lima is the ideal place to start your trip, the city is full of culture and history alongside its more modern additions such as the airport. A walking tour of the area will give you an introduction to the area, and the following day you will take a more in-depth look at the sites nearby. A visit to the Larco Museum will show you the nation’s treasures and is a wonderful activity for the family. Following this, take a colonial city tour which explores the rich history of Lima.
Lima & Vicinity
Lima, the capital of Peru, is situated on a plateau overlooking the Pacific Coast. It is a sprawling metropolitan city of over 10 million Peruvians and is a naturally perfect location for sampling the famed national cuisine with its vast base of ingredients and spices. Furthermore, the city offers relaxing tours to convents, churches, and historical plazas and centres, as well as beautiful gardens, bars and nightspots. Meanwhile, the ancient tradition is very much alive at Huaca Pucllana temple, just steps away from the hotels and hostels of central Miraflores district and the impressive Pyramids of Pachacamac are just a 40km drive south.
The next stop is Cusco, a lovely town where many stay before ascending the steep heights of the Andes. Visit the Cusco Cathedral, enjoy panoramic views, visit the Convent of Santo Domingo and immerse yourself in the areas history. The next day is spent exploring wonderful sites, beginning with Chinchero, then travelling to the salt mines of Maras, and end the day within the small community of Moray.
Cusco & Vicinity
Cusco was originally the historic capital of the Inca Empire, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It has an elevation of over 11,000 feet allowing visitors to acclimatise before setting off on long treks towards Machu Picchu’s on legendary routes used by the Incas towards the citadel. Cusco is pleasant to explore with wonderful and ancient stonework, narrow streets and important Inca temple remains, complemented by the Spanish colonial buildings. Numerous museums showcase Inca and pre-columbian culture, as well as textiles and sacred plants. Being a rich agricultural region, many fusion and neo-Andean restaurants offer unique Peruvian gastronomy. Meanwhile, day trips to nearby lagoons can be connected with visits to Inca ruins such as Pisac, Tambomachay, Kenqo, Sacsayhaman and Ollantaytambo.
A similar full-day tour will be experienced on your fifth day. The Sacred Valley is full of increidble natural sights and steeped in history. The tour involves a visit to the Pisac Ruins, Ollantaytambo Ruins and the Seminario’s Gallery. The next day you will spend aboard the Hiram Bingham Tour. A unique, special journey styled in 1920s decor which calls back to the discovery of Machu Picchu. This trip offers scenery unlike any other, and an experience you will never forget.
Sacred Valley
The Sacred Valley of the Incas is the eternal home of abundance for the indigenous and locals who continue to call this area home. The Sacred Valley is essentially the Urubamba Valley, home to flourishing lands and rivers perfect for agriculture. It is also home to Machu Picchu, built in the 15th century for the Inca emperor, Pachacuti. From Cusco, the former Inca capital, visitors can decide on trekking an “Inca trail” of multiple days, or taking the train to visit the world wonder of Machu Picchu. All routes wind around dramatic peaks, rivers and archaeological sites, with regular rest stops at scenic points, and camping for up to three nights (depending on trail length). The region was known by many civilisations for its agricultural potential, and towns such as Ollantaytambo were once country retreats for Inca royalty.
Your last days will be spent in Cusco. Your penultimate day will allow you a free morning to do as you wish, and then the final activity of the trip is perfect for the family, a chocolate workshop. Learn the chocolate making process and try some of Peru’s finest high-quality chocolate.
Your last day is free, so you can prepare for your flight at your own leisure.
You will arrive into Jorge Chavez International Airport. When you touch down, look for a greeter holding your name on a sign. Your first day will spend taking an introductory walking tour around Lima. This short introduction is to help with you feel more at home during your stay, and give you the confidence to explore the town on your own. This introduction will take place after your arrival and after checking in.
After staying your first night in the city, you will then have a full day of exploring. First, a family visit to Larco Museum. Visiting a museum is generally not the favorite holiday activity for children, but with the family program, visiting the Larco Museum in Lima will be fun for everybody! You receive a special activity book that guides you through the museum in an interesting way, especially developed for kids from 5 to 15 years old. The idea is for the entire family to work as a team, so parents should also do their part!
You are then taken for lunch in Lima at Mangos Restaurant located on the lower level of Larcomar Mall. It has a beautiful view of the Pacific coast and offers Peruvian and international food.
The final activitiy of day 2 is a Colonial City Tour. This half-day city tour starts at Lima’s main square, where you can admire the Governmental Palace, and then you will visit the Cathedral, where the conqueror Francisco Pizarro is buried, and its religious museum. Then, your guide takes you to the San Francisco Church and its monastery, which cloisters and entrance hall are embellished with authentic tiles from Seville dating back to 1620. After, you will be returned to your hotel for another night.
Day 3 starts out with two transfers and a flight which will see you travel from Lima to the ancient city of Cusco. Transfers are included however flights are not.
The first day in Cusco begins with a tour of some of its most important landmarks and features. You will explore Cusco Catedral, Koricancha and the Convent of Santo Domingo, Hatun Rumiyoc, and the neighborhood of San Blas before retiring for the night.
The following day is again full of adventure, with an excursion to Chinchero, Maras and Moray. You start the tour with a visit to Chinchero, believed to be the mythical birthplace of the rainbow. Then, proceed to the salt mines located near Maras dating from colonial times; a very photogenic area. Finally, you visit Moray, a small community famous for its embedded amphitheater that is formed by circular terraces which seem to disappear into the ground. The order of these visit may vary but you will get the chance to explore all three. End the day with a lovely picnic lunch in Huaypo Lagoon and take in its amazing scenery.
Day 5 sees you explore the Sacred Valley again. This time, through a full-day excursion to a number of historical sites such as Ollantaytambo, Seminario, Pisac Ruins, and Awanacancha. The Pisac Ruins were an Inca complex, which once existed out of large buildings with enormous walls made out of stone blocks, and you can still see how imposing they were. Awanacancha is also an important location due to its industry. It is a place where you can see several species of Andean camelids such as llamas, alpacas, vicunas and guanacos, and with a wonderful textile industry. The ruins of Ollantaytambo are also incredible. These famous ruins are named after Ollanta, a warrior who fell in love with an Inca princess but was not allowed to marry her and feature some impressive archaeological marvels. Finally, visit to the Seminario’s Gallery known by their ceramics. Usually, during this stay you can find Pablo Seminario and Marilú Behar creating more art in their workshops. The order of visits may change depending on circumstances.
This day is incredibly unique, and an experience unlike any other. You will take a ride on a train through the Andes, decorated in the style of the 1920s to pay homage to the discovery of Machu Picchu. The train departs Poroy at 9am and you will arrive back just after 9pm. This full day experience will treat you to incredible scenery, a luxury experience, and a greater look at the history of Machu Picchu and its re-discovery.
Start your experience on board with a welcome cocktail, and then whilst on board make the most of the entertainment.
This day involves a guided tour in Aguas Calientes, a beautiful colonial site as well as an exploration of Machu Picchu. You will return to your hotels in Cusco for the evening and final 2 nights of your itinerary.
Your final days will be spent in Cusco. You will have a morning free to spend as you wish with your family, and then the afternoon you will take part in a lovely family activity. You will learn the chocolate making process of Peru in this Chocolate Workshop. Learn the entire chocolate-making process starting with the cocoa tree from the Peruvian jungle and make your own chocolates with milk or dark chocolate and more than 15 different flavors to choose from.
The final day is free to prepare for your flight home. You will have a private transfer from your selected hotel in Cusco to the airport. Both domestic, and international flights are paid by client.
Dates are flexible so please make an enquiry and tell us a range of dates you are considering so we can check availability.
Visa requirements:
Keep in mind that you are responsible for verifying the visa requirements of your destination country and then obtaining the visa accordingly.
In addition, most countries require that travelers hold a passport that is valid for at least six months from the day of entry into the country, so confirm that you meet the passport, visa and medical requirements (if applicable) of the country of entry in advance.
- Accommodation based on double room including breakfast (except day 1).
- Transfers, excursions, meals, entrances as mentioned, including one picnic lunch & one dinner
- Children discount applies only for children under 12 years old.
- Excursions and meals not mentioned in the program.
- Travel Insurance.
- Drinks, tips and personal expenses.
- International flights. Domestic flights.
- Prices can vary if there are new biosecurity protocols in the capacity of vehicles or number of persons per guide as well as other regulations the government will consider as mandatory to implement.
Suitable for ages 5 to 80
