Peru Family Holiday
10 days
From
$ 3195
Duration10 days
Discover Peru on this Family Adventure, touring the Amazon Jungle, Machu Picchu, Cusco and Lima. Gaze up at Peru’s dazzling peaks and into picturesque valleys to understand why the Andean mountains were sacred for the Incas. This well-paced holiday combines time in the fascinating historic cities of Lima and Cusco with time exploring some of Peru’s most amazing settings. Enjoy a memorable train journey through the heart of the sacred valley to Machu Picchu and breathe in the magical spirit of the Incas.
This tour is operated by
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Duration: 10 daysService level: Standard
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Physical Grading: Light
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Ages: 5+
Tour Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1: Lima
Bienvenidos! Welcome to Lima, Peru’s capital and one of South America’s most charming colonial cities. If you and your family arrive early perhaps take a walk around the chic suburb of Miraflores or visit Central Park or Lovers' Park. You also might like to check out some of the many museums or take a short trip out of town to visit Pachacamac, an impressive archaeological site.
Your family adventure begins tonight with a welcome meeting at 5pm in the hotel. Look out for a note in the lobby for more information on where this will take place. It’s important that you attend, as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information for each member of your family. Afterwards, get to know the other families and your tour leader over an optional dinner at a local restaurant nearby.
Your family adventure begins tonight with a welcome meeting at 5pm in the hotel. Look out for a note in the lobby for more information on where this will take place. It’s important that you attend, as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information for each member of your family. Afterwards, get to know the other families and your tour leader over an optional dinner at a local restaurant nearby.
Day 2: Lima
Enjoy some breakfast, then explore Lima with a local guide on a comphrehensive tour of the city (approx: 5 hours). Your tour takes you through the National Museum of Archeology, Anthropology and History, the largest and oldest public museum in Peru. Check out some of its 100,000 pre-Incan artifacts – there are ceramics, textiles, tools and ruins from as far back as 1,000 BC. You will also visit the infamous catacombs underneath the San Francisco church. Here you'll find the bones of an estimated 75,000 bodies arranged in ornate patterns in stone pits. While it can get a little claustrophobic down there, it's a fascinating display. The church itself is also quite a sight, built in the Baroque style of the late 17th century.
In the evening, relax and unwind with an optional dinner and folklore show.
In the evening, relax and unwind with an optional dinner and folklore show.
Meals: B
Day 3: Amazon Jungle
Take a flight to Puerto Maldonado via Cusco this morning (approx. 2.5 hours) where the mighty Amazon Jungle awaits. Hop in a motorised canoe and head upriver (approx. 2 hours) to your jungle lodge in the Madre de Dios area. Don't forget to look out for wildlife along the way!
After checking into your accommodation, join your local guide for a walk through the jungle (30 minutes) to your traditional Amazonian archery lesson where you'll discover how the local indigenous community craft and use their bow and arrow. You and your family can have a go at hitting the targets before heading back to the lodge for a hearty dinner.
After dark we'll return to the river by boat in search of caimons and other nocturnal creatures.
After checking into your accommodation, join your local guide for a walk through the jungle (30 minutes) to your traditional Amazonian archery lesson where you'll discover how the local indigenous community craft and use their bow and arrow. You and your family can have a go at hitting the targets before heading back to the lodge for a hearty dinner.
After dark we'll return to the river by boat in search of caimons and other nocturnal creatures.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 4: Amazon Jungle
Start the day with a big breakfast before embarking on a hike through the jungle to Tres Chimbadas Lake (1 hour). Look out for colourful macaws, hoazins, monkeys and black alligators. If you are lucky you might even catch a glimpse of an endangered river wolf (otter)! Head back to the lodge for a rest, play and some lunch.
This afternoon you'll visit a traditional medicine garden where the Shaman of the community will introduce you to some plants used for healing. At the end of the tour you and your family will have the opportunity to go to the laboratory and observe how the medicines are prepared.
After dinner tonight your guide will take you on a walking tour search of insects, amphibians, tarantulas, bats, birds and (the shy) armadillo. Listen out for the sounds of the jungle and notice the stars peeking through the trees.
This afternoon you'll visit a traditional medicine garden where the Shaman of the community will introduce you to some plants used for healing. At the end of the tour you and your family will have the opportunity to go to the laboratory and observe how the medicines are prepared.
After dinner tonight your guide will take you on a walking tour search of insects, amphibians, tarantulas, bats, birds and (the shy) armadillo. Listen out for the sounds of the jungle and notice the stars peeking through the trees.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 5: Cusco
Transfer by boat back to Puerto Maldonado this morning and collect your large bags. From here, take a flight to Cusco via Lima (approximately 4 hours) and arrive in the early evening.
Tonight's plans are up to you. You might like to take a walk around this delightful old city, visiting the Inca walls of the Plaza de Armas or some of the many fine churches around town, or grab dinner and relax with your new friends. Whatever you choose, be sure to take it slow as you adjust to the city's high altitude (3,450 m).
Tonight's plans are up to you. You might like to take a walk around this delightful old city, visiting the Inca walls of the Plaza de Armas or some of the many fine churches around town, or grab dinner and relax with your new friends. Whatever you choose, be sure to take it slow as you adjust to the city's high altitude (3,450 m).
Meals: B
Day 6: Pisac
Today we make our way by private vehicle into the beautiful Sacred Valley (1 hour). The first stop is Awanancancha, a South American farm, where you and your family can get to know some of Peru's famous furry locals: Llamas, alpacas and vicunas! Next up is the town of Pisac, a charming little village nestled at the base of an Inca fort. Start by exploring the colourful local market where hundreds of local artisans sell their wares. You might find anything from hand-knitted Alpaca jumpers to ornately decorated Andean ceramics here.
Later you will visit a local community to have a delicious lunch and then learn about old techniques of dyeing, spinning and weaving the alpaca wool. After the weaving demonstration, it's off to explore the Inca ruins, which are spread out on the mountains above the town. They are roughly as old as those of Machu Picchu! Spend the evening in Pisac.
Later you will visit a local community to have a delicious lunch and then learn about old techniques of dyeing, spinning and weaving the alpaca wool. After the weaving demonstration, it's off to explore the Inca ruins, which are spread out on the mountains above the town. They are roughly as old as those of Machu Picchu! Spend the evening in Pisac.
Meals: B, L
Day 7: Aguas Calientes
Venture deeper into the Sacred Valley and discover Ollantaytambo, which is a 1.5hr drive away. This awesome spot was built over an ancient Inca town, and it's a great example of Inca urban planning. This is one of the few places where the Incas defeated the Spanish. Ollantaytambo's archaeological site is located to the east of the Plaza de Armas. The upper terraces offer great photo opportunities of the square grid town below.
Once you've done some exploring here, you'll take a midday train up to Aguas Calientes, taking in gorgeous Andean scenery along the way. In Aguas Calientes you can get an early night if you like, in preparation for tomorrow's visit to Machu Picchu.
Once you've done some exploring here, you'll take a midday train up to Aguas Calientes, taking in gorgeous Andean scenery along the way. In Aguas Calientes you can get an early night if you like, in preparation for tomorrow's visit to Machu Picchu.
Meals: B
Day 8: Machu Picchu/Cusco
Take the bus (30 minutes) up to the stunning 'lost city' of Machu Picchu, arriving at 6am. This is one of those genuinely magical places, and your first glimpse of these ruins in the mist is something to remember. The site is perched high in the Andes, surrounded by verdant cloud forest, with the river Urubamba running through the gorge far below. Hidden away on a ridge, Machu Picchu is invisible from below, so it's no surprise it remained a secret for so many years (until 1911).
Your ticket grants access to the site for 4 hours. Explore the upper terrace with your family first, making sure to get that family portrait! You will then take a guided tour of the ruins with a local guide, learning more about these 200 or so houses and temples. It's fascinating to be able to gaze down on the city from above and imagine how it would have looked during the height of the Inca empire.
Catch the bus back into town and enjoy some spare time to have lunch and a look around. Take the train to Ollantaytambo (2 hours) and make the rest of the journey to Cusco by private vehicle (2 hours).
Your ticket grants access to the site for 4 hours. Explore the upper terrace with your family first, making sure to get that family portrait! You will then take a guided tour of the ruins with a local guide, learning more about these 200 or so houses and temples. It's fascinating to be able to gaze down on the city from above and imagine how it would have looked during the height of the Inca empire.
Catch the bus back into town and enjoy some spare time to have lunch and a look around. Take the train to Ollantaytambo (2 hours) and make the rest of the journey to Cusco by private vehicle (2 hours).
Meals: B
Day 9: Cusco
Discover the Andes from a unique perspective: 3720m above sea level on a Stand Up Paddle Board on Piuray Lake.
Leaving Cusco after breakfast we take a scenic ride on the road to the Sacred Valley, reaching Piruary Lake. You will enjoy a leisurely paddle in mirror flat waters ideal for beginners and experts alike. An activity the kids will love.
Back on land we head back to Cusco city.
The rest of the day is yours to explore the city as you please. Armed with a full boleto turistico (tourist ticket), you'll have access to the premier museums and sights in town. Perhaps start your day at the local market – a great chance to mingle with the locals, sample some street food or some pastries, and perhaps browse for some strange items such as 'Dragon's Blood' (medicinal tree sap). Some great museums to visit are the Pisco Museum, the Museum of Inca Culture and the Museum of Popular Art. There are also many adventure activities on offer, from trekking and mountain biking to via-ferrata climbing and zip-lining. All are great ways to take in the gorgeous neighbouring hills.
Leaving Cusco after breakfast we take a scenic ride on the road to the Sacred Valley, reaching Piruary Lake. You will enjoy a leisurely paddle in mirror flat waters ideal for beginners and experts alike. An activity the kids will love.
Back on land we head back to Cusco city.
The rest of the day is yours to explore the city as you please. Armed with a full boleto turistico (tourist ticket), you'll have access to the premier museums and sights in town. Perhaps start your day at the local market – a great chance to mingle with the locals, sample some street food or some pastries, and perhaps browse for some strange items such as 'Dragon's Blood' (medicinal tree sap). Some great museums to visit are the Pisco Museum, the Museum of Inca Culture and the Museum of Popular Art. There are also many adventure activities on offer, from trekking and mountain biking to via-ferrata climbing and zip-lining. All are great ways to take in the gorgeous neighbouring hills.
Meals: B
Day 10: Cusco
Your trip comes to an end after breakfast this morning. There are no activities planned for the final day and you are free to depart the accommodation at any time.
Meals: B
Inclusions
Included
- Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer
- Lima - Archaeological Museum
- Lima - Guided tour of San Francisco Monastery including The Catacombs
- Lima - Cathedral visit
- Lima - City Tour
- Amazon Jungle - Jungle activities
- Amazon Jungle - Caimon spotting
- Amazon Jungle - Traditional Amazonian archery
- Amazon Jungle - Hike to Tres Chimbadas Lake
- Amazon Jungle - Medicinal garden tour
- Amazon Jungle - Birdwatching
- Amazon Jungle - Guided nature walk
- Amazon Jungle - Local farm visit
- Cusco - Full Boleto Turistico Pass, which gives you access to 16 archaeological sites in/around Cusco (Transport & guides are not included)
- Pisac - Archaeological site of Pisac
- Pisac - Awanancancha llama farm visit
- Pisac - Weaving demonstration
- Ollantaytambo - Archaelogical site entrance and guided tour
- Machu Picchu - Entrance and guided tour
- Cusco - Stand Up Paddle Boarding
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Transport
Boat, Plane, Private vehicle, Train -
Accommodation
Hotel (6 nights), Jungle Lodge (2 nights), Hostel (1 night)