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Discover Peru on this Family Adventure, touring the Amazon Jungle, Cusco and Machu Picchu.

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 the wonders of the Amazon Jungle with the fascinating history of Cusco. Enjoy a memorable train journey through the heart of the Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu and breathe in the magical spirit of the Incas.

Start
Lima, Peru
Finish
Cusco, Peru
Destination
Peru
Style
Original
Theme
Family
Code
GGFB
Physical rating
Ages
Min 5
Group size
Min 2, Max 18

Why you'll love this trip

  • Hike jungle trails in search of monkeys, parrots, otters and caimans and sleep in a nature lodge lit by candles and kerosene lamps.

  • Meet the local artisans, farmers and townsfolk of the Sacred Valley – not forgetting the cute alpacas and llamas.

  • Be mesmerised by the mother of all Inca cities, the mysterious Machu Picchu, where you'll enjoy a guided tour.

  • With the help of a resident musician, make your own zampona – a traditional panpipe instrument – and learn how to play it like a local.

  • Cusco has something for everyone, making it perfect for a family visit. A boleto touristico pass grants you access to the best sights in town.

Is this trip right for you?

  • Cusco is located a spectacular 3450 metres above sea level, so it's important to be patient as your body adjusts. See the ‘Essential Trip Information’ section for information on altitude sickness.

  • Tradition runs deep in beautiful old Cusco, so a little homework will put you in good stead. Ask your leader about photography etiquette.

  • The Amazon Jungle can be very hot and humid, so it's important to drink plenty of water and wear light cotton clothing. Make sure you also bring tropical-strength insect repellent.

  • The weather can be unpredictable in the Andes. Be sure to bring warm clothes and prepare for all elements.

Itinerary
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Bienvenidos! Welcome to Lima, Peru’s capital and one of South America’s most charming colonial cities. As there's little time spent here but so much on offer, you and your family may like to arrive a few days early to see all the sights, including the chic suburb of Miraflores, Central Park and Lovers' Park. Maybe check out some of the many museums or take a short trip out of town to visit Pachacamac, an impressive archaeological site. On the first day of your tour there’s a welcome meeting at the hotel at 5PM, after which you can get to know the other families and your tour leader over an optional dinner at a nearby restaurant.
Accommodation
  • Hotel Casa Andina Select Miraflores or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer
Optional Activities
  • Lima - Lima Discovery Urban Adventure - USD37
  • Lima - Private Lima: Home Cooked Tour Urban Adventure (price from) - USD83
  • Lima - Museum of the Inquisition - Free
  • Lima - Guided tour of San Francisco Monastery including The Catacombs - PEN20
  • Lima - Coast Biking Tour - Urban Adventure (price from 2 pax) - USD52
  • Lima - Private: Home Cooked Tour Ceviche experience Urban Adventure (price from 2 pax) - USD75
  • Lima - Lima Discovery + San Francisco and Pisco Sour - Urban Adventures (price from 3 pax) - USD35
  • Lima - Lima Water Show - USD35
  • Lima - Lima Pisco Making - USD35
  • Lima - Lima Eat Street - USD75
  • Lima - Bohemian Barranco - USD75
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information for each member of your family. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.

The arrival transfer is only valid if arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-trip accommodation through us. Please provide your flight details at the time of booking, or at a minimum 14 days prior to travel, as we may not be able to confirm a request made within 14 days of travel.

Take a flight to Puerto Maldonado via Cusco this morning (approximately 2.5 hours) where the mighty Amazon Jungle awaits. Hop in a motorised canoe and head upriver (approximately 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 caimans and other nocturnal creatures.
Accommodation
  • Posada Amazonas or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Amazon Jungle - Traditional Amazonian archery
  • Amazon Jungle - Caimon spotting
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
Please note that the order and schedules of the activities may be modified according to weather and the wellbeing of the group.

You will be given a small duffel bag to pack what you need for the next two nights, as your main luggage will not travel with you. It will be securely stored in the lodge's office in town. The duffle bag holds approximately 8kgs/17pounds. So just a littler smaller in weight on the average airline carry on guidelines.

Your lodge is eco-friendly, combining low-impact architecture with traditional native style. Rooms are simple but comfortable, with flush toilets (en suite), showers (cold water only) and mosquito nets.

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, hoatzins, 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 in 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.
Accommodation
  • Posada Amazonas or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Amazon Jungle - Medicinal garden tour
  • Amazon Jungle - Guided nature walk
  • Amazon Jungle - Hike to Tres Chimbadas Lake
  • Amazon Jungle - Birdwatching
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Transfer by boat back to Puerto Maldonado this morning and collect your large bags. From here, take a flight to Cusco (approximately 40 minutes) and arrive in the early evening. Tonight's plans are up to you. You might like to take a walk around the 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 (3450 m).
Accommodation
  • Taypikala Cusco Hotel or similar (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Take an orientation walk through the city with your leader this morning. Along the way you'll meet up with a local musician who will show you and your family around San Blas, the artisans’ neighbourhood. Learn about the significance of music and art in Peruvian culture and history. Visit their home and have a go at playing traditional drums, strings and wind instruments. You'll also be shown how to make and play your own zampona, a traditional panpipe, which you can take home with you. The rest of the day is yours to explore. Perhaps head to the local market and pick up some pastries for a picnic lunch. Or, if you're keen to brush up on your knowledge of Peruvian history before visiting Machu Picchu why not check out some of Cusco’s excellent museums? You'll have a full Boleto Turistico (tourist ticket) which means you can access the best attractions in town. If you're still feeling creative you might like to join an afternoon totem painting class, which your leader can arrange for you. Otherwise, climb to the top of the Inca Pachacuti Statue and enjoy the city views.
Accommodation
  • Taypikala Cusco Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Cusco - Leader-led orientation walk
  • Cusco - Peruvian music lesson & zampona making
  • Cusco - Full Boleto Turistico Pass (Entrance to 16 archaeological sites in/around Cusco)
Optional Activities
  • Cusco - City tour and 4 Ruins(minimum 4 people) - USD40
  • Cusco - Pisco Making Urban Adventure (Based on 4 participants) - USD57
  • Cusco - Cusco Cooking Class (Based on 4 participants) - USD70
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Today we make our way by private vehicle into the beautiful Sacred Valley (1 hour). The first stop is Awanacancha, 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 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.
Accommodation
  • Royal Inka Pisac Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Pisac - Archaeological site of Pisac
  • Pisac - Awanancancha llama farm visit
  • Pisac - Weaving demonstration
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch

Venture deeper into the Sacred Valley and discover Ollantaytambo, which is a 1.5 hour 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 (2 hours) 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.
Accommodation
  • Presidente hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Ollantaytambo - Archaelogical site entrance and guided tour
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Take the bus (30 minutes) up to the stunning 'lost city' of Machu Picchu, arriving at 6 am. The site is perched high in the Andes, surrounded by verdant cloud forest. 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, then take a guided tour of the ruins with a local guide, learning more about these 200 or so houses and temples. 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). Perhaps join your group for an optional farewell dinner. Don't forget to trade numbers so you can keep in touch with your new friends!

Accommodation
  • Taypikala Cusco Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Machu Picchu - Entrance and guided tour
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
According to Machu Picchu visiting regulations, all visitors must follow a pre-determined route within the site. This route must be followed in one direction only and once the guided visit commences exiting and re-entering the site is not permitted. Once the guided visit concludes, visitors must exit the site and personal exploration of Machu Picchu is not permitted. Due to Intrepid's internal safety policy, your leaders are specifically prohibited from recommending or assisting with booking trips to the mountaintop ruins of Wayna Pikchu.

With no activities planned today and so much to see and do in Cusco, why not continue your adventure by extending your stay in this archaeological hub. We are happy to arrange additional accommodation for you, please ask your booking agent.
Optional Activities
  • Cusco - Pisco Making Urban Adventure (Based on 4 participants) - USD57
  • Sacred Valley - Mountain Biking - USD170
  • Cusco - Rainbow Mountain Hike (Based on 4 participants) - USD10
  • Cusco - Full Day Stand Up Paddle Boarding ( Based on 4 participants) - USD80
  • Full Day Via Ferrata & Zipline - USD95
  • Cusco - Cusco Cooking Class (Based on 4 participants) - USD70
  • Cusco - Humantay Lake Hike (Based on 4 participants) - USD120
  • Cusco - Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain Hike (Based on 4 paticipants) - USD100
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Want to tailor this itinerary?

Meals

8 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners

Transport

Boat, Plane, Private vehicle, Train

Accommodation

Hotel (5 nights), Jungle Lodge (2 nights), Hostel (1 night)

Included activities

  • Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer
  • Amazon Jungle - Traditional Amazonian archery
  • Amazon Jungle - Caimon spotting
  • Amazon Jungle - Medicinal garden tour
  • Amazon Jungle - Guided nature walk
  • Amazon Jungle - Hike to Tres Chimbadas Lake
  • Amazon Jungle - Birdwatching
  • Cusco - Leader-led orientation walk
  • Cusco - Peruvian music lesson & zampona making
  • Cusco - Full Boleto Turistico Pass (Entrance to 16 archaeological sites in/around Cusco)
  • 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

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our Peru Family Holiday trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

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Important notes

1. Please note that these trips are for adults and children travelling together and there must be at least one child under 18 with you.

2. Minimum age for children on this trip is 5 years old.

3. A discount of 10% applies on this trip to children 17 years and under at time of travel.

4. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Days 2 and 3 (Jungle Lodge) where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.

5. Full passport details are required for all passengers at the time of booking, however passengers aged 17 and under (at time of entrance to Machu Picchu) must also provide a copy of their passport details page. This is required in order to secure child tickets.

6. A complimentary airport arrival transfer is included; valid if you are arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-tour accommodation through us. You must provide your flight details to your booking agent at least 14 days prior to travel.

7. First day - there will be a group meeting at 5pm on Day 1
Last day - there are no activities planned for your last day so you can depart at any time.

8. Parts of your trip go above 2800 metres / 9200 feet where it is common for travellers to experience some adverse health effects due to the altitude - regardless of your age, gender and fitness. It even happened to Sir Edmund Hillary!

9. This trip includes one visit to Machu Picchu. According to Machu Picchu visiting regulations, all visitors must follow a pre-determined route within the site. This route must be followed in one direction only, and once the guided visit commences exiting and re-entering the site is not permitted. Once the guided visit concludes, visitors must exit the site and personal exploration of Machu Picchu is not permitted. Please refer to the itinerary for details.

Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

View Essential Trip Information

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