Highlights
- Hike the one-day Inca trail to Machu Picchu
- Zipline across the Sacred Valley and raft in Cusco's rapids
- Take a cooking class in Cusco and sampling food tour in Lima
Peru Family Adventure
Make the most of precious family time and head to the Andes for a perfectly planned private 9 day / 8 night Peru Family Adventure that balances exciting, outdoor adventures with authentic discovery of local customs and traditions. Experienced family guides master the art of educators-come-entertainers as you accomplish the one-day Inca trail trek to Machu Picchu, zipline over the Sacred Valley or raft down rapids outside Cusco: adventure pursuits are tailored to match your kid’s ages and adrenaline barometers! With ready-waiting transfers from touch down to departure, relax and kick back in a safe environment staying in top-notch hotels. Our expert travel planners will be happy share their family travel tips and tailor this itinerary to suit your interests and travel style.
Daily Summary 9 Days / 8 Nights
- Day 1
LimaView on map
Arrival to Peru
An English-speaking Aracari representative will be expecting you from your international arrival, will greet you and give you your customized welcome pack with a booklet of your trip itinerary and other useful information before whisking you off to your hotel, assisting you with all check-in procedures.
Accommodation options0
- Day 2
LimaView on map
Urban Eats food tour & Lima's Historic Center
Having exploded onto the global food scene, Peru is now widely regarded as one of the world’s principal food travel destinations. In the morning, explore Lima's casual and local food scene with a 'friend in the city', as opposed to tour guide, on our authentic Urban Eats sampling food tour. They will bring you to popular local eating spots to sample Peruvian classics and criollo dishes.
Later, take a walking tour of Lima's key historical sites. One of the main fascinations of Lima is the concentration of ancient history in the area; not only do the origins of the city pre-date the Spanish foundation of the city by several millennia. Begin to unravel this multifaceted history and discover the complex past of this fascinating city with a visit to the colonial area of Lima featuring the Cathedral (closed on Sundays), the Convent of Santo Domingo, and the Main Square with its beautiful baroque style buildings. You will also have a chance to visit Casa Aliaga, reportedly the oldest home on the Continent and still family-owned after 17 generations.
Accommodation options- Day 3
Lima - Sacred ValleyView on map
Visit Pisac Market and Ruins
Our Aracari representative will pick you up from your hotel for your private transfer to Lima airport, where he will assist you with check-in procedures for your domestic flight to Cusco. Upon arrival in Cusco, your personal guide and private driver will greet you at the airport to head straight to the Urubamba Valley - also known as the 'Sacred Valley'. Your guide will accompany you throughout the Urubamba Valley, Cusco and Machu Picchu.
En route, stop for a short visit of Awanacancha camelid ranch where you will have the opportunity to meet llamas, alpacas, vicuñas and guanacos. In Pisac experience the sights and sounds of the town’s famous market, with its variety of handcrafts and fresh produce. Continue on to the Pisac ruins. With Inca masonry of superlative quality, the stunning terracing following the contours of the mountain and superior view of the valley will leave you in awe.
Accommodation options
- Day 4
Sacred ValleyView on map
Hike, Stand Up Paddle Board or Zipline
Today you can choose between the following activities:
Hike to the incredible Maras salt pans, which have been in use since pre-Columbian times and nearby enigmatic Inca terraces, Moray. Likely used for agricultural experimentation, Moray consists of several enormous circular terraces that make for a truly spectacular sight.
Alternatively, stand up paddle board on a high altitude lake and cruise on a mountain bike through the Andes. Start the day with a journey to Lake Huaypo outside of Cusco. Spend the morning mastering the different strokes involved in paddle boarding as you take in the awe-inspiring views and the fresh Andean air. After a few hours, enjoy a picnic lunch along the shores of the lake. Then set off down dirt roads and llama tracks, descending down into the pre-Inca salt mines of Maras.
Another option, for anyone with a sense of adventure and the desire for a bird’s eye view of the Sacred Valley, is to spend an afternoon climbing Peru’s first via ferrata, made up of metal bars secured in the mountain face like a ladder that stretches up 300 metres (984 feet). Climb about an hour up the mountainside and enjoy a rest at the top before a short hike to a series of ziplines. Zip along the five ziplines and finally rappel the final pass to the ground to complete your mountain climbing adventure.
Accommodation options- Day 5
Sacred Valley - Machu PicchuView on map
One day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
Begin your day when your guide collects you from your hotel and drives you to Ollantaytambo to take the Vistadome train towards Aguas Calientes, the station that serves Machu Picchu. As the name implies, the Vistadome features spectacular panoramic windows with incredible scenic views. Traveling through the cloud forest, you will get off approximately 1.5 hours before arrival at Aguas Calientes and, with your guide, start your one-day Inca trail adventure. Along the way you’ll make stops at several interesting Inca archaeological complexes only accessible by foot before arriving at the lost citadel itself. Explore the majestic site and enjoy the views as most of the tourists have already left for the day.
Accommodation options
- Day 6
Machu Picchu - CuscoView on map
Visit Machu Picchu
This morning you’ll return to the ruins with your guide. Optionally hike to IntiPunku, the “Sun Gate”, take a more strenuous climb to Huayna Picchu or climb to the top of Machu Picchu Mountain, located south of the Citadel and offering spectacular panoramic views. Following your visit, take the bus back to the town of Aguas Calientes to catch the Vistadome train (approx. 1.5hrs) back to Ollantaytambo, where a private vehicle will be waiting to transfer you by road to Cusco (approx. 2hrs).
Accommodation options
- Day 7
CuscoView on map
Cooking Class & City tour or Family Scavenger Hunt
This morning try your hand at preparing traditional Peruvian dishes to dine on your creations for lunch. The focus of the class is on the fusion of culinary traditions from the diverse cultures that coexist in Peru and the Andes, with a generous dash of modern creativity and imagination.
In the afternoon choose to:
Explore Cusco on foot beginning at the Plaza de Armas, the Main Square, which is marked by the exquisite Spanish Colonial architecture and ornamentation imposed by Spanish colonists to exert religious and political influence. Underneath it all, however, you can clearly see remnants of Inca Cusco in the solid stonework. Visit Koricancha, the most sumptuous “Sun Temple” in the Inca Empire, and the breathtaking Cathedral, a repository for Cusco’s colonial art, as well as many other important archaeological relics and artifacts. You will also stop by the colorful San Pedro market and pass through the charming neighborhood of San Blas. Optionally, families may also enjoy a visit to the chocolate museum.
OR
Excite the whole family with an interactive scavenger hunt through the city of Cusco (supplement price applies). After being briefed on your strategies and goals for the day, your expert guide will provide you with clues. Throughout the journey, these clues will lead you to various, fascinating sites including the Cathedral, the most lavish Inca temple Koricancha, the charming San Blas neighborhood, the mind-boggling Stone of 12 Angles and more! Meeting unique historical characters, and learning about the marvelous and mysterious city of Cusco along the way, this is sure to be an afternoon the family won't forget.
Accommodation options- Day 8
CuscoView on map
White-water rafting
After a drive of approximately one and a half hours from Cusco to Chuquicahauna, you will be briefed at the riverbank before climbing aboard for two hours of whitewater rafting. The river flows gently at the start, giving you time to practice the maneuvers, but further downstream in a beautiful canyon area, you will meet the rapids. That’s when the real fun begins! Following your ride on the rapids, you’ll rest and enjoy a full picnic lunch before making your return trip to Cusco.
Accommodation options- Day 9
Cusco - LimaView on map
Fly to Lima & Departure
You will be met at your hotel to transfer to Cusco airport for your domestic flight to Lima International Airport. We will assist you with your international departure.
Aracari specializes in tailormade travel. Here are just some of our further trip suggestions. Contact us for more bespoke ideas to inspire your travels.
Featured Destinations
Journey pricing as of 2024
Basic Pricing - US$5,300 per person
- Price is per person, based on a family of 4 in twin/double accommodation, for the full 9-day itinerary
- Discounted children's rates on request
- Based on Hotel Selection: Villa Barranco, Sol & Luna Hotel, Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel and Inkaterra La Casona
What's Included?
- This itinerary is based on 4 people travelling together in double or twin occupancy, excluding flights (international and domestic).
- Includes all specified services in the itinerary description
- All transfers and entrance fees
- A welcome pack on arrival including: a pre-loaded cell phone to contact your travel consultant at any time, a printed booklet packed with insider tips alongside your detailed itinerary and up-to-date recommendations on dining and shopping
- Hand-selected English-speaking guides
- Specialist guides (where noted)
- 24-hour support from our locally based team
- 8 nights in a hand-picked and personally tested selection of Peru’s finest hotels
What's not Included?
- Domestic flights (quoted separately).
- Alcoholic beverages.
- Tips.
- Travel Insurance.
- International Flights and airport taxes.
- Neither personal expenses nor any other service not specified in the itinerary.
Peru Family AdventureAdventure and authentic discovery of local customs - Day 2
