Peru Family Holiday

Bienvenidos! Welcome to Lima, Peru’s capital and one of South America’s most charming cities. When you arrive at the airport, you’ll be met by an Intrepid representative and transferred to your hotel. 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. Maybe check out some of the many museums or take a short trip out of town to visit Pachacamac, an impressive archaeological site. You’ll have a welcome meeting at 4 pm to meet your local leader and the other families in your group. After, follow your leader on an orientation walk through Miraflores, strolling along the lively Avenida Larco until you reach Parque Salazar, where you’ll find a scenic viewpoint overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Here, your leader will share the story of Paddington Bear, inspired by the real Andean bears that live in Peru. The kids will love learning about the real-world inspiration behind this classic children’s story, and you’ll get some great family photos with the ocean as your backdrop. Continue walking along the Miraflores Boardwalk to the famous Parque del Amor. This evening, get to know the other families over a welcome dinner.

This morning, transfer from your hotel to the airport for a flight to Puerto Maldonado, the gateway to the mighty Amazon Jungle. When you arrive in Puerto Maldonado, travel by motorboat along the Madre de Dios and Tambopata rivers to reach your jungle lodge for the next two nights. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife along the way, as you may spot birds, turtles and other Amazonian wildlife. After checking in and having lunch, enjoy some free time to relax or explore the lodge surroundings. Depending on the season and conditions, you may be able to take part in activities such as guided nature walks, birdwatching, kayaking, paddleboarding or cycling. In the early evening, head out by boat in search of caimans along the Tambopata River. Using torches to scan the riverbanks, look out for the tell-tale red glow of their eyes. Four species of caiman can be found in these waters: white, black, dwarf and smooth-fronted caimans.

Wake up surrounded by the sounds of the rainforest and get ready for another day full of jungle activities. You could head out for a bike ride, do some fruit-picking at the local orchard or get your hands dirty by helping to plant trees around the area. Maybe go for an introductory walk, where a nature guide will teach you and the kids about the tropical forest ecosystem and the history of the Madre de Dios region, pointing out medicinal plants and colourful wildlife along the way like butterflies, monkeys, bamboo frogs and toucans. If the birdlife particularly captures you and the kids’ curiosity, you can do some birdwatching at the clay lick, where you can see chestnut-fronted macaws, blue-winged macaws, dusky-headed parakeets and blue-headed parrots. If you’d prefer to get out onto the water instead, you could take a leisurely boat ride or do some kayaking, making stops to swim at the beaches along the banks of the river. Today, you’ll also visit the Amazon Shelter – an animal refuge rehabilitating animals like howler and capuchin monkeys, deer, peccaries, tapir and birds like macaws and parakeets.

Transfer back to Puerto Maldonado this morning. From here, take a short flight to Cusco. When you arrive, you’ll continue to the Sacred Valley by private vehicle. Along the way, visit an Andean community where you'll be warmly welcomed by the local families for lunch. Here, you and the kids will try your hand at making your own bracelets using traditional techniques that have been passed down through generations. This fun, hands-on activity will allow you to connect with the local families and gain an insight into Andean craftsmanship and culture, plus you’ll get to take home a beautiful keepsake from your visit. When you arrive in the Sacred Valley, be sure to take it easy while you adjust to the high altitude.

Journey through the striking landscapes of the Sacred Valley this morning, making your first stop at the archaeological site of Moray. Known for its distinct circular terraces, this site is believed to have been used as an experimental farm by the Incas more than 500 years ago. Take part in a family-friendly science challenge that brings ancient engineering to life. You and the kids will use illustrated maps to work through activities that help you understand how the temperature changes across the terrace levels. Next, head to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Maras Salt Ponds. Take in views of a striking valley covered in thousands of multi-coloured salt pools that have been harvested since Inca times. Your science challenge continues with a hands-on look at how sunlight transforms water into the famous Peruvian pink salt. For lunch, you’ll visit AMA – a restaurant and social enterprise providing training and employment to vulnerable local women. You’ll also take part in a chocolate-making workshop here, where you’ll turn cacao beans into your own sweet creation.

This morning, drive through the Sacred Valley to Ollantaytambo to board a scenic train to Aguas Calientes – a town within the cloud forest at the foot of Machu Picchu. The train ride will offer some incredible views of the Andean scenery, descending along the edge of the Urubamba River to reach the cloud forest. The afternoon is free for you to relax and explore this charming mountain town at your own pace. Alternatively, if you’re up for an active adventure, there’s the option to take a one-day trek along the Inca Trail instead of taking the train. You’ll set off for the trek from Ollantaytambo, accompanied by an expert trekking guide who will share insights into the history and engineering behind the stone pathways that line the trail. The trek will finish at the Sun Gate (Inti Punku) for one of the most iconic views of Machu Picchu, then you’ll rejoin your group in Aguas Calientes later today.

This morning, take a bus up the winding road to Machu Picchu – one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The ‘Lost City of the Incas’ was built around 1440 AD as a country retreat for Inca nobility, but there’s evidence that the land had been a sacred Inca site for much longer. Its true purpose may always be a mystery, since no written records of the complex exist. Explore the site with a local guide, learning more about the 200 or so houses and temples and taking in the scenery. Catch the bus back into Aguas Calientes and enjoy some free time to have lunch and explore. In the afternoon, board the train back to Ollantaytambo, then continue to Cusco (3400 m) by private vehicle, arriving in the early evening.