Adventurous families love our north Cordillera Blanca tour in Peru.
We select guides with extensive experience working with kids and young children, and most guides are parents themselves.
Family trips are designed to the specific needs of your brood, and we can offer holidays for three-year-olds upwards.
The Cordillera Blanca has a glorious assortment of trails and camp options, a wonderland for adults and an ideal place to inspire kids to appreciate nature.
Lose yourself in this majestic world of silvery granite walls, towering white mountain peaks and dazzling glacier-blue rivers.
You’ll see pre-Inca rock structures, grazing alpacas, huge granite boulders, clear sparkling turquoise lakes, and majestic ice-covered mountains watching over it all.
Pack animals are used to keep the weight everyone carries to a minimum, and spare donkeys come along in case anybody needs a ride during the day – great fun!
Inspire kids by surrounding them with some of Peru's most beautiful mountains and lakes.
Great guides make sure everyone has a wonderful time in this natural playground.
Completely flexible itinerary so you get the perfect adventure holiday for your family.
Get a feel for life as a local in Peru's high Andean mountains.
We loved the way you arrange our trip to Peru for the kids. We had so much fun last time in Peru that we trust you completely.
L. Silver, Peru Family Holiday
On your arrival at Lima airport you’ll be met and taken into the heart of Miraflores to your hotel.
Lima is Peru’s capital city, situated on the Pacific coast and home to more than 10 million people. It is an enormous sprawling city located in the centre of Peru’s desert coastline and almost impossible to avoid when visiting Peru.
Lima is a city well worth visiting – its food, restaurants and live music scene are excellent, the people are friendly and hospitable and it houses some of the best museums in Peru.
Private transfer in the morning to the bus station.
Take a comfortable first class ride to Huaraz (approximately 8 hour journey).
Move into your hotel and relax…the adventure is all around you.
Meet at the office to review your itinerary, answer questions, finalize trip.
Spend the rest of the day exploring the outskirts of Huaraz, looking at some rural homes, exploring some pre-Inca ruins, touring the city (acclimatising, too).
Day hike, rock climb, horse rides, play frisbee!
Depending upon age of participants, energy level, and acclimatisation, we’ll offer a range of possible activities for today.
Next, prepare your things for the following day’s departure to the mountains.
Leave this morning for the trailhead to the Quilquihuanca valley.
Hike 1/2 way up and set up camp.
Run around and explore the area before the evening’s BBQ dinner and a good nights sleep.
Continue your walk up the valley.
Take the northern fork up to beautiful Tullparaju lake and set up a camp.
Go fishing or take a rest at the campsite.
Day hike to Quebrada Cayesh or other activities including bouldering, hide & seek, capture the flag, fishing, etc…
Return to your camp in Tullparaju for the evening.
Say goodbye to your campsite and head back down the Quilquihuanca valley, arriving eventually at the trailhead and your ride down to a comfortable mountain lodge for the night.
Last day in the Cordillera Blanca!
Hiking, rock climbing, biking, horse riding, or going shopping for locally made crafts are options. You decide – we can make any or all of it happen for you and your crew.
That evening, have a nice goodbye dinner and take an overnight bus back to Lima.
On a first class bus, you’ll get a good night’s sleep and avoid having to make the journey during the whole following day.
Drop off at the Lima airport for your flight back home, or try any number of possible extensions we can arrange.
Prices From $2,150 / £1,748 per person
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All in-country transport during trip, including transport to and from the Lima airport, First class bus tickets between Lima and Huaraz, Hotel accommodations for specified time in Lima and Huaraz, Professional, English speaking guide for acclimatization activities and climbs/treks, Professional outdoor cook, 3 healthy meals a day plus snacks during the wilderness components of the trip, Technical mountaineering/climbing equipment, All park entrance fees, All camping & cooking equipment which is not included in the gear list, Donkeys or llamas and porters where applicable, Sleeping tents, sleeping mats (foam), Cook tent, eating tent, tables, chairs, and bathroom tent (where applicable), First aid kit stocked for wilderness expeditions, Celebration banquet at the end of trip
International flights to/from Lima (we can look into these for you), Personal clothing and equipment (see gear list), All food during in-town days with the exception of the Celebration Banquet, Incidental personal expenditures, including emergency evacuations and medical expenditures, Travel, Personal, and medical insurance, Some activities may have an extra charge depending upon what they are (on the free choice days), for example horse back riding or tickets into ruins like Chavin or museums.
Hotels – we use 2-3* central, clean hotels with private bathroom when in towns. Upgrades available at extra cost.
Camping – we use two-man mountain tents for sleeping, and bring along a dining tent with stools/chairs and a toilet tent.
All guides are certified, bilingual, English-speaking guides who have worked with us for many years.
We pick those who have a lot of experience of working with children and families, and many of them are parents themselves.
Cooks, mule drivers and additional staff are all from the local, nearby communities and we have worked with them for a long time, too.
Vegetarians and many other dietary requirements are catered for without problems. Please let us know in advance of any requirements you have.
All the timings below are approximate and can be changed to suit your family’s requirements.
You wake early, usually around 07.00. Breakfast is served in a dining tent, and consists of hot drinks, porridge, toast, jams and bread, and your guide will explain the day’s plans.
Lunch is usually around 12.00-13.00 and can feature soups, meats, salads and fish, with vegetarian options and hot drinks too.
The campsites are comfortable and around 16.00 hot drinks, popcorn and other snacks are served.
Dinner is served around 18.30-19.30, and will feature pasta, mashed potatoes, meat, fish or vegetarian options, followed by hot drinks and a pudding.
We can adapt the itinerary to suit all levels of activity and fitness, as well as taking into account the ages and interests of your family.
We’ll aim to have an AM and a PM activity, with rest in between.
As much of the itinerary is at high altitude, we need to build in plenty of acclimatisation so that everyone feels good for the tours.
Peru is the perfect holiday destination for adventure travellers that want an amazing variety of activity, geography and cultural travel experiences.
The breadth of travel experiences in Peru is breathtaking – from trekking in the Andes to Machu Picchu to the tropical jungle of the Amazon, and plenty in between.
The people of Peru make it a special destination too, with its colourful and traditional street life and friendly locals.
Peru is made up of 3 distinct geographical areas: the coast, the mountains and the jungle.
The costa or coastal region is a narrow ribbon of desert 2,250 km long, crossed by fertile river valleys flowing from the Andes. It takes up 11% of the country and holds more than 40% of the population.
The cold Humboldt current gives rise to a blanket of mist – the garua – which hangs above coastal cities like the capital Lima from May to November.
Heading east, you’re soon climbing above the garua and into the Andes. The sierra, or mountainous region, covers some 25% of Peru’s territory and contains 50% of the population. The sierra inhabitants are mainly Indigenous or Mestizo, and many still speak Quechua or Aymara.
The sierra contains dozens of 6,000-metre snow peaks and volcanoes, including Huascaran (6,768m) the highest mountain in the tropics. The deep valley basins contain most of the towns and arable land; the terracing and canal systems of the Incas and pre-Incas are often still used today.
The eastern Andes are heavily forested up to 3,350m and sweep down into the Amazon Basin.
Peru’s selva or jungle makes up almost two thirds of the country’s area, but holds only about 6% of the population: the only towns with significant populations are Iquitos and Pucallpa.
You can also read about the weather of Peru in our blog.
The Andes
Climate depends largely on altitude. As a rule of thumb, below 2,000m climate is mild and above 2,000m warm clothing is required for evenings, nights and early mornings.
The Andean sun is very strong.
May to Oct (dry season in The Andes)
Cusco (3,300m): Average max/min temps: 22ºC /2ºC. Average 3 or 4 wet days per month.
Arequipa (2,380m): Average max/min temps: 26ºC /9ºC. Sunny more than 340 days/year with minimal precipitation.
On highland treks: Conditions are generally dry. However, at this time of year, expect a range of conditions within a single day: cold/freezing nights at camps above 4,000m, where pre-dawn temperatures can be -5ºC; warm, spring-like mornings and afternoons; and cold evenings.
Note that mountain weather can be fickle and localised, and that precipitation is not unknown in the dry season. Expect temperatures to swing between sun and shade, sheltered and exposed ground and with altitude gain and loss. A quick-setting sun means temperatures drop fast.
In the cloud forest, e.g. around Machu Picchu, daytime conditions are generally warm or hot, and evenings cool.
Nov to March/April (wet season in The Andes)
Cusco: Average max/min temps: 23ºC /6ºC. Average 13 wet days per month.
Arequipa: Average max/min temps: 25ºC /14ºC.
On highland treks: Wetter conditions, with cooler days and milder nights than dry season. Jan-Mar usually the wettest months.
Good kit is vital for every trip.
Book with Andean Trails and get 15% off Páramo’s fantastic ethical and high performance outdoor gear.
Overview
When planning for the varied climatic conditions encountered, layering is the most practical and versatile clothing system. It’s worth remembering that our clothing keeps us warm by retaining and isolating the heat we ourselves create.
To best maintain body heat, several layers of lightweight, warm and quick-drying clothing are far more efficient than one or two thick layers. Layers should have the following qualities:
First (base) layer: This layer wicks the sweat away from our skin, thus helping keep the body dry and warm. To this end, synthetic fabrics such as polypropylene should be used.
Mid layers: These isolating layers should also be synthetic (e.g. the known polar linings such as polartec or windblock, which are light and insulate twice as well as wool). Very important layers for retaining body heat.
Outer layer / shell: Finally, the vital layer which protects us from climatic adversities. A breathable, wind-proof and waterproof anorak, such as Goretex.
Give plenty of thought to kit selection, and try to keep weight down.
We also carry an extensive first aid kit & oxygen on all trips, but these are generally for emergencies only.
Below is a more detailed kit list.
Detailed kit list
All other non-personal trekking camping gear e.g. tents, cutlery etc is provided.
Miscellaneous others
Andean Trails has 25 years of experience of putting together the best South America holidays.
We pay a fee to the CAA for every licensable passenger we book since we hold an Air Travel Organiser’s Licence granted by the Civil Aviation Authority. In the unlikely event of our insolvency, the CAA will ensure that you are not stranded abroad and will arrange to refund any money you have paid to us for an advance booking.
We also offer ATOL (Civil Aviation Authority) protected holidays to give our customers peace of mind when booking and travelling.
When you buy an ATOL protected air holiday package from Andean Trails Ltd you will receive a Confirmation Invoice from us confirming your arrangements and your protection under our Air Travel Organiser’s Licence number 6275.
You can read more about ATOL, who is covered and what protections you have if not ATOL-covered, on our ATOL page.
What is ATOL?
The CAA’s ATOL scheme offers protection to your money and your holiday if you book with us. Not everybody is covered (see ‘Who is covered?’ for more), as you must purchase an ‘air package holiday’ with Andean Trails to be protected.
And ‘air package holiday’ is defined as including a flight and some ground services (hotel, transfer, trek etc). This is also known as an ‘ATOL-protected holiday’.
Who is covered?
To be covered by ATOL, you must book a flight and some ground services with us and be from the UK. If you are from the UK and only book ground services and no flights, you are not covered by ATOL (see below for more on how non-ATOL clients are covered).
If you are outside the UK and buy flights with us, you will be ATOL protected IF any of the flights booked with Andean Trails touches/stops in the UK at any point during your holiday package booked with us.
If you buy your flights elsewhere, please check with that agent if you are ATOL protected. Be careful with online flight purchases and make sure you know what protection you have, if any, before paying for flights.
Not all holiday or travel services offered and sold by us will be protected by the ATOL scheme. Please ask us to confirm what protection may apply to your booking.
For land only holidays not involving any air travel, in accordance with “The Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992”, all UK passengers booking with Andean Trails Ltd. are fully protected for the initial deposit and subsequently the balance of all money paid to us, arising from cancellation or curtailment of travel arrangements due to the insolvency of Andean Trails.
I’m not ATOL covered, what protection do I have?
If you are not ATOL covered, any payments you make to us go to a Trust account.
We can only access this money once your tour has been completed, meaning that if anything happens to Andean Trails Limited while you are on holiday, then your money is secure and you can either complete the trip or be able to make it home.
If you pay for your holiday with a credit card, some offer payment protection – please check with your cardholder.
You also should have cancellation protection written into your insurance (which we recommend you have at the time of booking) in case you need to cancel.
Peru boasts in its Amazonian region a vast swathe of world-class tropical wilderness with several rain forest and cloud forest reserves which are home to an immense diversity of wildlife.
Accessible from Lima, Iquitos or Cusco, the Amazon jungle is just a short flight away.
In Peru’s southeast lies the extraordinary region comprising the Tambopata National Reserve and the Bahuaja Sonene and Manu National Parks, with the greatest animal and plant diversity anywhere in the world.
Whether you choose to base yourself at a comfortable lodge or enjoy a more demanding camping trip, you can be sure of a unique, exhilarating and unforgettable experience.
The beautiful colonial city of Arequipa is replete with history and culture, and is the gateway to the condors of Colca Canyon.
Nestled at 2,325m/7,627ft, the ‘white city’ sits at the foot of three tremendous volcanoes: El Misti (5,821m/19,098ft), Chachani (6,075m/19,930ft) and Pichu Pichu (5,542m/18,182ft).
Arequipa’s attractions include the Cathedral, Compañía de Jesús Church, Santa Catalina Convent and the Dama de Ampato (Juanita Mummy) Museum.
With a year-round spring climate and sunshine guaranteed for 300 days of the year, it is the perfect place to begin acclimatising before continuing upwards.
Nearby is the famous Colca Canyon. At hundred kilometres long, this incredible gorge is said to reach a maximum depth of 3,400m/11,155ft – twice that of the Grand Canyon.
An overnight tour to Colca gives you the chance to see the iconic, soaring condors of the canyon.
Cusco is the archaeological and cultural capital of South America.
The one-time centre of the vast Inca Empire is a bustling highland city with bags of character.
Its whitewashed streets and plazas feature a fascinating blend of Inca and Spanish colonial stonework and offer endless possibilities for exploration.
You don’t have to venture far to find outstanding examples of high quality Inca architecture, including the monumental temple fortress of Sacsayhuaman.
There is also the fertile farming land of the Sacred Valley on the doorstep, with many Inca terraces, temples and fortresses, plus colourful local markets and small villages.
At night, Cusco offers an excellent array or restaurants and bars plus the continent’s best Andean folk music scene.
In the northeast of Peru lies Kuelap – the jewel in the massive archaeological crown of the Chachapoyas Cloud People.
The mystical structure of Kuelap – dubbed the Peru’s second Machu Picchu by locals – is 1,200 years old.
It features massive limestone walls towering 60 feet, pottery, bones and hundreds of mysterious round stone structures, and away from the crowds of other sites.
This is a remote area of sub-tropical valleys, half way down the eastern slopes of the Andes. The jungle is impenetrable, dense with low trees, bromeliads, bamboos, orchids and mosses.
Lake Titicaca, at around 4,000m/13,123ft above sea level, is a vast shimmering body of water on the Peru/Bolivia border.
It is the world’s highest navigable lake, set against a breathtaking background of towering ice-covered Andean mountain peaks.
The islands and shoreline of Lake Titicaca support many Indian communities, including the well known floating islands of Uros and the more remote islands of Taquile and Amantani. Here, traditions are strong and it appears time really does stand.
Agriculture, fishing, knitting and weaving are important to the islanders and by staying a day or two you gain just a small insights into this traditional way of life.
Islanders welcome tourists into their homes and this is a wonderful opportunity to experience island life.
Lima, the capital city of Peru, is a vibrant bustling place with a wide variety of things to do.
Stroll or bike around the historic centre, visiting the many museums or just chilling out in a café or restaurant in Miraflores.
In Parque Kennedy you can sit outside in Parisian fashion and watch the world go by in cafes and restaurants, or walk to the shore and the cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
There are a number of artisan shops & market stalls, plus a big silver jewellery trade, and a burgeoning number of top end restaurants with delicious food.
The centre of Lima is home to impressive Colonial architecture – Plaza de Armas has the Palace, official residence of the president, on one side, and on another is the Cathedral.
San Francisco Church, home of the Catacombs, is well worth a visit, as is the Inquisition museum.
Nothing says Peru quite the way Machu Picchu does.
The Lost City of the Incas, perches dramatically on a ridge-top 400 metres above the Urubamba river. The extensive site, with its many terraces, temples and palaces, is set amid a beautiful landscape of deep gorges and thickly forested mountains.
When Machu Picchu was rediscovered early in the 20th century and cleared of forest, it was found to be very well preserved. It has since presented archaeologists with many unanswered questions regarding the role it played in Inca times.
The sense of grandeur, whether you arrive on the Inca Trail or not, is impressive.
Try to arrive early at the site to enjoy it at its best – and late afternoon can often see you almost alone in the ruins.
North east of Lima, the Cordillera Blanca offers fantastic mountain scenery and some of the best trekking and climbing in the Andes.
The Cordillera Blanca boasts dozens of peaks over 6,000 metres, including Peru’s highest Huascaran at 6,768m/22,205ft above sea level.
The Blanca range also contains the world’s largest concentration of tropical glaciers.
This is an ideal destination for treks, from just a few to 12 days or so and also an ideal starting place for learning or improving mountaineering skills.
The nearby Huayhuash mountain range contains a dazzling array of snow peaks including seven summits above 6,000 metres.
This is a trekking paradise with breathtaking majestic panoramas and stunningly remote and picturesque camping spots. There is no better place to visit to get away from it all.
Select an available date to view pricing and information for that particular trip.
2024 price, for family of four Contact us for tailored quote
$2,150 / £1,748
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info@andeantrails.co.uk
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