Peru Family Adventure Holiday

Upon arrival at Cusco airport, your guide will greet you and accompany you on a 90-minute transfer to your hotel in the Sacred Valley.

Along the way, there will be plenty of scenic viewpoints, perfect for photo stops. You’ll also have the chance to visit Awana Kancha camelid farm and feed some llamas and alpacas, as well as learn a bit about traditional weaving.

We will then continue to Pisac where we’ll explore the popular craft market. There is an option to visit the impressive Inca ruins as well.

But do please take it easy on your first days at altitude!

We’ll stop for a packed lunch en route.

Your guide will accompany you to your Sacred Valley hotel and help you check in.

Today we visit our watersports center on Lake Huaypo, surrounded by cornfields and offering sweeping views of the snow-capped Vilcanota mountains. This peaceful spot is ideal for adapting to the altitude and enjoying some water-based fun.

Choose between stand-up paddle boarding or sit-on-top kayaking. With full gear provided, your guide will teach you the basics before you glide across the lake, taking in stunning views of the Andes and, hopefully, glimpsing some of the local birdlife, including rare Andean flamingos.

On the far side of the lake, we’ll stop for snacks before returning to base for a warm shower and lunch.

Lunch is a delicious buffet prepared with locally sourced ingredients and freshly prepared natural drinks.

After lunch, relax in a hammock before we say goodbye to Lake Huaypo and drive to the remarkable Moray ruins.  These circular ruins, once Incan agricultural labs, are less visited.

Afterward, we travel to Maras to explore the ancient Salineras salt pans, in use since Inca times.

After a full day of culture and adventure, we return to the hotel.

We start our bike ride just outside the town of Urubamba on a little-used dirt road. You’ll be given full instruction in the skill of E-biking before we set off along the Sacred Valley.

We pass small rural communities, whizz past fields of potatoes and corn and enjoy the views as we effortlessly glide along.

We cross the Urubamba river via an old railway bridge and then take what used to be an Inca trail. We soon see our first traces of Inca ruins.

We pass Pachar and we continue on to the Inca town of Ollantaytambo and to our lunch at El Albergue farm.

Lunch is set at 12:00 noon, but this is flexible.

Today’s lunch is a traditional Pachamanca. Stones are heated
with a wood fire and once it is very hot, meat and vegetables and herbs are added and the whole mound is covered by wet sheets and finally a mound of earth.

While the meal is cooking, you will be shown around this organic farm, and enjoy a fascinating visit to the Cañazo distillery where the sugar cane liquor is processed alongside the coffee roasting facility.

After about forty-five minutes the meal is ready and we have the pleasure of digging our delicious potatoes, yams, corn, fava beans, lamb, pork, alpaca, and chicken straight from the earth.

Food is served family- style accompanied by chicha, fresh salads and a variety of sauces, including our tasty uchucutas.

This afternoon, we visit the Inca town of Ollantaytambo with an optional visit of its impressive Inca ruins . Ollantaytambo was the site of a huge battle between the Spanish and the Incas and the village remains almost intact from Inca times.

We then drop you off at your hotel for the night.

Today’s highlight is a hike on the one-day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.

After an early train ride, we begin the hike through tropical cloud forest, stopping for lunch at the beautiful Inca terraces of Wiñay Wayna.

From there, a gentle two-hour walk and a final ascent bring us through the Sun Gate, where Machu Picchu unfolds before you.

We carry on past this wonder of the world to catch the bus down to the lively town of Machu Picchu Pueblo (also known as Aguas Calientes).

Whilst walking all you need is your daypack as your overnight luggage will be transferred to your hotel in Machu Picchu town to await your arrival.

You have the evening to relax in the hot springs as you dream about tomorrow’s full exploration of the ruins!

Total hiking distance: 11 km

A short bus ride from town brings you to the legendary site of Machu Picchu, where your guide will explain the intricacies of Inca engineering, including altars, temples, and structures used for celestial rituals.

Your 0900 entrance to Machu Picchu includes a permit to climb Wayna Picchu at 1000. This two hour round trip is up steep, exposed steps and not for the faint-hearted. However the rewards for your efforts is a wonderful “condor’s eye” view of the ruins. Well worth it if you can.

We’ll have lunch in a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, we board the train for a lovely ride along the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Here our waiting bus takes us back to our hotel.

Today begins with a short drive to Sacsayhuaman, an ancient fortress overlooking Cusco with walls built of massive stones, some weighing over 140 tons. After admiring the views, you can explore the labyrinthine pathways before a scenic walk back to Cusco for lunch.

A downhill brings us to San Cristobal church built on top of Inca Manco Capac’s Palace, and a fantastic spot to get an overview of Cusco. We continue down the streets of San Blas and into the Plaza de Armas and the magnificent Cathedral. Afterward, a short walk past Inca walls brings us to the Qoricancha – the Sun temple and the very centre of the Inca Empire.

Depending on your energy levels and the time we have left, we can visit the local market, shop for souvenirs or wander through San Blas – the artisan part of Cusco city.

You’ll have some time to explore on your own before the guide accompanies you to the hotel.

After lunch, you’ll join a shared Cusco Art Workshop & Coffee Experience, where you’ll have the chance to work with a local artist to decorate your very own Pucara Bull.

This is a great way to create your own very special souvenir and pass a fun, relaxing and educational two hours.

Alternatively, you can indulge in a 2-hour chocolate-making workshop where you’ll learn about the history of chocolate and make your own bar of Peruvian chocolate – a perfect gift, if you can resist eating it yourself!

This is a day of total adventure and a unique opportunity to paddle the mighty Rio Apurimac, through a 3000m deep canyon on the true source of the Rio Amazon.

You will have spectacular views, amazing whitewater and beautiful beaches.

We pick you up early for the stunning drive to the Apurimac canyon, glimpsing Andean peaks before descending into the canyon and on to our starting point on the banks of the Apurimac.

Your guide will ensure you’re prepared for a safe and fun experience.

We travel through a spectacular canyon with world class rapids,
gentle floats, elusive wildlife and amazing scenery.

We stop to explore side canyons, have lunch on a deserted beach before enjoying more rapids to our take out. Here we celebrate our day with cold drinks, before getting back into the vehicles for the drive back to your hotel.

Today is free for you to explore Cusco at your leisure, from the artist-filled San Blas district to the many museums displaying Incan treasures.

Later, your transfer to the airport awaits, whether your next stop is Lake Titicaca, the Amazon, or your journey home. You may also choose to extend your stay in Cusco.

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.

Book with Andean Trails and get 15% off Páramo’s fantastic ethical and high performance outdoor gear.

Peru has a wide variety of climates, due largely to the huge altitudinal range it covers.

During the day hopefully, it will be generally sunny enough for shorts and T-shirts, though having a fleece and rain gear handy is advisable. It will get cold especially in the evenings, so bring a warm fleece jacket, a good waterproof and some warm clothes including thermal underwear, gloves, scarf and woolly hat as well as one set of smarter clothes for Cusco.

Machu Picchu does have some sand-flies and clients are advised to wear long trousers and long-sleeved shirts to avoid bites.

General: Towel, sunglasses with attaching string, peaked cap, water bottle & purification tablets, torch & spare batteries, insect repellent (high DEET content is best), swim suit, suntan lotion factor 30+ / aftersun, lipbalm, long sleeved shirt, trousers/jeans

Rafting: We provide wetsuit boot, wetsuits and splash-jackets. You just need; swimming costume, thermal top, towel and change of warm-clothes.

Trekking: Shorts, tee-shirts, warm fleece or down jacket, thermal underwear, warm hat, gloves, scarf, sweater (available in Cusco), waterproof raincoat & trousers, socks / underwear, trekking trousers, after trekking trousers & t-shirt, good / well worn -in walking boots, after trek shoes (sandals), trekking poles with rubber tips (optional), poncho and rucsack cover (optional)

Personal gear: Binoculars (optional), camera with spare batteries/memory cards/film, pocket knife, book, notepaper & pen (optional), music player or (e)book, money belt, personal toilet kit, spare glasses / lenses, personal first aid kit to include, painkillers, plasters (band-aids), moleskin, anti-biotic cream, general antibiotics (ask your GP), after-bite (tiger balm), anti-diarrhoea tablets, throat lozenges, re-hydration salts & personal medication, good head torch

Being at altitude, especially in the tropics, is usually a pleasure as it isn’t so hot, there are few insects and the air is clear.

However, when gaining altitude, air pressure drops and the amount of oxygen reaching the lungs is reduced. Although we build plenty of acclimatisation time into our itineraries, certain ill-effects are possible. Nevertheless, all of these can be minimised or prevented if care is taken.

On reaching heights above 2,500m (approx. 8,200 ft), especially when ascent has been straight from sea level, heart pounding, mild headache and shortness of breath are normal, especially on exertion.

Acute mountain sickness (AMS) is a syndrome known locally as soroche, whose symptoms can include of bad headache, dizziness and nausea).

To avoid AMS, you should:

• Rest for a few hours on arrival at altitude and take it easy for the first couple of days. Note: you may feel fine on arrival and tempted to exert yourself as normal. Don’t be fooled: you might be benefiting from oxygen brought in your blood from sea level.
• Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration (altitude is a diuretic). Coca tea (mate de coca) helps alleviate symptoms.
• Eat light meals, with high carbohydrate and low fat and protein content. Dine early, allowing digestion time pre-sleep.
• Avoid over-exposure to the strong highland sun (UV rays are very powerful) – especially in the early stages – making sure you wear a broad brimmed sunhat. Apply lip-salve to prevent chapped lips.
• Avoid or minimise consumption of cigarettes and alcohol. Avoid sleeping pills.
• If you do get AMS: Rest, take non-aspirin painkillers (for headache) and coca tea. Symptoms should subside after a day or two.
• Pregnant women, people with a history of heart, lung, kidney or blood disease or blood pressure problems, should consult their doctor before traveling to high altitude.

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.