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Designed in-house by our own seasoned family travellers, this is hands-down the best Peru family tour out there. Carefully curated to include our absolute favourite family-friendly activities, our 12-day itinerary is filled to the brim with llamas, alpacas, chocolate, and, of course, the Lost city of the Incas, Machu Picchu!!
Starting in Lima, then working your way through the Sacred Valley and eventually ending up in Cusco, this is a learning adventure in Peru crafted to include plenty of opportunity for family bonding.
Enjoy immersive experiences in the Sacred Valley – like making your own pottery, or learning about guinea pig raising – and explore the impressive Machu Picchu ruins at a pace that allows you to take it slow.
Our 12-Day Peru Family Tour is the best intro to Cusco, the Sacred Valley and, of course, Machu Picchu for any family.
High quality personalized experience
Unique, off-the-beaten track routes
Experienced staff
Verified sustainability practices
$20 of every trek donated to Threads of Peru
Meals
Accommodation
Entry Fees
Transportation
Other
We offer you the opportunity to personalize your trek and make your experience more comfortable through our Optional Extras and Upgrades. All options are available during the reservation process; please ask your sales consultant for more information.
Packing for Your Family Adventure in Peru
Get ready for warm days, cool nights, and plenty of adventure! Whether exploring Cusco, visiting the Sacred Valley, or marveling at Machu Picchu, here are some essentials to bring along:
With these essentials, you will be set for an unforgettable family adventure in Peru!
Want to join a trek? Ready to confirm a departure date of your own, but interested in having others join you? Then Trekkers Wanted is for you! Our innovative Trekkers Wanted system matches people up who are interested in hiking the same trek, bringing costs down and multiplying the fun for everyone!
Read More about Trekkers Wanted, post your trek or search for confirmed departures!
Arrival to Lima and transfer to your hotel in Miraflores.
Meals: None
Included: Private airport transfer
Accommodation: Casa Andina Premium Miraflores, or similar (Lima)
Lima is the fifth largest city in the Americas, with a population approaching 9 million. It sometimes gets overlooked as a great destination in Peru, in favour of some of the smaller and more charming cities; however, we feel this large city has a lot to offer!
You have most of the day free.
Your afternoon exploration begins at 3PM with a visit to one of Lima’s premiere museums, Museo Larco. Here, you will have a chance to discover ancient Peru through Museo Larco’s extensive pre-Columbian art collection, including the best collection of gold and silver from ancient Peru and various archaeological pieces.
Next, we head to a local restaurant where you will have a chance to sample some of Peru’s most traditional dishes and desserts, including anticuchos (skewers of meat and potatoes) and picarones (fried dough, similar to a donut, drizzled in honey).
Finally, we will feast our eyes on the captivating spectacle that is the Circuito Mágico del Agua, where colourful lights, lasers and synchronized water shows accompanied by music come to life in front of your eyes. As we wander amongst the 13 water fountains, the show will no doubt leave you wonderstruck. We will return to your hotel around 8PM.
Meals: Light meal/snacks & dessert, as described
Included: Private transport, private English-speaking guide, entry fees
Overnight: Casa Andina Premium Miraflores, or similar (Lima)
Take a morning flight to Cusco where you will be greeted by your friendly, English-speaking guide at the airport and immediately taken into the heart of the beautiful Sacred Valley of the Incas in our private car. Located at a significantly lower altitude than Cusco, around of 2,792 meters (9,160 feet) the Sacred Valley is a lush agricultural region supplying the city of Cusco with much of its produce. Being at a lower altitude than Cusco, it’s the perfect place to acclimatise.
You will have a boxed lunch in route, but if the kids get hungry easily, we would recommend taking some snacks as well.
Along the way, we will visit Awanacancha. Delight in visiting llamas, alpacas and vicuñas at this traditional textile centre. After this, we will continue on to the charming town of Pisac for a visit of its famous market, and Inca ruins overlooking the town.
In the early afternoon, you will be dropped off at your hotel where you have the rest of the afternoon to rest, walk around the grounds or take in the gorgeous valley views. It is important to take it easy when acclimatising, so a relaxing afternoon is the best option for all the family.
Meals: B, L
Included: Private transport, private English-speaking guide, entry fees
Overnight: Taypikala, or similar (Sacred Valley)
Today the whole family will enjoy an outing to the Chichubamba Agritourism Project where you can see flowers grown, visit local homes and see how they raise their animals. The three projects you are participating in are: ceramics, coffee production and guinea pigs. You will end the morning visit with a delicious lunch with a local family in Chichubamba, before being transported back to your hotel.
Younger ones might enjoy the afternoon playing in the gardens of your hotel and looking for some of the birds and butterflies that call it home.
Meals: B, L
Included: Private transport; private English-speaking guide; three hands-on activities
Overnight: Taypikala, or similar (Sacred Valley)
First Stop: The Stunning Salt Mines of Maras
Starting out from our hotel in the heart of the Sacred Valley, we climb upwards in our comfortable car out of the valley until we reach the charming village of Maras. Straight away, we descend to the Maras salt mines – a collection of watered terraces that take salt from an underground salty stream. Locals collect the salt through a fascinating process of evaporation.
The pools and salt embankments are an incredible sight against the stunning mountain backdrop – very Insta-worthy! We’ll have about 40 minutes to spend taking in this fascinating site from the lookout point. Warning: it can get really hot in the salt flats on a sunny day!
Next Up: The Moray Inca Ruins
From Maras, we continue driving through rich Andean farmland until we reach the fascinating Moray Inca ruins, one of the most unusual and interesting in the area. A pre-Incan site also thought to have been used by the Incas, Moray is a series of circular agricultural terraces which are believed to have been an experimental agricultural station for different crop strains. We will spend about 1 hour exploring these huge amphitheatres.
From here, we continue to the community of Misminay, located close to Moray. Here, the traditionally dressed ladies of the community will welcome you. We will have lunch around noon, enjoy a healthy and delicious meal featuring traditional Andean fare, including potatoes, corn and sweet potatoes.
After lunch, we head back to your hotel. As we descend back towards the Sacred Valley, our jaws will drop as we are greeted by the most spectacular views of towering snowcapped mountains. These are the apus of Peru, revered mountain gods keeping watch over the fertile valley.
Remember – as this is a private tour, we can stop anywhere along the way to take photos of the stunning surroundings. Just tell your guide and he or she will tell your driver to pull over at the best miradores or lookout points.
Meals: B, L
Inclusions: Private transport; private English-speaking guide; Boleto Turístico and other entry fees
Accommodation: Taypikala, or similar (Sacred Valley)
This morning, we pick you up from your hotel and take you to the nearby village of Ollantaytambo where you will have the morning free to explore on your own. Wander the cobblestone streets of this quaint village, the last remaining village which uses an Incan design, or explore the steep and imposing ruins above.
After an early lunch on your own, it’s time to board the Expedition train to Aguas Calientes. This is a stunning 1.5h journey through the magnificent Vilcanota Canyon; you’ll be awestruck by the changing scenery.
Arriving at Aguas Calientes, you will be greeted by a hotel representative who will help you check into your accommodations. Time permitting, you can explore this village to do some souvenir shopping, visit the orchid garden, butterfly sanctuary or museum, or, check out the town’s namesake hot springs!
In the evening, enjoy a celebratory dinner alongside your guide at one of Aguas Calientes’ finest restaurants before tucking in for an early night, in preparation for tomorrow’s early start.
Important Notes:
Meals: B, D
Inclusions: Private transport; private English-speaking guide; Expedition train to Aguas Calientes; Boleto Turistico
Overnight: El Mapi by Inkaterra, or similar (Aguas Calientes)
After an early-morning wake-up call, we’ll head to the station to take an early bus (around 7:30AM) up to the ancient Inca Citadel. Entering the site by 8AM, we’ll head straight to the entrance to Machu Picchu Mountain for a 3-hour round-trip hike. This is the mountain above the citadel, in the direction of Inti Punku, the Sun Gate.
One of the greatest Machu Picchu experiences for avid explorers is climbing Machu Picchu Mountain where, during Inca times, locals held different types of ceremonies related to their cosmovision, and you’ll be treated to amazing views.
After completing the hike, you can exit the site to use the facilities, get some water and have a bit of a rest. After this break, we can re-enter Machu Picchu on your same entry ticket for a 2-hour guided tour of the Inca city.
Afterwards, enjoy lunch at the Tinkuy restaurant located just outside the Machu Picchu gates. Then, take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes where you’ll have the rest of the afternoon free to relax or explore on your own. For ideas on what to do when planning Machu Picchu tours with children, check out this blog!
Meals: B, L
Inclusions: Private English-speaking guide; entry fees; bus tickets to/from Machu Picchu
Overnight: El Mapi by Inkaterra, or similar (Aguas Calientes)
Enjoy a relaxed morning today in your hotel and your last tour around Aguas Calientes including an early lunch on your own, before catching an early afternoon train to Ollantaytambo. Here, you will be met by our driver who will transfer you directly back to your hotel in Cusco. Total travel time is about 4 hours from Aguas Calientes to Cusco.
Arriving in the early evening, we will transfer you to your hotel where you can check in and unwind before dinner on your own.
Meals: B
Inclusions: Private transport; private English-speaking guide; Expedition train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo.
Overnight: Casa Andina Premium, or similar (Cusco)
We start the day with a half-day city tour, giving you a great orientation to the city of Cusco, so you can get a feel for the principal sites and areas of interest! This is a gentle walking tour, suitable for all fitness levels. We will pick you up at your hotel after breakfast, then visit the principal sites including Q’oricancha, the Cathedral, San Blas and San Pedro Market.
The Q’oricancha (“golden enclosure”) was the most important religious centre during the Incan empire. Santo Domingo convent was built over top during colonial times, giving you a unique opportunity to explore both Inca history and colonial history simultaneously.
From here, we walk through the city’s narrow and winding streets until we reach the artisan neighborhood of San Blas. Home to many of the traditional artisan families of Cusco, San Blas is filled with small galleries and workshops where works of art can be purchased or commissioned, including religious carvings.
We then continue on to San Pedro Market, the first produce market in the city. From tropical fruits and flowers brought up from the jungle, to medicinal plants, locally produced cheeses, breads and fresh meats, this market will awaken all of your senses while showing you a slice of true Cusqueñan life.
Our last stop will be Cusco’s main square or Plaza de Armas which has been the city’s gathering point since the time of the Inca. Here your guide will show you where you can find banks, laundry, or pick up a poncho before your trek, and can show you some of the city’s not to be missed restaurants where you can savour some of Peru’s world-renowned cuisine.
Time permitting, you will also visit the Cathedral which dates to 1560. You’ll learn all about its construction, and also the incredible collection of art it houses, including 300 paintings of the Cusqueña School.
Meals: B
Inclusions: Private English-speaking guide; all entry fees
Overnight: Casa Andina Premium, or similar (Cusco)
Today we will have a short morning visit of the Sacsayhuaman ruins – especially some very special slides which are popular with all ages!
Sacsayhuaman was the most important military base of the Inca Empire, and has been compared in greatness with the Roman Colosseum. The whole structure, with its great plaza and its adjacent three massive terrace walls, is a hugely impressive work of engineering. The stones used in the construction of these terraces are among the largest used in any building in pre-Hispanic America.
After your tour of Sacsayhuaman, we will walk back towards the city. This is a very picturesque walk through cobblestone streets. We will end up in the artsy quarter of San Blas, where we will have lunch in a local restaurant.
Following lunch, your guide will give you tickets and instructions for your afternoon chocolate-making workshop at Choco Museo.
4pm Bean to Bar Chocolate-Making Workshop at Choco Museo
After time to rest or wander the streets of Cusco, you can head over to the Choco Museo for your private chocolate-making workshop. The duration of this class is 2 hours and is interactive for the kids.
Learn about the chocolate-making process with this hands-on experience beginning with the cacao tree and finishing with your very own chocolate creations. Discover the history of cacao in Peru from your chocolatier. You will make your very own chocolate creations from start to finish – and get to take them home with you!
Meals: B, L
Inclusions: Private transport; private English-speaking guide; Boleto Turistico; hands-on workshop
Overnight: Casa Andina Premium, or similar (Cusco)
Sleep in this morning and have a lazy day exploring Cusco on your own. This cosmopolitan city is jam-packed with boutiques, craft markets, restaurants, cafes and more.
This might also be a great day to do some laundry! Take advantage of one of the city’s numerous same-day laundry services, or make arrangements with your hotel.
Meals: B
Inclusions: Hotel
Accommodations: Casa Andina Premium, or similar (Cusco)
After a refreshing night’s sleep and a hearty breakfast, we make the journey back to Puerto Maldonado where you’ll be dropped off at the airport in time to catch a flight to Lima.
You’ll have plenty of time to check in for your flight and grab a quick snack at the airport before boarding, arriving back in Peru’s capital city around 2PM, where you can await your return flight home.
Keep in mind: it is recommended to be at the airport at least 1.5 hours prior to domestic flights, and 3 hours prior to international flight departures.
Meals: B
Included: Airport transfer
