Highlights
- Spot macaws, tapirs, and other wildlife in the Amazon rainforest
- Ride the train through the jungle to Aguas Calientes, beneath Machu Picchu
- Tour iconic Machu Picchu and learn about its history
- Discover the unusual archaeological and agricultural sites at Moray and Maras
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Lima, Free Time | Lima |
| Day 2 | Transfer to Tambopata, Journey into the Amazon Rainforest | Tambopata |
| Days 3-4 | Adventures in the Amazon Rainforest | Tambopata |
| Day 5 | Fly to Cusco, Transfer to the Sacred Valley | Sacred Valley |
| Day 6 | Tour Ollantaytambo, Train to Aguas Calientes, Tour Machu Picchu | Machu Picchu |
| Day 7 | Transfer to Cusco via Moray & Maras, Depart |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Lima, Free Time
Welcome to Lima! Upon arrival at the airport, your driver will meet you and take you to your comfortable hotel. Along the way, take in the sights and sounds of one of South America's most vibrant and bustling cities. Your driver will provide you with an introduction to Lima's rich history and culture, pointing out landmarks that you pass.
After you arrive at your hotel, you and your kids will have some free time to relax and settle in. Depending on the time and how much energy your family has after the journey, you can head out into the city to explore. The Plaza Mayor de Lima (Main Square of Lima) is a great place to start your sightseeing, with its grand architecture and open spaces. If you're in the central city after dark, the Circuito Mágico del Agua (Magic Water Circuit), with its choreographed sound and light shows, is sure to be a hit with the kids.
Day 2: Transfer to Tambopata, Journey into the Amazon Rainforest
After your family has had a good night's sleep, return to the airport in the morning for a flight east to Puerto Maldonado, in the Reserva Nacional Tambopata (Tambopata National Park), deep in the Peruvian Amazon. On arrival, you'll be collected at the airport and transferred to your jungle lodge overland and possibly also by boat (depending on the weather and the location of the lodge).
Check in, refresh after the journey, and receive an orientation to the activities available at the lodge. You will be offered an á la carte activity system with more than 20 different options. There will be activities and adventures to suit every member of the family, whether you're into bird-watching, medicinal plants, or searching for monkeys. It's up to you and your kids!
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Days 3-4: Adventures in the Amazon Rainforest
You have the next two days to pick and choose your activities within the Amazon. Rise early to enjoy the magnificent spectacle of colorful macaws feeding at the Chuncho clay lick, or stay up late and wait for tapir, deer, sloth, and other animals that come to feed on the nearby mammal clay lick. Hike to nearby oxbow lakes or climb up towers to see the Amazon canopy from above. Depending on your interests and your family's energy level, you can participate in up to four activities per day, which is a great way to make the most of your time here.
Day 5: Fly to Cusco, Transfer to the Sacred Valley
After breakfast, it's time to say goodbye to the Amazon as you'll travel to a completely different Peruvian landscape deep in the Andes mountains. A short flight takes you west to the ancient Inca capital of Cusco, and from there, a driver will transfer you 1.5 hours north into the Sacred Valley.
Among these steep mountainsides lie countless archaeological sites and remarkable landscapes that display the ancient history of South America's Inca empire—including the area's crowning glory of Machu Picchu. Make sure your family takes it easy after your arrival because the altitude is quite high, and you'll need to acclimate.
Day 6: Tour Ollantaytambo, Train to Aguas Calientes, Tour Machu Picchu
Enjoy an action-packed day today, learning more about local history and culture. Begin by visiting Ollantaytambo, a village that has not changed much since Inca times. Check out the Ollantaytambo Archaeological Park, where you'll find impressive Inca stonework that will give you an idea of what to expect later at Machu Picchu. Visiting in the morning is a huge advantage, as large groups arrive only in the afternoons.
Next, head to the train station in Ollantaytambo to board the train to Aguas Calientes, the riverside village that is the gateway to Machu Picchu. Kids will love riding the train, a journey of about 90 minutes, which is much more scenic and atmospheric than the average car journey. Upon arrival, take the short bus ride up the mountain to Machu Picchu.
At Machu Picchu, find a secluded spot overlooking the main site where you can relax and listen to your guide's discussion of the impressive site. A little later in the afternoon, take a guided tour around the main areas of the citadel, as most travelers should already have left by this time, giving your family the chance of a more spacious and comfortable look around. Kids of all ages will be impressed by the majesty and mystery of this ancient city.
Day 7: Transfer to Cusco via Moray & Maras, Depart
Make the most of your final day in Peru by fitting in some fantastic sightseeing before your departure. This morning, take the train back to Ollantaytambo, and from there, make your way to Cusco. En route, stop for lunch, and to visit two very interesting Inca sites. First, check out Moray, where ancient circular terraces were built upon a natural depression in the hills. Next, continue to Maras, an impressive salt-extraction complex composed of hundreds of small ponds. Locals have been collecting and selling salt here since the days of the Inca Empire.
These stops also give your family the chance to move around and burn off some energy before your flight later in the day. At the right time, a transfer will take you to the airport in Cusco, where you'll catch your onward connection. Bon voyage!
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