Wild Peru: Family Adventure
Suggested Itinerary
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Overview
Set against the dramatic backdrop of towering mountain landscapes and steeped in the historical legacy of the ancient Incas, this active Peruvian adventure is perfect for a family, taking you from the captivating streets of Cusco to the spectacular Andean ruins of Machu Picchu. Packed with colour and contrasts, cultural heritage and spectacular landscapes, here we take you off the beaten track, visiting some of those must-see sites but giving you a real sense of adventure and exploration at the ...
Set against the dramatic backdrop of towering mountain landscapes and steeped in the historical legacy of the ancient Incas, this active Peruvian adventure is perfect for a family, taking you from the captivating streets of Cusco to the spectacular Andean ruins of Machu Picchu. Packed with colour and contrasts, cultural heritage and spectacular landscapes, here we take you off the beaten track, visiting some of those must-see sites but giving you a real sense of adventure and exploration at the same time.
Beginning in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, you’ll hike and cycle across a landscape scattered with traditional villages and Inca ruins, ancient terraced farmland and on to glimmering Andean lakes. Swap land for water as you paddle your way across Lake Huaypo before discovering the impressive salt pans of Maras, and escape the crowds and enjoy behind the scenes views of the iconic Machu Picchu as you hike along part of the famous Inca Trail, before spending some time exploring one of the world’s most awe-inspiring archaeological masterpieces up close.
Enjoy some downtime in Cusco, one of the cultural gems of the entire Americas, before your final adventure on foot which takes you on an epic hike to the less-visited site of Waqrapukara. Here you will set up camp and enjoy a night under the stars, the perfect way to reflect on your remarkable Peruvian adventure.
**PRICE BASED ON 4PAX TRAVELLING (2 ADULTS AND 2 ADULT CHILDREN)**
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
- Hike the famous Inca Trail and explore the stunning UNESCO ruins of Machu Picchu
- Paddle the beautiful waters of Lake Huaypo and discover the magical salt pans of Maras
- Jump on your electric-assist mountain bike and cycle through the timeless landscapes of the Sacred Valley
- Enjoy a guided tour around Cusco’s stunning World Heritage Sites
- Camp under the stars next to the remote ruins of Waqrapukara and exchange stories around the campfire
- Escape the crowds and hike along remote trails home to hidden Inca ruins and spectacular views
Suggested Itinerary
This is a suggested itinerary. Our experts have all travelled widely in the region and will be happy to tailor any of our itineraries to suit your tastes, or build a trip from scratch.
DAY 1: ARRIVE CUSCO - SACRED VALLEY
DAY 1: ARRIVE CUSCO - SACRED VALLEY
The adventure begins as you head from Cusco into the timeless landscapes of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Start in Chinchero, renowned for the production of textiles done on backstrap looms. Here you can learn about the Andean weaving process with a visit to a family-run workshop, before beginning your trek into the Sacred Valley. Following a little used Inca trail through the vast valley landscapes, this route offers fantastic valley views and is a great introduction to the area as you gently make your way down to the town of Huayllabamba. Here you will be met by your vehicle and transferred on to your hotel for the evening.
DAY 2: SACRED VALLEY
DAY 2: SACRED VALLEY
Set off for the shores of Lake Huaypo this morning for a wonderful active morning. Set amongst cornfields with fantastic views to the snow-capped Vilcanota mountains, this relaxing rural setting is the perfect place to get away from the Sacred Valley’s tourist hotspots and just soak up classic Peruvian landscapes. You can choose between exploring the lake on stand-up paddleboards or ‘sit on top’ kayaks. Along with your expert guide, paddle across Lake Huaypo gliding past spectacular views of local farms in the distance and the Andes mountains further back still, hopefully catching glimpses of some of the birdlife that use the lake as a migration base, including the rare Andean Flamingo. Enjoy a delicious picnic lunch on the shores of the lake, after which you continue by road to the ancient town of Maras, with its outstanding Spanish door arches, an impressive church, and many tales of espionage. Here you set off by foot and follow an old mule trail downhill to the wonderful Maras salt pans which cover the whole hillside. Enjoy some time exploring the area before returning to your hotel.
DAY 3: SACRED VALLEY
DAY 3: SACRED VALLEY
Enjoy a gloriously scenic day today as you bike through the impressive Andean countryside on your state of the art, electric-assist, full suspension, mountain bikes. With an E-bike fleet of extra-small and extra-large bikes, this adventure is suited to all ages, abilities and sizes. Starting just outside Chinchero away from the hordes of tourist-bus bikes, you set off along a good dirt road along an undulating trail across the Anta plains. If you’re feeling energetic, you can cycle all the way to Moray, the site of spectacular circular Inca ruins thought to be an agricultural testing centre (or possibly a UFO landing site!). After a picnic lunch, continue down along a rarely-used road into the Sacred Valley, past Pacchar (where you can make a stop at the amazing craft brewery), before cruising past perfectly preserved Inca terraces all the way to the picturesque Inca town of Ollantaytambo, where you will check into your hotel.
DAY 4: SACRED VALLEY - MACHU PICCHU
DAY 4: SACRED VALLEY - MACHU PICCHU
This is a very special day which takes you off the beaten track and up to view one of the most spectacular sites in the world - Machu Picchu - the "Lost City of the Incas". Beginning with an early train ride, the trek begins at the Km 104 checkpoint this morning. From here the trail leads up through the cloud forest towards the recently restored ruins of Chachabamba and the base of Wiñay Wayna. From here a steep Incan staircase leads you up, past beautiful terraces and various buildings and water features, flanked by lush vegetation and the scent of wild orchids throughout. Eventually you reach the famous Gateway of the Sun, beyond which stands the magnificent site of Machu Picchu, in all its iconic glory. After admiring these spectacular views, you’ll then take a bus down to Machu Picchu Pueblo, where you spend the evening.
DAY 5: MACHU PICCHU - CUSCO
DAY 5: MACHU PICCHU - CUSCO
The pinnacle of your journey (quite literally), today you return to the ruins to enjoy a guided tour of one of the world’s most spectacular archaeological wonders. Lost for centuries amongst the towering Andean peaks, this awe-inspiring World Heritage Site was rediscovered in 1911 by the explorer, Hiram Bingham. There will be time to enjoy some free time during your visit, as well as a chance to climb Huayna Picchu, after which you retrace your journey by train and bus back down the Sacred Valley and on to the city of Cusco, considered by many to be the archaeological capital of the Americas.
DAY 6: CUSCO
DAY 6: CUSCO
Enjoy a free morning in Cusco for some well-earned rest and recuperation. Whether your interest is exploring Inca ruins, visiting Colonial churches, bargain hunting in artisan markets, visiting the chocolate museum or just relaxing over a coffee on a terrace overlooking the Plaza de Armas, Cusco has something for everyone. This afternoon you will be collected from your hotel for a hike in the hills above the city to wander around the impressive ruins of Sacsayhuaman fortress, built to defend the ancient Inca capital and host to the annual Inti Raymi festival. As you make your way back down into Cusco, stop at San Cristobel church which offers wonderful views over the city. The final steps then bring you down through the streets of San Blas and into the Plaza de Armas where you can visit the fantastic cathedral. Discover other hidden gems such as Quoricancha for some very well-preserved Inca stonework, and the local market where you can pick up some souvenirs.
DAY 7: CUSCO - WAQRAPUKARA
DAY 7: CUSCO - WAQRAPUKARA
Set off early this morning by road to the starting point of your trek. After meeting with the team, begin your 11km-hike to Waqrapukara, following an ancient Inca trail and passing small lakes with big views back to the Ausanagate mountains and even as far as the mountains above the Sacred Valley. A mainly flat trail takes around four hours, bringing you to your camp for the night, high above the Apurimac Canyon, located next to Waqrapukara itself. The name means "Horned Fortress", though it is thought to have been a ceremonial centre. Whilst camp is being set up, you can explore the impressive site, which although is partly Inca, its origins go back to the Chanca culture. After a hearty dinner, camp under the stars where there is virtually no light pollution, making it ideal for seeing the Andean Milky Way.
DAY 8: WAQRAPUKARA - CUSCO
DAY 8: WAQRAPUKARA - CUSCO
This morning, hike a mainly flat and downhill trail, of around 7km, to the small village of Campi. The path passes beneath huge rock walls with impressive views out across the mountains and takes around three hours. You’ll arrive at Campi to meet your vehicle in time for lunch, after which you can relax on the three-hour drive back to Cusco.
DAY 9: DEPART CUSCO
DAY 9: DEPART CUSCO
You will be transferred to the airport today in time to catch your onward flight.
SUGGESTED ACCOMMODATION
El Mapi By Inkaterra, Aguas Calientes
Part of the high-end Inkaterra chain, El Mapi is a comfortable and modern hotel located in the heart of Machu Picchu town. With 130 rooms, the hotel isn't small but certainly manages to create a boutique feeling. Rooms are contemporary and the white dccor is dotted with brown and green camouflage colours creating a fresh, tropical-inspired atmosphere and bringing the natural surroundings into the hotel. There are two categories of rooms, with the deluxe rooms offering extra space in the form of a separate living room. The hotel has a spa and hot tub looking out at the cloud forest engulfing the town. There is a good quality cafc-restaurant and bar serving mainly Peruvian cuisine, however the hotel is placed on one of the main pedestrian streets in town where a variety of dining options can be found practically at the hotel's doorstep. True to its Inkaterra nature, small touches such as a complimentary pisco sour and a la carte dinner on your first evening, as well as an early comprehensive buffet breakfast, make your stay that bit extra special.
Palacio Manco Capac, Cusco
Palacio Manco Capac is a highly rated boutique hotel with a mixture of historic and modern rooms located a 10-minute walk from the main square in Cusco but worlds away from the hustle and bustle of the tourist areas. The en suite rooms are spacious and elegant, with a mixture of garden and city views. There is also an on site restaurant and a very relaxed pace and friendly feel to the hotel. Overall a superb place to stay with excellent personalised service and magnificent views from the terrace. The house itself shares deeply in the history of Cusco from the founding of the Inca Empire, through the colonial period and to 19th century. In fact there are Inca Ruins on the grounds and what some believe to be the front door of the palace of the legendary Inca founder Manco Capac himself.
La Casona De Yucay, Sacred Valley
Surrounded by magnificent mountains, this hotel has spectacular views and beautiful gardens where you can relax and feel the magic of the Sacred Valley. Set in an 18th-century building, this hotel features cosy modern accommodation set around a colourful courtyard. Rooms feature natural wooden floors and large windows offering panoramic garden and mountain views, and are decorated with traditional Inca fabrics. The restaurant serves regional and international dishes during the evening, and there is a communal fireplace which is located next to La Casona’s bar.
El Albergue, Sacred Valley
The boutique El Albergue Hotel is one of the best places to stay in town and is something of an institution in Ollantaytambo, the heart of the Sacred Valley. Situated on the edge of town, on the train station’s platform, the hotel houses only a handful of rooms and a family casita surrounding the ground’s wonderful gardens. Rooms are simple and offer a comfortably rustic stay, ideally located to arrive from or take the scenic train to Machu Picchu. Standard rooms face the train station platform, and although the trains do not run during the night, light sleepers who wish to lie in in the morning or get an early night’s rest may consider upgrading to one of the superior rooms towards the back of the property. Superior balcony rooms offer breathtaking views of the mountains surrounding the town. There is an onsite restaurant, long considered one of the best places to eat in town, that can become busy during peak months when it is advisable to book upon arrival or ahead of time. For a special experience, the hotel’s café is one of the few places to sample a traditional Pachamanca lunch, made under the earth and sourced from the hotel’s own gardens.
Waqrapukara Campsite, Waqrapukara
Camping set up includes large and comfy, private two-person Eureka tents with full-length, inflatable Thermarest mattresses. There is also a dining tent furnished with tables and chairs, a separate cook/kitchen tent and also a toilet tent equipped with a flushing toilet. Sleeping kits are available for rent from about $10 per person which include a comfy Eureka (or similar) sleeping bag with a thermal liner and a Thermarest pillow. Also available for hire are quality trekking poles for around $5 per day. The food on the hike is pretty amazing; a three-course meal, bedtime tea and plenty of good healthy snacks can be expected. All diets can be catered for with advance warning. Purified/filtered water is available at all times and a bowl of hot water for washing on arrival and first thing in the morning will be provided. All gear and equipment, including a first aid kit and oxygen, are carried in on mules and an emergency horse is available if needed.
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Accommodation listed here is intended as a guide only, to give you a taste of what we can do. Our experts can tailor any aspect of this itinerary and accommodation to suit your budget and tastes.
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This itinerary is aimed to give you an idea of what we can offer. The price shown above is per person, based on two people travelling outside of peak periods. As this itinerary is only a suggestion and can be tailor-made to suit your interests and budget, your final price may differ.
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