Family adventure holiday in Peru
| country: | Peru |
| trip type: | High altitude, moderate walking holidays |
| departures: | 2009: 18 Dec 2010: 26 Mar, 16 Jul, 30 Jul, 6 Aug, 13 Aug, 20 Aug 2011: 8 Apr, 22 Jul, 29 Jul, 5 Aug, 12 Aug, 19 Aug |
| price: | From £2429 - £2879 (15 days) per adult and from £2199 - £2569 per child including flights from the UK. From £1599 - £1719 per adult and from £1499 - £1689 per child excluding flights. |
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
read 1 travellers review
the amazing things you'll be doing
A thrilling journey into the heart of the Inca Empire to discover Peruvian culture both past and present
Arequipa Ice Mummies
From Lima you’ll fly south to colonial Arequipa and see a fascinating display of mummies discovered high in the Andean ice. You'll also hear the legend of Juanita, who was discovered at 6000m on a nearby volcano.
Lake Titicaca
A short flight brings you to the shores of Lake Titicaca, where a boat will take you to the floating Uros Islands to visit the Indian villagers. The tortora reed, which grows here, is used to make their islands, houses and boats.
Andes to Cusco
A bus journey takes you through the Andes to Cusco, the old Inca capital. Nearby you’ll explore the vast, ruined fortress of Sacsayhuaman and Pisac’s bustling and colourful market. Cusco is a pleasant place for families to wander around and explore.
Machu Picchu
There’s time in the Sacred Valley for optional rafting, biking and horse riding before heading to Machu Picchu. The magnificent ‘lost city’ stands on a high saddle, dominated by the jungle-clad peak of Wayna Picchu. Seeing this iconic site will surely be a highlight.
Arequipa Ice Mummies
From Lima you’ll fly south to colonial Arequipa and see a fascinating display of mummies discovered high in the Andean ice. You'll also hear the legend of Juanita, who was discovered at 6000m on a nearby volcano.
Lake Titicaca
A short flight brings you to the shores of Lake Titicaca, where a boat will take you to the floating Uros Islands to visit the Indian villagers. The tortora reed, which grows here, is used to make their islands, houses and boats.
Andes to Cusco
A bus journey takes you through the Andes to Cusco, the old Inca capital. Nearby you’ll explore the vast, ruined fortress of Sacsayhuaman and Pisac’s bustling and colourful market. Cusco is a pleasant place for families to wander around and explore.
Machu Picchu
There’s time in the Sacred Valley for optional rafting, biking and horse riding before heading to Machu Picchu. The magnificent ‘lost city’ stands on a high saddle, dominated by the jungle-clad peak of Wayna Picchu. Seeing this iconic site will surely be a highlight.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Depart London After your flight, you transfer (30 minutes) to your first night’s accommodation in the modern suburb of Miraflores and check in. Hotel - 1 night (small swimming pool) |
| Day 2: | Arequipa This morning you rise at a leisurely time to catch your flight south (1 hour flight leaving around midday) where a group of volcanic mountains heralds your arrival at Arequipa. This colonial city stands in a warm and sunny climate overlooked by the perfect cone of El Misti Volcano (5882m). Its fine buildings, constructed in distinctive local stone, are single-storied to resist the ever-present threat of earthquakes; the relatively little damage done during the massive quake of June 2001 bears testimony to this. This afternoon you visit the Museum of High Altitude Sanctuaries. The main attraction is the mummified body of a young girl believed to have been ritually sacrificed and buried at an altitude of around 6000m on the summit of nearby Ampato Volcano. The discovery of ‘Juanita’ in 1995 was of worldwide importance. The well-preserved body tissues and richly patterned textiles of her clothes have been the focus of many studies to determine things about her life in Inca times such as what she ate, how she died and even who her living relatives might be. Hotel - 2 nights (B) |
| Day 3: | Arequipa Today you start with a visit to the walled enclosure of the Convento de Santa Catalina, a miniature town occupying an entire city block, which remained closed until 1970. It now offers a fascinating record of over four centuries of ecclesiastical life. In its day it housed nearly 500 nuns who lived and worked in virtual seclusion, oblivious to the bustling city surrounding them. The remainder of the day is free to relax or explore Arequipa’s many other sites of interest. In the evening you have the opportunity to sample some of Peru’s culinary specialities in one of the city’s many good restaurants. (B) |
| Day 4: | Puno Around midday you fly to Juliaca (30 minute flight), then travel by bus along the shores of Lake Titicaca (40 minutes) to the mysterious burial tombs at Sillustani, where you spend approximately an hour exploring and enjoying the scenery. These curious stone burial towers of the Colla tribe overlook the primeval landscape in a brooding, sinister fashion. Later, you continue to the town of Puno (40 minute drive), lying at 3830m above sea level, on the shores of Lake Titicaca. At this altitude the sun is very hot in the daytime but temperatures at night can drop below freezing in the winter months of June, July and August. If you’re feeling the cold, it’s possible to buy thick alpaca sweaters from the town’s market. Hotel - 2 nights (B) |
| Day 5: | Puno: Uros Islands This morning you travel for 30 minutes by boat across the waters of Lake Titicaca – reputedly the world’s highest navigable lake – to the floating reed islands of the Uros Indians. The life of the Uros is based on the tortora reed which grows in the lake and is used to construct their houses and boats, thereby fostering the theory which led to Thor Heyerdahl’s Pacific journey with Ra. On reaching the islands, it’s clear that they are no longer as secluded as they once were, but they are still a unique sight. Once back in Puno you might be able to visit the old iron ship, the Yaviri, often moored by the city. Built in Scotland in the 1870s, it was shipped to Chile and then carried up into the Andes on mules and llamas, to be assembled in Puno. It was the first iron ship on Lake Titicaca and has now been restored ready to sail on the lake once more. (B) |
| Day 6: | Cusco You leave Puno (the departure is normally scheduled for 0800hrs) to take a classic, full-day railway journey across the dusty altiplano, hopefully giving the kids the chance to see llama and alpaca in their natural environment. The carriages are comfortable with lunch served at your table. In the observation carriage, you can enjoy panoramic views of the Andes. Once over La Raya pass (4321m) the scenery changes from the dry grassy plains of the altiplano to the green rural river valleys of Cusco. At around 1700 hrs, you should arrive in Cusco, the seat of Inca rule for some 500 years, where you have a short transfer to the hotel. Hotel - 2 nights (B) Please note: On occasion the train to Cusco may be cancelled by the rail company. If this occurs you will travel by bus to Cusco visiting sites en route. |
| Day 7: | Cusco Today you have the entire day to explore the attractions of Cusco with your guide. In the morning you visit the vast fortress of Sacsayhuaman. The skilfully constructed outer walls consist of massive blocks of stone, (the largest weighing over 350 tonnes) which must have been difficult to manoeuvre, let alone to cut and dress with such precision. The city itself, the old imperial capital, was laid out in the rough shape of a puma. Today, its orderly streets bear witness to the extraordinary skill of Inca stonemasons; many are still lined with precisely interlocked stonework serving as the foundation for later colonial buildings. You’ll explore the inner city on foot with your local guide. (B) |
| Day 8: | The Sacred Valley Today you head out through the highlands of Cusco, before descending into the fertile Sacred Valley. After about half an hour you’ll reach the village of Pisac where a market fills the main square with bustle and brightly-coloured costume. Here you can wander amongst the market stalls, haggling for locally made textiles and ceramics. Further along the valley (50 minute drive), passing the snow-capped peaks of the Andes you’ll come to Ollantaytambo, a traditional Inca village laid out on a grid plan (one of only four surviving examples). At the far end of the village, clinging to the hillside are some impressive Inca ruins. Hotel - 2 nights (swimming pool) (B) |
| Day 9: | Sacred Valley You have a full day to enjoy the rural charm of the Sacred Valley – the scenic agricultural heartland of the Inca Empire. There are a number of optional activities on offer from walking, horse riding or mountain biking in the valley to visiting local centres of interest such as the traditional salt pans. Those in search of a thrill may opt for rafting on the Urubamba River; its gentle flow makes it very suitable for families and those rafting for the first time. (B) |
| Day 10: | Machu Picchu You leave your hotel this morning at 0700 hrs and take a spectacular train ride (1½ hours) to arrive at the stunning ‘lost city’ of Machu Picchu which you’ll discover with a guide. It is the most dramatic and enchanting of Inca citadels, constructed from white granite in an extravagantly-terraced saddle between two towering peaks. No description of this mythical place can do it justice. It was rediscovered in 1911 by the American explorer, Hiram Bingham, who believed it to be the lost city of Vilcabamba. It was probably one of a series of agricultural centres that served Cusco. Machu Picchu feels like it was built in the heavens, on dizzying slopes overlooking a u-bend in the Urubamba River. More than one hundred flights of steep, stone steps connect its palaces, temples, storehouses and terraces, and command outstanding views not only of the valley below but also the snow-capped peaks around Salkantay (6271m). Wherever you stand, spectacular terraces appear to be suspended from steep cliffs, transforming the mountain into garden. Basic Hostel - 1 night (B) |
| Day 11: | Machu Picchu/Cusco At approx 0630 hrs you head back up to Machu Picchu to explore it further - this time you have the site much to yourselves before the day visitors arrive on the train. One of the best ways to explore the ruins is simply to wander around with a map to absorb the grandeur. There is also time to climb the nearby peak of Huayna Picchu or head to the Sun Gate before heading back to Cusco by train in the afternoon (3½ hours journey time) arriving in time for dinner. Hotel - 2 nights (B) |
| Day 12: | Cusco The day is free for you to explore the city, shop or relax in Cusco. Alternatively, you can visit more of the surrounding ruined Inca sites or try some outdoor activities such as mountain biking in the hills or rafting on the Urubamba River. (B) |
| Day 13: | Fly To Lima Transfer to the airport (30 minutes) for an afternoon flight to Lima. On arrival you will be transferred to your hotel in Miraflores to use as a base while you explore the city. Hotel – 1 night (Swimming pool) (B) |
| Day 14: | Lima Discovered in 1535 by Francisco Pizarro, Lima was the principal city of Spanish South America for 300 years until the wave of independence swept the continent. Today you visit the Archaeological Museum, which displays a remarkable collection of pre-Columbian pottery and textiles and many other artefacts illustrating the development of Peruvian culture and civilisation since pre-history. You’ll also have time to visit the old city, Lima Centro, with its beautiful colonial architecture. On the Plaza de Armas the Presidential Palace stands on the site of Pizarro’s house. Nearby, you visit the convent and church of San Francisco, finished in 1674. You wander around the quiet cloisters and old library, before descending into the catacombs, where an estimated 25,000 people were buried. Today their bones are arranged in piles, sorted by the various skeleton parts; a gruesome but fascinating sight. The trip ends in Lima for Land Only clients whilst for those on our group flights to London will transfer to the airport in the evening for your overnight flight to the UK. (B) |
| Day 15: | Arrive London Arrive London |
| Day 16-18: | Optional Amazon Extension Day 1-12 As per main itinerary Day 13 Transfer from your hotel to the airport. A short flight brings you to Puerto Maldonado, in the jungle on a tributary of the Amazon. You transfer to motorised launch for the hour long trip up the Tambopata River to your lodge. There is a short introductory jungle walk of about 50 minutes to reach an ox-bow lake before crossing it to arrive at the lodge. After sunset you board your canoe once again for a short night ride to spot cayman by torchlight. Lodge - 3 nights (BLD) Please note: Due to availability we may use alternative Amazon lodges, whilst the nature of activities will be roughly the same the journey times may vary. Day 14/15 Over the next two days you are accompanied by resident naturalist guides on a number of fascinating excursions. Exploring by foot and in canoes you quickly become aware of how extraordinarily diverse the rainforest ecosystem is - well over 500 birds and 1000 butterflies have been recorded, in addition to the rich plant and mammalian life. A network of well-marked trails extend from the lodge and the oxbow lake itself, home to giant otters, gives the opportunity to paddle its tranquil waters by canoe in order to quietly observe wildlife on the shore. The lodge itself comprises several thatched roof bungalows around a central dining area and is co-owned by the local community and a conservation organisation. Each room has en suite facilities and electricity. (Bx2, Lx2, Dx2) Day 16 Bidding farewell to the jungle, you return to Puerto Maldonado by riverboat in the early morning to catch a flight back to Lima. On arrival you transfer to your hotel, after which the remainder of the day is free. Hotel - 1 night (B) Day 17 As day 14 of the stem itinerary. The trip ends here for Land Only clients. Those with our onward flights will transfer to the airport to catch your evening flight. (B) Day 18 Arrive London |
B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner
travellers' tales
Very enjoyable, with items of interest for both adults and children. The local and main guides were particularly impressive. (more)
small group family holiday
This is a 'small group family adventure' - typically you will join several other families and travel in a group of approx. 16 people. The trips are great value and a great way for you and your children to meet new people! While itineraries are pre-planned there is some flexibility and you'll have plenty of time to yourselves. Most adventure kids tend to be aged between 7 and 15, but some are younger (minimum age is usually 5) and some older (perhaps travelling as part of a larger family group). Please check with the operator to confirm the minimum age for this trip how this holiday makes a difference
|
On this trip: Our policy of staying in locally owned accommodation, having local guides and group leaders and using transport owned and operated by local people wherever possible is continued in Peru. Our small groups (maximum of 20 people, approx.3-6 families) have a minimal impact on the fragile environment. All tour guides are responsible for ensuring that the guests understand the nature of the environment that they are in and minimise the impact that they may have. For every client travelling on any of our trips to Peru since 2004 we have donated £5 to Plan International, a humanitarian charity that helps children in developing countries to realise their full potential. Plan use the donations to help fund their project to support under-privileged children in Lima. We will also match any donation made to Plan International by clients travelling with us to Peru (up to a maximum of £10 per person).
Our Responsible Travel Code: Clients who travel with us will automatically receive a copy of our Responsible Travel leaflet. This contains details and advice on how you can make a positive difference when you travel. If you would like a copy in advance of travel please contact us. Charity Partnerships: We work in partnership with Plan International. Plan works with some of the world’s poorest communities where three out of four children die before the age of five. We also support Friends of Conservation – an international charity committed to working with local people to develop a balance between their needs and the wildlife with which they share the natural habitat and ecosystems. Carbon Balancing: Global warming is a real issue and is a direct result of your travel. We have teamed up with Climate Care to give you the opportunity to offset the carbon emissions from your flight. You’ll be asked upon booking if you want to donate – with set amounts from £5. As a company we offset the carbon emissions from all staff travel in full. Our Foundation: We’ve highlighted a few of the ways in which we offer our support, financially or otherwise, and now you can, too. We have set up our own foundation, which will administer funds donated by you. A small donation of £1 per person will be taken when booking a holiday and that money will be put to good use by one of our carefully selected projects. If you don’t want to make the donation, just tell us when you book. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |