Peru family holidays guide

The school holidays in March-April is one of the best times to go on a family holiday in Peru. It’s just after the rainy season, when everything is looking gloriously green. April-October are generally considered the dry season in Peru. That’s why the school holidays in July and August are another great time to visit Peru as a family. It’s the Peruvian winter, so expect warm blue-sky days followed by chilly and clear star-filled nights. December, January and February are the wettest months in Peru, especially in the highlands. This is also the worst time of year for mosquitoes.

Trekking in Peru can be orientated around which members of your family can do what. You can hike for 4-6km a day and spend the night in a tent. Or you can trek greater distances while the kids sit on the back of a horse. It’s all about hanging out with the guides and making connections with people from other cultures. Just make sure you take every precaution to avoid altitude sickness and sunburn.

The Amazon lodges we work with are crucial for helping to protect the surrounding rainforests. They also provide work for local people and encourage a better understanding of conservation. This type of accommodation is ideal for families visiting Peru. There are loads of child-friendly activities and play areas, as well as opportunities for kids and adults to go off and do their own thing.

It’s easy to get carried away when preparing for a trip to Peru. However, managing your children’s expectations when it comes to wildlife watching in the Amazon is an important part of appreciating the experience. You will see plenty of monkeys, turtles, and maybe tapirs, giant otters and capybaras; just don’t expect to see many jaguars. Guided night hikes are best for listening to croaking frogs and spotting insects and spiders, including tarantulas.

Health clinics and doctor services are very good in Peru. In fact, as a whole, the country’s infrastructure is excellent. It’s very easy to get around, particularly by local transport. Also, activity guides all speak English and are excellent with kids. They instantly make you feel like you’re part of a big family. All the activity equipment used for rafting, for example, adheres to high safety standards – however, the only way you can guarantee this level of safety is to visit Peru with one of our reputable activity specialists.

There’s plenty of kid-friendly food to eat in Peru. For fussier eaters you can find chicken, chips and pizza without too much trouble. There’s also loads of fruit and vegetables grown over here. Peru covers several eco zones so there’s a variety of produce grown practically all year round, including over 150 different types of potato. The lodges provide some lovely food and you’ll be served three-course meals on the treks, with a choice of things to eat. In fact, the local guides and camp cooks take real pride in serving excellent meals to trekkers.

Markets, such as the one at Pisac, are amazing places and not to be missed. This is where you’ll see guinea pigs and Peruvian handmade products for sale, as well as chickens running around everywhere. Just be prepared to answer potentially awkward conversations about why the guinea pigs are there. Peruvian children are always hanging out at the market; it’s the essence of South American street life. Markets are colourful, loud and fascinating places to visit as a family. You can pick up plenty of delicious food, too, like fresh fruit or sugar-covered churros to dip in thick hot chocolate.