Itinerary

Sunday - Arrive Lima
Welcome to Peru! Your trip begins in Lima, Peru's bustling capital, once known as the City of Kings. In colonial times Lima was one of the richest cities in the world and South America's most important port, linking the continent to the Spanish empire. We'll meet you at the airport in Lima when you arrive and head to our accommodation in the coastal suburb of Miraflores. This vibrant, modern district has cinemas, shops, cafés and some remarkable pre-Hispanic ruins - Huaca Pucllana and Huaca Juliana - two amazing pyramid-like structures. You'll have the rest of the day to explore the area, or if you prefer you can just relax in your private apartment and get used to being on vacation! We've chosen clean, spacious apartments in a charming, leafy precinct to provide a relaxing start to your adventure.
ACCOMMODATION: Family-friendly apartments, Lima (D)

Monday - Journey to the Amazon rainforest
We'll take an early flight from Lima to Puerto Maldonado, a frontier town in the Amazon basin where we'll take to dugout canoes and glide down the headwaters of the Amazon, deep into the jungle. Listen for howler monkeys in the tropical forest canopy above and spot macaws perched high on the river banks. This area is teeming with life - we'll look for giant otters, capuchin monkeys, caiman and many other jungle animals on our boat trip to the lodge. After lunch we'll head out in search of the plethora of monkey species this area is famous for. Keep an eye out for the macaw and other rainforest dwellers that come out in search of food in the late afternoon!
ACCOMMODATION: Lodge in the Amazon jungle (B,L,D)

Tuesday - Wildlife hike, jungle exploration
This morning we'll explore some of the many miles of jungle trails that criss-cross the dense rainforest. We'll travel by canoe and hike through virgin forest to experience the wealth of native flora and fauna under the rainforest canopy, and learn how the indigenous people thrive in this challenging environment. The Amazon is the most biodiverse place on Earth and you'll have the chance to find out more about the amazing flora and fauna here, as well as learning about the incredible medicinal plants that are found in this region. After lunch, you have the rest of the afternoon free to hang out at the lodge with a book, or game of cards or continue exploring the surrounding area on your own. If you'd prefer to hike a little more this afternoon, you can head out with our naturalist guide on little-known trails that pass by the homes of some of the rarest animals in the rainforest. This evening we'll brave the jungle again in search of the nocturnal South American crocodile - the caiman.
ACCOMMODATION: Lodge in the Amazon jungle (B,L,D)

Wednesday - Free time in Cuzco
We bid a fond farewell to our jungle home and head back to Puerto Maldonado where we'll catch a very short flight to Cuzco - the historic capital of the Inca empire - our base for the next couple of days. This afternoon you can join your trip leader to check out the amazing culture and history of Cuzco, or do your own thing with your family. Today is also a great chance for parents to get away and have some time on their own while we look after the kids - whatever you prefer! Cuzco is an amazing place to spend an afternoon - it's the archaeological capital of the Americas and the continent's oldest continuously inhabited city. You'll get a sense of this history as you walk Cuzco's central streets, lined with massive Inca-built stone walls that form the foundations of the city. Llamas and alpacas often roam the cobbled streets of Cuzco, and the kids will love being able to get up close to a friendly, city dwelling animal!
ACCOMMODATION: Hotel Prisma, Cuzco (B,L,D)


Thursday - Hike to Las Salineras
Today we'll head into the majestic Valle Sagrado de Los Incas where we'll take an incredible hike to the salt pans of Salineras. After a visit to the fascinating town of Maras, we'll hike down to the salt pans with the Rio Urubamba and the Sacred Valley below us - the views and history are amazing! These unique salt terraces have been used since Inca times. A hot spring at the top of the valley discharges a small stream of heavily salt-laden water that the Incas diverted into shallow pools to produce salt, and they're still used today! Later, we'll head back to Cuzco for dinner.
ACCOMMODATION: Hotel Prisma, Cuzco (B,L,D)

Friday - Explore Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu
After an early breakfast, we'll take a scenic train journey to the ancient city of Machu Picchu. Today you can walk for a couple of hours or much longer if you like. We have all day to explore the many passageways and stone structures of this mysterious place. If you're keen to climb Huayna Picchu, the mountain overlooking Machu Picchu, we'll hike up for spectacular views of the site and the valley below. After plenty of time to explore, we'll head down to Aguas Calientes - a small town deep in the Urubamba river valley. We'll soak in the hot springs that give the town its name and take some time to look around the local market before spending the evening in this quaint sub-tropical town.
ACCOMMODATION: Character hotel, Aguas Calientes (B,L,D)

Saturday - Explore Pisac Market, hike Pisac ruins, visit llama farm
This morning we'll take a short train ride back to Ollantaytambo then continue to Pisac, where we'll have a chance to check out Pisac's colourful mercado artesanal, one of the most vibrant markets in South America. From here we'll begin a spectacular hike up to the Pisac ruins. These Inca terraces rise 2,000 feet up from the river below. It's a heart-pumping hike up the ancient agricultural terraces, but you will never forget the views of Pisac and the Urubamba valley! After exploring the ancient complex, we'll head back down to the valley below us at 9,500 feet. This is the largest existing fortress-city complex of the Incas, and a testament to their ingenuity. Later, we'll visit a camelid farm where you can pat llamas, alpacas, and lovable vicuñas (the cutest of all the llama family!), before returning to Cuzco.
ACCOMMODATION: Hotel Prisma, Cuzco (B,L,D)

Sunday - Soak in hot springs, journey to Puno
Today we'll cross La Raya Pass on our way to Puno, the capital of the Altiplano area and gateway to Lake Titicaca. This is one of Peru's great highland areas, where herds of alpaca and llama graze and mountains rise steeply from the valley. It's the longest drive on the trip, so on the way we'll stop at some hot springs for a soothing soak in the thermal pools before arriving at Puno. Known as the folklore capital of Peru, Puno's narrow streets are filled with the sounds of the typical Andean music called saylla, the hustle and bustle of the local market, and the bell-ring of the triciclos, local bicycle taxis!
ACCOMMODATION: Puno hotel, Puno (B,L,D)

Monday - Sea kayak Lake Titicaca, home stay with local Quechua people
Lake Titicaca is the world's highest commercially navigable body of water. The Incas believed it was the cradle of civilisation, the place where all life began. It's a very special place and this morning we'll paddle across it in sea kayaks. The kayaking is spectacular and do-able for both young and old, but if you prefer, you can take our boat across instead. Our hosts on Amantani Island, members of the indigenous Quechua community, will meet us at the lake's edge and take us home for lunch. Afterwards they're always up for a game of high-altitude soccer. Aside from being a great workout (we are at over 12,000 feet now!), it's good fun and a unique way to get to know your hosts. When the game is over, we'll hike to the Pachamama (Mother Earth) temple at the summit of Amantani Island for breathtaking views of the sun setting over Lake Titicaca. Later we'll return to the family homes for a home-cooked meal. The Quechua people have maintained their traditional way of life for centuries, weaving wool, keeping cuy (guinea pigs), and farming their smallholdings. After dinner, we head down to the community hall to learn a few traditional dances with the locals. It's very quiet here - no streetlights, no cars, no dogs even! - and we're sure you'll enjoy the tranquillity.
ACCOMMODATION: Local family home, Amantani Island (B,L,D)

Tuesday - Explore Taquile Island
After breakfast we'll take a short boat ride across to Taquile Island. The views across Lake Titicaca as we hike up to an isolated village are spectacular - have your camera ready! The customs of this tiny community are totally unique to this island. We'll have the chance to hang out with local people in the Plaza de Armas and learn about their famous textiles and fascinating way of life, before enjoying a traditional lunch of sopa de quinua. After lunch we'll return to Puno by boat for our final dinner together.
ACCOMMODATION: Puno hotel, Puno (B,L,D)

Wednesday - Return to Lima, depart for home
This the last day of your 11-day family trip to Peru. We have a short drive to the nearby town of Juliaca before jumping on a plane back to Lima. If you have time to spare after the trip, we're happy to give you suggestions on how to make the most of it. You can also find more information on Lima here. If you're on your way home today, we'll send you and your kids back refreshed and invigorated from the great food, exercise, rest and adventures you'll have had with us in Peru! (B)

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