Family program
Peru offers an authentic setting to start bonding as a family, while connecting with culture, nature and adventure. Embark on an extraordinary family vacation, visiting the imperial city of Cusco, enjoying the fresh air of the Sacred Valley, and marveling with the imposing citadel of Machu Picchu. At the end, discover the mysticism and enigmas of the Southern Amazon Rainforest, by staying at an
eco-friendly lodge, with wonderful outdoor activities ideal for the children.
This route is recommended for traveling with children aged six years and up, but is adapted according to age group.
Day by Day Itinerary
Morning transfer to La Punta District at Callao, Peru's foremost port founded in 1537 originally as a port of embarkation for merchandise to be shipped to Spain. It is located 14 kms from downtown Lima, still featuring venerable wooden colonial mansions lined with long and elaborately carved balconies.
Then leave for the Islands off the Callao Seaport. At the beginning appreciate the anchorage of the yachts, war ships and freighters in the Bay. During the trip you will pass through the "El Cam otal" Shallows, where you will be told stories about old ship wrecks and grounded ships. We will pass by the Isla San Lorenzo Island, rich in stories dating back to pre- Columbian times. We will also be able to observe fishermen in their boats hauling nets, several Guano bird and Humboldt penguin rookeries.
Finally reach the furthest point of this trip, the Palomino Islands. These small islands are inhabited by small colonies of sea lions, Peruvian boobies and Guanay cormorants. Afterwards we will start our return trip skirting through craggy islands and sounds of impressive forms. Optional swim with the sea lions. Return to the dock at La Punta Port. Seafood lunch included at a local restaurant.
Continue with the Real Felipe Fortress which was built in XVIII century to defend the city from pirates and corsairs, being the biggest army construction made by the Spaniards during the vice royalty and witness of the most important combats that took place in the southern part of the Pacific Ocean. During this tour, we will be transported to the exciting time when pirates crossed the oceans in search of the treasures of the kingdoms in new world.
On the route to the valley you will have the chance to stop at Awanacancha, where you will observe the traditional Andean weaving techniques and see the four types of camel-related Andean animals – llamas, guanacos, alpacas and vicunas. Alpacas have thick wool and is the most commonly used, while the vicunas are small and delicate with fur considered the finest. Awanacancha is a weaving center with the goal to keep alive the traditional textile arts. Then, visit the Pisac market where you will have opportunity to interact with local people, and even negotiate with sellers. Transfer to the hotel.
Rest of the day at leisure to enjoy the hotel´s facilities.
Overnight in the Sacred Valley.
MOUNTAIN BIKING
This is an easy ride that takes us on paths through communities near the hotel, the town of Urubamba, the farms and fields of Chihubamba and from there, towards Yucay, Huayllabamba and Urquillos. We ride on mostly rural routes where there is no traffic. In certain points, when there is no alternative, we have to use paved roads. This journey of approximately 20 kilometers, crosses mostly flat terrain, and is appropriate for beginners. It’s an excursion into the everyday life of the valley, a chance to encounter villagers as they go about their usual tasks: working in fields, planting, tilling. The stunning views along the way are an added bonus. The town of Yucay has some fine examples of ancient Incan terraces, as well as ruins of fine masonry of the period. Urquillos and Huayllabamba are typical agricultural town that keel alive many cultural traditions.
QUAD BIKING
From Pumahuanca gorge, we cross the farming communities of Rumichaca, Palcaraqui and Pumahuanca. Accompanied by scenic vistas, passing through native flora, we continue along to Chicón gorge from which we can see mountains and glaciers. The route takes us on to the town of Urubamba, archaeological ruins of the palace of Huayna Capac, the traditional community of Chichubamba and its chicherías where they brew maize beer.
RESTRICTIONS: No tours when weather conditions are deemed risky.
RIDING
After a short orientation, we set off on rural paths, across small villages and communities neighboring the hotel such as Palcaraqui, Rumichaca, San Jose de Media Luna, Pumahanca and Chichubamba. As we travel, we are transported into a rural lifestyle, meeting and greeting villagers in their everyday wear, as they cook, herd cattle and till their fields and like this, we respectfully interact with them, in their cultural space and get a glimpse of their daily rhythms. Our tour follows mostly rural routes and paths – no asphalt, very few to no cars.
FD Hike: Chinchero - Urquillos
A visit to the picturesque village of Chinchero followed by a hike down a spectacular stone-paved Inca trail to a wooded gully and onto the Sacred Valley. After going down the trek, we will arr ive at Urquillos town, then we will go to crossway landscape route towards Huayllabamba town from we will take our private transportation and back to our hotel. We will have box lunch for the route.
HD Kayaking - Huaypo Lake
Equipment Kayak, paddles, life jackets.
Backup equipment A support vehicle during whole excursion.
Restrictions Children under 7 years old with supervision of an adult.
Difficulty level Easy.
Snow-capped Andean peaks surround crystal clear and calm Huaypo Lake, offering the ideal conditions for a relaxed paddle in the refreshing landscape.
The excursion includes private transportation, professional guide, kayak equipment, and cold lunch on the shore of the lake. This is a kids friendly activity. The duration and times are subject to adapted to the customer’s needs.
Upon arrival, you will climb to the “Lost City of the Incas” on a 25 minutes trip by bus, on a zigzag road along the hillside. Your guide will explain the surprising degree of technology achieved by the builders of this incredible work.
The exact precision of massive stone building, the provision of water channels that reveal a deep understanding of hydraulics, the steps carved into the rock of the mountain and Intihuatana (“the highest point of the Sun”), which served as a solar calendar that regulate planting and harvesting, are tangible and concrete expression of deep knowledge and technological advancement of the empire.
All these buildings, along with the Temple of the Sun, The Royal Tomb, The Priest’s House, the Inca Baths and the Temple of Three Windows, allow you to go back in time and with the help of your guide, revive the existence of those builders truly admirable. Lunch at the Restaurant Sanctuary Lodge. In the afternoon you will take the train Vistadome back to Ollantaytambo and then transfer by private car to Cusco. Overnight in Cusco.
Pre-Columbian Art Museum, the only museum in Peru dedicated to rebound the arts of ancient Peruvian cultures. The collection of 450 master pieces date from 1250 B.C to.1532 A.D.
Finally, we will let the little ones to get creative in the Kitchen. We will take you to one of the best hotels in the city, the Belmond Monasterio hotel for a practical cooking classes, where children can learn to create delicious cookies or tempting mini pizzas.
Afternoon at leisure.
Overnight in Cusco.
Bordering Puerto Maldonado, we drive 20 kms to the Tambopata River Port, at the native Community of Infierno. Then, you will be transferred on a two hour and a half boat ride to Refugio Amazonas, going through the community of infierno, and beyond the checkpoint of the Tambopata National Reserve, directly to the buffer zone of this protected area of over one million hectares.
Upon arrival, the lodge manager will welcome you and give you some important security tips.
Overnight in Refugio Amazonas.
A la carte Children´s activities:
Circle of fire: As a prelude to the Ania trail activities that will take place with our child specialist guide, we head towards the circle of fire. A series of lights will lead us on a path that goes through the forest and ends at the circle of fire. This is where the house of Tawa, the ancient healer, is located. The house is filled with magic potions and extracts prepared from plants of the forest. There, we learn about the story and characters from "Ania and the Voice of the World", as we sit and listen to our guide. This is also the starting point for the adventure that awaits us in our next child activity.
The Children's Rainforest Trail: learn about the rainforest from a different perspective. Ania & The World´s Voice is an exciting journey designed for children, ages 4 to 10 years. We will travel with our guides on a short but challenging walk where we follow maps, solve riddles, and find clues that will lead to the "treasure of Ania.” The path includes a visit to the houses of Ania and Tawa, the grandfather of the woods.
Searching for the “lost Brazil nut”, the city of ants, and other fun games teaches children how people live in the rainforest, why we need to preserve it, and leaves us with a valuable message: "A child born in the jungle fills our hearts with hope." The concept and history of this are all registered in the name of ANIA, a nonprofit organization with a mission to create 100,000 acres of "Lands of Children" – private, protected areas managed for children.
Rainforest Tattoo: Getting tattooed in the Rainforest? No worries, we´ll prepare a paste from a fruit called “huito”, and achiote or other natural dies to draw tattoos on ourselves. We can draw different shapes of animals or other patterns associated with the forest. They only last a few days.
A la carte Teens activities:
Mountain biking: If you like action, this is a great way to explore and experience the beauty and excitement of the rainforest along ten kilometers of trails.
We provide a GT mountain bike, helmet and cycli ng gear, water bottle, and your very own mountain bike guide.
Kayaking: After a short hike along a jungle trail, your kayaking guide will get you geared up for one of the best ways to explore the rainforest. You’ll quietly kayak with your guide along the edge of a river flan ked by majestic rainforest to look for wildlife. We will also make a stop at a sandy beach for a dip in the river before heading back to the lodge.
Canopy climbing: The canopy of the rainforest is where most of the action takes place, and this activity brings you up into this exciting, little known realm. Two experienced, certified guides will take you to a massive Brazil Nut Tree and make sure that you are equipped with a helmet, harness, and gloves before showing you how to safely ascend high up i nto the tree with the standard, proven Jumar technique. The ascent will bring you to a canopy platform 30 meters (100 feet) above the ground. The view of the river and surrounding rainforest is incredible and you will have a good chance of seeing macaws and parrots flying over the roof of the rainforest, and may also glimpse monkeys or other wildlife
Stand Up Paddle: Paddle boarding is easy, fun, and a great, quiet way to explore the river. While paddle boarding near the banks of the river, we w ill have great opportunities to find wildlife like monkeys, caimans, and other surprises. A paddle board, paddles, life jacket, and experienced guide are provided.
A la Carte Classic activities:
Oxbow Lake Visit: A 45 minute hike through terra firme rainforest brings us to an aguaje palm swamp and the Condenado oxbow lake. Oxbow lakes are amazing habitats, and we’ll hav e the opportunity to experience one while paddling a traditional canoe or catamaran on Condenado Lake. We will look for lakeside wildlife such as big fish, lots of birds, colorful butterflies, and more, while also hoping to see rare Giant Otters. You will also be rewarded with overhead sightings of macaws and beautiful jungle skies.
Canopy Tower: Let’s get to the top and have an eagle’s view of the forest. A thirty minute hike from Refugio Amazonas leads to a 25 meter scaffolding canopy tower. A banister staircase running through the middle provides safe access to the platforms above, and the tower has been built upon high ground, therefore increasing your horizon of continuous primary forest that extends towards the Tambopata National Reserve. From here, views of mixed species canopy flocks as well as toucans, macaws and raptors are likely.
Farm Visit: On the other side of the river from the lodge, we visit a family owned farm managed by charismatic Don Manuel from the neighboring community of Condenado. He grows a varie ty of popular and little known Amazonian crops – just about every plant and tree you see has a story and serves a purpose.
Ethnobotanical Tour: Most medicines come from a medicinal plant in the Amazon, along this trail we will find a diversity of plants and trees that are used by the local people for a variety of purposes. We ‘ll learn about the medicinal (and other) uses of Ayahuasca, Ajo-Sacha, Yuca de Venado, Uña de Gato, Charcot-Sacha, and Para-Para among several others.
Depending on airline schedules, this may require dawn departures. Upon your arrival in Lima you will be met by our representative and will be transferred to your hotel in Lima.
Overnight in Lima.
On this tour, we give to our ride a different spin. We bike around the two main cultural areas of Lima: Miraflores and Barranco. The idea is trying to make the perfect combination between art, history, architecture and nice vibe. We ride among beautiful houses that once were occupied by renowned writers, painters and musicians. We pass by cultural centers, parks, shops, art galleries, ateliers, cozy local cafes and classic bars. We pay special attention to street art work, graffiti, street food, and to the cultural manifestations of two of the most important areas of Lima where locals usually express themselves and have fun more frequently.
Along the tour, we also stop to share anecdotes, love stories and classic urban legends of the local folklore of this cool part of the city.
The tour includes a snack in a traditional old bar or cafe of the area. We also see at a glance, many old houses & colonial mansions of great architecture, as well as some of the best restaurants of the culinary capital of Latin America.
At proper time, transfer to the airport and assistance with all departure formalities for your international homebound flight.
End of our Services
B: Breakfast / L: Lunch / D: Dinner
Important Notes
- No reservations have been placed
- This is a preliminary costing; hotels may vary according to availability
- No airfares or airport taxes included in above given rates
- Airport taxes for domestic flights are included in the above air fare.
- International departure tax from Lima should be included in the int’l air fare; please verify
- Air fares are referential only. Actual rate are subject to availability at time of purchase and type of ticket (refunds and changes allowed/not allowed, penalties apply/not apply, etc)
- All entrance fees are subject to change without previous notice
- PRICES, valid for 2016, except on Inti Raymi dates (Jun22/27), Christmas & New Year (Dec22/Jan03) and other National or Religious Holidays which may have special rates; please verify
The itinerary includes:
- Transportation airport / Hotel / airport
- 10 nights accommodation in a triple room.
- Private services with local English-speaking guides.
- Refugio Amazonas Program – share basis.
- Meals as indicated in itinerary (B/L/D)
- Tickets from entrance to Machu Picchu and archaeological sites mentioned in the itinerary.
- Tickets for round trip bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu)
- Round trip tickets on the train service from the Sacred Valley Vistadome.
- Permanent assistance by our offices in each city.
The Itinerary does not include:
- International and domestic air tickets.
- Meals or any other item not mentioned in the itinerary.
- Tips to guides and hotel staff.
- Local Peruvian Taxes (18% tax is applicable only to Peruvian and foreigners living in Peru, to pay no need to show passport.
- Items not specified.