Machu Picchu Family Adventure 8D/7N

For many kids (and adults alike), the name «Lost City of the Incas» conjures up images seen on postcards or in history books of a mysterious ruins complex, floating in a sea of mist and surrounded by dramatic emerald peaks and shadowy valleys. Our exciting new itinerary offers an opportunity to turn this ephemeral imagery into a lifelong memory of discovery and adventure for the entire family.

Our exploration begins in Paruro province considered as a place from where the Incas where originated where we will learn to prepare the Chicha (corn beer) which was the principal sacred element for ceremonies and to drink. Also you will learn to cook traditionally and prepare your own Guinea pig and go to the farm to do some farming activities and get the experience to sleep in pure alpaca bed them we will explore Cusco, the former capital of the Inca Empire and South America’s oldest continually inhabited city, where we’ll learn about the fascinating history and architectural skills of its founders. As we make our way deeper into the Urubamba Valley – the Sacred Valley of the Incas – more Andean treasures are revealed. We hike to well-preserved ruins and appreciate the craftsmanship and ingenuity of the valley’s former inhabitants. At Pisac market, one of the largest traditional markets in Peru, we admire the handicrafts of the Quechua people and perhaps bargain for a treasure of our own. paddling alongside pre-Inca cities and high-Andean landscapes, After an interactive weaving lesson with the Quechua people of Chinchero.

Midway through our journey, a train ride from the Andean highlands to the verdant cloud forest brings us to Machu Picchu itself, where we have the better part of two days to discover the most spectacular ruins complex on the continent. As the sun rises we explore the archaeological treasures of Machu Picchu and hike to the mysterious Temple of the Moon. Our evenings are spent in a combination of comfortable hotels Casa Andina in Cusco and Inkaterra Machu Picchu Hotel.

Important Notice: Day 1 is the day you should plan to arrive at the meeting point for the trip. This may require departing your hometown one or more days in advance and traveling on an overnight flight.

Machu Picchu Family Adventure Itinerary:

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Day 1 after a warm welcome from your Peruvian Guide, set out on a trip to Paruro province for a home stay and learn to make chicha (corn beer).
Day 2 Cook the guinea pig traditionally and prepare bread in a traditional oven.
Day 3 Go to the farm and bring some food to cook and along the hike learn tradionl uses of some medicinal plants.
Day 4 Explore Cusco on a guided city tour including the Plaza de Armas, the ruins of the Inca temple Koricancha, and Sacsayhuaman Temple.
Day 5 Visit the traditional Andean towns of Chinchero for weaving class and Pisac. Hike to ancient Inca salt mines and shop for local crafts at Pisac market.
Day 6 delight in your first views of Machu Picchu this morning. Enjoy a guided tour of the site. Overnight in Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel.
Day 7 A day to explore the fabulous ruins including a fun guided hike to the Temple of the Moon. Return to Cusco.
Day 8 Depart Cusco this morning and celebrate the end of perhaps the first but definitely not the last memorable family adventure.

Note on Itinerary
Although we do our very best to adhere to the schedule above, the itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control, including weather and terrain conditions.

Day 1

After a warm welcome from your Peruvian guide, depart and go to the province of Paruro (2 hours driving). Upon arrival you’ll have breakfast, after which you will learn how to make the traditional sacred drink of the Incas that they originally called ajha (corn beer), but is now known as chicha. You’ll also prepare lunch in a natural and traditional clay stove. You will then have free time to explore the town and relax, overnight in a family house in a nice pure alpaca beds as the Incas used to sleep. All meals included.

Day 2

Today after breakfast you will learn to cook guinea pig and be actively part of preparing it and finally taste it them we go to one of the traditional ovens of Paruro town where you will see and prepare you own bread from pure wheat that we will bring with us to enjoy at the house. This is the day you will also taste the corn beer made yesterday. After lunch in the afternoon you will hike to the farm and see how the Andean people cultivate their own food and see the diversity of products that they normally have on each farm. Also bring home some produce for cooking later on in the day. All meals included, overnight in Paruro.

Day 3

In the morning we will go to the farm to bring food for the guinea pigs, feed them, and bring some fresh crops for ourselves. Along this hike the tour guide will explain some of the traditional and medicinal uses of the local plants. Late in the afternoon we will come back to Cusco. Overnight in Cusco. All meals included.

Hiking: 3miles

Day 4

After breakfast, we depart on a city tour that includes a visit to many of Cusco’s notable and historic sights. Our guide leads us through the bustling Plaza de Armas, and enlightens us on the history and significance of the Inca temple Koricancha and neighboring Santo Domingo Church. We’ll also explore the imposing ruins of the monolithic Sacsayhuaman Temple offering panoramic views of the entire red-roofed city far below. After shopping where you can find a very good quality staff from alpaca and Vicuña. Breakfast and lunch included.

Day 5

This morning, we stop briefly in the town of Chinchero to enjoy the traditional short weaving class. Is the best place to buy textiles before continuing on to Maras and Moray where we begin a two-hour warm-up hike to the scenic salt mines now a days administrated by the comunities. Originally used by the Inca, villagers from surrounding communities still mine salt by hand from the spring-fed terraced pools. After the hike and some lunch, we’ll visit the lively little village of Pisac on market day to do some shopping and bargaining and finish our afternoon adventure with an exploration of the nearby archaeological site. Breakfast and lunch included.

Hiking: 5 miles.

Day 6

Delight in your first views of machu picchu this morning! Enjoy a guided tour of the site. Overnight at the Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel. After an early breakfast we drive to Ollantaytambo and board the scheduled daily train to Machu Picchu. The route allows us to see the transition from Andean highlands and valleys to lush cloud forest, following along the Urubamba River. We arrive at the village of Machu Picchu at the base of the Lost City in mid-morning and take a shuttle up to this spectacularly perched archeological treasure. Our knowledgeable guide leads us through the center of the site and to the Inca Bridge, recapping Machu Picchu’s rediscovery by Hiram Bingham in 1911 and explaining the current theories regarding the purpose and significance of the city. Later this afternoon, we’ll return to the small town of Aguas Calientes and check into our bungalows at the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Hotel. This hotel is situated in 5 hectares of cloud forest garden along the Vilcanota River. Parents might like to indulge in an Andean massage which can be booked in your own room or at the spa where they use 100% botanical ingredients from the local area. Family members can also relax in two of the large outdoor hot tubs or explore the grounds of this amazing property. Meals included.

Hiking: 2 miles, 1 1/2 hours.

Day 7

A full day to explore the fabulous ruins including a fun guided hike to the Temple of the Moon. Return to the Pueblo Hotel tonight.

Perhaps the best time of day to appreciate the full majesty of the remarkable Machu Picchu ruins is during the early hours, taking advantage of the soft morning light for dramatic photography and being able to explore the grounds without big crowds. Our goal is to ride one of the first shuttles of the day up to the complex and enjoy the tranquil atmosphere before the first tourist train from Cusco arrives. As the sun continues to climb, we hike to the Temple of the Moon, located inside a cavern part-way down the north face of Huayna Picchu. The trail starts in the Sacred City and branches off along the way from the Huayna Picchu Trail. The trail is a bit rugged, with some Inca staircase sections before a descent into the cloud forest. The views are amazing as we make our way to the mysterious Temple of the Moon (7,580′) which is a natural cave where rocks have been fitted perfectly in flowing, gentle shapes. The Temple of the Moon itself is a wall of doors and windows sculpted flawlessly into the space created by a giant overhanging rock. After returning from the temple and have time to explore on our own with more time for pictures, we say good bay to Machu Picchu and head back to Machu Picchu town for buffet lunch before boarding the train to Ollantaytambo, connecting there with our private van to Cusco and arriving back in the city at approx. 5 p.m. We have time for some last minute souvenir shopping before joining our guide for a final celebration dinner. Overnight in Cusco tonight. All meals included.

Day 8

Depart Cusco this morning and celebrate the end of perhaps the first but definitely not the last memorable family adventure.

After breakfast, we transfer to the Cusco airport for our return flight to Lima. All airport transfers, regardless of flight time, are included today. Breakfast included.

What Is Not Included?

• Air transportation to/from Cusco
• 2dinners
• guide gratuities
• excess baggage charges
• alcoholic beverages
• airport taxes and items of a personal nature such as souvenirs, laundry fees, immunizations or insurance of any kind.

Air Travel

Please check with us before purchasing your airline tickets to ensure your trip has the necessary minimum number of participants required to operate.

Single Travelers

If you are traveling alone and specifically request single accommodations, you will be asked to pay the full single supplement noted on the trip itinerary. If you wish to share accommodations, we will assign you a roommate if one is available. If a roommate cannot be found, you will be asked to pay a reduced single fee which is half of the full single supplement. Please be advised that there are a limited number of single rooms available on most departures.

Price Includes

Simple family accommodation 2 nights and Hotel accommodations with private bath for 5 nights; meals as noted in the daily itinerary; bilingual guides; all ground transportation within Peru as noted including airport transfers upon arrival/departure; all sightseeing and activity excursions as noted (including daily admission to Machu Picchu).