Get ready for an exhilarating journey through the heart of Peru! Buckle up as we embark on an unforgettable adventure through the mystical Sacred Valley and the legendary Inca Trail, leading us to the awe-inspiring Cusco. Then, delve into the Amazon Rainforest, exploring its wonders while staying in one of Peru’s finest lodges. This is the ultimate South American experience, packed with thrills, culture, and breathtaking scenery at every turn.
Season: Mar – Jan
Discover the enchanting Sacred Valley, where vibrant markets, ancient Inca ruins, and picturesque landscapes provide a perfect introduction to the rich cultural heritage of Peru.
Embark on the legendary Inca Trail, a four-day trek through breathtaking Andean scenery, culminating in the awe-inspiring arrival at Machu Picchu.
Explore the iconic Machu Picchu, a stunning testament to Inca ingenuity, offering panoramic views and fascinating history amidst the mystical ruins.
Conquer Huayna Picchu, the towering peak overlooking Machu Picchu, for an exhilarating climb rewarded by unparalleled vistas of the ancient citadel and surrounding mountains.
Immerse yourself in the biodiverse Tambopata National Reserve, where expert-guided tours reveal exotic wildlife, lush rainforests, and the extraordinary beauty of the Amazon.
You can also choose a 5 days Inca Trail and 5 days Amazon tour check link: Inca Trail and Mazon Jungle deep Exploreation
From awe-inspiring landscapes to vibrant cultural immersions, every moment promises to be an electrifying experience that will ignite your wanderlust like never before. Get ready to embark on an adventure with River Explorers that will etch itself into your memories forever!
Your long-awaited family vacation will begin in the capital of Peru, Lima. Before starting the Inca Trail and Amazon tour, a few other stops that fill fascinate your family will begin.
A guide will be waiting for you upon arrival at the airport and a taxi will be ready to transfer you to your hotel. You will overnight in Lima.
In Lima your family will be able to experience a variety of cultures since this capital city is multi-ethnic and proudly holds a multi-cultural heritage. You’ll be able to choose between a variety of tourist attractions that will suit every member of your family. Museums, cultural experiences and colonial architecture are all at your disposal. If you have a food lover in your family you’ll be glad to know that Lima has been the winner of the World Travel Awards’ prize for Best Culinary Destination in South America for the last five years! It has some of the finest restaurants so you’ll be able to discover the exquisite tastes of Peru while spending some time here. Culinary trips are available, but if you prefer to explore on your own we’ll recommend a handful of excellent restaurants to you.
For comfort, a private taxi will transfer your family back to Lima’s airport.
Get ready for a scenic flight to Cusco, where you’ll see the majestic Andes with snow-capped peaks, deep canyons, lakes, and lagoons. Upon landing, a private driver and your guide will take you on a journey through the Sacred Valley.
Explore the captivating ruins and traditional Andean weaving of Chinchero. Then, marvel at the incredible agricultural terraces of Moray, an ancient Inca farming innovation.
The Salineras salt mines, a network of salt pans still harvested by local families, are a stunning sight that showcases the resilience and resourcefulness of these communities.
The impressive Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo, with its intricate stonework and panoramic views, is also a must-see that will leave you in awe.
Exploring the Sacred Valley is not only a rich cultural experience but also a gentle introduction to Peru’s highlands, nestled between 2,850 to 2,700 meters above sea level, minimizing the risk of altitude sickness that often plagues visitors at higher elevations. Prepare to be pampered at the end of your day, as you settle into a charming hotel in Ollantaytambo, ready to recharge for the adventures that await!
Accommodations: Hotel in the Sacred Valley.
Meals: Breakfast.
Today’s adventure begins with the exploration of the second section of the Sacred Valley, where you will visit two of the most iconic Inca complexes: Ollantaytambo and Pisaq. For more details on this captivating region, explore our Sacred Valley Tour to enhance your experience.
Ollantaytambo which is a town as unique as its name. A comprehensive tour will be given regarding the town’s impressive fortress so the adventure seeker in your family will especially enjoy this. A lot of question will arise once you see the enormous stones that fit precisely into built temples, terraces, fountains and an astronomical calendar – only to mention a few.
A scenic 45 minute drive to Pisac will take you through the historic section that connects villages and towns of the Urubamba and Calca valley with Cusco. If you have small children, don’t fret, because along the way there will be stops so that they can stretch their legs and enjoy panoramic views of the valley until the road comes to a stop on the mountaintop of the Pisac complex.
Be sure to put on your best walking shoes since you’ll be doing this through ruins, tunnels and temples. While exploring this Inca complex which has skillfully been built into a steep cliff, your guide will describe the history hidden behind this place. Spectacular views of the mountain sides, stone buildings, temples and crop terraces that are still in use by local farmers will be experienced. If hiking isn’t your family’s favorite part, you’re sure to enjoy the next activity.
When the tour of the Pisac complex is done, you will head back to Pisac and visit its famous handicraft produce and textile market. Everything from potatoes to handicraft products can be found here – all sold by the culture rich Andean people. After your visit to this busy marketplace, you’ll board the bus for another 40 minute scenic drive to Ollantaytambo to expend the night.
On the fourth day of your family vacation, you will be picked up from your hotel at 6:30 am in a private bus. Depending on the train schedule, you’ll take a trip to Ollantaytambo station to catch a train to the 104-km mark on the Cusco-Machu Picchu railroad. This is where the short Inca trail starts and at about 10 am you will arrive at the set out destination where packing of gear will take place. Your first day on the exciting Machu Picchu trail will begin.
The first complex on the list is the Chachabamba. Your guide will talk about this fascinating place for a short while and then you’ll start ascending for about 4 hours until arriving at the archaeological complex of Wiñaywayna (“Forever Young”), which is located at 2,700 m. or 8,858 ft. above sea level. Walking will be slow paced to accommodate even the weakest members of your family. At this impressive site you’ll see numerous terraces, a religious precinct and an urban settlement. Magnificent views of the Urubamba River Valley and the Chokes archaeological complex located on the opposite side of the river will be experienced. Even smaller kids in the family will be entertained by this site since it has staircases with water fountain systems. Your guide will explain the history and nature of this amazing site and thereafter another one hour climb will take place along a trail of flat stones and cliffs to Intipunku.
From this fabulous spot, great views of Machu Picchu are visible and it is ideal for taking some family pictures and relaxing. Thereafter the descend to Machu Picchu will begin. Once you’ve reached this destination you’ll be given an opportunity to relax and explore this magical place before being transported to Aguas Calientes by bus where you’ll spend the night.
*In case the available spaces to hike the Inca trail are sold out, check out other alternative Machu Picchu hiking tours that you can choose as an alternative to the Inca trail.
A brief 30-minute bus ride will take you to this iconic site.
Machu Picchu, situated at an altitude of 2,430 meters (7,972 feet) above sea level, rests atop a tropical mountain forest in an extraordinarily picturesque setting. The city features approximately 200 structures, including agricultural terraces, religious temples, and astronomical centers, all seamlessly integrated into the surrounding landscape. Whatever the interests of your family members, there is something for everyone to enjoy at this remarkable destination.
Your visit begins with a two-hour guided tour led by an experienced guide, who will provide insights into the history, architecture, and significance of Machu Picchu. Following the tour, you will have the opportunity to explore the site independently with your family. Whether you choose to leisurely stroll through the ruins, capture stunning photographs, or challenge yourself by climbing Huayna Picchu—the towering peak overlooking the citadel (advance booking required for Huayna Picchu)—the experience is sure to be unforgettable.
After thoroughly exploring Machu Picchu and ensuring each family member finds something memorable to enjoy, your tour guide will meet you in Aguas Calientes. From there, you will board a train to Ollantaytambo, where a bus will be waiting to transport you back to your hotel in Cusco. The evening can be spent relaxing and reflecting on the day’s adventures with your family.
* Hiking, departures and arrival times are all approximate on the Inca Trail.
After 3 exciting tour days, you’ll have the opportunity to explore Cusco on your own. Cusco is a fascinating place with a good atmosphere throughout the day and into the night. Whether your family finds interest in historical relics, beauty spa’s, shopping centers, cuisine or physical activities such as horse riding – all can be found in this tourist hub. Each family member will find something that they’ll like and a bunch of family activities are also available.
In the evening your tour guide will give you a briefing about the Sacred valley tour and the Inca Trail.
Day seven begins with a flight to Puerto Maldonado. English-speaking guides, who are tourism professionals or local community members, will accompany you unless stated otherwise. Guides are assigned in a ratio of 10 participants to 1 guide to ensure that tour groups remain small and personalized. If you would like a private guide or one who speaks a language other than English, please inform us.
After arriving from Lima or Cusco, you’ll be welcomed at the airport and taken to our Puerto Maldonado headquarters, just 10 minutes away. Beautiful forest gardens surround the area. Your family will pack only essential gear, leaving the rest in secure storage. Once settled, you’ll take a 20-kilometer drive to the Tambopata River Port, a communal business center and entry point to the native community of Infierno. A boxed lunch will be provided.
Next, a two-and-a-half-hour boat ride will take you from Tambopata Port to Refugio Amazonas. Along the way, you’ll pass the Community of Infierno and the Tambopata National Reserve’s checkpoint, entering the buffer zone of this 1.3 million-hectare conservation area. Another boxed lunch will be served during the ride.
Upon arrival, the lodge manager will welcome you and provide an orientation with navigation and safety tips. After settling in, dinner will be served. Later, you’ll have the option of a night hike. While mammals are hard to spot, frogs with unique shapes and sounds are easier to find, making this an exciting experience for animal lovers in your family.
After breakfast has been served, you will paddle around the lake on a canoe or catamaran while viewing lakeside wildlife such as the Hoatzin, Caiman and Horned screamers. You will also be rewarded with overhead sightings of macaws. After this, a thirty minute walk from Refugio Amazonas will lead to the 25 meter scaffolding canopy tower. Safe access to the platform above is provided. Views of mixed species of canopy flocks as well as Toucans, Macaws and Raptors are likely.
Lunch will be served and thereafter a farm visit will take place. The farm is situated five minutes from the lodge and managed by a charismatic Don Manuel from the neighbouring community of Condenado. He grows a variety of popular and unknown Amazon crops – just about every plant and tree you see serves a purpose.
Along the Ethnobotanical Tour you will find a variety of plants and trees that are used by the local population with at least the same variety of purposes. You will learn about the medicinal (and other) uses of Ajo-Sacha, Yuca de Venado, Uña de Gato, Charcot-Sacha, Para-Para – only to mention a few.
Your family will be enjoying a lovely dinner in the evening and nightly lectures prepared by the staff of Refugio Amazonas will cover topics such as conservation threats, opportunities and projects in the Tambopata National Reserve.
Refugio Amazonas – Overnight
Meals included: 1 brakfast, 1 lunch and 1 dinner.
After a full breakfast, you will be transported back to the Tambopata River Port by boat. A bus will take you to the Maldonado Headquarters from where you will be transported to the airport where you will then be heading home.
Meals Included: Enjoy daily breakfasts, 3 lunches and 2 dinners.
Transfers: All transfers within Peru after your arrival are included.
Accommodation: 6 nights in a strong 3 stars hotel and 2 night lodging.
Amazon jungle tour: Transfers in and out, guide, activities mentioned in the tour itinerary, meals.
Inca trail to Machu Picchu: Private tour with a local guide, entrance fees, train tickets, bus to and from Machu Picchu, hotel stay, and bus transfer from Ollantaytambo to Cusco.
Sacred valley: Entrance fees, private tranport and private guided tours to all the attractions.
Accommodation and Dining: You have the option to extend your stay and arrange for additional lodging and meals beyond the scheduled itinerary.
Meals: Any meals not explicitly included in the tour itinerary will be at your own expense.
Travel Insurance: It is highly recommended that you purchase travel and cancellation insurance to protect yourself against unforeseen circumstances during your trip.
Gratuities: As a gesture of appreciation, it is customary to tip your guides approximately 10% of the total package cost per person.
Extra Activities: Any activities or excursions not specifically mentioned in the tour details will incur additional costs if you wish to participate.
