Machu Picchu Vacation Family Adventure Across Peru

Introduction to the City of Kings

Today, you’ll explore Peru’s “City of Kings,” where you’ll visit the Plaza Mayor, featuring the current President’s palace, the Convent of San Francisco (including subterranean catacombs!) and the Casa Aliaga, which is the western hemisphere’s oldest mansion and still owned and inhabited by the 17th generation of the Aliaga family.

You’ll have the early afternoon to explore at leisure. After dark, change into clothes that can get wet and bring a towel! You’ll be heading to Lima’s “Magical Water Circuit”. Combining water, movement, light, images and sound, this park is the largest of its kind in the world! You’ll not only be able to view the fountains, you can also interact with them, getting wet as you go!

Fly from Lima to Arequipa / Private tour of the historic center

This morning you’ll fly to Arequipa and explore Peru’s “white city”. You’ll stroll through the shining center of town  with many buildings made from a white volcanic rock called sillar, giving the city its nickname  until you arrive at the Andean Sanctuary Museum, where you’ll meet the famous ice-mummy, Juanita, face to face.

You’ll continue to the 16th century convent of Santa Catalina, which is truly a jewel of a city within a city. Finally, you’ll visit the main square of Yanahuara, with its famous panorama of Arequipa and the distant Misti Volcano.

Journey to Chivay

Today enjoy a scenic drive to the town of Chivay, your jumping-off point for the Colca Canyon. This drive goes through breathtaking landscapes and makes stops to mingle with Peru’s camelids at Pampa Cañahuas, to flock with migratory birds at Bofedales de Toccra and finally to gaze on Arequipa’s surrounding volcanoes at the outlook of Patapampa.

As you look out to the snow-capped peaks of the Misti, Hualca-Hualca and Ubinas Volcanoes, breathe deeply and feel the peace of taking in something completely new!

When we arrive in Chivay, the hot springs are an excellent option for relaxation, as the locals attribute healing properties to the soothing waters

Canyons and Condors

Early this morning, you’ll visit Condor’s Cross, where you can observe the depths of the Colca Canyon and watch the majestic flight of the giant Andean condor. You’ll also visit villages in the Colca Valley, where you’ll revel in the colorful local dress and friendly faces!

Upon conclusion of your guided tour of the Colca Canyon, you’ll return to your relaxing hotel to spend an afternoon at leisure in this beautiful part of the world!

Relaxation and the Road to Puno

This morning you will be able to enjoy the luxury of your hotel and spend the remaining hours reflecting on your time in the Colca Canyon.

In the afternoon you’ll depart Chivay with your private driver. The five-hour drive to Puno is through such beautiful country, the time will pass like nothing!

Lake Titicaca’s Magical Islands

Today, you will visit Lake Titicaca’s islands via private boat. Lake Titicaca, at 12,500 ft. above sea level, is the world’s highest navigable lake. This means that, even when the strong Andean sun shines, the wind can be chilly so be sure to dress warmly with layers!

Your boat will take you out through the bay of Puno, past banks of reeds to the incredible floating islands of Uros. For hundreds of years, local people have constructed these small islands by hand from the native totora reed, continually refreshing the island floor. You will also see houses and boats cleverly constructed of the reed and a few solar panels providing illumination!

You will next motor to the island of Taquile. Outside the Bay of Puno, Taquile seems almost Mediterranean, with grassy cliffs falling toward the blue water. The residents of the island are incredibly friendly and are world-famous for being true masters of intricate knitting patterns!

Over the Altiplano to Cusco

This morning you will board the luxury Peru Rail Titicaca Train to Cusco. Travel in style through the Andes Mountains and the Peruvian Altiplano, on South America’s finest luxury train!

As you pull out from Puno, watch the landscape change from expansive high plains to the bustle and cement of the city. Enjoy a fine lunch, live entertainment, and an open-air observatory car during this full-day train ride.

We will pick you up at the Cusco train station, and bring you to your hotel in the historic center.

Making Friends in the Sacred Valley

In the morning, we’ll drive to the high plains of Chinchero, where we’ll skirt the shore of beautiful blue Lake Piuray before finally arriving in a very small town. Only eighty families live in this close-knit place, where they farm, raise livestock, weave, celebrate and worship much as they have for hundreds of years.

When we arrive, you’ll meet the family you’ll be staying with and many of the other villagers. They’ll give you a wonderful warm welcome before taking you to settle in to your new home!

Then it will be time to get to work! You’ll get to learn about your new friends’ way of life by joining them in their daily activities! Because this is an agricultural community, much of the day is devoted to crops and animals. You may help with sowing or harvesting; you might assist with bringing cows and sheep back home after grazing.

You’ll enjoy lunch and dinner with your family, and have the opportunity to ask them about their lives and interests. You can also visit the after-school program and computer center that Kuoda supports with company proceeds.

Horseback Riding through the Sacred Valley

Explore the local landscape and meet and greet villagers as they go about their daily lives, cooking, herding cattle and tilling their fields.

Known for their docile nature, Peruvian Paso horses offer a comfortable, relaxed way to explore the Land of the Incas.

After a short orientation, we set off on rural paths through the small villages and communities neighboring the hotel, whilst learning about the famous smooth gait of the Peruvian Paso horses. Our route follows mostly rural tracks offering a relaxing way to explore the local scenery before returning to the stables.

Delving Into the Heart of the Sacred Valley

Today, we will take you to the ancient town of Ollantaytambo, one of the few remaining places in Peru that retains its original Incan urban planning.

You’ll note still-functioning street canals, multi-family houses with secret interior courtyards and iconic Incan trapezoidal doors! Here we’ll visit the Incan fortress perched on the mountainside overlooking the sleepy pueblo, and learn about nearby stone quarries and the pivotal Incan battle fought here.

We hope you worked up an appetite this morning, because next on the schedule is a true Peruvian feast: the traditional Pachamanca! The centuries-old Pachamanca tradition involves marinating lamb, pork, chicken, and potatoes in a variety of Andean ingredients and cooking them to perfection in an underground oven.

This afternoon, we’ll make our way to the train station in Ollantaytambo, where we’ll board the first-class Vistadome train to Aguas Calientes. Watch the cloud jungle pass by through the large glass windows!

Private tour of Machu Picchu

This is your day to enjoy a private tour of Machu Picchu. In the morning after breakfast in your hotel, you and your guide will board the bus to the entrance of the ruins.

You will then ascend stone steps, through heavy tree cover to finally emerge at the top of the world – Machu Picchu! Your expert guide will give you a private tour of the ancient city, introducing you to the history of this spectacular citadel and showing you the most important temples and ceremonial sites.

After completing your Machu Picchu visit you will descend to Aguas Calientes for lunch and your return Vistadome train. We will be waiting to collect you in the Ollantaytambo train station and will bring you to your hotel in Cusco for the evening.

Exploring the Imperial City of Cusco

This morning you’ll enjoy Cusco’s rich tapestry woven by its inviting cobblestone streets, charming neighborhoods, and astounding landmarks.

You’ll explore some of Cusco’s most famous sites, including the imposing fortress of Sacsayhuaman, the Temple of the Sun – Qoricancha, which was once bathed in pure cold, as well as the 12-angled-stone nestled within a wall that has stood the true test of time… and many earthquakes!

This afternoon, eat your way through the streets of Cusco, trying all of the best local treats available, from tasty anticuchos to Peruvian donuts known as picarones!

Bidding Farewell to Peru

At the appropriate time this evening, we will escort you to the Cusco airport for your return flight to Lima. Watch the windows as the snow-capped peaks of the Andes become coastal desert. We will help you check in for your international flight and wish you buen viaje!