Highlights
- Acclimate to the high Andes mountains in picturesque Pisac
- Learn about local village life with a Peruvian family
- Watch the sunrise over magnificent Machu Picchu
- Check out the unusual farming formations in Moray and Salineras
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Cusco, Transfer to Pisac | Pisac |
| Day 2 | Explore Pisac: Inca Ruins & Local Market | Pisac |
| Day 3 | Transfer to Amaru, Peruvian Village Life Experience | Amaru |
| Day 4 | Biking in the Sacred Valley, Train to Aguas Calientes | Aguas Calientes |
| Day 5 | Tour Machu Picchu, Train to Ollantaytambo | Ollantaytambo |
| Day 6 | Inca Wonders in Chinchero, Moray & Salineras | Cusco |
| Day 7 | Depart Cusco |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Cusco, Transfer to Pisac
Welcome to Cusco! Upon arrival in this city that was once the capital of the Inca Empire, you'll be picked up and transferred to Pisac, around 21 miles (34 km) northeast. Stop along the way at the Cochahuasi Animal Sanctuary, a private animal rescue sanctuary where you can get close to flamingoes, lynxes, pumas, tapirs, and condors. If your kids are feeling tired from the journey, this fun animal encounter is sure to perk them up!
After you've arrived in Pisac and checked into your accommodation, there will be time to wander through the charming cobbled streets of the town, perhaps checking out the craft markets. It's also important for you and your kids to get plenty of rest today so you can acclimate to the high Andes mountains: the altitude of Cusco is 10,800 feet (3,300 m), while in Pisac it's a slightly more manageable 9,500 feet (2,900 m).
Day 2: Explore Pisac: Inca Ruins & Local Market
After a good night's rest, you and the kids will be ready to explore Pisac. First, head to the huge Inca fortress that stands spectacularly on the mountain above the town. Explore the sprawling ruins, which will surely capture the attention of kids who are interested in history and ancient civilizations. Enjoy the views of the high peaks around and the verdant Sacred Valley below.
In the afternoon, there's time for shopping at Pisac's handicraft market, which is the largest and most famous in the region. You'll find colorful embroidery, weaving, and other clothing that make great souvenirs to take home. Pisac is also home to a great family attraction: a country club with pools for kids and adults, a playground, a miniature lake with fish, and lots of space to run around. Kids of all ages will love it, and parents can enjoy having a rest while the little ones burn off some energy.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 3: Transfer to Amaru, Peruvian Village Life Experience
Today you will transfer to the village of Amaru to spend time with its local families, whose subsistence farming lifestyle has barely changed in hundreds of years. You'll be welcomed into their homes to learn about how they live, eat, farm, and raise their children, and it's a great opportunity for kids to meet their Peruvian peers and see how their lives are both similar and different to their own.
In the afternoon, the women of Amaru will show you how they make the traditional textiles they wear, and you'll have the opportunity to participate in the process, from picking plants to making dyes to weaving on a loom. Crafty kids will especially enjoy this creative experience. After a convivial dinner of local dishes, you'll spend the night in Amaru.
Day 4: Biking in the Sacred Valley, Train to Aguas Calientes
After breakfast, wave goodbye to our new friends in Amaru and head down the mountain into the Sacred Valley. If you and your kids are into cycling, there's also the option to ride from Amaru down to Pisac. The fun, curvy descent is on an unpaved country road through beautiful mountain scenery, so this activity is best suited to older kids who have some mountain biking experience.
After arriving in Pisac, you'll be driven through the sunny, fertile Sacred Valley to Ollantaytambo, a charming Inca town. There, you'll board a scenic train for a 1.5-hour ride through a rainforest gorge to Aguas Calientes, the little riverside town that sits at the jungle-clad base of the mountain crowned by the famous ruins of Machu Picchu. Kids will love riding the train, which is much more atmospheric than car travel, and your overnight base in Aguas Calientes is the perfect jumping-off point for tomorrow's Machu Picchu adventures.Day 5: Tour Machu Picchu, Train to Ollantaytambo
Wake your kids early this morning because a sunrise at Machu Picchu will be a highlight of your trip to Peru! The spectacular stone city surrounded by incredibly steep, green mountains needs little introduction and is deservedly considered one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Your guide will show you around the key structures of this massive site, teaching you and your kids about its fascinating history. Then you'll have time to explore the ruins alone or relax and let the kids play on lawned terraces with incredible views.
Later on, return to Ollantaytambo the same way you came yesterday, by train. Depending on the time and how much energy you and the kids have after your early start and morning of exploration, you could check out some of Ollantaytambo's highlights, including the ruined Inca fortress and hillside terraces, the huge Sun Temple, and the Princess Baths Fountain.
Day 6: Inca Wonders in Chinchero, Moray & Salineras
Explore more of the Sacred Valley today to learn more about the region's ancient Inca and contemporary Indigenous culture beyond the big-name highlight of Machu Picchu. Start at Chinchero, best known for its outdoor weaving studios and extensive Inca terracing with incredible views. Next, visit Moray, a mysterious complex of massive agricultural amphitheaters. They reflect incredible engineering precision and will be a fascinating sight for both adults and kids.
Later, you can take an easy walk through rolling farmland, surrounded by the high Andes, to Salineras. If your kids are small or you'd rather not walk, you can take a vehicle on this part of the journey. At Salineras, you'll find a surreal and beautiful patchwork of shallow salt pools all over the hillside. Salt is still produced here using ancient Inca technology. Walk between the salt pools and along the pathways between them before transferring to Cusco to spend your final evening in Peru at your leisure.Day 7: Depart Cusco
Your time in Peru has come to an end! Depending on the time of your departing flight, you may have time to do some sightseeing in Cusco in the morning, which is highly recommended. You can check out more Inca archaeological remains and grand Spanish colonial-era architecture. Combine the two at the Baroque Santo Domingo Convent, which was built on top of the Inca Qoricancha (Temple of the Sun). When the time comes, your driver will pick you up for a transfer to the airport and your departing flight. Bon voyage!
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