Highlights
- Paint a torito de Pucará with vibrant designs and gold leaf in a workshop in Cusco.
- Craft pottery with your kids using traditional Andean techniques at a home in Pisac
- Meet friendly llamas and alpacas in Awana Kancha and see local artisans weaving
- Tour Machu Picchu with an "explorer kit" and a dedicated guide just for the kids
- Discover Inca cosmology and see the southern stars at Cusco's Planetarium
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Lima, Explore the Capital at Leisure | Lima |
| Day 2 | Cooking Class at Urban Kitchen, Enjoy a Free Afternoon | Lima |
| Day 3 | Fly to Cusco, Toritos de Pucará Workshop | Cusco |
| Day 4 | Transfer to the Sacred Valley via Awana Kancha & Pisac | Sacred Valley |
| Day 5 | Full-Day Rafting Tour Along the Río Urubamba | Sacred Valley |
| Day 6 | Train to Aguas Calientes, Machu Picchu Tour | Aguas Calientes/ Machu Picchu |
| Day 7 | Self-Guided Machu Picchu Hike, Transfer to Cusco | Cusco |
| Day 8 | Walking Tour of Cusco, Visit the Planetarium Cusco | Cusco |
| Day 9 | Fly to Lima, Depart |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Lima, Explore the Capital at Leisure
Welcome to the vibrant capital of Peru, Lima, a Pacific coast city known for its colonial architecture. Meet your driver at the airport and transfer to your hotel in the upscale district of Miraflores or San Isidro. After checking in and freshening up, venture out to explore the city at your own pace. A good, family-friendly stop is Parque de las Leyendas, an expansive zoo and archaeological site featuring a variety of animals, botanical gardens, and ruins. While there, grab some lunch and stop at one of the many picnic areas and playgrounds to take a break from sightseeing.
Wander past native Peruvian species, such as llamas, condors, and monkeys, all housed in well-maintained enclosures that mimic their natural habitats. Be sure to visit the on-site aquarium featuring marine life from the Pacific Ocean. When darkness falls, make your way to Parque de la Reserva to see the Magic Water Circuit. Watch as over a dozen fountains come to life with colorful lights and choreographed music. The highlight is the Grand Fountain, which will mesmerize your children as it shoots water up to 262 feet (80 m) high.
Day 2: Cooking Class at Urban Kitchen, Enjoy a Free Afternoon
Spend your morning at the sleek and modern Urban Kitchen, where you and your family can don aprons and discover how to cook traditional Peruvian dishes. Learn about the rich history, traditional techniques, and cultural significance of Peruvian cuisine while you make ceviche (fresh raw fish or seafood marinated in citrus juice) and lomo saltado (stir-fry featuring marinated strips of beef, onions, and tomatoes). When everything is ready, sit down to enjoy your meal paired with drinks and fresh fruit. Then, take the recipes and aprons with you to recreate these Peruvian dishes at home.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 3: Fly to Cusco, Toritos de Pucará Workshop
Say goodbye to Lima this morning as you transfer to the airport for a 1.5-hour flight to the former capital of the Inca Empire, Cusco. Meet your driver at the airport and transfer to your hotel to check in. Then, head to a two-hour ceramic workshop led by local women, where you'll each decorate a torito de Pucará, a traditional ceramic bull originating from Pucará, a small village known for its skilled artisans. Before you begin, learn about the story of the ceramic bulls and their importance in local traditions, such as bringing good luck, protection, happiness, and prosperity.
When you receive your bull and work supplies, you'll plan your design using traditional and contemporary techniques or augmented reality. In addition to painting the ceramic bull, you'll add a local touch with gold leaf, which has deep roots in Cusco's colonial art. You can also use bronze, copper, and aluminum leaf to make your bull shine. While you paint, parents can enjoy a delicious cup of coffee made from locally produced beans. When your bull is complete, wrap it up safely in its MDF box to take home and commemorate your trip.
In the afternoon, you can wander through Cusco's UNESCO-listed historic center to find somewhere for lunch. Then, take the kids on a self-guided tour of Museo Inka, where you can learn about one of the most advanced cultures in pre-Columbian America together. Housed in a beautifully restored colonial building, the museum showcases an extensive collection of artifacts, including intricately woven textiles, ceramics, and tools that illustrate the daily life, religious practices, and engineering prowess of the Incas. Afterward, return to your hotel to relax.
Day 4: Transfer to the Sacred Valley via Awana Kancha & Pisac
After a restful night in Cusco, hit the road on a 1.5-hour transfer to the Sacred Valley, known for its terraced hillsides, ancient ruins, and traditional Andean villages. On the way, stop at Awana Kancha, a cultural center where you can witness skilled artisans demonstrate their traditional weaving techniques. The kids will also have the opportunity to interact with friendly llamas and alpacas and learn about their importance in Andean agriculture and daily life. Then, make a short stop at Mirador Taray for far-reaching views of the Sacred Valley on the way to the town of Pisac, situated along the Río Vilcanota.
When you arrive, meet Señor Vicente and enter his family home to learn about traditional Andean life and ancestral crafts that use prehispanic instruments. Following an introduction and meditation session, learn traditional Andean techniques to transform clay into a beautiful piece of pottery. Then, work alongside your kids as you bend, mold, and shape the clay under Vicente's expert guidance. When you're happy with your creations, leave them with Señor Vicente's family, who will dry, fire, and paint your pieces in traditional style and then deliver them to your hotel.
The adventure doesn't stop there, though, as you continue to Pisac Archaeological Park to see the well-preserved burial grounds, irrigation systems, and astronomy centers. As you explore the site, you'll also see the impressive agricultural terraces demonstrating the Incas' advanced farming techniques that allowed them to cultivate crops in the challenging mountainous terrain. End your day at a local hacienda (estate) for lunch made with local ingredients before transferring to your hotel in the Sacred Valley to check in.
Day 5: Full-Day Rafting Tour Along the Río Urubamba
Today's activity is sure to be memorable as you transfer 30 minutes to Pachar to go rafting through the Sacred Valley. Note that the minimum age (with previous experience) is eight. Complete a comprehensive safety briefing, don your equipment, and hop aboard your raft for a practice session on the calm sections of the Río Urubamba. When ready, start paddling through gentle waters (at first) toward the ancient town of Ollantaytambo and its Inca terraces. Along the way, you'll see traditional Peruvian villages and ancient Inca ruins, blending Peru's natural beauty and cultural heritage.
Then, navigate an exhilarating mix of Class II and III rapids, like Los Chacras, with its small drops, culminating at the thrilling El Resbaladero, known as "The Slide," with its small whirlpools and waves. After 1.5 hours on the water, you'll enjoy lunch at Tambo Apumayo, a riverside ecolodge. Savor authentic Andean cuisine overlooking Nevado Veronica, an iconic peak in the Sacred Valley. When you've finished eating, peruse the handmade products on offer that are made by local artisans, like intricate textiles and pottery, before returning to your hotel.
Day 6: Train to Aguas Calientes, Machu Picchu Tour
Leave the Sacred Valley behind and transfer two hours to Ollantaytambo, where you'll begin your three-hour journey on the Vistadome Observatory train to Aguas Calientes, your gateway to the UNESCO-listed Machu Picchu. Enjoy a lively welcome show featuring traditional Andean music and dance at the railway station, then climb aboard the luxurious train, which has panoramic windows and glass ceilings offering unobstructed views of the dramatic valleys, towering Andean mountains, and lush jungles you'll pass. For an even better view, head to the observatory car with its open-air balcony.
Enjoy a complimentary snack box and beverage as part of the onboard service while you relax in comfortable leather seating and listen to ambient music and audio guides detailing the region's history. Following the 1.5-hour train journey, transfer to the family-friendly Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel, where you'll meet your two local guides—one for the adults and one for the kids. Then, together, you'll catch the 20-30-minute bus up winding roads to Machu Picchu for a fun and educational family tour of the ancient citadel. When the kids tire, sit down and enjoy a box lunch, typically a sandwich, fruit, and a snack.
Each child will also receive an "explorer kit," which includes a backpack, map, a hat, a magnifying glass, and a stuffed toy named Allco—a Peruvian dog known as the guardian of the ruins. With their playful companion and dedicated guide, your children can explore the citadel and learn about its history and architecture while you engage a little deeper with your guide. After the four-hour tour, hop on the bus back to the hotel to enjoy its family-friendly amenities, like a kids' painting kit, board game rentals, and mini chef workshops. Following a busy day, enjoy a glass of chocolate milk before bed (just for the kids).
Day 7: Self-Guided Machu Picchu Hike, Transfer to Cusco
After a delicious "kids' breakfast" at the hotel and grabbing a piece of "cake of the day" for later, you can explore more of Machu Picchu at your own pace. For an active family adventure, choose a hike to see the ancient ruins from a higher perspective. One of the most popular is the 1.2-mile (2 km) round-trip trek to the summit of Huayna Picchu, the towering peak behind the citadel. Follow the narrow, stone-carved paths up the mountain, using the steel cables to aid your climb. When you reach the top, marvel at the panoramic views of the UNESCO-listed site surrounded by forested mountains and misty valleys.
Families who are looking for more of a challenge can hike to the summit of Machu Picchu Mountain. It's a 3.2-mile (5 km) round-trip trail, and the steep ascent and high altitude make it more difficult. The trail is typically less crowded than the one to Huayna Picchu but equally rewarding as you'll see the ruins from a higher elevation. After your trek, take the bus back to Aguas Calientes and enjoy lunch before your 1.5-hour return train journey to Ollantaytambo (complete with an Andean dance and baby alpaca fashion show on board). Meet your driver there for a two-hour land transfer to your hotel in Cusco.
Day 8: Walking Tour of Cusco, Visit the Planetarium Cusco
Get ready for a fun-packed, full-day family discovery tour of Cusco and its ancient surroundings. Start your day exploring Sacsayhuamán, a massive 15th-century Inca fortress where you'll uncover ancient mysteries while wandering among impressive stone walls, temple ruins, and ceremonial platforms. Next, stroll through the picturesque hillside neighborhood of San Blas, with its narrow cobbled streets, whitewashed adobe buildings, and a thriving community of artisans. Then, follow your guide to Plaza de Armas to admire the 17th-century Cusco Cathedral, built on top of an Inca palace.
Next up, dive into history at Qorikancha, also known as the Temple of the Sun. Dedicated to the sun god, Inti, this site blends Inca and colonial architecture, with the Santo Domingo Convent built by Spanish colonizers right on top of the ancient temple's foundations—a true treasure of Cusco! Finish the tour at the lively Mercado Central de San Pedro, where you'll discover vibrant produce, artisanal goods, and traditional Peruvian snacks. Treat the family to a fresh fruit smoothie as you explore the bustling market together.
If you and the children aren't too tired, visit the Planetarium Cusco in the evening to learn more about Inca cosmology. Discover how the Incas viewed the cosmos, including their interpretations of constellations and the importance of celestial bodies in their daily lives and agricultural cycles. After an engaging presentation, you'll have the chance to look at the night sky through powerful telescopes, where you can observe the Southern Hemisphere's stars, planets, and the Milky Way under Cusco's clear mountain skies.
Day 9: Fly to Lima, Depart
If your kids are early risers, take advantage of your last few hours in Peru with a visit to the ChocoMuseo. The museum offers a hands-on journey through the history and production of chocolate, from the ancient Maya and Aztec civilizations to modern techniques. Immerse yourself in the experience with a workshop to create your own chocolate treats or purchase some to take home from the gift shop. When it's time, return to the hotel to grab your bags, meet your driver, and transfer to the airport, where you'll catch a flight to Lima for your onward connection. Safe travels!
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