Peru Family Journey: Machu Picchu to the Amazon
Peru Family Journey: Machu Picchu to the Amazon
10 Days Starting and ending in Lima, Peru
Visiting: Lima, Cusco, Sacred Valley, Ollantaytambo, Aguas Calientes, Machu Picchu, Tambopata National Reserve, Tambopata
Tour operator:
Tour code:
25158
Specialist Group:
Family/Kids
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 20
Age range:
7-
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians, Vegans
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Cultural, Eco Conscious, Gardens & Nature Tours, Wildlife Tours
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable family adventure with the "Peru Family Journey: Machu Picchu to the Amazon" tour. This immersive experience takes you from the ancient Inca ruins of Machu Picchu to the lush biodiversity of the Peruvian Amazon. Explore the Sacred Valley, visit a women's weaving cooperative, and enjoy a farm-to-table lunch at a community-run restaurant. Discover the wonders of the rainforest with guided hikes and canoe excursions, and learn about the constellations at the Cusco Planetarium. Travel in comfort with private van, plane, train, and boat transport, and stay in a mix of hotels and an Amazon lodge. This small group tour, part of the National Geographic Family Journeys, offers an upgraded adventure perfect for families seeking cultural and natural exploration.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Lima
Location: Lima
Accommodation: Hotel Antigua Miraflores
Accommodation Name: Hotel Antigua Miraflores
Welcome to Lima–your arrival transfer to the hotel is included. Check in and get excited to meet your fellow travelers during a welcome meeting this evening where all families can bond before the Journey ahead.
Additional Information: 1) The Lima Cooking Class comes highly recommended for families with children keenly interested in cooking, and learning more about local cuisine and ingredients. Please note, the pisco sour offered during the cooking class is for adults only.
2) Note that hot water shortages and power outages can be fairly common in Peru (even in upgraded hotels and private homes). We appreciate your patience and understanding that these occurrences are outside of our control.
3) There are some very early morning starts on this trip to make the best use of our time and see as much as we can of Peru as we can.
TRANSPORT: Sit back and relax during your included transfer from the airport in Lima to your joining hotel.
ACTIVITY: Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
Day 2: Lima/Sacred Valley of the Inca
Location: Lima, Cusco, Sacred Valley
Accommodation: Hotel Mabey Urubamba
Accommodation Name: Hotel Mabey Urubamba
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Board an early flight to Cusco, the gateway to Peru's Inca heartland. Take in spectacular Andean scenery as we drive north into Urubamba Valley—also known as the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Arrive at Piuray Lake, an azure oasis framed by snowcapped peaks. Enjoy a lakeside lunch and soak up free time amid the mountain views. Continue to your hotel and settle in before dinner.
Additional Information: This trip travels to high altitude, medically defined as anything over 8,000 ft (2,440m).
TRANSPORT: Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.
TRANSPORT: Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
ACTIVITY: Make your first stop in the Andes to have a picnic lunch and take in the snow-capped mountains. Choose to relax after lunch, breathe in the fresh air or opt to go out for a kayak, explore on a stand-up paddleboard, or on a CEO-led walk to point out local flora and fauna.
TRANSPORT: Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Day 3: Sacred Valley of the Inca
Location: Sacred Valley
Accommodation: Hotel Mabey Urubamba
Accommodation Name: Hotel Mabey Urubamba
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Begin the day with a visit to a G Adventures–supported women’s weaving cooperative, where we’ll observe traditional weaving and dying techniques and meet some of the weavers. Next, test your Spanish skills as you bargain with vendors at the famed Pisac Market—a wonderland of colorful Quechua handicrafts. Break for a farm-to-table lunch at the G Adventures–supported Parwa Community Restaurant, tasting Peruvian dishes while learning how this resident-run restaurant helps fund community projects. In the afternoon, opt to relax at our hotel or visit the Inca ruins of Moray and the salt pans of Maras.
TRANSPORT: Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
ACTIVITY: Visit the Ccaccaccollo community centre which G Adventures travellers' donations helped create in 2005, thereby enabling local women to sell traditional textiles to travellers. See local weaving and dyeing techniques used to create garments and souvenirs, and learn how the Planeterra weaving co-operative has impacted the community and those who visit it. This includes the purchase of alpacas to provide a steady supply of wool, looms, and sewing machines as well as several training courses on production, sales and small business management.
ACTIVITY: Contribute to sustainable tourism in Huchuy Qosqo, a small village of 65 families in the Sacred Valley, by eating at the Parwa Community Restaurant. Learn how the resident-run restaurant was kickstarted by G Adventures and the Multilateral Investment Fund, to become a successful farm-to-table program that boosts the local economy and several spin-off microenterprises.
Day 4: Sacred Valley of the Inca/Aguas Calientes
Location: Ollantaytambo, Aguas Calientes
Meals Included: Breakfast
Explore the former Inca stronghold of Ollantaytambo, stepping back in time amid ancient terraces, storehouses, and an enormous temple-fortress. Then hop aboard a train for the journey through the Urubamba Valley to the end of the line: Aguas Calientes, a frontier town nestled beneath Machu Picchu. The afternoon is free for optional excursions, including a visit to a butterfly farm or to the nearby hot springs.
Additional Information: The town has several amenities, but is also geographically remote meaning services are sometimes more basic than one would assume. As the only option for travellers visiting Machu Picchu, the development of infrastructure has happened quite quickly, much without proper planning, and the focus on providing quality service may not be up to the standards experienced in other parts of the country.
TRANSPORT: Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
ACTIVITY: Tour the town and fortress of Ollantaytambo with a local guide. Take a step back in time at this Inca archaeological site; it still shows signs of its former glory, including agricultural terraces, a Temple Hill, and storehouses. Learn how the area, overlooking the Urubamba River Valley, was an important stronghold during warfare between the Spanish and Incas.
TRANSPORT: Climb aboard, take a seat, and enjoy the ride.
FREE TIME: Enjoy free time to explore Aguas Calientes, opt to visit the hot springs for which the town was named or a nearby waterfall.
Day 5: Machu Picchu
Location: Machu Picchu, Ollantaytambo, Cusco
Accommodation: Taypikala Hotel Cusco Nat GEO
Accommodation Name: Taypikala Hotel Cusco
Meals Included: Breakfast
Rise and shine! After a light breakfast, head to Machu Picchu to see the citadel in the early morning light, before the crowds arrive. Spend the morning exploring the ruins with our guides and pondering the mysteries of this “lost” city of the Inca, forgotten at the Spanish conquest and rediscovered in 1911 by Hiram Bingham with support from National Geographic. This afternoon, return by train to Ollantaytambo and transfer to Cusco.
TRANSPORT: Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.
ACTIVITY: Set off with the local guide to explore Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas. Learn about the history and gain insights into this massive mountaintop citadel while wandering through ancient dwellings, stone temples and along sculpted terraces. Feel the energy of this 15th-century site, now both a UNESCO World Heritage site and voted one of the new Seven Wonders of the World in a worldwide internet poll.
TRANSPORT: Climb aboard, take a seat, and enjoy the ride.
TRANSPORT: Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Day 6: Cusco
Location: Cusco
Accommodation: Taypikala Hotel Cusco Nat GEO
Accommodation Name: Taypikala Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Set out to explore the beautiful streets and plazas of Cusco, once lavishly adorned with Inca gold that was stolen by the Spanish during the conquest. Visit the sprawling San Pedro Market, where you’ll find everything from pickled snakes to savory tamales, and visit the Machu Picchu Museum to see an array of Inca artifacts that were discovered at Machu Picchu. Later, enjoy a star-filled evening at the Cusco Planetarium, learning about the importance of astronomy to the ancient Inca and peering at the glittering night sky through high-powered telescopes.
ACTIVITY: Set off on foot to explore the Plaza de Armas (main square) and discover the vast history of this Incan city. Take in the sights while learning about the Spanish conquest, archaeology, and other historical facts about Cusco. Finally, wander the food and shop stalls in San Pedro Market where all of your senses will come to life. Pick up some souvenirs, from magnets to Pachamama dolls, and try local street fares like salchipapas (fried sausages and potatoes), or empanadas at this authentically Peruvian market.
ACTIVITY: Get an in-depth look at Inca history and learn more about Hiram Bingham, the American archaeologist and explorer that discovered Machu Picchu. The museum holds the largest collection of Inca artifacts excavated from Machu Picchu. Your guide will point out items of interest so you walk away feeling like an explorer yourself.
FREE TIME: Enjoy free time to explore opt to visit museums, participate in a chocolate workshop, or people watch in a café on the main square.
ACTIVITY: Look to the night sky for a different view of the city. Explore the Cusco Planetarium surrounded by the serene nature of the Llaullipata Ecological Reserve. Enjoy a presentation on the southern sky, contemporary astronomy, and the ancient Incas’ relationship with the cosmos. Check out the on-site museum and use the telescopes to admire the stars (weather-permitting).
Day 7: Cusco/Tambopata National Reserve
Location: Cusco, Tambopata National Reserve
Accommodation: Tambopata Lodge
Accommodation Name: Tambopata Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today, we set out to discover a wilder side of Peru! Catch a morning flight to Puerto Maldonado, then continue by motorized canoe along the Tambopata River to our jungle lodge in the Amazon rainforest. Have lunch on board the boat and keep an eye out for wildlife and birds along the way. Upon arrival, settle into your thatched lodging, situated near Tambopata National Reserve—a biodiversity hotspot. In the afternoon, join a naturalist guide to seek out the wildlife of the rainforest—from colorful butterflies to huge spiders—and learn the uses for medicinal and other forest plant resources through traditional techniques.
En route, spot bird species typical of the local river and forest edge. The Tambopata Rainforest area holds the world record for the most bird sightings in one area.
Local community members make up the majority of lodge staff, including multilingual naturalist guides. Take the opportunity to learn about the area’s rich flora and fauna and locals' extensive use of medicinal plants and other forest plant resources.
The lodge itself combines local architectural style and materials with low-impact, eco-friendly technology. Rooms are simple but comfortable, with mosquito netting for individual beds, flush toilets, and showers (with solar-heated hot water). Please bring a small battery powered lantern or flashlight.
Additional Information: After a brief stop in town to store large luggage, drive to the pier and travel by covered motorized boat to the jungle lodge. Be prepared to protect yourself from the sun and bugs before you get on the boat. It's quite pleasant with the covered roof and breeze, but you can still get sunburned. It's recommended to wear light long sleeves and trousers on the boat.
TRANSPORT: Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.
TRANSPORT: Climb in and move swiftly through the water to the next stop.
ACTIVITY: Get the lowdown on local flora and fauna, and grab a flashlight to discover what’s living around lodge grounds. Receive help from the talented, expert naturalist guide to locate heaps of hidden creatures! Keep an eye out for snakes, tarantulas, owls, and poison dart frogs, just to name a few.
Day 8: Tambopata National Reserve
Location: Tambopata National Reserve
Accommodation: Tambopata Lodge
Accommodation Name: Tambopata Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Grab your binoculars and head out with naturalist guides to explore the rainforest’s complex ecosystems. Search the forest canopy where colorful toucans, boisterous howler monkeys, and sloths may be spotted. Hike to an oxbow lake, and paddle dugout canoes to glimpse river otters, turtles, and, if we’re lucky, an anaconda or two! This evening we’ll venture out in a motorized canoe to spot the jungle’s elusive nocturnal species. If we're lucky we'll spot caimans, the smaller cousins of alligators, hiding along the muddy banks.
Additional Information: Activities in the rainforest are completely weather dependent and can change based on local conditions. Your CEO and local guide will review the daily schedule with you.
ACTIVITY: Enjoy visits to oxbow lakes to learn about the jungle and its inhabitants. Be introduced to the area’s rich flora and fauna by expert naturalist guides, who can teach extensive uses for medicinal and other forest plant resources through traditional techniques. Be prepared to go early morning or evening to avoid the heat of midday. Enjoy a leisurely pace – the trip requires some walking, but nothing too strenuous.
FREE TIME: AFTERNOON Take time to relax during the mid-day heat or go for a swim in the river.
ACTIVITY: Head out after dark by motorized canoe to search for caimans on the river banks. Enjoy a lesson on caimans from the expert guide. Take advantage of the keen eyes of the expert naturalist guides – they are truly spectacular at spotting these elusive smaller cousins of alligators hiding on the muddy banks.
Day 9: Tambopata National Reserve/Lima
Location: Tambopata, Lima
Accommodation: Hotel Antigua Miraflores
Accommodation Name: Hotel Antigua Miraflores
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Enjoy a final breakfast at our lodge, then board a motorized canoe and return upriver to Puerto Maldonado. Fly to Lima and check in to our hotel. This evening, celebrate our adventure at the farewell dinner.
TRANSPORT: Climb in and move swiftly through the water to the next stop.
TRANSPORT: Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.
Day 10: Lima
Location: Lima
Meals Included: Breakfast
Depart at any time.
ACTIVITY: Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.
What's Included
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Accommodation
Hotels (7 nts), Amazon Lodge (2 nts) -
Meals
9 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners -
Cusco Planetarium Visit
Your journey includes a highlight moment at the Cusco Planetarium.
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Ccaccaccollo Community and Women's Weaving Co-op Visit
Experience a G for Good moment with a visit to the Ccaccaccollo Community and Women's Weaving Co-op.
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Parwa Community Restaurant Visit
Enjoy a G for Good moment at the Parwa Community Restaurant in the Sacred Valley.
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Welcome Moment
Meet your CEO and group during the welcome moment.
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Piuray Lake Picnic
Experience a family journey moment with a picnic at Piuray Lake.
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Arrival Transfer
Your arrival transfer is included.
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Sacred Valley Tour
Enjoy a tour of the Sacred Valley including the Ollantaytambo ruins.
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Guided Tour of Machu Picchu
A guided tour of Machu Picchu is included.
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San Pedro Market Visit
Visit the San Pedro Market as part of your journey.
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Machu Picchu Museum Visit
Explore the Machu Picchu Museum during your trip.
What's Not Included
Tipping and Gratuities
Tipping and gratuities are not included in the tour price.
Transport
Private van, plane, train, boatMeals Included
9 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinnersAccommodation
Enjoy comfortable stays in hotels for 7 nights and immerse yourself in nature with 2 nights at an Amazon Lodge, offering a blend of local architectural style and eco-friendly technology.Meals
Some meals are included in the trip price, while others are not, to allow flexibility and choice to you and your family. For non-included meals our CEOs will still make arrangements for the group to eat together, which allows you to taste a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each other's company. There is no obligation to do this though. For all trips please refer to the meals included and budget information for included meals and approximate budget (per person) for meals not included.
Throughout this trip, breakfast is included daily (ranging from continental to buffet depending on the trip). Drinking water is available throughout (don't forget your refillable water bottle as you will have access to either filtered water from hotels or as made available by the CEO). Healthy, local snacks will also be available.
Note that any special meal requirements or dietary restrictions need to be specified at time of booking.
Solo Travellers
We believe solo travellers should not have to pay more to travel so our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Odd number adult travellers in your family will be paired in twin accommodation with another adult traveller of the same sex for the duration of the trip.Mode of Transport
Travel in style with private vans, planes, trains, and boats, ensuring a seamless journey through Peru's diverse landscapes, from the bustling city of Lima to the serene Amazon rainforest.Minimum Age
Minimum age of 7 years for this trip.Important Notes
2. Please note that on all Family Adventures one adult can only accompany up to two minors. If you have over two minors planning on travelling then a second adult will be required to attend.
3. MACHU PICCHU REGULATIONS
Current and correct passport details are required at time of confirmation. For more details please see the following page . Please also note that regulations have been implemented for all visitors to Machu Picchu which require that different circuits be followed within the site as a way to relieve crowding. The new circuit-based entrance tickets are available on a first come first serve basis. We will do all that is possible to get everyone traveling in a group on the same route, but be aware that it is possible that members of the same group might be visiting Machu Picchu on a different circuit and not be together during this visit. Rest assured that regardless of the circuit you will enjoy the beauty and grandeur of the site.
4. INTERNATIONAL TICKET NUMBER
All travellers are required to pay the tax on domestic flights in Peru. Foreign travellers are exempt form this, and proving you are indeed a foreign traveller can be done by providing us with your international ticket number (ITN). Travellers who do not submit international ticket numbers at least 30 days prior to Day 1 of their tour will be required to pay the domestic tax on all included flights.
5. ITINERARY PACE
This is a very fast paced itinerary which covers lots of ground. While this is great as it allows us to see a huge amount in the available time, it also means some early starts.
6. FAMILY INSURANCE
Options for family travel insurance are available. Please enquire with your Family Trip Specialist for more information.
7. ACCOMMODATION NOTE:
Please be aware that properties we stay in with only two stories may not have elevators installed and climbing the stairs with your luggage will be necessary.
Group Leader
About Accommodation
Please remember that hotel/lodge standards can be different from what you are used to in your home country, which is part of the appeal of adventure travel.
What to Take
You will be on the move a lot, so our advice is to pack as lightly as possible. Your baggage should be clearly labelled and restricted to one soft compact suitcase, sports bag, or backpack. A daypack is also essential for carrying everyday items. Space is limited on transportation, so there is a limit of one main piece of luggage per person. Porters may not always be available, so be prepared to carry your own bags.Spending Money
Every traveller is different and therefore spending money requirements will vary. Some travellers may drink more than others while other travellers like to purchase more souvenirs than most. Please consider your own spending habits when it comes to allowing for drinks, shopping and tipping. Please also remember the following specific recommendations when planning your trip.Check out our Q&As
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What kind of transportation is used during the tour?
The tour uses a variety of transportation methods including private vans, planes, trains, and boats to move between destinations and activities.
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What type of accommodation is provided during the tour?
Accommodation includes hotels for 7 nights and an Amazon Lodge for 2 nights, offering a mix of comfort and adventure.
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Are there any special activities for families during the tour?
Yes, the tour includes a Family Journeys Moment with a picnic at Piuray Lake, allowing families to enjoy the scenic views and engage in optional activities like kayaking or paddleboarding.
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What can we expect during the visit to the Amazon rainforest?
In the Amazon rainforest, you will stay at a jungle lodge near Tambopata National Reserve. Activities include guided walks with naturalist guides to explore the rainforest's biodiversity, spotting wildlife such as toucans, monkeys, and caimans, and learning about the uses of medicinal plants.
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What is the focus of the visit to the Cusco Planetarium?
The visit to the Cusco Planetarium focuses on learning about the constellations of the Southern Hemisphere and the ancient Inca's relationship with the cosmos. You will also have the opportunity to peer through telescopes to observe the night sky.
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What is the significance of the visit to the women's weaving cooperative?
The visit to the women's weaving cooperative in Ccaccaccollo allows you to observe traditional weaving and dyeing techniques and learn about the impact of the Planeterra weaving co-operative on the local community.
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What kind of meals are included in the tour?
The tour includes 9 breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 3 dinners. Meals are a mix of local cuisine and farm-to-table experiences, such as the lunch at the Parwa Community Restaurant in the Sacred Valley.
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Is there a minimum age requirement for this tour?
Yes, the minimum age for this tour is 7 years, making it suitable for families with children.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
G Adventures was established in 1990
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Most of our trips do not have a single supplement. This means that the accommodation is on a twin share basis and, if travelling on your own, you will be sharing a room with another G Adventures traveller of the same sex. Some tours have an optional single supplement. An optional service that may be available is called "My Own Room". This service allows solo travellers to request their own room.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
It's extremely difficult if not impossible to join a tour after it has begun. It is possible to leave a tour early however you will be responsible for your own arrangements from the moment you decide to leave the tour. You would also be responsible for all costs associated with joining a tour late or leaving one early. If you feel this may be necessary, please consult us before you book.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
https://www.gadventures.com/travel-with-confidence/
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
https://www.gadventures.com/about-us/core-values/
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Low Deposit
G Adventures requires a minimum deposit of 350 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of g adventures charges.
Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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