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Family Adventure In Peru

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Duration

12 Days

Starts In

Lima

Route

Lima, Paracas, Sacred Valley, Cusco , Lima

Peru is one of the great family adventure destinations on earth — a country of extraordinary contrasts where ancient civilizations, dramatic landscapes, and one of the world's most celebrated food cultures combine to deliver an experience that stays with children and adults long after the journey home. Over twelve unforgettable days your family will discover the bohemian streets and illuminated fountains of Lima, cruise among penguins and sea lions at the Ballestas Islands, race UTVs through coastal desert dunes, stand in awe before the ancient citadel of Machu Picchu, weave textiles with Quechua artisans in the Sacred Valley, and explore the extraordinary Inca stonework of Cusco — the most atmospheric city in the Americas. This is Peru at its most immersive, most adventurous, and most unforgettable. Welcome to the adventure of a lifetime.

Itinerary

Day
1

Day 1: Arrival in Lima

Touch down at Jorge Chávez International Airport and transfer privately to your hotel in Miraflores — Lima's most elegant district, perched dramatically above the Pacific Ocean. Spend the afternoon getting acquainted with the neighborhood at your own pace. The Malecón clifftop promenade delivers sweeping Pacific views; Larcomar shopping center sits cantilevered into the cliffside, and Parque Kennedy — famous for its resident cats — delights younger children immediately. For the historically curious, the ancient adobe pyramid of Huaca Pucllana rises unexpectedly from the middle of the neighborhood. Tonight, dinner at one of Miraflores' celebrated restaurants — order ceviche, causa, and lomo saltado, and let Peru's extraordinary food culture begin its work.

Day
2

Day 2: Bohemian Barranco & the Magic Water Circuit

Lima's most creative neighborhood delivers one of the trip's most memorable days. A guided tour of Bohemian Barranco winds through colorful Victorian mansions, extraordinary street art, and across the famous Bridge of Sighs — where holding your breath while crossing is said to grant a wish. Stop for an artisanal ice cream tasting featuring extraordinary Peruvian flavors like lucuma, chirimoya, and passion fruit. The MATE photography museum rewards curious teenagers, while Barranco's boardwalk stairways and clifftop views entertain everyone in between. As darkness falls, the Magic Water Circuit in Parque de la Reserva delivers a spectacular illuminated fountain and light show that leaves the whole family completely spellbound.

Day
3

Day 3: Transfer to Paracas

After breakfasting your private transfer heads south along the Panamerican Highway — a three-to-four-hour journey through a dramatic coastal desert where the Andes meet the Pacific in a landscape of extraordinary austere beauty. Arrive in Paracas and check into your hotel on the shores of the bay. The afternoon is intentionally unhurried — enjoy the hotel facilities, take a sunset walk along the Paracas waterfront promenade as the light turns golden over the bay, and wander El Chaco fishing port for fresh seafood at the local restaurants. The Paracas National Reserve stretches along the coastline in every direction, and the sense of having arrived somewhere genuinely wild settles immediately.

Day
4

Day 4: Ballestas Islands, Candelabra & Desert UTV Adventure

Paracas delivers its most extraordinary day. Rise early for a boat excursion to the Ballestas Islands — teeming with hundreds of thousands of Humboldt penguins, sea lions, pelicans, and cormorants in a wildlife spectacle that leaves children completely speechless. En route the boat passes the mysterious Candelabra geoglyph etched dramatically into the desert cliff face above the bay. In the afternoon, board UTVs for a high-speed desert treasure hunt adventure through the extraordinary sand dunes and coastal landscapes of the Paracas National Reserve. For families preferring a quieter alternative, guided kayaking along the protected bay shores offers equally beautiful scenery at a gentler pace. Return to the hotel for a celebratory sunset dinner.

Day
5

Day 5: Paracas – Lima – Cusco – Sacred Valley

A big travel day with extraordinary rewards at the end. Your private transfer returns north to Lima for your domestic flight to Cusco — the flight over the snow-capped Andes is itself a highlight, the peaks stretching in every direction far below. Land at Cusco's airport and continue directly by private transfer down into the Sacred Valley at 2,800 meters — a significant altitude relief after Cusco's 3,400 meters. Check into your hotel as the Andean evening settles over the mountains. Drink plenty of coca tea — the traditional Andean altitude remedy — enjoy the hotel's extraordinary facilities and embrace an early night. The valley and its treasures will await tomorrow.

Day
6

Day 6: Sacred Valley: Andean Culture, Pisac & Ollantaytambo

The Sacred Valley reveals its extraordinary depth today. Begin at Manos de la Comunidad where local Quechua women demonstrate ancient natural dyeing and hand weaving — inviting the family to try the techniques themselves in a genuinely moving cultural encounter. Continue to the vibrant Pisac Market where stalls overflow with handwoven textiles, silver jewelry, and painted ceramics — perfect for children practicing their Spanish bargaining skills. After lunch, explore Ollantaytambo — a living Inca town where ancient water channels still run through cobblestone streets and the extraordinary, terraced fortress rising above is one of the Sacred Valley's most impressive sights. The rooftop café overlooking the ruins is the perfect lunch stop.

Day
7

Day 7: Sacred Valley Stand Up Paddleboarding

An active and beautifully unhurried day in one of the world's most stunning natural settings. A guided stand up paddleboarding session on the Urubamba River puts the family on the water with snow-capped Andean peaks rising above and ancient Inca terraces stepping up the valley walls on both sides — a completely unique perspective on the Sacred Valley. The afternoon is entirely at leisure — adventurous families can explore the extraordinary circular terraces of Moray and the Maras salt mines, older children can tackle a guided mountain bike descent through the valley, or teenagers can zip-line above the Sacred Valley for an extraordinary aerial perspective. A spa evening back at the hotel rounds off a perfect day.

Day
8

Day 8: Sacred Valley – Machu Picchu – Cusco

The day the whole family has been building toward. Board the extraordinary Peru Rail Vistadome 360° train at Ollantaytambo — panoramic glass panels frame the breathtaking descent from high Andean valley into lush subtropical cloud forest alongside the Urubamba River gorge. Arrive in Aguas Calientes, board the bus up the mountain, and as the clouds part and Machu Picchu reveals itself in all its extraordinary glory — the whole family falls completely silent. A guided tour brings the ancient citadel vividly alive before lunch in Aguas Calientes — where a soak in the town's natural hot springs baths perfectly restores tired legs before the afternoon train back to Cusco.

Day
9

Day 9: Cusco City Highlights & Chocolate Experience

Cusco — the ancient capital of the Inca Empire — reveals its extraordinary layers today. Qorikancha, the Temple of the Sun, tells the story of the Spanish conquest through the extraordinary sight of Inca stonework of impossible precision forming the foundations of a Dominican convent built directly on top. At Sacsayhuamán, massive stone blocks weighing up to 300 tons fitted together without mortar leave children completely awestruck by the genius of Inca engineering. In the afternoon the family heads to the ChocoMuseo for a hands-on chocolate demonstration — grinding cacao beans, mixing ingredients, and creating handmade Peruvian chocolates to take home. The Plaza de Armas and San Pedro Market reward a colorful early evening wander.

Day
10

Day 10: Day at Leisure in Cusco

A completely free day to explore Cusco at your own unhurried pace. The cobblestone streets of San Blas neighborhood wind through artisan workshops and boutique galleries perfect for a slow morning wander — browse silver jewelry, alpaca textiles, and handmade ceramics along Calle Hatunrumiyoc for extraordinary gifts at excellent prices. Lunch at Chicha by Gastón Acurio or MAP Café inside the Pre-Columbian Art Museum delivers two of Cusco's finest dining experiences. The evening Planetarium astronomy session is extraordinary for families — exploring the Inca's remarkable knowledge of the southern hemisphere night sky in one of the world's finest stargazing locations. Active families can hike to the nearby ruins of Tambomachay and Puca Pucara in the morning.

Day
11

Day 11: Return to Lima

Fly back to Lima and transfer to your hotel for a final night in the capital. The afternoon explores Lima's extraordinary UNESCO-listed historic center — the grand Plaza Mayor, the baroque Cathedral, and the fascinating Convent of Santo Domingo built directly on top of an ancient Inca temple. A traditional churro tasting at a local Lima café — long, crispy, cinnamon-dusted churros served with thick Peruvian hot chocolate for dipping — is a highlight for children and adults alike. As the afternoon light softens, Parque del Amor on the Miraflores clifftop delivers a breathtaking Pacific sunset beneath the famous mosaic lovers' sculpture — one of Lima's most beautiful and memorable views.

Day
12

Day 12: Final Morning & Departure

A final leisurely morning in Miraflores — one last breakfast overlooking the Pacific, one last walk along the Malecón clifftop promenade, and one last browse through Larcomar and the boutique shops of Miraflores for alpaca scarves, pisco, chocolate, and handmade ceramics. Your private transfer arrives for the journey to Jorge Chávez International Airport. Peru gets deep under the skin of everyone who visits — the food, the history, the landscapes, and the warmth of the Peruvian people create a family experience of extraordinary depth and variety. You leave with suitcases full of artisan treasures, cameras full of unforgettable images, and a family full of shared memories that will last a lifetime.

Frequently Asked Questions

What destinations are included in the Family Adventure in Peru package?

The Family Adventure in Peru package includes the following destinations: Lima, Paracas, the Sacred Valley, and Cusco. The itinerary spans 12 days, with 2 nights in Lima, 2 nights in Paracas, 3 nights in the Sacred Valley, and 3 nights in Cusco, before returning to Lima for the final night.

How does transportation work between the cities in this itinerary?

Transportation in this itinerary is primarily handled through private transfers and domestic flights. You will have a private transfer from Lima to Paracas, and then back to Lima for your flight to Cusco. After arriving in Cusco, a private transfer will take you to the Sacred Valley. Most travel between destinations is designed to be comfortable and efficient, ensuring a smooth experience for your family.

Are meals included in the Family Adventure in Peru package?

This package includes select meals, particularly breakfast each day, and some special dining experiences, such as dinner in Miraflores and lunch in Aguas Calientes. However, many meals are not included, allowing for flexibility in dining choices. Travelers are encouraged to explore local cuisine at their leisure, especially in vibrant areas like Lima and Cusco.

Can we customize the activities or accommodations in this tour?

Yes, this itinerary can be customized to better suit your family's preferences. Keytours Vacations can assist you in selecting different accommodations, adding extra nights, or including optional activities such as guided mountain biking, zip-lining, or additional cultural experiences. Discuss your customization options with a Keytours travel consultant to tailor your adventure.

What kind of activities can we expect during our time in the Sacred Valley?

In the Sacred Valley, your family can engage in a variety of activities, including: - Learning about Andean culture through textile weaving with local artisans. - Visiting the Pisac Market for shopping and cultural immersion. - Exploring the ancient ruins of Ollantaytambo. - Stand up paddleboarding on the Urubamba River. - Optional activities like mountain biking or visiting the Maras salt mines are also available.

Is this itinerary suitable for families with young children?

Yes, the Family Adventure in Peru itinerary is designed to be family-friendly, with activities that engage children and adults alike. The pace is balanced with both guided excursions and leisure time, allowing families to explore at their own comfort level. Many activities, such as the boat trip to Ballestas Islands and the chocolate-making experience in Cusco, are particularly appealing to younger travelers.

What should we know about the altitude in Cusco and the Sacred Valley?

Cusco is located at a high altitude of 3,400 meters (11,200 feet), which can affect some travelers. The itinerary includes a stay in the Sacred Valley at a lower altitude of 2,800 meters (9,200 feet) to help acclimatize. It is recommended to drink coca tea and stay hydrated. If you have concerns about altitude sickness, consult with your healthcare provider before traveling.

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Include Flights?

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