Peru Unplugged: An Immersive Family Adventure

When planning a family-friendly adventure in Peru, a vast array of experiences and destinations awaits, promising memories that will forever hold a special place in your hearts. With such an abundance of options, expert guidance is essential to curate a seamless and personalized journey. By enlisting the services of a knowledgeable travel advisor familiar with Peru's wonders, you can be confident that every aspect of your trip will be carefully customized, ensuring an enjoyable experience with a meticulously-crafted itinerary. Let this adventure be a testament to the magic of Peru and the connections that are created as you navigate this extraordinary land.

Lima

For most travelers, a journey in Peru will begin and end in Lima. This city is a fantastic setting to start your adventure. With its metropolitan vibe and beautiful beaches, Lima sets the stage for exploration. Many excellent accommodations are available, from luxurious modern high-rises with ocean views such as Miraflores Park to elegant hotels with a Spanish-colonial aesthetic like Country Club Lima. While the colonial era of Peru represents a complex period in its history, the enduring architecture of that time continues to be a prominent and captivating feature of nearly every city in the country.

A stay in Lima offers a variety of interesting day trips. These are a few ideas:

• Visit the coastal city of Ica and its nearby village of Huacachina, a sand dune-surrounded desert oasis.

• Explore Paracas National Reserve and take a boat trip to Ballestas Islands, often referred to as the ‘Galapagos of Peru.’

• Discover ancient archaeological sites such as Caral and Pachacamac. Fly in a plane over the mysterious Nazca Lines.

Even if you never leave the city, Lima offers a wealth of experiences, including watersports, foodie tours, museums, and art galleries, making it an excellent introduction to Peruvian culture and its unique cuisine. With staple foods like potatoes, corn, and quinoa, the local dishes cater well to plant-based and gluten free diets. Lima boasts a plethora of excellent and diverse culinary options available not only within the city but also throughout the country.

The Andes

There are so many interesting experiences in the Andes region of Peru that I cannot list them all here. Suffice it to say that Cusco and its surrounding areas offer a multitude of family-friendly excursions.

• Machu Picchu is, of course, the most well-known attraction in the country and one of the ‘New 7 Wonders of the World’. This ancient fortress built high into the mountains remains a unique and beautiful destination. If you have young children, you can visit via Peru Rail’s Vistadome train or Belmond’s luxury Hiram Bingham train. For older children and families with an active lifestyle, an excellent option is to trek on the ‘Short Inca Trail’, a 2-day, 1-night excursion that includes an approximate 6-hour hike on the last portion of the Inca Trail leading to Machu Picchu. For very adventurous family groups with teenagers and older, there are many multi-day trekking and camping/glamping options, including the newer Inca Jungle Trek, which involves mountain biking and river rafting before reaching the Machu Picchu citadel.

• Valle Sagrado ('Sacred Valley'), with the town of Ollantaytambo and its surrounding areas, makes for an excellent home base. It is recommended to stay in the Sacred Valley after first arriving in the mountains to acclimate to the altitude. The Sacred Valley offers many wonderful accommodation options, including rustic yet comfortable B&Bs and luxury properties such as the beautiful 5-star all-inclusive lodge at Explora Valle Sagrado. There is even a hotel with transparent suites hanging cliffside 400 meters above the ground! (for families with members aged 15 years or older). Cultural and active exploration opportunities abound within and around the Sacred Valley.

• No journey to the Peruvian Andes would be complete without staying in Cusco, where the regional airport is located. The city boasts many excellent hotels, including Palacio del Inka, whose suites offer spacious accommodations for families. Dining in Cusco is world-class and unique due to its location being central to Peru’s various growing regions. The 300+ year old San Pedro Market is a must-visit, as well as the nearby ancient sites of Sacsayhuamán and my personal favorite, the Temple of the Moon.

The Amazon

Peru’s Amazonian region is a special addition to any family travel itinerary. There are two main options for ports of embarkation into the jungle: Puerto Maldonado or Iquitos. Both areas offer incredible wildlife viewing and cultural connections with tribal communities. Comfortable river eco-lodges offer packages that include all food, transfers, and activities. There are several excellent lodges at a variety of price points, to fit your trip budget and desired level of accommodations.

Additionally, there is a spectacular award-winning river cruise offered out of Iquitos on the Aria Amazon, a 5-star ‘floating boutique hotel’. This luxury eco-friendly ship boasts 16 suites, each with floor-to-ceiling windows. Small-group off-ship excursions are conducted by highly-experienced naturalist guides, offering the best opportunities to learn about the wildlife and local communities.

A journey to the Amazon rainforest in Peru is a truly life-enriching experience.

Lima:

• Limana

• Market 770

• Nanka

• La Verde Bio Factoria

Cusco:

• Green Point

• Organika

• Chia Vegan Restaurant

Sacred Valley

• Restaurante Hawa

• El Albergue Restaurant