Peru Family Adventure

The Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu

Trip Details

Itinerary

Day 1: Overnight in Lima

Arrive into Lima, City of Kings, and the cultural, financial, and political capital of Peru. With most flights arriving in the evening, and a morning flight to Cusco tomorrow, retreat to a hotel near the airport. 

Days 2-4: Sacred Valley of the Inca

Catch a morning flight to Cusco, gateway to the world of the Inca! From Cusco, travel to Sacred Valley, with fascinating stops en route – a weaving cooperative, markets, and ruins. With a central base at fabulous Sol y Luna Lodge, daily outings take you out and about in Sacred Valley with ease. Saddle up on Peruvian Paso Fino horses for a ride to the Maras salt works and unique Inca ruins of Moray. Visit the Andean community of Willoq to observe the complex processes used to make wool clothing and blankets. Hike to see the striking terraces, water canals, and traditional Inca stone architecture of Pumamarca ruins. Evenings are spent enjoying meals at the lodge and the onsite swimming pool, tennis court, spa, and courtyard. 

Day 5: Urubamba River and Sky Lodge

Immerse even deeper into Sacred Valley on a whitewater rafting trip on the Urubamba River, featuring mountain views, archaeological ruins, small villages, and farms. After lunch in a small village, head to the one-and-only Sky Lodge. Sky Lodge Adventure Suites is a transparent “luxury capsule” hanging from a mountaintop, overlooking the Sacred Valley. By way of “Via Ferrata” (metal ladders), arrive at the lodge, crafted from aerospace aluminum and polycarbonate. Each pod has a private bath, dining area, and 360-degree Sacred Valley views. After a delicious dinner, keep an eye out for condors, take in the sunset, and sleep well! 

Day 6: Machu Picchu and Aguas Caliente

An extraordinary day awaits! After coffee, harness up and zipline down, down, down, to the town of Ollantaytambo. Back on terra firma, a train trip to Aguas Calientes puts you at the foot of Machu Picchu. Upon arrival in town, settle into your pretty, whitewashed guest cottage at the Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel, and enjoy a leisurely evening. 

Day 7: Machu Picchu and Cusco

Rise early to visit the other-worldly ruins at Machu Picchu. Mid-morning, hike to the top of Huayna for an alternative view from high above the “lost city.” Take much of the day to explore, then return by train to Ollantaytambo, and continue down to Cusco. Spend the night in a colonial manor house near Cusco’s main square. 

Day 8: Cusco

This morning, enjoy a thorough exploration of the city of Cusco on foot, including many fascinating sites built by the Inca, the Spanish, and some that pre-date both empires! After a farewell lunch in one of Cusco's best restaurants, spend the afternoon exploring on your own – ruins, markets, museums, and more. 

Day 9: Lima

Fly from Cusco to Lima, spend time exploring Lima, then catch an evening flight home.

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