Peru Family Adventure: Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca

Day 1: Arrival in Lima

On your arrival you have assistance at the Lima airport to walk to your hotel. Overnight at Costa del Sol Ramada

Day 2: Pisac, Native Association for Sustainable Livelihoods

Fly to Cusco and explore the Inca ruins of Sacsayhuaman, Kenko and Tambomachay. Drive down the valley of Ccorao to the town of Pisac in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Winding our way up dirt roads high in the Peruvian Andes we visit the Quechua-Aymara Association for Sustainable Livelihoods, a group of six native communities who have combined their communal land titles to manage them jointly for their collective benefit. Local families open up their homes and share with us their customs, way of life and traditional knowledge, particularly farming 1,200 different varieties of potatoes. Through ancient rituals they still practice today we are reminded of our common roots and dependence on nature through sustainable agriculture as they express their deep spiritual connections to the mountain Apus (spirits) and deep reverence for Pachamama, our Mother Earth. After a picnic lunch we walk through the Pisac market en route to our hotel in the Sacred Valley. Overnight at Sol y Luna.

Accomodations: Hotel Sol y Luna

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Sacred Valley Day of Adventure

Today is a day of adventure in and around the Sacred Valley of the Incas. First we ascend the Via Ferrata fixed rope climbing wall for an exciting non-technical climb up a rock face taking you high above the valley floor. Descend on an exciting 6-station 6,000’ foot long zip-line! We then drive to Ollantaytambo to amble among the ruins and ancient Temple of the Moon taking time to walk around the village. After lunch at a local restaurant, we drive up to Pumamarca ruins and begin a hike downhill among the vast Inca terracing and irrigation system of Choquecancha, restored by local Quechua farmers to the outskirts of Ollantaytambo. In the tradition of the Incas, we celebrate the earth today with a special ‘pago a la tierra’ - an Incan ceremony to the Pachamama asking permission for the use of the land, and giving thanks in advance for all it gives us. Overnight at Sol y Luna.

Accomodations: Hotel Sol y Luna

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 4: Mountain biking in the Andes

Today we head up into the high Andes past Ollantaytambo through the Tastayoc Valley to the Malaga Pass (4,650m). Crossing over the Andes we descend into the lush cloud forest of the Vilcabamba range for a mountain bike ride down the sinuous Andean road stopping to visit many of the Quechua families living in this highland cloud forest habitat. Descend further to the jungle outpost of Santa Teresa and our private luxury camp on the Urubamba River where toucans call to each other and parrots screech overhead on their way to roost for the evening. Overnight in full service jungle camp.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Inca Trail Hike to Llactapata and Machu Picchu

We depart camp for the remote trail-head of an original Inca Trail and hike 3-4 hours up through lush cloud forest over the Pallayata Pass (2,600m/8,500ft). This is one of the most beautiful protected remnants of an Inca Trail that leads to the recently discovered and extensive Inca ruins complex of Llactapata. Our Wildland guide shows us hidden structures most hikers miss including a sun temple, residential areas, and remnants still unexcavated just as Hiram Bingham stumbled upon them in 1912. We enjoy lunch on a meadow with spectacular views of Machu Picchu’s legendary Watchman’s Tower. Descending a winding trail to the Urubamba River through lush bamboo forests, we cross a long, hanging bridge under a waterfall where the trail ends. We catch the local train for a short ride up the tracks to the village of Aguas Calientes to check into our hotel. Overnight at the Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel.

Accomodations: Hotel Machu Picchu Pueblo

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Full day in Machu Picchu

Be among the first to arrive in Machu Picchu. Our guide will accompany us on an orientation walk through the mysterious maze of streets and stone buildings of this magnificent site. Enjoy the rest of the day to explore and photograph the most impressive archaeological monument in the Andes at your own pace. Visit the temples of Inca royalty and see the Intiwatana, the ancient stone sun dial. Lunch at the Sanctuary Lodge or restaurant in town. Dinner & Overnight at Inkaterra Machu Pichu Pueblo Hotel.

Accomodations: Hotel Machu Picchu Pueblo

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7: Machu Picchu to Cusco

Return to Machu Picchu for personal unguided exploration; enjoy contemplating, exploring and photographing the most impressive archaeological monument in South America wandering through the mysterious maze of streets and stone buildings in this magnificent citadel. Afternoon return by train to a station in the Urubamba Valley where we transfer by private vehicle back to Cusco arriving by evening to our hotel. Overnight at the Casa Andina Private Collection.

Accomodations: Casa Andina Private Collection Cusco

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 8: Cusco Walking Tour and Cooking Lesson

We set out this morning on a walking guided tour of ancient Inca temples, Spanish churches and the surrounding ruins of Sacsayhuaman, Qenko, Puca Pucara and Tambo Machay. In the early afternoon we visit Cusco’s food market, where our Chef discusses the different local ingredients and hallmarks of Peruvian cuisine. Interact with local producers and suppliers, purchasing produce directly from them, a whole experiential sojourn in a traditional Andean market. You’ll then join the Chef at his house for a private culinary lesson, starting, of course, with the preparation of the famous Pisco Sour (virgin for the kids!) then entrées and main courses. Finally, enjoy the fruits of your labors with a typical meal in a family home. Late afternoon and evening are free for shopping and enjoying the restaurants and nightlife of this vibrant city in the Andes. Overnight at Casa Andina Private Collection

Accomodations: Casa Andina Private Collection Cusco

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 9: Lake Titicaca

Fly to Juliaca and transfer to your hotel, a short distance outside of Puno, right on the shores of Lake Titicaca. Board a private boat and explore The Uros Islands, a group of 70 man-made islands floating in Lake Titicaca at an altitude of 12,500 feet in the altiplano, or high plains of the Andes between Peru and Bolivia. For centuries, the native Uros people have centered their life around one plant, the totora reed. The Uros created their own island habitat out of reed: the foundation, their homes and boats and using a part of the plant in their diet. Today, the Uros maintain agricultural lands on the mainland and invite travelers to visit their island communities. Your guide will help explain the mythology of the Uros islands and the history of their people and you may have a chance to ride in one of their reed boats. Return to the mainland for overnight at Casa Andina Private Collection Puno

Accomodations: Casa Andina Private Collection Puno

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 10: Kayaking Lake Titicaca and Taquile Island Stay

Travel by car to the town of Llachón on the Capachica Peninsula where you’ll have breakfast and meet with members of the community as they prepare for their day of fishing, farming and sailing. Kayak across the channel from Llachon to Taquile. The island is rich in vibrant images - from the busy main square with colorful markets and weavers to Pre-Incan ruins crowning the central hills. Our guide escorts us on less-visited footpaths around the island and introduce us to locals and town elders. Explore the town, enjoying lunch, followed by dinner and over night at a lodge run by local community members. Accommodations are simple yet comfortable and we are offered an exclusive glimpse of island life after the tourist boats have departed. Overnight at Tika Wasi Rural Lodge.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11: Lake Titicaca to Lima

Early morning and breakfast on Taquile, observing the rich weaving traditions of the island, an art that uniquely, is performed almost exclusively by the men. Boat departure back to Puno. En route to the airport we stop to visit the Chincheros Hacienda, a breeding farm for llamas and alpacas, and time permitting the ancient Sillustani Burial Tombs. Fly to Lima and transfer to our hotel in Miraflores. Overnight at Casa Andina Private Collection

Accomodations: Casa Andina Private Collection Miraflores

Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 12: Lima

Spend your last day in Peru on two wheels exploring colonial and modern Lima, the capital of Peru. Starting at the hotel our cycling guide leads us through the residential streets of Miraflores and San Isidro, the historic and elegant neighborhood of Santa Beatriz, Exposition Park, San Martin Square, the Main Plaza, the Cathedral of Lima, and the San Francisco monastery, stopping at historical Cordano restaurant near the Governor’s Palace for lunch. Evening transfer to the airport for international departure.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch