8-Day Machu Picchu Family Adventure

Today, you head to our water sports centre on the shores of Lake Huaypo for some active options. Set amongst fields of corn with fantastic views across to the snow-capped Vilcanota mountains, this is a relaxing rural setting and the perfect place to acclimatise and enjoy some fun on the water.

Choose between exploring the lake on our Stand-Up Paddleboards or Sit On Top Kayaks. Once fully kitted up in wetsuits, booties and life jackets, your expert guide will give you full instruction on these easy-to-use crafts before you head out through the reeds and onto the lake itself.

To paddle across lake Huaypo is a magical experience as you glide along enjoying spectacular views of the Andes mountains and the local farms and hopefully glimpse some of the birdlife that use Huaypo as a migration base including the rare Andean Flamingo. On the far side of the lake, we enjoy some snacks before heading back to our base in time for hot showers and lunch.

Today’s lunch is made on-site with local products and freshly prepared natural drinks. This could be a delicious buffet or an upgrade to either a traditional Pachamanca pit roast of meat and vegetables or a cooking display of traditional Peruvian dishes.

There’s time to relax in our hammocks and enjoy the stunning views before we say farewell to Huaypo and take a dirt road to the incredible ruins of Moray. These rarely visited circular ruins are thought to have been agricultural experimental stations in the times of the Incas.

After visiting the ruins, we head back across the plains through the interesting town of Maras to visit the amazing Salineras, a series of salt pans that have been worked since Inca times.

We explore this amazing site before finally returning to our hotel after a full day of fun, culture, fine dining and history.

Night at La Casona Yucay (Premium room-Modern)

Included: Lakeside base facilities – Changing-room, Showers, Toilets, English-speaking guide, Transport, Maras salt-pans entrance fee, All white-water & safety equipment, Stand-up paddle board or Sit-on-top kayak, Wetsuit, Boots, Buoyancy aid, Splash jacket, Snacks & water, Lunch, Room & breakfast next day

​We start this ride just outside the town of Urubamba on a rarely used dirt road.

Following full instruction in the art of E-biking (Full suspension, Electric Assisted, Mountain bikes), we set off along the Sacred Valley, passing small hamlets, through fields of potatoes and giant corn and enjoying the views as we effortlessly whizz along.

Our e-bike fleet has extra-small and extra-large bikes, making this a trip perfect for all ages, abilities and sizes.

We cross the Urubamba river on an old railway bridge and then take what used to be an Inca trail but is now a virtually untransited dirt road.

Soon we see our first vestiges of Inca ruins, vast terraces beside which we cycle. Passing Pachar, we continue on to the Inca town of Ollantaytambo and so to our lunch at ​E​l Albergue farm.

Lunch is set at 12:00 noon, but if you wish to start or finish later this can be changed to 2:30pm

A Pachamanca is a traditional way of preparing food in the Andes. In the absence of a stove an oven is built out of stones, the stones are heated with a wood fire and once brought to a very high temperature.

The meat and vegetables are then carefully covered with the rocks.​ ​Herbs are then added and the whole mound is covered by wet sheets and finally a mound of earth.

While the meal is cooking, you will be shown around this organic farm, working to sustainable methods to provide food for the Café Mayu restaurant.

Enjoy a fascinating visit to the Cañazo distillery where the sugar cane liquor is processed alongside the coffee roasting facility.

After forty-five minutes the meal is ready and we have the pleasure of digging our delicious potatoes, yams, corn, fava beans, lamb, pork, alpaca, and chicken straight from the earth.

You can enjoy your meal under a thatch roof in the middle of the farm with views of the Inca temple of Ollantaytambo, mount Pinkulluna and the Veronica glacier.

Food is served family style accompanied by chicha, fresh salads and a variety of sauces, including our tasty uchucutas. Beer and wine are available upon request, and we offer our signature Matacuy as a complimentary digestif after the meal.

This is made in the on-site distillery, where you can also taste Caña Alta, a sugar cane spirit being distilled here in an attempt to revive lost traditions.

This afternoon, we visit the Inca town of Ollantaytambo with an optional visit of its impressive Inca ruins (​please note you will need a ‘Boleto Turistico’ to enter this site).

Ollantaytambo was the site of a huge battle between the Spanish and the Incas and the village remains almost intact from Inca times.

We then return to your hotel for the night (or your onward journey to Machu Picchu).

Night at Hotel Pakaritampu (Standard Room)

Included: English-speaking guide, Transport, Equipment hire, Bike, Helmet, Gloves, Snacks & water, Lunch, Room & breakfast next day

You start the day with an early transfer to catch the train towards Machu Picchu. Jumping off at km104 you pass through the control point and begin your Inca Trail trek.

First, you visit the recently restored ruins of Chachabamba before gradually ascending through tropical cloud forest up toward the base of Wiñay Wayna.

Here you climb more steeply on old Inca stairways through these beautiful terraces, stopping to explore the various buildings and water features.

Here we can enjoy our packed lunch, with a great view. You then continue on perhaps the loveliest part of the whole Inca Trail. Lush vegetation flanks you on either side, the scent of wild orchids fills the air, and all around you, brightly coloured tropical songbirds fill your ears with song.

Soon you will reach a final set of stairs to arrive at Inti Punku, the gateway of the Sun. As you step through the old stone gateway, Machu Picchu appears laid out before your eyes.

After plenty of photos, you carry on past this wonder of the world to catch the bus down to the lively town of Machu Picchu Pueblo and a well-deserved hotel and shower.

Whilst walking all you need is your daypack as your overnight luggage will be transferred to your hotel in Machu Picchu town to await your arrival.

Total hiking distance: 11 km

Night at hotel El MaPi by Inkaterra – includes dinner (Superior Deluxe)

Included: English-speaking guide, Trekking porter, Luggage porter, Train ticket down, Guide’s train ticket down, km104 Inca trail permit, Bus ticket, Box lunch, Trekking poles, Dinner, Room & breakfast next day

Machu Picchu:

Today you explore the pinnacle of Inca engineering – Machu Picchu. For years it was lost to the jungle.

Rediscovered in 1911 by the Yale professor Hiram Bingham, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007, Machu Picchu exceeds all expectations.

This astounding site lies in an even more astonishing location. Perched high on an inaccessible hilltop it is protected by huge cliffs and the raging Urubamba river.

Things are slightly easier now than in the time of the Incas and so you start your day with a twenty minute bus ride up to the site.

Please discus with your guide exactly what time you wish to arrive at Machu Picchu. We usually aim for an 8am entrance. This avoids the sunrise rush and ensures you have a good breakfast before the long day ahead.

Enjoy a fully guided tour of the residential, religious and agricultural sectors of the fabled “Lost City of the Incas – Machu Picchu”.

Machu Picchu Entrance from 0900 to 1500. (Wayna Picchu permit at 1000)

Your 0900 entrance to Machu Picchu includes a permit to climb Wayna Picchu at 1000. This two hour round trip is up steep, exposed steps and not for the feint-hearted.

However the rewards for your efforts is a truly unique and awe-inspiring “condor’s eye” view of the ruins. Well worth it if you can.

In the afternoon, we board the train for an interesting ride along the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Here our waiting bus whisks us back to our hotel.

The scenery is beautiful and the train jolts softly along, allowing you to sit, stare out the window and reflect on all you have seen.

Night at the Hotel Casa San Blas Boutique (Suite)

Included: English-speaking guide, Bus ticket, Wayna Picchu entrance, Train ticket return, Guide’s train ticket return, Lunch, Transport, Room & breakfast next day

Sacsayhuaman and city – half day:

This morning we will visit Cusco’s most stunning ruin, the extensive Sacsayhuaman. Although the smaller stones of Sacsayhuaman were used to build modern-day Cusco, the remaining stones are up to 8.5m high and weigh over 360 tons.

The distinctive zigzag ramparts that form are attributed to being puma teeth, lightning & also fortification. This major centre obviously had many functions with storehouses, administration buildings, reservoirs and a play area. It was also the site of a crucial battle between the Incas & the Spanish.

A downhill brings us to San Cristobal church built on top of Inca Manco Capac’s Palace and a fantastic viewpoint of Cusco. The final steps down the streets of San Blas bring us to the Plaza de Armas and a visit to the magnificent Cathedral.

Afterward, a short walk past Inca walls brings us to the Qoricancha – the Sun temple and the very centre of the Inca Empire. It also boasts some of the very best preserved Inca stonework in Cusco.

Time, energy and taste permitting, we can visit the local market, shop for souvenirs or wander through San Blas – the artisan part of Cusco city.

After a couple of hours exploring this fascinating city at your own pace, your guide will bring you back to your hotel.

Cusco Art Workshop & Coffee Experience (Pool)

Take a short Cusco art workshop and work with a local artist to decorate your very own Pucara Bull.

You will learn and apply the gilding techniques so important to traditional Cusco art. You will learn about the history of the bulls and their role in local customs. And about the Cusco School of Art and its fusion of Andean culture with European.

Your workshop takes place in Florencia y Fortunata Café and will be led by a member of the Totemiq Art Collective.

Metal laminates and Acrylic paints are supplied to decorate your ceramic Pucara Bull.

This is a great way to create your own very special souvenir and pass a fun, relaxing and educational two hours.

Duration: 2 hours.

Available: Monday – Saturday. 1000-1200 or 1530-1730

You take home: 1 Ceramic Pucara Bull

Night at the Hotel Casa San Blas Boutique (Suite)

Included: Excursion, English-speaking guide, Snacks & water, Cathedral and Qoricancha entrance, Transport, Room & breakfast next day

Raft the Apurimac – Black Canyon Section 1 day :

This is a unique chance to paddle a one day section of the mighty Rio Apurimac, through a 3000m deep canyon on the true source of the Rio Amazon.

This is a massive day of total adventure, You will be rewarded with spectacular views, amazing whitewater, pristine beaches and great memories.

We pick you up early for the spectacular drive to the Apurimac canyon, hopefully glimpsing on route the snow-capped Vilcanota mountain range and Salcantay Massif before descending an incredible road into the canyon and so to our starting point on the banks of the Apurimac.

Here we inflate our specialised rafts, and, following a full safety talk and instruction in the art of white water rafting, we head off into the canyon in search of adventure.

We travel through the most spectacular canyon with world class rapids, interspersed with gentle floats, elusive wildlife and amazing scenery.

We stop to explore side canyons, have lunch on a deserted beach before enjoying more fun rapids to our take out at Puente Huallpacachaca where we celebrate our day with cold drinks, before jumping in the vehicles for the journey back to your hotel, having had a genuine “mini expedition” on the Rio Apurimac.

Night at the Hotel Casa San Blas Boutique (Suite)

Included: All white-water & safety equipment, Swift Water Rescue trained English-speaking guide, Safety boat, Transport, Wetsuit, Helmet, Boots, Buoyancy aid, Splash jacket, Lunch, Cold beers, Snacks & water, Box lunch, Room & breakfast next day

Today you are free to wander around Cusco, explore the cobbled side streets of the San Blas artist district or stare in awe at the Inca treasures in the many museums.

This afternoon we will take you to the airport for your onward journey, perhaps to Lake Titicaca, the Amazon jungle, or even just home.

Included: breakfast, transfer to the airport

Read our Trip Advisor reviews to see what other families have said about travelling with us.

In order to fully enjoy your trip it is very important that you choose the right trip for you and fully understand what it involves.

There are risks inherent in travelling in Peru, as indeed there are in most of the activities that we provide. Many of the activities we offer also involve a significant level of effort on your part.  After all, it is called Adventure Travel for a reason.

It is really important that you read both the trip notes above and the Risk and Safety Section on our website, to enable you to choose the best trip for you. Once you have read them both, please make sure you ask if there is anything you do not understand. We classify this trip as:

• Paddlesport ‘Intro’… Anyone who doesn’t mind getting wet can do any of our paddlesports. Rafting and Duckying can get quite adventurous, but our experienced and qualified guides will be on hand to keep you (mostly) the right way up. We are more interested in your ‘water confidence’ than your ability to swim. The only parameter is that you are mobile enough to help us get you back in the boat – even then if you do suffer with your mobility, let us know what support you might need and maybe the water is calling you!

• Mountain Bike ‘Intro’… These trips are as much about experiencing Mountain Biking as they are about the time spent not on the bike – the scenery, the culture, the environment! The only pre-requirement is that you can ride a bike! Clearly it would be good if you’ve ridden in the last 20 years! Our experienced guides will help you with gaining experience and confidence on your bike – there may be times where you (but maybe not others!) are asked to walk a section of trail… Please follow the advice of the guide, they really do know what they are doing!

• Trek ‘Intro’… This trek is about what you’ll see along the way. The ‘nature’ of trekking does of course include the risk of trips and slips, etc. Our experienced guides will keep a close eye on you and endeavour to keep you on the right track. Do take extra care on steep descents and on the occasions where there may be an ‘edge!’ – don’t be shy to ask for support from your guide – it’s what they are there for! There is no real need to have any experience of trekking for this trip.