“You and your team did such a wonderful job and I can’t thank you enough. Our guide, Celinda, was incredible, extremely knowledgable and passionate about the Andean people and the Incan culture/ruins. We learned more than I could’ve imagined to. We loved the picnic, the climb up Waynapicchu, Machu Picchu and the ruins tours, the cooking class and the trip to the Amaru community!” – Gina Grammatica. Gina’s testimonial really says it all. Thank you for the kind words, Gina, and we are so happy you had a wonderful time!
Planning a family trip to Peru can be challenging; it is important to incorporate activities that peak everybody’s interests, satisfy the bucket list, and still leave you wanting more. Throw planning a family trip for a true travel buff, like Gina Grammatica (who currently works for Travel + Leisure), into the mix and it’s even more of a challenge! But, we met this task with excitement and vigor as we do all of our trips. See the Grammatica family’s full Peru travel itinerary below and take note of their fantastic photos as well. Thank you Gina and Sara for sending us your favorite shots!
Grammatica Family Trip to Peru Daily Breakdown
Day 1 USA – Lima
You will fly from the USA to Lima embarking on your family trip to Peru. Upon your evening arrival to Lima you will be met at the airport and assisted in crossing the street and checking in to the hotel adjacent the terminal.
- No meals – Costa del Sol Ramada
Day 2 Lima – Cusco – Sacred Valley
In the morning, a representative will meet you in the lobby and assist you to your flight out of Lima. After your short flight to the former Incan capital of Cusco where Andean cultures come alive (don’t be surprised when the language doesn’t sound like Spanish – it is most likely the native Andean tongue Quechua), you’ll be met at the airport and taken for a light lunch. Departing for the Incan sites around the town, you’ll visit the fortress Sacsayhuaman and its megalithic stone terraces; Kenko, with its carved stone surfaces and subterranean altars; the Puka Pukara fortress that protected the royal capital from attacks; and the water temple, Tambo Machay.
Driving through the city and into the snow-capped Andean peaks with inspired views you descend past Chinchero village into the Sacred Valley of the Incas where you’ll check in to your oasis at Sol y Luna. Take the afternoon to relax in their verdant gardens while acclimatizing to the altitude (the Sacred Valley is lower than Cusco and the perfect place to gradually acclimatize).
- B, L – Sol y Luna
Day 3 Sacred Valley – Urubamba and Pisac
After breakfast you’ll head by van along the Sacred Valley past the communities of Calca, Coya, Lamay and Pisac. From here you go completely off the map winding up a small dirt road, which takes you through remote Andean villages until we arrive to the Amaru community. This isolated community holds strongly to their ancient customs and practices a largely subsistence lifestyle on the slopes of the Andes. The Amaru will proudly open their village to you where you will learn of their lifestyle and traditions. Among other things you take part in gathering plants used as natural dyes, learn of their medicinal and culinary properties, and see how the Amaru’s world-renowned textiles are woven and brought to life.
Stay for lunch with community leaders or enjoy a picnic amongst the Pisac ruins that sprawl down the mountainside towards town. If still energized, you can enjoy a gentle hike through the extensive Inca terracing down the mountainside, or hop in the van, and arrive to Pisac – one of Peru’s largest and most vibrant markets– where you can bargain with Andean campesinos for hand-crafted wares. Return to Sol y Luna for a relaxing evening.
- B, L – Sol y Luna
Day 4 Sacred Valley – Moray and Maras
Heading out early you’ll arrive to the massive Inca agricultural terraces of Moray, thought to have been a nursery to experiment with and modify different varieties of crops. From here hike or go by van (depending on your preference, time, and weather) to the little-known village of Maras where pre-Columbian terraced saltpans are still being harvested in the traditional way by villagers. Enjoy a picnic in this surreal setting before a walk down the Andes to the valley floor where you board the train that chugs along the Urubamba River and parts of the Inca Trail towards the Amazon arriving at Machu Picchu Pueblo.
- B, L – Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel or similar
Day 5 Machu Picchu
Early risers can revel at the sunrise from the Machu Picchu citadel. This incredibly vast archaeological site – lost to the world until well into the twentieth century – is perched amidst Andean peaks and lush cloud forest making it one of the most breathtaking sights in the world. You’ll have the opportunity to get a complete guided tour as you begin to unlock the mystery of the Inca, and also have plenty of time to wander the site on your own. Lunch at the Sanctuary Lodge adjacent to the ruins means you’ll be able to enjoy the whole day without leaving awe-inspiring Machu Picchu. You can also climb the adjacent sacred peak Huayna Picchu for a bird’s eye view.
- B, L – Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel or similar
Day 6 Machu Picchu – Ollantaytambo – Cusco
Taking the train after breakfast, you’ll have time to roam through Ollantaytambo town taking in the ancient ruins towering above. Heading into the valley you’ll stop to enjoy lunch at an authentic colonial-era hacienda before continuing on and arriving in the early evening to Cusco. Your accommodation is an artfully restored colonial-era mansion surrounding a traditional courtyard with Spanish arches and fountains.
- B, L – Aranwa or similar
Day 7 Cusco
Enjoy the day at your leisure independently exploring a city where traditional Andean cultures, the colonial Spanish, and modern Peru come together in one of South America’s most culturally and visually dynamic cities. Visit Incan architectural jewels such as Korikancha – the temple of the sun, shop at Andean markets, enjoy savory, wide-ranging Peruvian cuisine, and see the colonial cathedrals built atop Incan foundations around the Plaza Central. We can also arrange guided city tours, a culinary exploration with a top local chef, or – for those bursting with energy – mountain biking, horseback riding, or even whitewater rafting.*
- B – Aranwa or similar
Day 8 Cusco – Lima
Enjoy the morning at your leisure before being picked up at your hotel and taken to the airport for your afternoon flight to Lima, where you will be met in the airport and taken to your accommodations conveniently situated in the great neighborhood of Miraflores.
- B – Casa Andina Private Collection Miraflores or similar
Day 9 Lima
Enjoy the day at your leisure to explore the sights, sounds and flavors of Lima.
- B – Casa Andina Private Collection Miraflores or similar
Day 10 Lima – Onward Home
Enjoy the morning at your leisure. Following the lunch hour you will be picked up by your guide and taken on a half-day guided exploration of Lima, after which you will be taken to the airport in accordance with your onward overnight flight home.
- B
Day 11 Arrive Home
Hasta Pronto, Knowmad Adventurers
Knowmad Adventures works closely with independent-minded travelers creating innovative trips to South America. Our specialists in Patagonia, Chile, Machu Picchu, Peru, Argentina, the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador and Antarctica are eager to collaborate and create a trip as unique and authentic as you are, and our experienced South American operations team guarantees you get an insider’s perspective, superior values, and a flawlessly operated trip.
