I’ve long told travelers interested in off-the-beaten-path adventures that camping next to the remote and little-visited ruins of Huchuy Qosqo is the closest you’ll ever feel to being Indiana Jones. That was all it took for my 9-year-old Trey to be hooked. Peru offers stunning mountain landscapes filled with varied and fascinating indigenous cultures. Blend this with vast opportunities for adventures, luxurious and intimate properties, some of the world’s freshest and diverse cuisine, and great value, and you have one of the world’s best places for impactful and fun family travel.
Our time in Peru was filled with moments both adventurous and meaningful. We spent time with a local ceramist painting Pukara bulls to ward off evil spirits. We went horseback riding past ruins and villages. We stargazed and had morning coffee at a massive remote ruin complex we had all to ourselves. We planted potatoes with village elders and schoolchildren Knowmad has long worked with. We unearthed our pachamanca meal cooked on hot stones underground. We paddleboarded in the shadow of sacred peaks. And I’ll never forget seeing my kids’ faces during their first glimpses of Machu Picchu. Highlights abounded on this trip, creating lasting memories that blended adventurous days with luxurious properties by night.
HARVEY FAMILY PERU ITINERARY
Day 1 Lima
Fly to Lima, arriving in the evening, where you’ll be assisted in crossing the street to your hotel.
- No meals – Wyndham Costa del Sol Airport Hotel
Day 2 Lima – Cusco – Sacred Valley
Today, you will be assisted in walking to the airport for your flight to Cusco. In Cusco, meet your guide and transfer to lunch. Visit Sacsayhuaman ruins and the Cochahuasi Animal Sanctuary before descending to your accommodations in the Sacred Valley. Enjoy the late afternoon at leisure.
- B, L – Tambo del Inka
Day 3 Sacred Valley Villages
Meet your Peruvian Paso horse in Maras to start your journey through beautiful countryside and small farming communities. Visit Moray, believed to be the center of Inca agricultural experiments. Enjoy a picnic before descending to Maras’ ancient saltpans, harvested in the traditional way. Afterwards, enjoy a traditional ceramics lesson.
- B, L – Tambo del Inka
Day 4 Lake Piuray
Kayak or stand-up paddleboard along the shore of Lake Piuray and enjoy a traditional pachamanca. As you sit along the shores of the lake, paint traditional, ceramic Pukara bulls. Afterwards, drive or walk ~3 km to Umasbamba, populated by Andean farmers and weavers to learn about waist loom weaving. You will also visit a local after school project.
- B, L – Camping
Day 5 Lake Piuray – Huchuy Qosqo
Hike to Huchuy Qosqo ruins alongside llamas and alpacas, overlooking the snow-capped mountains of the Sacred Valley. Pack what you need for a night at camp in the provided duffle (carried by horses), and what you need while hiking in a daypack. Your main luggage will be stored until the next day. Go through the Apacheta Pass before enjoying a lunch and descending to Huchuy Qosqo ruins and your nearby campsite.
Hike details: approximately 6.9 miles, 1,430 ft elevation gain, roughly 6-7 hours
- B, Box L, D – Huchuy Qosqo Ruins Campsite
Day 6 Huchuy Qosqo – Lamay
Enjoy a sunrise over the Andes mountains while eating breakfast near the ruins before descending roughly 3 hours to your exit point at Lamay, where you will visit and have lunch with the Lamay community, and learn about their traditional farming techniques and traditions. Afterwards, transfer to your hotel.
Hike details: approximately 2.8 miles downhill, roughly 3 hours
- B, L – Hotel Nunu, Casita
Day 7 Lamay – Aguas Calientes
Visit Ollantaytambo to learn about the culture of this Incan administrative center. Wander the cobblestone streets and climb the terraces of the Ollantaytambo Fortress before enjoying lunch. Then, board the train that chugs along the Urubamba River towards Machu Picchu Pueblo. Pack only essentials for Machu Picchu in the provided duffle. The remaining luggage will be safely stored in Cusco.
- B, L, D – Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel
Day 8 Machu Picchu
Enjoy the activities offered by Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel. Included in your stay are several nature and animal-watching hikes, an early morning bird-watching session and a visit to the Tea House. You can also choose an optional hike at Mandor Waterfall. If selected, meet your guide in the lobby for a hike to the Mandor Waterfall. Follow the path along Mandor Creek, experiencing Peruvian flora and fauna firsthand. Then, visit the nearby private nature reserve to walk in the biodiverse gardens. Afterwards, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant with your guide. In the afternoon, take the bus up to the vast archaeological site of Machu Picchu to complete a guided exploration, as you begin to unlock the mystery of the Inca.
- B, L, D – Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel
Day 9 Aguas Calientes – Cusco
Enjoy the morning at leisure and lunch at your accommodations before taking the train to Ollantaytambo, and continuing by vehicle to Cusco.
- B, L – Antigua Casona San Blas
Day 10 Cusco
Enjoy the day to independently explore the sites, cuisine and culture of Cusco. In the afternoon, visit the Choco Museum to see the chocolate-making process from cacao bean to chocolate bar.
- B – Antigua Casona San Blas
Day 11 Cusco – Lima – USA
Enjoy the morning at leisure in Cusco. Transfer with a Knowmad representative to the airport. In Lima, independently check in and catch your onward international flight.
- B
Day 12 USA
Arrive home.
Interested in creating your own incredible experience in Peru? Give one of our Trip Specialists a call at 612-315-2894, or email us at [email protected] today!
Jordan and Tara Harvey are the founders of Knowmad Adventures, creating private, custom trips in South America. Jordan has been recognized by Travel + Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler, and Wendy Perrin’s WOW List for his expertise, while Tara draws inspiration from the cultures, food, and colors she’s discovered across the continent. Along with their kids, they continue to explore the region as a family, bringing their passion for meaningful connections and authentic experiences to every Knowmad journey.
