Fascinating Peru - A 10 Day Family-Friendly Itinerary

  • Day 1: Tour of Lima's Historical Sights
    15-minute drive from Jorge Chavez International Airport

    Start your adventure in the urban centre of Peru by visiting Plaza Mayor, the most important landmark of Lima. Next, head to the historic San Francisco Monastery, an impressive architectural structure that is home to some of the most interesting pieces of art, and finish off by exploring the beautiful Catacombs of Lima.

  • Day 2: Exploring the Heart of Miraflores
    30-minute drive from Lima's historical centre

    Discover unique attractions of Lima's popular district, Miraflores. Visiting the famous Parque del Amor or Love's Park, with its creative statues and breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean, and take a peaceful stroll along the Malecon or boardwalk.

  • Day 3: The Sacred City of Machu Picchu
    90-minute flight from Jorge Chavez International Airport to the city of Cusco, then a 1.5-hour train ride to Aguas Calientes, and a 30-min bus ride to Machu Picchu

    Start your journey to one of the most iconic destinations in South America, Machu Picchu. Explore the Inca citadel surrounded by green mountains, and engage in the ancient history of the Inca civilization with a tour guide. Afterward, take some relaxing time waterfall, set amid a lush jungle landscape in Aguas Calientes

  • Day 4: Relaxing day in Aguas Calientes

    Today, you can recharge from yesterday’s tour with a visit to the hot springs of Aguas Calientes, where you can relax and rejuvenate your muscles in the naturally heated waters.

  • Day 5: Exploring Cusco's Cultural Treasures
    30-minute drive from Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport

    Take a tour of the city of Cusco, known as the "Navel of the World" by the Inca. Visit the famous landmark of Plaza de Armas and the Cusco Cathedral. Also, explore the wonders of this city's ancient residents at Qorikancha Temple and the Sacsayhuaman Fortress.

  • Day 6: Hiking the Rainbow Mountains
    3-hour drive from Cusco

    Embark on a hike to the top of the Rainbow Mountains, an astonishing geological formation renowned for its vibrant and diverse colours. Experience a moderately challenging hike full of the natural beauty of Peruvian landscape with your family.

  • Day 7: Sandboarding on the Huacachina Desert
    9-hour drive from the Rainbow Mountains

    After yesterday's adventure head over to the desert oasis of Huacachina where you can have an adrenaline rush with sandboarding and dune buggy ride amid the breathtaking beauty of the desert.

  • Day 8: Exploring Chan Chan and Huaca de la Luna
    2.5-hour flight from Ica to Trujillo

    Head to the Chan Chan ruins, one of the largest pre-Columbian cities in South America, and also discover the ancient temples of Huaca de la Luna and Huaca del Sol, adorned with colourful murals wall paintings, and archaeological artifacts. It's also an excellent opportunity to learn about this region's spectacular history.

  • Day 9: Relaxing day in Mancora
    3-hour flight from Trujillo

    Take a day off in Mancora, known for its pristine beaches and relaxing atmosphere. Spend your day enjoying the beach or take a surfing lesson from one of the local instructors.

  • Day 10: Tour of Mirador de los Condores
    3-hour drive from Mancora

    Visit the Mirador de los Condores, a bird's eye view of the rural Andean villages and the mystical cloud forests of Northern Peru. Stop by the nearby charming town of Cabanaconde, where you can experience the traditional lifestyle of the Peruvian people.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Plaza Mayor (2 hours, free)
  • San Francisco Monastery (2.5 hours, 35 PEN)
  • Catacombs of Lima (1 hour, 15 PEN)
  • Parque del Amor (1.5 hours, free)
  • Machu Picchu tour (4 hours, 150 PEN)
  • Sacsayhuaman Fortress (2 hours, 80 PEN)
  • Rainbow Mountains Hike (5 hours, 200 PEN)
  • Huacachina Sandboarding (2 hours, 50 PEN)
  • Chan Chan ruins and Huaca de la Luna (4 hours, 60 PEN)
  • Mirador de los Condores (2 hours, free)
  • Total Estimated Costs: 590 PEN (~US$155)

Transportation

Throughout the trip, we advise using a reliable tour agency that provides transportation services or hiring a private vehicle with a driver to avoid relying on public transport. The travelling distances are vast and sometimes take hours. The estimated transportation cost of the trip will vary depending on the tour package and car rental you choose.

Useful Tips

If you have more time, consider exploring the Amazon Rainforest, Lake Titicaca, or Nazca Lines, among other famous tourist destinations. You can also spend an additional day enjoying the culinary offerings of Lima, which has some of the world's most excellent dishes. If you have less time, consider cutting out some attractions in the itinerary or flying directly to Cusco airport rather than spending a day exploring Lima.

Airports

There are two main airports in Peru, namely Jorge Chavez International Airport (LIM) in Lima and Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ) in Cusco. Jorge Chavez airport serves as a major gateway throughout South America, while Cusco airport is most convenient for inbound and outbound flights from Machu Picchu. The distance to Jorge Chavez airport from central Lima is about 11.3 km (~7 miles) and 6.9 km (~4 miles) for Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport from central Cusco.

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