If you’re planning the family holiday of a lifetime to Peru with kids then look no further…From Machu Picchu to The Ballestas Islands and everything in between, by following our top tips you are sure to make memories that last a lifetime! In this post we will be sharing a list of Peru’s top family friendly attractions that both young and old are guaranteed to love.
To ensure your family trip runs smoothly it’s essential to plan ahead, especially where kids are involved! Be sure to browse the many tours on offer from our handpicked South American tour partner which will cater to all budgets.
Below is a list of 5 great tours that you can do with your kids in Peru:
MACHU PICCHU :
A trip to Peru with kids cannot be complete without visiting Machu Picchu. The Ancient Citadel is one of the most visited archeological sites in the world and is NOT to be missed on your travels around South America.
For families with young children we recommend taking the bus to the entrance of the ancient citadel – afterall trekking uphill with kids is never a good idea! The first bus leaves at 5.30am and although that sounds very early it’s certainly worth losing a few hours sleep to catch the sunrise and beat the crowds. Once you enter the ruins find yourself a place to sit and watch the sunrise over the mountain peaks – a spectacle for the senses, young and old.
Guided tours of the ancient citadel are available for those with a keen interest in history but if you’re visiting with young kids they may prefer to explore at their leisure. Don’t worry there’s plenty of open space for the kids to roam around and you can even get up close and personal with native alpacas who roam the ruins.
CUSCO:
As you make your way to Machu Picchu make sure to spend some time in Cusco on the way. For those who are in need of retail therapy, wander around the local markets in Cusco – the best place to pick up your holiday souvenirs in all of Peru. Give the kids some pocket money and teach them the art of haggling as they choose their favourite Peruvian-made wares.
Other than shopping, Cusco is also the ideal place when visiting Peru with kids to take a selfie with the native Alpaca. Their owners wander the streets in traditional dress and for a small fee will pose for a photo, it’s not every day you’ll get the chance to take a selfie with an Alpaca!
Cusco is also surrounded by ancient ruins: Saqsaywaman, Qorikancha or Moray to name but a few. The best way to make the most out of your visit to these historical sites is to arrange a tour – the guide will meet you in the city centre and bring you to your destination taking the stress out of arranging everything yourself, you are on holidays after all! Be sure to check out some of the incredible restaurants in Cusco as well!
BALLESTAS ISLANDS:
Does your family love learning about wildlife? If the answer is yes, then make sure to put a visit to the Ballestas Islands on the top of your to-do list. The Ballestas Islands is sure to be a holiday highlight for those of you who are animal lovers. .
The best way to take in all the islands have to offer is to take a boat tour. The tour lasts about two hours and with all there is to take in you can guarantee the little ones won’t complain of being bored! If you want to make the boat tour extra special be sure to check out the fantastic Luxury Yachts that are available.
Keep your eyes peeled for Penguins, sea-lions, Inca terns, pelicans and dolphins…just some of the wildlife you could come into contact with on your tour of the islands. Apart from the wildlife be sure to keep an eye out for the famous candelabra geoglyph etched into the giant sand dune on the coast.
LAKE TITICACA:
A trip to Lake Titicaca is a wonderful cultural experience, especially for children. The Uros Islands, a group of 120 man-made islands which float atop the lake are a must-see. The Uros natives invite you into their modest homes to take a look around and understand their way of life – the kids will be in awe of how differently these people live, an eye-opener for sure! Entertainment comes in the form of traditional song and dance performed by the locals. The little ones will love this and may even recognise some of the songs!
For a small additional cost you can also jump aboard a traditional totora reed boat as you sail from one man-made island to the next – an experience sure to thrill all generations.
COLCA CANYON:
Yet again a holiday to Peru with kids who love nature should be sure to include a trip to the Colca Canyon. Here you will be amazed by the huge condor birds that soar overhead as you take in the awe inspiring views of the canyon – one of the deepest in the world.
Although trekking down into the canyon is not suitable for small children, you can still get a taste of local life by visiting Coporaque village. The local’s are always sure to welcome visitors and a home-stay can even be organised if you want to stay with a native family.
No visit to the canyon should be complete without taking some time out to relax in the natural hot-springs for an open air soak!
It’s clear to see that a trip to Peru with kids in tow will make for life long memories. By following our recommendations you are sure to make the most of your Peruvian adventure.
If you want to take the stress out of planning the whole trip there are various luxury South America tours the whole family are sure to enjoy… Why not splash out, it’s not every day you plan a family holiday to Peru after all?!
