Family Adventure in Peru

Private transfer from your hotel in Barranco to Lima Airport. Check in for the flight to Cusco.

On arrival in Cusco Airport, your LiNGER representative will be waiting to welcome you at the barrier outside the arrivals gate. Your guide will then escort you on the private transfer to the Sacred Valley – a key starting point in the Andes to help with acclimatising more gently. The drive takes approx. 90 minutes.

Introducing the Sacred Valley

The Sacred Valley, or Urubamba Valley as it's often known is a region in Peru's Andean highlands, made up of rich fertile farmlands, backed by impressive mountains. Together with Cusco, and the ancient city of Machu Picchu, it formed the heart of the Inca Empire. The Valley is home to colonial towns such as Pisac and Ollantaytambo, known for their handicraft markets and Inca sites. It's a popular place for adventure junkies with a myriad of activities on offer from white water rafting to rock climbing. It's also a great place for trekking, and together with Cusco forms the gateway to Machu Picchu. At a lower elevation to Cusco and Machu Picchu, it offers a great place to acclimatise prior to any trekking.

Enjoy a day at leisure to acclimatise and explore your surroundings.

Stand-up Paddle-boarding on Lake Huaypo with Visit to Moray and Maras

Pick-up from your hotel this morning ready for the 45 min drive to Huaypo.

Start the day with an orientation in the art of stand-up paddle boarding, before practicing your new skills on a beautiful lake. For beginners, it's easy to learn the basics and soon you will be gliding serenely across the emerald green lake, under the watchful eyes of your expert SUP guide. See local farmers, spot rare birds in the reeds around the lake and relax, enjoy the peace and take in the stunning Andean scenery.

After a couple of hours of paddling and hopefully mastering paddle boarding, there will be time for a hot shower and change before tucking into a picnic lunch, made with local products and freshly prepared natural drinks.

There's time to relax in the hammocks and enjoy the stunning views before saying farewell to Huaypo and taking 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, you'll 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.

Return to your hotel after the visit and the rest of the afternoon at leisure.

Includes: Lakeside base facilities - Changing-room, Showers, Toilets, All white-water & safety equipment, Swift Water Rescue trained English-speaking guide, Safety boat, Transport, Maras salt-pans entrance fee, Stand-up paddle board, Wetsuit, Boots, Buoyancy aid, Splash jacket, Snacks & water, and Lunch.

E-Biking in the Sacred Valley - Urubamba-Ollantaytambo

Pick-up from your hotel after breakfast.

The ride will start 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), set off along the Sacred Valley, passing small hamlets, through fields of potatoes and giant corn and enjoying the views as you effortlessly whizz along. The e-bike fleet has extra-small and extra-large bikes, making this a trip perfect for all ages, abilities and sizes.

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 you'll see your first vestiges of Inca ruins, vast terraces beside which you'll cycle. Passing Pachar, continue on to the Inca town of Ollantaytambo and so to your lunch stop at El Albergue farm (conveniently located next to your hotel).

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 you'll have the pleasure of digging your 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 tasty uchucutas. Beer and wine are available upon request, along with a complimentary digestif after the meal from 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.

The afternoon is at your leisure.

Should you wish to explore more, visit the Inca town of Ollantaytambo with an optional visit of its impressive Inca ruins. Ollantaytambo was the site of a huge battle between the Spanish and the Incas and the village remains almost intact from Inca times.

Includes: English-speaking guide, Transport, Equipment hire, Bike, Helmet, Gloves, Snacks & water and Lunch.

Note - The bike ride today will cover around 20-25 kms, and should take approx. 2 hours.

Later, your guide will provide a brief on the One-Day Inca Trek, and will provide you with overnight bags and trekking poles.

One-Day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

Embark on the final section of the Inca Trail today to reach the iconic Inca site of Machu Picchu. Begin the journey with a road transfer from your hotel to Ollantaytambo train station, where you will board the 7.05am Vistadome train towards Aguas Calientes. This is classed as one of the most spectacular train journeys in the world, as it follows the Urubamba River through the Canyon of Vilcanota to the Lost City of the Incas.

Disembark at station KM104, the starting point for your trek. Set off on foot with your guide across the Vilcanota River as you begin to ascend through the valley, stopping at the Inca site of Chachabamba. Continue along the trail to Wiñay Wayna, another Inca site which demonstrates the Inca’s impressive engineering skills.

Finish trekking along narrow and steep pathways to reach Inti Punku, the Sun Gate, which marks the entrance to the site of Machu Picchu from the Inca Trail. As you make your way through into the site, stop to take in the lost city of the Incas in all its splendour. The backdrop of Machu Picchu makes it even more incredible, and you’ll have some time to tuck into your box lunch while soaking in the views. Descend through the site and take the bus from the gate down to the village of Aguas Calientes where you’ll spend the night, before returning to Machu Picchu the next day. Dinner is included at your hotel.

Inca Trail One-Day Hike:
Altitude Km 104: 2,150mts / 7,050ft
Altitude Inti Punku: 2,700mts / 8,860ft
Altitude Machu Picchu: 2,400mts / 7,880ft
Distance: 14kms / 8.7 miles
Approximate walking time: 6 to 8 hours (including lunch)

Includes: English-speaking guide, Trekking porter, Luggage porter, Train ticket down, km104 Inca trail permit, Bus ticket, Box lunch, and Trekking poles.

Please note that baggage allowed on the train is limited to hand luggage. Take everything you need for your night in Machu Picchu in a smaller bag and your large luggage will be transferred ahead to your hotel in Cusco, ready for your arrival.

***Visitors to Machu Picchu must carry their passport.***

Introducing Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu, meaning ‘old Mountain’ in the Incan language of Quecha is often referred to as the ‘Lost City of the Incas’. Located around 2,450 m above sea level and hidden on a small plateau in the centre of the Andes, it managed to escape detection by the Spaniards in the 1500s when they conquered the Inca Empire. Today, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, only discovered in 1911 by U.S explorer Hiram Bingham. This ancient fortress city still remains shrouded in mystery and is one of the most sought-after archaeological sites, showcasing some of the finest Incan architecture and stonework in South America. The village of Aguas Calientes is a 30-minute bus ride down from the ruins, and offers a great base to most travellers, with its colourful markets, eateries, and boutique hotels.

Huayna Picchu Hike

After breakfast, take the bus up to the start point of your Huayna Picchu hike.

Permits are included this morning for the hike up Huayna Picchu, the towering peak that often graces the backdrop of Machu Picchu's classic photos. Whilst challenging in places, this is a rewarding trek which offers breath-taking panoramic views of the iconic Machu Picchu and surrounding landscapes. The hike takes around 1.5-2 hours, involving steep ascents and narrow paths.

The climb permits a limited number of visitors each day.

The below gives you an idea of the schedule for today:

0630 - Wake up and Breakfast
0700 - Bus to Machu Picchu
0800 - Start Hike to Wayna Picchu
1000 - Hike down from Wayna Picchu
1130 - 1230 - Tour of Machu Picchu
1230 - Bus to Machu Picchu Town
1300 - Lunch at Indi Feliz
1500 - Walk to Train station
1600 - Train to Ollantaytambo
1730 - Arrive Ollantaytambo
1800 - Private transport to Cusco
1930 - Arrive Cusco

Guided Visit of Machu Picchu

After your Huayna Picchu climb, a guided orientation is included of Machu Picchu, where you’ll learn more about its history and architecture, as well as about the Incas themselves. When you’re ready, return to Aguas Calientes for lunch at Indio Feliz.

Take the late afternoon Vistadome train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo and disembark - you’ll be greeted by your driver who will take you to Cusco by road (approximately 1.5-2 hours).

Check into your hotel.

Introducing Cusco

The beautiful colonial city of Cusco was once the capital of the Inca Empire and has a rich history of Inca and Spanish rule, with architectural styles and archaeological sites reflecting this. It’s a fun city, with a great gastronomic and nightlife scene, and a thriving Andean culture. Cusco is a highlight for many visitors as it has plenty to occupy tourists. The city also provides easy access to a wealth of natural attractions, making it an ideal base for exploring the region. Adventure junkies are drawn to the surrounding area for its incredible biking and hiking trails and exhilarating white-water rafting.

Day at Leisure in Cusco

Enjoy a free day in Cusco for some rest and recuperation. Whether your interest is exploring Inca ruins, visiting Colonial churches, bargain hunting in artisan markets, chocolate museums or just relaxing over a cappuccino on a terrace overlooking the Plaza de Armas, Cusco has it all.

Urubamba White-Water Rafting

Pick-up from your hotel after breakfast.

Transfer around 90 mins to the river to begin a 2-hour rafting adventure down a beautiful section of the Urubamba River. The sections are located above Cusco, where the river is cleaner and more enjoyable for white-water rafting. The precise section is chosen on the day by the experienced guides, depending upon conditions and the group's experience. Rapids range from Class II to IV.

The adventure starts off gently providing you with a chance to practice your technique. The river then flows through a beautiful canyon, filled with lively rapids, torrent ducks and views of the surrounding peaks.

Once you reach the take-out point, relax and enjoy a picnic lunch before returning to your hotel mid to late afternoon.

Note: A full safety briefing is provided, along with instructions. The rafting is suitable for all ages and abilities.

Includes: Swift Water Rescue trained English-speaking guide, transport, picnic lunch, all white-water & safety equipment, wetsuit, helmet, boots, buoyancy aid and splash jacket.

Pick-up from your hotel early this morning. Private transfer to Cusco Airport, a drive of approx. 25 minutes. Check in for the flight to Arequipa.

On arrival at Arequipa Airport, you will be welcomed and privately transferred to the Colca Canyon, a drive of approx. 4 hours. A boxed lunch is included today.

There will be plenty of opportunities to stop off enroute at one of the beautiful viewpoints. Keep an eye out for vicunas, alpacas and even flamingos, which are commonly spotted on this drive.

Introducing The Colca Canyon

The Colca Canyon is one of the world’s deepest canyons and is home to condors and a fascinating local culture, completely different from any other place you will visit in Peru. You will stay overnight in the charming Colca lodge. Soaking in the world class hot springs is one of the main attractions, whilst horse riding, hiking to local ruins, mountain biking and fishing can all be arranged locally through the in-house adventure company.

Suggestions in the Colca Valley

Days are at leisure in the Colca Canyon to relax and enjoy the private hot springs and Spa facilities at the lodge.

Optional Suggestions:

- Early morning drive to Cruz del Condor to see condors soaring in the thermals created by the deep gorge where they nest. Enroute back to the lodge stop to visit local towns and make the most of the many beautiful photo opportunities.

- Hike to the nearby pre-Inca ruins, visit the Yanque Museum, hike to Uyo Uyo ruins or discover the unique native culture and weaving of the area.

Pick-up this morning for the 4 hour (approx.) drive to Arequipa, where you'll be welcomed by the snow-topped volcanos and lovely conical mountain of El Misti. There is time to enjoy a final dip in the hot springs before departure and a boxed lunch is included en route.

Check in to your centrally located accommodation.

Introducing Arequipa

Arequipa has an incredible setting, framed by the region’s most dramatic volcanic peaks. It is known as 'The White City' for its use of white sillar stone in the architecture of many of its buildings. The city has plenty to offer visitors and is a lovely place to wander and explore at a relaxed pace.

Guided Orientation of Arequipa

Your guide will take you on a morning orientation walk and to the picturesque Santa Catalina Monastery. First opened to the public in 1970, the convent is a maze of intricate architecture and a photographer’s paradise.

You may also consider visiting the Andean Sanctuary Museum, whose collection of frozen mummies sacrificed on the nearby mountain tops includes the famous ice maiden ‘Juanita’.

The evening is free for some sightseeing and shopping. Alpaca and Vicuña wool are Arequipa’s finest exports and there are plenty of opportunities for treating yourself to some stunning textiles here. You can also enjoy Arequipa’s nightlife and fine dining.

Private transfer from your hotel to Arequipa Airport. Check in for the flight to Lima.

On arrival at Lima Airport, you will be met and privately transferred to your hotel in the Barranco neighbourhood to check in and rest.

The transfer can take up to 1 hour taking the traffic into consideration. An alternative for early morning departures would be to overnight at Lima's airport hotel.

Lima - Suggestions

For your free time in Lima we have many suggestions: the ‘City of Kings’ has a stunning Colonial centre. It has many fine museums including the Pedro Osma religious art, MATE photography, Amano Textiles and the Larco museum. Note - most museums are closed on Mondays. It also boasts a zoo, a water-park, some ancient mud pyramids including Pachacamac to the south or Huaca Pucllana in Miraflores.

You can take a leisurely walk or rent scooters or bikes along the Malecón to relax in the Park of Love. Or meet the famous cats of Park Kennedy in Miraflores.

Alternatively fine ice cream, shopping, coffee and a multi-screen cinema can be found in Miraflores Ovalo or Larcomar shopping. Your hotel reception can assist with a tour or friendly taxi. They can also provide you with a city map.

Private transfer from your hotel in Barranco to Lima Airport. The drive should take approx. one hour. Check in for your departure flight home.