Begin your journey in the wilds of the Amazon jungle. After spending the night in modern Lima, the Amazon will seem worlds away. Fly into Puerto Maldonado and then take a motorized canoe a short ways down the river to your lodge in the rainforest. Spend days hiking through the forest spotting animals like monkeys, capybara, wild boar, otters and more. In a very unique experience, Travel With Kids families will have the opportunity to meet a local family who lives 8-days up-river (upon availability) and will teach you their traditional way of life. Plus, visit a local farm to learn about the fruits, vegetables and traditional herbs that grow here and their medicinal uses. Next, hop a short flight from the basin of the Amazon to the highlands of Central Peru and the UNESCO World Heritage city of Cusco. Here, you will see villagers from the surrounding Sacred Valley in traditional dress strolling with their llamas down the cobbled streets. Peruse the colorful markets and stroll the town square with the locals in the evenings. From Cusco, hop a train (or if you are feeling ambitious we can add-on a 3 to 5-day hike - see below) to Aguas Calientes, the base to explore the infamous ruins of Machu Picchu.  

Day 1:

Arrive in Lima.

Overnight at 4-star Lima hotel.

Day 2:

Fly Lima to Puerto Maldonado, located at the confluence of the Tambopata and Madre Dios rivers, tributaries of the Amazon River, where we will be picked up for transfer to our Amazon rainforest lodge. Rustic, yet comfortable, the lodge is located deep in the Amazon rainforest. Comfortable bungalows are screened in from the rainforest so guests can feel immersed in the jungle surrounds – yet safe and comfortable in their pampered space.

Spend time in the late afternoon and evening at your leisure getting to know the lodge and the jungle surrounds. After dinner, enjoy a night walk around the lodge where we hope to spot saddle-back tamarins, brown capuchins, pacas, and other wildlife.

Overnight Corto Maltes Rainforest Lodge or similar. (B, L, D)

Day 3 and 4:

Awake to the fabulous sounds of the birds and jungle coming to life. After breakfast, head out on hikes to observation platforms or a lake where we will board canoes to scout the banks and waters for wildlife. On the return, keep your eye out for howler monkeys and capybara.

On another day, visit a local farm or tribal group where you may get your face painted to show you are part of the tribe.

Return to the lodge for lunch and a free afternoon. Opt to sit on hammocks or take a dip in the cool swimming hole, visit the tree platforms for a bird’s eye view of the forest or a nearby working plantation. On another day visit Monkey Island…notorious for its…you guessed it, monkey population!

The night’s adventure will take place at river’s edge, scanning the shores with headlamps and flashlights to
catch the red gleams of reflection from caiman eyes or taking a night hike looking for the mysterious creepy crawlies that inhabit the Amazon.

Overnight Corto Maltes Rainforest Lodge or similar. (B, L, D)

Day 5:

After breakfast, board a boat for transfer back to Puerto Maldonado to catch our flight to Cusco. Once settled in your hotel in Cusco, meet in the town square to explore on your own or opt to hop a trolley to tour the town. Pass by Santa Domingo Church where you can see the church built on old Incan stones, take in views over the town from the Statue of Christ and catch your first glimpse of ancient Incan civilization at Saqsaywaman.

Back in the town square, enjoy lunch on your own and an afternoon strolling the square, visiting churches and museums and perusing Cusco’s colorful market at your leisure.

Overnight at Siete Ventanas or similar. (B)

Day 6:

After breakfast, we board a train for a ride through the lush valleys and mountains en route to Aguas Calientes at the base of the mountain which hid Machu Picchu from view for so many centuries. Enjoy lunch or snacks (not included) on the train as we travel along a bubbling river and pass by colorful towns with a backdrop of the Andes Mountains! (If you feel the call of the Incas and would like to hike to Machu Picchu, we can arrange a 3- to 7- day hike as well...additional cost will apply)

After unpacking, and relaxing in your hotel, enjoy the colorful markets and dramatic scenery around the town of Aguas Calientes.

Overnight at Casa Adina or similar. (B)

Day 7:

After breakfast, a fifteen-minute bus ride will deliver us to the entry to the ruins where we will be met by our guide for a half-day tour of the ruins. Learn how the ancient Incans used the sun to predict celestial events and how the royals lived in the massive Incan Empire. If you would like, hike to the Sun Gate and the end of the infamous Inca Trail!

Board a train back to Cusco in the late afternoon.

Overnight at Siete Ventanas or similar. (B)

Day 8:

Spend the morning at your leisure exploring the town of Cusco and perusing the markets. In the afternoon, visit a local school. Spending time volunteering with your family offers a major bonding experience. Getting to know the less fortunate kids of Peru, many of whom start working at the ages of seven or eight, will be insightful to kids and by performing a volunteer project they will feel empowered to make a difference in the world.

Overnight at Siete Ventanas or similar. (B)

Day 9:

Enjoy the morning in Cusco before flying to Lima. Option for a traditional dinner.

Overnight at 4-star Lima hotel. (B)

Day 10:

After breakfast, board a flight to your onward destination. (B)

Pricing starting from:

$2299 per adult

$2199 per child (11 and under)

Includes:

- 9-nights accommodation in 3- and 4-star hotels including unique properties like rainforest lodge

- All breakfasts, three lunches, and three dinners

- All in-country transportation with the group, including flights: from Lima to Puerto Maldonado, from Puerto Maldonado to Cusco and from Cusco to Lima; and round-trip bus/train tickets from Cusco to Machu Picchu

- Guided walks and boat rides in the Amazon Rainforest

- Guided Walking Tour of Cusco

- Guided tour of Machu Picchu

Does not include:

- International airfare, expenditures of a personal nature (gratuities, passport/vaccinations services, meals and activities not outlined above, beverages, etc), travel insurance

Payment Schedule:

Deposit: $500 per person due to hold space

Second Payment: 50% of balance due 60 days after deposit

Final Payment: 50% of balance due 120 days after deposit

Cancellation Policy:

Deposit: Non-Refundable

Remainder of payments:

Up to 200 days prior to tour departure: 50% refundable

199 to 120 days prior to tour departure: 25% refundable

119 days to date of departure: 0% refundable

Pricing and itinerary subject to change based on participation, availability, currency fluctuation and more. Pricing listed above includes LBM discount.