Traveling to Peru with the family

Travel to Peru with your family to explore Inca ruins, observe Amazonian wildlife, ride dune buggies, go whitewater rafting, pet alpacas, and learn how to make chocolate—Peru has so much to captivate both children and adults. If you’d like to explore this fascinating country with your family, this article will tell you everything you need to know—from the best destinations to the most interesting activities, including how to prepare for challenging terrain.

1/ Traveling with Your Family in Peru You can travel to Peru with your family independently by properly planning your trip with your local SoGuide. There are regular bus services throughout the country, but the quality of the vehicles and roads varies. Peru is a fairly large country, and traveling between tourist destinations can involve long bus rides. It’s not easy for many children to sit through a trip lasting more than three or four hours.

So consider focusing your trip on a specific geographic area, or taking domestic flights, most of which take only an hour or less. These are particularly recommended between Lima and Cusco, Lima and Iquitos, and Cusco and Puerto Maldonado. Taxis are a useful way to get around cities and more remote areas.

However, it is essential to use a reputable company, typically booked through your local SoGuide guide. In Lima, a sightseeing bus tour is a good way for your family to get to know the city.

2/ Food and Drink As a relatively poor tropical country with sanitation issues, gastroenteritis is a problem, especially for children. The most common sources of illness are shellfish, pork, unwashed salad, unpeeled fruit, and ice. In first-class hotels and restaurants, you’re generally safe; but it’s prudent to avoid these foods in cheaper establishments and especially street food.

3/ Altitude and Sun Most of Peru’s highlands are above 2,000 m; and Cusco and Puno are well above 3,000 m. So be aware that altitude sickness may be an issue for a few days, especially if you’re flying in from Lima or another location at sea level.

Peru with the Family: Sacred Valley This can cause headaches and dizziness. The best solution is to take it easy and eat light, carbohydrate-rich foods. Consider heading down to a lower elevation when you arrive in Cusco, to a destination like Pisac or Ollantaytambo.

Since the sun is intense in the highlands near the equator, apply plenty of sunscreen to the children and bring hats. Keep in mind that the sun’s rays are twice as strong at high altitudes, even if the air is cold.

4/ Family Activities in Peru: Archaeology and History Peru is brimming with archaeological treasures that can delight children interested in history—especially if they’ve read about them before the trip. The most famous sites are the Inca ruins of Cusco, the Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu; but other regions also hold wonders, such as Trujillo, Chiclayo, and Chachapoyas in the north. In the southern desert, you’ll find the mysterious Nazca Lines; and in the north, the adobe structures of Huaca de la Luna and Chan Chan; as well as the Fortress of the Warriors of the Clouds in Kuélap.

5/ Sun and Beaches Most tourists don’t go to Peru for the beaches. But there are plenty of places to soak up the sun and swim along the coast if the kids want to enjoy the sun and the sea. To escape Lima for a few hours, there are good beaches in Punta Hermosa and San Bartolo. Further south, the Paracas Reserve has good beaches and is great for birdwatching. The best beaches are far to the north, in Máncora, and near Chiclayo, but be sure to fly there since it’s a long way from Lima.

6/ Birdwatching Peru is a birdwatcher’s paradise, so be sure to bring binoculars. The best spots are in the Amazon rainforest near Puerto Maldonado; deeper within Manu National Park; or at lodges near Iquitos. Condors are a highlight of mountain trips and are particularly common in the Colca Canyon region.

7/ Hiking and Trekking Peru offers hikes and treks for all skill levels. If your children are fit and motivated, consider exploring the Huaraz region, a paradise for climbers. The full Inca trails may be too long for children, but a shortened one- or two-day version could work. Hikes in the Colca Canyon, to the ruins of the Chachapoya region, or around Lake Titicaca are other options. But always make sure to take it easy, acclimate to the altitude, and go with a SoGuide guide.

8/ Horseback Riding Horseback riding can be a more leisurely way for children to explore the mountains. Horses can easily be rented in the Cusco region and the Sacred Valley, as well as in Huaraz and further north; ask your local SoGuide guide for more information.

9/ Rafting and Kayaking Peru’s rivers, which flow down from the Andes toward the coast and the jungle, are excellent for rafting and kayaking. The Cusco region offers gentler, family-friendly rafting options, and a kayaking trip is a great way to explore Lake Titicaca. More challenging rafting routes, which are not suitable for young children, can be found elsewhere in the Sacred Valley and in Huaraz. Canoeing is an essential part of any trip to the Amazon and is ideal for children on the calm tributaries.

10/ Cusco and the Highlands Peru’s most popular tourist region—around Cusco, the Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu—is very family-friendly. Keep in mind that most attractions are historical, so whet your children’s appetite for Inca heritage before setting off on your trip.

For something more fun, kids will love learning the entire chocolate-making process—“from bean to bar”—at the ChocoMuseo in Cusco. If they have a sweet tooth, there’s plenty of homemade ice cream in Cusco; and if they’re up for an adventure, you can try whole roasted guinea pig. A visit to a llama farm is another excellent idea; there are many on the outskirts of Cusco, such as Awana Kancha on the road to Pisac.

There are plenty of opportunities for horseback riding, hiking, rafting, and kayaking in the mountains to keep the kids happy if they’re looking for something more adventurous. Lake Titicaca is another fascinating destination, but be prepared for the cold and high altitude. Kayaking here is a great family activity. Watching condors at Colca Canyon is very impressive, followed by a dip in the hot springs; while the Huaraz region is better suited for teenagers interested in hiking.

11/ Lima and the Coast Lima is a bustling city with excellent food. Introduce the kids to the delights of fish ceviche and Peruvian-Asian fusion cuisine. Stroll along the Malecón Rimac to sample sweet cream rice and mazamorra morada, a delicious warm purple pudding.

mazamorra morada Don’t miss the impressive water and sound show, held every afternoon at 4 p.m. at Parque de la Reserva in downtown Lima. There is also a ChocoMuseo, similar to the one in Cusco, which offers interesting workshops on chocolate making. Other family-friendly attractions in the city include Minimundo, featuring miniature replicas of Lima and Peruvian landmarks; the science exhibits at the Interactive Imagination Museum; and the planetarium.

The beaches along the coast are nice depending on the time of year, but keep in mind that it can get chilly and cloudy. SoGuide Tip: Take a boat trip to the Ballestas Islands to see sea lions, seals, and penguins. You can combine this with a trip to Ica, where kids will love learning how to sandboard and taking a buggy ride through the dunes.

In northern Peru, children will enjoy exploring the adobe ruins around Trujillo and Chiclayo; they can try their hand at building adobe workshops using clay and bamboo, or learn to cook the Pachamanca way in a clay oven.

12/ The Amazon Rainforest Peru offers a wide range of jungle experiences for families, ranging from light jungle treks to in-depth excursions into the primary rainforest. The former is likely best suited for families staying near Puerto Maldonado. Refugio Amazonas is a lodge particularly well-suited for families, featuring a children’s playground in the rainforest, jungle trails, and kid-friendly activities.