Peru Land of Adventure

by Brian Morgan

A Peru tour isn't exactly the first choice that families think of when planning a vacation. Yet, for inquisitive families, the land of the Incas offers a wonderful variety of things to do and a chance for families to learn and discover new things together. It may seem clichéd, but a two week long trip to Peru is like living inside the pages of National Geographic. Families can paddle dugout canoes in the Amazon, trek along ancient Inca highways in sight of glacier covered mountains, and spend a night with farm families in the Andean highlands who still live the lifestyle of a bygone era.

Peru's travel infrastructure has come a long way since the first gringo made his way to Cusco, over dirt roads crowded by donkeys and llamas. Good highways connect the major cities, Boeing 727s fly several times between Cusco, Lima, the Amazon and ports in between, and plenty of hotels can be found with hot water and firm beds. While Peru had a tumultuous 20th Century, the days of revolutions are gone and the windy Gringo Trail is now new pavement where several hundred thousand foreign visitors from the United States and Europe travel each year.

While it is possible to simply show up and travel with your family, like the backpacker you might have been in younger days, it's nice to let a tour company take care of all the details.

Although a traveler can spend weeks and months discovering Peru, I think families are best off exploring the highlights and leaving the nooks and crannies to post-college backpackers. With that said, below I've described some of my favorite places to include on a Peru tour and what families can expect to experience at each destination.

Cusco

The once grand capital of the Inca Empire still pulses with energy. The architecture is interesting, and a day can be spent visiting museums, churches, and nearby ruins. However, most kids would be bored to death learning about the three eras of Inca building and comparing pre- and post-Columbian textiles. However, Cusco's enormous market with its giant papayas, squawking chickens, and whole roasted pigs is sure to entertain and educate young and old. The market is also a great place to try to speak a bit of Spanish.

Sacred Valley

This is an area halfway between Cusco and Machu Picchu. Families can go river rafting on Class III rapids of the Urubamba River. The whitewater trip stops at Inca ruins midway downriver and provides a perfect balance of adventure and learning. Besides whitewater rafting, there are two indigenous markets where kids and parents can compete to see who is the better haggler for handmade sweaters and blankets. A perfect addition to any Peru tour.

Inca Trail

Available, with a tour group, is a three night camping trek to Machu Picchu. Kids age eight and older, who are physically fit, will probably leave mom and dad in the dust as you cross three mountain passes. If you are with a tour, porters carry your gear to make it easier, and camp is set up with piping hot coffee and coco ready when you arrive. Hiking the Inca Trail is one of the world's great pilgrimages and, as such, the long hikes each day give kids and parents time to meet people from all over the world. At night, you will see constellations that you won't find in the northern hemisphere.

Machu Picchu

The most famous Inca ruin is set amidst a lush cloud forest. For young and old the city is a magical place of narrow pathways, massive stonework, and hidden rooms. The actual tour of the ruins is information packed, and may stretch the attention span of even the most focused young person. However, afterwards, exploring on your own can make anyone feel like an adventurer. The hour hike to the Temple of the Moon through dense forest and along a narrow pathway can make parents and kids feel like Indiana Jones.

Lake Titicaca

This is the highest navigable lake in the world and might also provide the most memorable experiences on a family Peru tour. Families can board a boat and travel a couple hours across the lake to Amantani Island- an island of indigenous farmers living much like they have for centuries. Upon stepping out of the boat, visitors are greeted by the mother of their host family. That night, two families from very different worlds, will share a meal and attend a community dance at the local school. Host families on Amantani do not speak English, and if your kids have taken some Spanish at school, you'll likely be in their hands to communicate with your hosts. Even with the language barrier, kids quickly learn how to talk to kids, and the hospitality of your host family is sure to leave a lasting impression.

Amazon Rainforest

Some of the wildest parts of this great jungle are found in Peru. A family vacation to the Peruvian highlands can be completed with a few nights in a rainforest lodge. Any rainforest lodge will provide a variety of short and long hikes for any fitness level. A guide may offer the chance to try rainforest treats such as a wriggly worm or lemon tasting ants. A trip to the jungle provides countless lessons in ecology and science in an adventurous setting.

A Peru tour offers countless adventures. Every member of the family can find some form of an adventure that suits them in this wonderful and fascinating country.

Brian Morgan founded an adventure company and has been working and traveling throughout Latin America since 1999.