Cusco (Peru) | Lima (Peru) | Tambopata National Reserve (Peru) | Urubamba (Peru)
The following are Peru Family Journey: The Amazon & Machu Picchu tour dates available from G Adventures. Select a bonus offer graphic to view its details, including its terms.
Welcome to Lima - your arrival transfer to the hotel is included. Check in and get excited to meet your fellow travellers during a welcome meeting this evening where all families can bond before the Journey ahead.
The Lima Cooking Class comes highly recommended for families with children keenly interested in cooking, and learning more about local cuisine and ingredients. Please note, the pisco sour offered during the cooking class is for adults only.
Sit back and relax during your included transfer from the airport in Lima to your joining hotel.
Your opportunity to meet your National Geographic Expedition Leader and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
Today, set out to discover a wilder side of Peru. Catch a morning flight to Puerto Maldonado, then continue by motorized canoe along the Tambopata River to your jungle lodge in the Amazon rainforest. Have lunch on board and keep an eye out for wildlife and birds along the way. Upon arrival, settle into your thatched roof lodging, near Tambopata National Reserve, one of the most biodiverse corners of the Amazon. In the afternoon, join a naturalist guide to seek out the rainforest's wildlife, from colourful butterflies to huge spiders, and learn the uses of medicinal and other forest plants through traditional techniques.
En route, spot bird species typical of the local river and forest edge. The Tambopata Rainforest area holds the world record for the most bird sightings in one area.Local community members make up the majority of lodge staff, including multilingual naturalist guides. Take the opportunity to learn about the area's rich flora and fauna and locals' extensive use of medicinal plants and other forest plant resources.The lodge itself combines local architectural style and materials with low-impact, eco-friendly technology. Rooms are simple but comfortable, with mosquito netting for individual beds, flush toilets, and showers (with solar-heated hot water). Please bring a small battery powered lantern or flashlight.
After a brief stop in town to store large luggage, drive to the pier and travel by covered motorized boat to the jungle lodge. Be prepared to protect yourself from the sun and bugs before you get on the boat. It's quite pleasant with the covered roof and breeze, but you can still get sunburned. It's recommended to wear light long sleeves and trousers on the boat.
Leave Peru's Pacific coast behind and fly over the Andes to the Amazon Jungle.
Climb in and move swiftly through the water to our lodge, nestled deep in the jungle along the river.
Get the lowdown on local flora and fauna, and grab a flashlight to discover what's living around lodge grounds. Receive help from the talented, expert naturalist guide to locate heaps of hidden creatures! Keep an eye out for snakes, tarantulas, owls, and poison dart frogs, just to name a few.
Grab your binoculars and head out with a naturalist guide to explore the rainforest's complex ecosystems. Search the forest canopy where colourful toucans, boisterous howler monkeys, and sloths may be spotted. Hike to an oxbow lake, then paddle dugout canoes to glimpse river otters, turtles, and, with any luck, an anaconda or two. This evening, venture out in a motorized canoe to spot the jungle's elusive nocturnal species, caimans-the smaller cousins of alligators, hiding along the muddy banks.
Activities in the rainforest are completely weather dependent and can change based on local conditions. Your Expedition Leader and local guide will review the daily schedule with you.
Take time to relax during the mid-day heat or go for a swim in the river.
Enjoy visits to oxbow lakes to learn about the jungle and its inhabitants. Be introduced to the area's rich flora and fauna by expert naturalist guides, who can teach extensive uses for medicinal and other forest plant resources through traditional techniques. Be prepared to go early morning or evening to avoid the heat of midday. Enjoy a leisurely pace - the trip requires some walking, but nothing too strenuous.
Head out after dark by motorized canoe to search for caimans on the river banks. Enjoy a lesson on caimans from the expert guide. Take advantage of the keen eyes of the expert naturalist guides - they are truly spectacular at spotting these elusive smaller cousins of alligators hiding on the muddy banks.
Board a motorized canoe in the early light, skimming along the river to Puerto Maldonado before taking a flight to Cusco. Continue by road into the Sacred Valley, where towering mountain slopes line the path to a cozy restaurant for a lunch of fresh local flavours. Arrive at your hotel with plenty of time to unpack, relax, and breathe in the cool mountain air. As night falls, gather the kids around a crackling campfire for a warm evening of storytelling, listening to local legends that bring the valley to life.
Return to Puerto Maldonado by motorized canoe to catch your flight to Cusco.
Fly up out of the Amazon rainforest to Cusco, the capital of the Inca empire in the Andes Mountains.
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Gather the kids around the fire for a storytelling activity complete with delicious plates of food and roasted marshmallows.
After breakfast, head to the Cuyo Chico Community, a G Adventures-supported project, where local artisans welcome your family into their workshop. Learn traditional ceramic-painting techniques and paint your own clay torito de Pukara bull to take home. Next, visit the Pisac market, where colourful textiles and handicrafts fill every corner. Head to the community-run Parwa restaurant for a farm-to-table lunch prepared with fresh regional ingredients. Return to the hotel for a free evening to relax.
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Visit a small indigenous community near the ruins of Pisac to hear all about how the traditional ceramics are made. Learn about the significance of the prolific "toritos de Pukara," the small clay bulls that adorn many of the tile rooftops in the Cusco area and in the Sacred Valley, before getting the chance to paint your own.
In the rural village of Cuyo Chico in the Sacred Valley, a group of families joined together to create a small business based on their traditional adobe ceramic crafts. Using clay from their surroundings, they mold bowls, plates, and all manner of decorations. Learn about the ceramics process as well as the traditional adobe brick-making that forms the basis of houses throughout the valley, all while taking in a spectacular view of the Pisac Ruins. After the demonstration, peruse the items for sale directly from the artisans in their shop.
Wander the stalls of the vibrant market in the town of Pisac, filled with handicraft vendors, food stalls and colourful traditional wares and souvenirs.
Contribute to sustainable tourism in Huchuy Qosqo, a small village of 65 families in the Sacred Valley, by eating at the Parwa Community Restaurant. Learn how the resident-run restaurant was kickstarted by G Adventures and the Multilateral Investment Fund, to become a successful farm-to-table program that boosts the local economy and several spin-off microenterprises.
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Early this morning, head to Ollantaytambo station to board a scenic train winding through the mountain valley toward Aguas Calientes. Catch the bus up the zig-zagging mountain road to Machu Picchu, perched high above the valley floor. Explore the site alongside a local guide who brings the citadel's history to life for young travellers. Afterwards, descend back to Aguas Calientes by bus and board the return train to Ollantaytambo before settling into your hotel for a peaceful evening after a day of adventure.
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Climb aboard, take a seat, and enjoy the ride.
Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.
Set off with a local guide to explore Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas. Learn about the history and gain insights into this massive mountaintop citadel while wandering through ancient dwellings, stone temples and along sculpted terraces. Feel the energy of this 15th-century site, now both a UNESCO World Heritage site and voted one of the new Seven Wonders of the World in a worldwide internet poll.
Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.
Climb aboard, take a seat, and enjoy the ride.
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Leave the Sacred Valley behind and travel toward Piuray Lagoon, stopping along the peaceful shores to share lunch. Continue to Cusco as the afternoon unfolds. Tonight, set off for the Cusco Planetarium in the nearby hills. Step inside to explore Incan constellations and the Southern Sky through dynamic projections and stories, then head outside to look through telescopes at the starry Andean sky before returning to the hotel.
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Look to the night sky for a different view of the city. Explore the Cusco Planetarium surrounded by the serene nature of the Llaullipata Ecological Reserve. Enjoy a presentation on the southern sky, contemporary astronomy, and the ancient Incas' relationship with the cosmos. Check out the on-site museum and use the telescopes to admire the stars (weather-permitting).
Set off on a morning walking tour through Cusco's historic centre to see Koricancha, the Twelve Angle Stone, the Cathedral, and the main square. Next, get hands-on at a chocolate workshop, molding your own sweet treats with over a dozen toppings while learning how cacao beans become chocolate. Spend a free afternoon browsing market stalls or resting up. Tonight, gather with your group for dinner to share moments from your adventure.
Get familiar with cacao, learn how it grows, how it's harvested, how it gets made into chocolate, and its importance to the Inca. After, make your own chocolates to take home with you and enjoy a delicious souvenir.
Set off on foot to explore the Plaza de Armas (main square) and discover the vast history of this Incan city. Take in the sights while learning about the Spanish conquest, archaeology, and other historical facts about Cusco. Finally, wander the food and shop stalls in San Pedro Market where all of your senses will come to life. Pick up some souvenirs, from magnets to Pachamama dolls, and try local street fares like salchipapas (fried sausages and potatoes), or empanadas at this authentically Peruvian market.
Depart at any time.
Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.
G Adventures is informing us of the following additional details regarding their Peru Family Journey: The Amazon & Machu Picchu tour:
Max 22, avg 16
Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Cusco Planetarium, CuscoYour G for Good Moment: Cuyo Chico Visit, PisacYour G for Good Moment: Parwa Community Restaurant the Sacred Valley, LamayYour Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your Expedition Leader and Group, LimaJunior Explorer's Night: Campfire Storytelling and Dinner, UrubambaYour Family Journeys Moment: Community Visit with Ceramic Painting Workshop, PisacMade Together Moment: Chocolate Making Workshop, Cusco. Arrival transfer. Three-day (2 nts) excursion to an Amazon rainforest lodge. Guided tour of Machu Picchu. Cusco walking tour. Farewell dinner. All tips included for activities and meals, except for Expedition Leaders and porterage. Internal flights. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.
Discover the biodiversity of the Peruvian Amazon and explore rainforest trails, Visit a traditional ceramic-making community and a community-run restaurant to experience Andean culture, Venture into mysterious Machu Picchu and wander through Inca ruins in the midst of stunning views, Learn about the constellations of the Southern Hemisphere while peering through telescopes at the Cusco Planetarium
G Adventures is offering the following optional activities at an additional cost, subject to availability:
Lima- Lima Cooking Class (4hrs)- Lima City Tour (40USD per person)
Travel insurance is compulsory in order to participate on any of our trips. When travelling on a group trip, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance has been sighted by your leader, who will take note of your insurance details. When selecting a travel insurance policy we require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency evacuation and repatriation. A minimum coverage of USD200,000 is required. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. Some tours include adventure activities that require extra coverage (e.g. crampon use); please review your itinerary and make sure that you are covered for all included activities. If you have credit card insurance we require proof of purchase of the trip (a receipt of credit card statement) with a credit card in your name. Contact your bank for details of their participating insurer, the level of coverage and emergency contact telephone number.
Hotels (6 nts), Amazon Lodge (2 nts)
8 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 4 dinners
Eating is a big part of traveling and we encourage you to experience the vast array of wonderful food that is available out in the world. Its important to remember, that food may be different from what you are used to at home and that some things may not be available in other countries.Some meals are included in the trip price, while others are not, to allow flexibility and choice to you and your family. For non-included meals our Expedition Leaders will still make arrangements for the group to eat together, which allows you to taste a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each other's company. There is no obligation to do this though. For all trips please refer to the meals included and budget information for included meals and approximate budget (per person) for meals not included.Throughout this trip, breakfast is included daily (ranging from continental to buffet depending on the trip). Drinking water is available throughout (don't forget your refillable water bottle as you will have access to either filtered water from hotels or as made available by the Expedition Leader). Healthy, local snacks will also be available.Note that any special meal requirements or dietary restrictions need to be specified at time of booking.
2 National Geographic Expedition Leaders throughout, local guides
All National Geographic Family Journeys with G Adventures group trips are accompanied by two of our National Geographic Expedition Leaders. The aim of the Expedition Leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. They will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense; you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects. We also use local guides where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting- we think it's the best of both worlds.
No, international flights are generally not included in the price of your tour. However, on some tours travelling between two different countries, international flights are included as part of the itinerary and price of the tour. Please speak to your GCO or booking agent for further details. In addition, check-in times and baggage allowances/restrictions vary by airline and can change at any time. For the most up-to-date information for your flight, please contact your airline. We recommend checking in online in advance to avoid potential delays at the airport.
Private van, plane, train, boat
Minimum age of 7 years for this trip.
Family Journeys are designed for groups traveling with children between the ages of 7 and 17. Your group must include a child in order to book, and anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.Machu Picchu regulations require all visitors to follow a pre-determined circuit within the site as a way to prevent overcrowding. The circuit-specific entrance tickets are available on a first come, first served basis. At the time of booking, you may select your preferred circuit, subject to availability. If no selection is made, we will book a circuit based on availability at the time of booking. All circuits offer the opportunity to enjoy the beauty, history, and impressive ingenuity of this ancient site.
Amazon:o Knee-length sockso Loose-fitting, light coloured hiking pantso Loose-fitting, light coloured long-sleeved shirtso Pack liners to waterproof bags Cold Weather:o Long-sleeved shirts or sweatero Scarfo Warm gloveso Warm hato Warm layerso Warm waterproof jacketDocuments:o Flight info (required) (Printouts of e-tickets may be required at the border)o Insurance info (required) (With photocopies)o Passport (required) (With photocopies)o Vouchers and pre-departure information (required)o Visas or vaccination certificates (With photocopies)Essentials:o Footwear (required) (Closed toe suggested)o Toiletries (required) (Shampoo, bodywash, soap, etc.)o Binoculars (optional)o Camera (With extra memory cards and batteries)o Cash, credit and debit cardso Day pack (Used for daily excursions or short overnights)o Ear plugso First-aid kit (should contain lip balm with sunscreen, sunscreen, whistle, Aspirin, Ibuprofen, bandaids/plasters, tape, anti-histamines, antibacterial gel/wipes, antiseptic cream, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, rehydration powder, water purification tablets or drops, insect repellent, sewing kit, extra prescription drugs you may be taking)o Flashlight/torch (Headlamps are ideal)o Fleece top/sweatero Hato Headphones (Noise-cancelling recommended)o Locks for bagso Long pants/jeanso Moneybelto Outlet adaptero Personal entertainment (Reading and writing materials, cards, music player, etc.)o Reusable water bottleo Shirts/t-shirtso Sleepwearo Small travel towelo Sunglasseso Swimwearo Watch and alarm clocko Waterproof backpack covero Windproof rain jacketHealth & Safety:o Face masks (Clients will be only be required to wear a face mask where it is mandated by local regulations.)o Hand sanitizero Pen (Please bring your own pen for filling out documents.)Warm Weather:o Sandals/flip-flopso Shorts/skirts (Longer shorts/skirts are recommended)o Sturdy water shoes/sandalso Sun hat/bandanao SwimwearNote: Note: Light weight, quick-drying, clothes are advisable; as well as a light waterproof jacket. It is important to pack clothes for warm days and cool evenings. Prepare for hot, rainy and humid conditions in the rainforest; and cooler temperatures in the highlands. Lightweight breathable clothing is recommended and layering is essential.You will visit various geographies and altitude on this trip, make sure you have clothing for all conditions.We're working with our accommodation partners to reduce single-use plastic on our tours by providing safe drinking water for refillable bottles wherever possible. Find out more about our Plastics Partnership Project here.
Note: Light weight, quick-drying, clothes are advisable; as well as a light waterproof jacket. It is important to pack clothes for warm days and cool evenings. Prepare for hot, rainy and humid conditions in the rainforest; and cooler temperatures in the highlands. Lightweight breathable clothing is recommended and layering is essential.You will visit various geographies and altitude on this trip, make sure you have clothing for all conditions.We're working with our accommodation partners to reduce single-use plastic on our tours by providing safe drinking water for refillable bottles wherever possible. Find out more about our Plastics Partnership Project here.
You will be on the move a lot, so our advice is to pack as lightly as possible. Your baggage should be clearly labelled and restricted to one soft compact suitcase, sports bag, or backpack. A daypack is also essential for carrying everyday items. Space is limited on transportation, so there is a limit of one main piece of luggage per person. Porters may not always be available, so be prepared to carry your own bags.
Upgraded: Quality accommodations and more inclusions than on other G Adventures tours, like meals, private transport, and activities.
Local tipping is included on this Family trip which covers local guides, drivers and gratuity for included meals. At the end of your trip if you felt your two Expedition Leaders did an outstanding job, tipping is appreciated. The amount is entirely a personal preference, however as a guideline; however as a guideline; per Expedition Leader $3-5 USD per person, per day can be used.For non-included meals in restaurant, a guideline is 10% of cost of bill.