Peru Family Multisport
From Cusco to Machu Picchu
Backroads invites you and your family to discover the tapestry of history, culture and extraordinary natural delights that blankets the diverse country of Peru. Beneath lofty Andean peaks and shifting clouds lie the remnants of an ancient civilization. Fascinating archaeological ruins and traces of Inca architectural heritage are found at every turn. Setting off with our local expert, you and your family journey from Cusco, the former religious center and capital of the Inca Empire, to humble Quechua villages and the stunning ruins of Machu Picchu.
Permits to hike the Inca Trail are extremely limited. We recommend booking a minimum of 4-6 months prior to departure in order to significantly increase your chance of securing a permit. If permits are unavailable during some seasons we will take a train to Aguas Calientes, bus to the entrance and hike into Machu Picchu.
Trip Planning Links
- Aurelio, our local guide, shares deep insight into Peru's culture and ancient civilizations
- Machu Picchu: the incredible "Lost City of the Incas"
- Interact with schoolchildren in Ollantaytambo and visit a weaving community in Huilloc
- Cusco, alive with the energy of the Inca and history of the Spanish conquistadors
- Hike to impressive ruins: Tambo Machay, Temple of the Moon and others
The Day-to-Day Itinerary
Days 1-2 Cusco
Meet in Cusco, which rests at 11,200 feet 
With our local guide, explore the town, rich in Inca and Spanish-Colonial architecture, while kids tackle an urban scavenger hunt Hike to Inca archaeological sites, including Tambo Machay, Sacsayhuamán and Temple of the Moon Delight in a private live performance of Andean folk music during a picnic lunch in a secluded mountain meadow.
Days 3-5 Urubamba
Bike along the altiplano and Urubamba Valley, the Sacred Valley of the Incas, past small farming villages and pueblos In Moray, learn how the Incas experimented with farming techniques using high-altitude terraces Taste the salt at the Las Salineras salt pans, farmed by families for generations Explore Ollantaytambo, where the younger set visits a school and interacts with the kids Journey into a quiet river valley to a Quechua community and engage with master weavers at work From the ruins of Pisac, take in the sweeping vista of the Sacred Valley Kids take part in a special market challenge competition.
Days 6-8 Aguas Calientes
After a train ride, hike the "Gate of the Sun" trail for a bird's-eye view of the "Lost City of the Incas" You may also have the option to hike the famed Inca Trail up to Machu Picchu Spend another full day exploring Machu Picchu, contemplating its exquisite stonework and mysterious astrological designs Return to Cusco by train.
- Premiere Inns: These lodgings possess both elegance and authentic regional flair.
- Casual Inns: These lodgings are comfortable and appropriate to the area with such characteristics as authenticity, scenic settings and proximity to our activities.
- Deluxe Family Camping: We set up the tents (and take them down), handle every camp chore and perform culinary magic.
Other Trips You Might Like:
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Look at what other guests are saying about this trip!
This trip was simply exceptional: Great Backroads leaders, ideal itinerary, exceptional local guide with good logistics support and excellent accommodations. Combine that with the natural beauty and historic significance of the area, and this seems like it will be hard to beat - but we felt that way after biking in the Canadian Rockies. Backroads has outdone itself. The itinerary was very well thought out and ideal as set up. What made it even nicer is that I felt that the itinerary as followed was adapted just for me. I was able to do more or less as desired and the leaders made the changes on the fly (and apparently effortlessly, although I know better) based on what I requested and what everyone else requested.- Houston, TX More about this Trip All Guest Reviews
For 30 years, Backroads has been perfecting the art of active travel. We are the Peru tour experts. For multisport tours in Latin America, trust our in-depth connections. To see all our Latin America multisport tours click here. For our selection of award-winning Latin America biking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning Latin America walking and hiking tours click here.
Peru Family Multisport
HIGH-ALTITUDE ELEGANCE: Premiere Inns
Hotel Monasterio
Cusco (2 nights) A 17th-century monastery transformed into a graceful five-star hotel and member of Leading Small Hotels of the World.
Willka T'ika
Urubamba (3 nights) You'll be warmly welcomed at this guest house with garden cottages built in 16th-century Spanish-Colonial style, a yoga room, outdoor herbal baths and massage facilities.
Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel
Aguas Calientes (2 nights) The savvy traveler's preferred choice at Machu Picchu, the inn's adobe cabanas are adorned with regional weavings and surrounded by a pool and rain forest gardens, where Peru's leading botanist Dr. Isiais Rolando has created a botanical refuge for rare orchids.
Peru Family Multisport
Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain
Routes For All Abilities
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.
| Activity Level | Average Time | Biking Average | Walking Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Insider Trips | Explore at a leisurely pace—on village walks, market strolls, art history excursions, hands-on cooking classes and more. | ||
| 1 | 2-3 hours | 10-20 miles | 2-5 miles |
| 2 | 2-4 hours | 21-30 miles | 5-7 miles |
| 3 | 3-5 hours | 31-40 miles | 7-9 miles |
| 4 | 4-6 hours | 41-55 miles | 9-11 miles |
| 5 | 5-7+ hours | 56-75+ miles | 11-13+ miles |
Day 1
- Walking Tour 3.5 hours
Day 2
- Levels 1 to 2 3 Route Options Available
- Hiking 3.4, 5.2, 5.8 miles
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 3
- Level 1 4 Route Options Available
- Hiking 2.5 miles
- 250 feet elevation gain
- Biking 6, 14, 19 miles
- 0 - 1000 feet elevation gain
Day 4
- Level 1 2 Route Options Available
- Hiking 2.8, 4.7 miles
- 500 - 1000 feet elevation gain
Day 5
- Levels 1 to 2 4 Route Options Available
- Hiking 1.6 miles
- 500 feet elevation gain
- Biking 14, 19, 27 miles
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 6
- Levels 1 to 2 2 Route Options Available
- Hiking 2.2, 6.8 miles
- 500 - 2500 feet elevation gain
Day 7
- Level 1 3 Route Options Available
- Hiking 1.5, 2.2, 3.7 miles
- 500 - 2000 feet elevation gain
- Guided Tour of Machu Picchu
Day 8
- Conclusion of Trip
* Please note that altitude will increase the level of difficulty of some route options.