Peru Family Insider
This trip is currently only available as a Private Trip. For a trip like this one, please see Peru Multisport or call 800-462-2848 to speak with a Trip Consultant.
History, Culture & Natural Delights in Cusco & Machu Picchu
Weaving together stunning Andean landscapes, fascinating Inca history and captivating Quechua culture, our trip wraps you and your family in the essence of Peru. You'll witness an engaging blend of Pre-Columbian, colonial and 21st-century cultures in Cusco, where trendy galleries rest on foundations of ancient Inca stonework and young locals clad in jeans pass rural women dressed in rainbow-colored pollera skirts and ponchos. Marvel at ancestral folk music during an interactive performance and lunch at a family home. While adults visit the ruins at Ollantaytambo, kids enjoy a special encounter and activities with students from a local elementary school. Feel the energy of the apukuna (mountain spirits) as you explore Machu Picchu. And fun for all ages: put your artistic flair to the test at a famous ceramics studio dedicated to preserving ancient techniques. Along the way, delight in the company of our Peruvian guides, who offer personal insights into the region's deep mythological and religious roots.
Cusco
Meet in Cusco, once the center of the pre-Columbian Inca Empire, and explore with our knowledgeable guide 
Rub shoulders with locals at a bustling outdoor market Visit the impressive Museum of Pre-Colombian Art and shop for handicrafts Prepare traditional Peruvian dishes at a fun-filled cooking class Discover awe-inspiring Sacsayhuamán, often called "Stonehenge of the Andes."
Urubamba
Feast your eyes on the Salineras de Maras, a spectacular honeycomb of salt-encrusted basins, raked and bagged for centuries Dine with a special local family at their beautiful hacienda Investigate Ollantaytambo's historic treasures and Inca city planning and interact with children at a nearby preschool Glimpse Andean home life on our visit to an isolated weaving hamlet Join world-renowned artists Pablo and Marilú for a ceramics workshop Spend time with local musicians, enjoying the sounds of ancient instruments.
Aguas Calientes
Travel by train to Aguas Calientes Explore the enigmatic citadel of Machu Picchu on a private walk, and learn about the exquisite temples and astrological designs Walk to the Inca Drawbridge or visit the famous Gate of the Sun Return to Cusco in luxury on the Orient Express Hiram Bingham train, accompanied by spectacular views of the Urubamba River Valley and snowcapped Andean peaks.
Cusco
Savor one last buffet breakfast at Hotel Monasterio before shuttling to the Cusco airport.
HEAVENLY HAVENS: Premiere Inns
Hotel Monasterio del Cusco (3 nights): Delight in a unique encounter with Inca and Spanish traditions at this elegant museum-hotel, a favorite among readers of Condé Nast Traveler and Travel+Leisure.
Sol y Luna Lodge & Spa (2 nights): Located in the heart of the Sacred Valley, surrounded by beautiful gardens and featuring comfortable and tastefully appointed bungalows.
Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel (1 night): The savvy traveler's preferred choice at Machu Picchu: adobe cabañas adorned with regional weavings and surrounded by a pool and gardens where Peru's leading botanist Dr. Isiais Rolando has created a refuge for rare orchids.
Recommended Kids Ages
Minimum Ages:
Recommended minimum age for the trip: 12 years
General Info on Minimum Ages:
We strongly encourage families to join our Family Trips, designed with kid- and adult-friendly features. Please note that we have a minimum age requirement of 1 year for all Inn trips and 2 years for all Camping trips. Other than that, we do not restrict trips to a minimum age except in the rare case of a hotel age restriction. We do, however, recommend minimum ages based on the following criteria:
- 12+ cultural appreciation, difficulty of activities
- 9+ difficulty of activities
- 6+ several long adult dinners; there may be multiple activity restrictions
- 3+ activities are suited to young kids; there are few or no activity restrictions; and no long dinners (or we offer alternatives)
Please note that a trip may feature an activity with an older age requirement than the minimum age recommendation for the trip. Younger kids are still welcome on the trip and while they will not be able to participate in the activity, the leaders will suggest an alternate activity.
Guest Trip Reviews
Backroads is really excited to add our latest way to explore the world - Insider Trips - to our award-winning biking, hiking and multisport vacations. These are experiences you cannot have behind the wheel of a car, or on a train or a tour bus, or in a few excursions from a cruise ship or a secluded resort.- Backroads President and Founder