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Peru Family Multisport

Peru Family Multisport

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.

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.

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HIGH-ALTITUDE ELEGANCE: Premiere Inns

Hotel Monasterio (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 (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 (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.

Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain

Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8

* Please note that altitude will increase the level of difficulty of some route options.


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
Level 1 2-3 hours 10-20 mile 2-5 miles
Level 2 2-4 hours 21-30 miles 5-7 miles
Level 3 3-5 hours 31-40 miles 7-9 miles
Level 4 4-6 hours 41-55 miles 9-11 miles
Level 5 5-7+ hours 56-75+ miles 11-13+ miles
2010 DATES
FAMILY TRIPS
2011 DATES
FAMILY TRIPS
Recommended Kids Ages

Minimum Ages:

Recommended minimum age for the trip: 12 years

Minimum age restriction to ride own bike: 9 years

No burleys or piccolos available on this trip.

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:

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. For safety reasons, children under 7 may not ride their own bikes and are required to ride on a Piccolo or in a Burley. For certain destinations, children must be 9 or older to ride their own bikes.

Guest Trip Reviews

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.
Evan Harrel - Houston, TX

I have been on several trips, and this was the best so far. I think it was the combination of outdoor adventure and cultural exploration. When people call and say, "which trip should I go on with Backroads?" you should say "They are all great, but have you thought of Peru?!"
Stephen Rothbloom - Atlanta, GA