
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.
*Please note: Permits to hike the Inca Trail are extremely limited, we recommend booking a minimum of four to six months prior to departure date to increase the chances of acquiring authorization. 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, take a walking tour of town, rich in Inca and Spanish-Colonial architecture, while kids can 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 salt pans - las Salineras
Explore Ollantaytambo, where the younger set gets the chance to visit schools and interact with local children
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.
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.
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
- 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.
Trips 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 | Average Distance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biking | Walking & Hiking | ||
| 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 |
2009 DATES
FAMILY TRIPS
- 6/21-28Price: $4698 pp dbl. occ., (+ $990 for sgl. occ.)
The trip you have selected is different from the one displayed. Here's how:
Hotel Variation:On Days 3, 4 & 5, we stay at Hotel Sol y Luna in Urubamba. - 7/5-12Price: $4698 pp dbl. occ., (+ $990 for sgl. occ.)
- 7/19-26Price: $4698 pp dbl. occ., (+ $990 for sgl. occ.)
- 8/2-9Price: $4698 pp dbl. occ., (+ $990 for sgl. occ.)
2010 DATES
FAMILY TRIPS
- 3/7-14Price: $4998 pp dbl. occ., (+ $990 for sgl. occ.)
- 3/14-21Price: $4998 pp dbl. occ., (+ $990 for sgl. occ.)
- 3/28-4/4Price: $4998 pp dbl. occ., (+ $990 for sgl. occ.)
The trip you have selected is different from the one displayed. Here's how:
Hotel Variation:On Days 3, 4 & 5, we stay at Hotel Sol y Luna in Urubamba. - 6/20-27Price: $4998 pp dbl. occ., (+ $990 for sgl. occ.)
- 7/4-11Price: $4998 pp dbl. occ., (+ $990 for sgl. occ.)
- 7/18-25Price: $4998 pp dbl. occ., (+ $990 for sgl. occ.)
The trip you have selected is different from the one displayed. Here's how:
Hotel Variation:On Days 3, 4 & 5, we stay at Hotel Sol y Luna in Urubamba. - 8/1-8Price: $4998 pp dbl. occ., (+ $990 for sgl. occ.)
Reserve early for the best available price. Prices may change during the course of the year--if they do change, the best prices are available earlier. Once you book your trip, your price is guaranteed.
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:
- 12+ cultural appreciation, difficulty of activities and route
- 9+ difficulty of activities and route
- 6+ several long adult dinners; parent may not be able to pull a Burley and/or there may be multiple activity restrictions
- 3+ riding is on bike paths, making it great for young kids; Burley and Piccolos are available; 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. 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.- 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?!"- Atlanta, GA
