Claire Dean
Claire Dean

Claire Dean

Travel in South America is a joy to behold. The rich variety of destinations, experiences, landscapes and geography fascinated me so much, that I chose to relocate here, over 20 years ago! The best thing I ever did! Allow me to share my knowledge and passion for Central and South America with you and help you plan your holiday of a lifetime!

The Top 5 Family Activities in Peru

The Top 5 Family Activities in Peru

5MINREAD

Written by:Claire Dean

Published: 2022-11-03

Peru is a country of contrasts that is perfect for a family adventure. You can hike the Inca Trail, and visit the Inca capital, Cusco, with its incredible archaeological sites, and excellent tourism infrastructure with a plethora of activities for all the family. It goes without saying that family tours are significant because these are times to create beautiful memories and share them with your loved ones, while you get away from your daily routine. Traveling with the complete family can be just as wonderful as it is exhausting, however, as it poses a number of challenges for all family members. From choosing the right accommodation to keeping young children, teenagers, and adults busy. If you are planning a trip to Peru, then this destination is incredible as it is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, with endless options to enjoy. 

 

Head out on a Peru family vacation and discover a land of ancient wonders. Traveling with children can be a rewarding and enriching experience, and Peru's diverse attractions cater to a wide range of interests and ages.

In the Airport

 

Making sure your family trip to Peru is filled with unforgettable memories that last a lifetime is high on any parent's priority list when choosing an adventure holiday. A family tour of Peru is usually a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so be sure to do it the best way you can. Avoid the regular tours that herd you around one museum after another with bored and annoying kids begging to do something fun, get their hands dirty, or go on a real adventure. Don't think about leaving your kids at home when planning your family vacation in Peru. Peru offers exciting adventures for the entire family. 

 

Peruvian culture is family-orientated, so a Peru family vacation is an excellent plan! Whether you’re looking for an experience in the Amazon rainforest, The Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu, or visiting quaint colonial cities, or learning about the home of chocolate! planning a family trip to Peru can lead to a Peru vacation package that your children will remember for years to come.

Family Sunset Time

 

Why Choose Peru for a Family Vacation?

A family holiday in Peru is a once-in-a-lifetime trip, so it’s important to go when your children are old enough to appreciate the experience. While older children may enjoy a trip to Machu Picchu and can get more out of the experience, the last thing you want to do is chase a two-year-old around all the time. Visiting Machu Picchu is a very well-organized activity and children can’t just climb over all the ancient stones and rocks. If you are traveling with younger children,  take them to the lesser-visited Inca sites like Pisaq or Tipon, so they can play hide-and-seek and be Indiana Jones in Inca ruins, all day long without the crowds of more popular tourist sites.

 

Visiting Machu Picchu with your family on your Peru vacation package opens up a world of exploration and discovery. From the moment you arrive at the site, you'll be awestruck by the sheer majesty of the ancient Inca citadel. Be in awe at its terraced fields, stone temples, and panoramic views of the surrounding mountains.

Llama in Machu Picchu

 

When to travel to Peru with the Family

The school holidays in March-April are one of the best times to go on a family holiday in Peru. It’s just after the rainy season when everything is looking gloriously green. April-October is generally considered the dry season in Peru. That’s why the school holidays in July and August are another great time to visit Peru as a family. It’s the Peruvian winter, so expect warm blue-sky days followed by chilly and clear star-filled nights. December, January, and February are the wettest months in Peru, especially in the highlands. This is also the worst time of year for mosquitoes in the Amazon region! Here are our top 5 family activities in Peru to make the most of your time in this beautiful country.

 

Visiting the Amazon with your family is a chance to create unforgettable memories and foster a deep appreciation for the environment. On Iquitos tours, you'll be surrounded by the sights and sounds of the rainforest, from the calls of exotic birds to the rustle of unseen creatures in the undergrowth.

Rainy Season in The Amazon

 

What to Do with the Children in Peru

Trekking in the Andes

Trekking in Peru can be orientated around which members of your family can do what. You can hike for 4-6km a day and spend the night in a tent. Or you can trek greater distances while the kids sit on the back of a horse. It’s all about hanging out with the guides and making connections with people from other cultures. Just make sure you take every precaution to avoid altitude sickness and sunburn.

 

Embarking on Peru adventure tours in the Andes with your family is a journey of discovery, bonding, and awe-inspiring natural beauty. The Andes is the longest continental mountain range in the world. The region offers a range of trekking experiences suitable for families with varying ages and levels of experience.

Trekking in The Andes

 

Visit the Amazon

The Amazon lodges we work with are crucial for helping to protect the surrounding rainforests. They also provide work for local people and encourage a better understanding of conservation. This type of accommodation is ideal for families visiting Peru. There are loads of child-friendly activities and play areas, as well as opportunities for kids and adults to go off and do their own thing.

 

Visiting Tambopata with your family is a chance to disconnect from the modern world. Immerse yourselves in the wonders of nature at a Madre de Dios Lodge. From the moment you arrive, you'll be surrounded by the sights and sounds of the rainforest, from the calls of exotic birds to the rustle of monkeys in the treetops.

Amazonian Monkey

 

Manage Expectations

It’s easy to get carried away when preparing for a trip to Peru. However, managing your children’s expectations about what they will experience while they are there.  For example, when it comes to wildlife watching in the Amazon is an important part of appreciating the experience. You will see plenty of monkeys, turtles, and maybe tapirs, giant otters, and capybaras; just don’t expect to see many jaguars. Guided night hikes are best for listening to croaking frogs and spotting insects and spiders, including tarantulas.

 

As you explore Tambopata on your Peru Amazon adventures, you'll have the opportunity to encounter a dazzling array of wildlife. From playful river otters and colorful macaws to elusive jaguars and giant river turtles, the jungle teams with wildlife. You'll also have the chance to learn about the rich biodiversity of the Amazon Rainforest.

Macaw in Tambopata

 

Choco Museo Cusco

What could be more fun on your family trip to Peru than making chocolate and eating it? Head to the Choco Museo in Cusco, join one of its classes, enjoy the tour of the history of chocolate in Peru, or hang out in the cafe and enjoy all the delicious chocolate on offer. Choco Museo is an excellent hands-on experience for the entire family, with overtones of Willy Wonka!

 

ChocoMuseo is a chain of chocolate museums and hands-on workshops located throughout Peru. The locations were all chosen for their proximity to regions where cocoa plantations are located. The ChocoMuseo Peru offers a range of activities from workshops to tastings and even tours of cocoa farms. Visit on your Cusco city tours!

Choco Museo

 

Lima Water and Lights

El Circuito Magico del Agua has no water slides, but it has plenty of watery fun for everyone. Cool down by running over the timed water fountain that shoots up from the ground or through the water bridge. Make sure you take a towel because the kids will get soaked, and you'll want to stay until nightfall for the water and light show. There is also a train ride that takes kids around the park. This might be the best way to spend a hot day in Lima on your family trip to Peru and escape from the capital's hustle and bustle.

 

The capital city of Lima offers a lot for families to explore and experience together. The location serves as an excellent break from the natural terrains found throughout the country, thus giving your kids a view of modern-day Peru with cultural and historical influences as part of their way of life. The water and lights theme park is a great evening out on Lima tours with the family!

Waters and Lights Park, Lima


Beaches in the North of Peru

Heading to the beaches in the north of Peru is an excellent option all year round for your family trip to Peru. With glorious sunshine, endless coastlines, and playing in the surf, it is fun for all ages. Mancora is a lively beach town; whether you swim with turtles, learn to surf, enjoy a spa, or have a lazy day hanging out at the beach, the town has something fun to do for all the family members on your family trip to Peru itinerary.

 

Whether you’re a nature lover, adrenaline junkie, or beach-lover, put Peru at the top of your family travel list. Its landscapes prove diverse — from high-elevation hamlets and arid swathes of Pacific Coast desert to immense lakes and biodiverse rainforests. Its ancient ruins and monuments will astound you while providing a valuable teaching moment for your kids. Visi the north of Peru for your Peru family vacation- you won't be disappointed!

Mancora Sunset


Sandboarding and Dune Buggies

Just three hours south of Lima are the City of Ica and the oasis town of Huacachina. Here you can practice your new-found surf skills on the semi-solid ground, but be prepared to fall down a dune or two! At least it's only sand. The town is surrounded by enormous dunes where you can surf the sand or enjoy a trip through the dunes in a dune buggy. Back down at the oasis, sip on a pisco sour or Chicha Morada for the little ones, and enjoy a fabulous desert sunset.

 

The sand dune of Huacachina o your Ica Peru tors are perfect for children! With sandboarding and dune buggying abound, fun is compulsory! Besides the stunning beaches that contrast with the desert, consider a boat cruise to Islas Ballestas to get a close look at penguins, sea lions, and local birds.

Dune Buggies, Huacachina

 

A Trek to Machu Picchu

You probably thought that the Inca Trail or a multi-day trek might be too much with children; however, that is where we at Valencia Travel come in! Enjoy the 2-day Inca Trail that does not include camping, or if you are up for camping with the little ones, think about the 4-day Lares Trek for your family trip to Peru. This trek involves two nights of camping and excellent opportunities to interact with local native Andean children and possibly even visit an Andean school! We will be there every step of the way to set up the campsites, make the meals, and carry all belongings, and there is even a mule in case the children (or adults) get tired!

 

Machu Picchu is a site that your children will remember until the end of their days! The gateway town of Aguas Calientes, which sits at the base of this legendary mountain, is both lively and scenic and welcomes travelers of all ages. Then, there are the llamas! A Machu Picchu tour package is an amazing decision for all the family.

Arriving at Machu Picchu

 

Peru is blessed with many activities for adults, children, and anyone! So after this taster of the top 5 activities that Peru has to offer for your family tour of Peru, why not come and enjoy many more family adventures and activities with Valencia Travel Cusco for your family vacation in Peru?
 

SHARE THIS POST