There is no doubt that Peru is one of our all-time favorite destinations. With beautiful and diverse landscapes, a rich culture, fascinating Inca history, and world-class cuisine, Peru truly has it all. Whether you have one week or one month to spend in Peru, there is one thing for certain: You will want to return again and again. We spent 2.5 months in Peru (mostly in the Cusco region) and covered a lot of ground, seeing some of the best sights and having incredible experiences. And so we came up with the PERFECT 14 day family adventure itinerary in Peru.
Getting to Peru
If you’re coming from the States, there aren’t a lot of direct flights to Lima (the largest international airport in Peru), so most likely depending on where you are flying from, you will have 1-2 stops on your way to Peru. The most common layovers seem to be in Houston, Ft. Lauderdale or Los Angeles. In other words, be prepared for a long travel day. Once you arrive to Peru, you will need a connecting flight to Cusco, which is the gateway to the Sacred Valley and other famous sights such as Machu Picchu and Rainbow Mountain.
We use a variety of apps to track flights, with Momondo and Sky Scanner being our favorites for finding the best deals. It’s also important to note which seasons are high and low in Peru, which will most likely dictate prices. April to October is the high or busy season in Peru, and also the dry season (June being the driest month). Peak tourism is usually between June and Sept. The low season, which is December to March is also the wet season (Jan being the wettest month), however it can be a great time to visit Peru. Prices are lower, there are less tourists, and it’s also greener! Make sure to check out average precipitation in Cusco if you are concerned about rain.
About the Altitude
For this specific itinerary, be prepared to experience some altitude. Just to give you an idea, Cusco sits at about 11,000 feet (3,300 meters). The Sacred Valley, which is about 1.5-3 hours away from Cusco, is situated between 3,000 and 9,000 feet (900-2,700 meters) with Machu Picchu at an elevation of 8,000 feet (2,400 meters). Some of the other sights like Rainbow Mountain, also included in this itinerary sit at around 15,000-16,000 feet (4,500-4,800 meters).
There are plenty of people that visit Cusco and the Sacred Valley each year–in fact, millions–and adapt just fine with the altitude. The trick is to prepare and plan your itinerary wisely, so you can minimize and avoid the risk of altitude sickness. In this 14 day family adventure itinerary in Peru, we carefully put together a schedule that allows you to slowly adjust to higher altitudes, so you aren’t spending your first few days of the trip sick, but still maximizing your time here.
In addition, it’s also important to take these tips into consideration to decrease the affects of high altitude.
- Bring altitude sickness medication with you (or buy it upon arrival at a pharmacy. In Peru, no prescription is needed.)
- Drink lots of water, including coca tea everyday (Coca tea is the local tea of choice, as the ingredients found in the coca leaf help prevent and minimize altitude sickness.) You can also chew on coca leaves, coca gum or coca candy, however the leaf itself is more potent and effective.
- Walk slower than your normal pace. This lowers your heart rate, and allows you take in more oxygen.
- Get plenty of rest each night.
- Give your body a few days upon arrival to adapt to the altitude before you attempt any high-altitude or strenuous hikes.
14 Day Family Adventure Itinerary in Peru
In the following itinerary, you will find a variety of amazing experiences and sights, to include unique cultural experiences, unbelievable scenery and other family-friendly adventures. Keep in mind that if you don’t have 14 days to spend in Peru, you can always adapt this schedule and subtract days (such as the last few days in this itinerary) or spend less time in the Sacred Valley/Cusco. However, we would recommend if you can, to spend at least 2 weeks in Peru to really get the most of your trip here.
DAY 1: CUSCO
We will assume that on Day 1, you’ve arrived in Cusco and have at least a partial day to rest and/or explore a little of the city. Cusco, a city in the Peruvian Andes, is the gateway to the Sacred Valley, and once the capital of the Inca Empire. It is known for its archaeological remains and Spanish colonial architecture. As mentioned earlier, Cusco is situated at around 11,000 feet, so as you are walking around the city, you will probably notice that your breathing may be slightly labored (especially if you are coming from low altitude).
We spent 2 months in Cusco and absolutely fell in love with its charm, walkable streets, beautiful buildings, and the FOOD. Another neat thing about Cusco is that you will notice that many of the local women still wear their traditional Inca clothing, which is bright and colorful. The Incas are well-known for their weaving skills, so you will observe hand-crafted, detailed textiles everywhere. (Plan on spending some money on souvenirs!)
There are plenty of Airbnb’s or hotels in Cusco, but we would suggest staying within walking distance to the historic center, or the Plaza de Armas. Check out some of the tops picks to stay in Cusco on Booking.com, our go-to site for finding affordable, comfortable accommodations. We would highly recommend MOAF Cusco Boutique Hotel, Casa Matara Cusco, or Ramada by Wyndham Costa del Sol Cusco. Getting around in Cusco is fairly easy–you can walk, hop on the local buses, or even take an Uber.
We spent many days and evenings wandering through the narrow, cobblestone streets of Cusco, admiring the architecture of the churches and buildings, discovering delicious restaurants, and shopping for Peruvian souvenirs. Some of our favorite restaurants include Morena Peruvian Kitchen, Los Toldos Chicken, Korma Sutra, Inka Grill, La Bodega 138, Marcelo Batata, and Pacha Papa. Traditional dishes you should definitely try while in Peru include Aji de Gallina, Lomo Saltado, Ceviche (Peru is the birthplace of ceviche), Rocoto Relleno, and Papas a la Huancaína. Alpaca meat and Cuy (guinea pig) are also very popular. While we can’t vouch for Cuy, we would definitely recommend trying alpaca meat as it is very delicious, lean and tender.
DAY 2: SACRED VALLEY
From Cusco, you will head to the Sacred Valley where you will spend the next few days. First stop on Day 2 is Chinchero, a beautiful city filled with a long history of Inca weaving, ruins and a quaint town where you can shop for handmade, colorful textiles. We recommend visiting the Chinchero ruins while you’re here. *Side note: make sure to purchase the Boleto Turistico, a 10 day pass that covers you for ALL Inca archeological and historical sites, with the exception of Machu Picchu. We highly recommend you purchase this in Cusco upon arrival, or at the first site you visit, as this will save you money over the course of the next 10 days.
If you really want to maximize your time, while also getting the most out of your trip, we would suggest booking a tour for this day trip. This way you won’t have to worry about transportation from Cusco to the Sacred Valley, and you will learn a lot more about the archeological sites by going with a qualified and knowledgable guide. However, if you want to do it self-guided, you can rent a car from Cusco.
While in Chinchero, you can observe the ancient art of weaving at an Inca weaving demonstration. If you go with a tour, this will be included, but you can also go on your own (there is an entrance fee). We loved observing the entire weaving process–from shearing the alpacas, to washing and spinning the fiber, to the dying of the wool, to weaving beautiful textiles and patterns. If you like, you can purchase handcrafted items such as blankets, scarves, hats, sweaters, and more (made by the weavers from Chinchero).
After visiting the ruins and watching a weaving demonstration, the next stop will be the archeological site of Moray. These ruins are very interesting and unusual, mostly consisting of several terraced circular depressions. As with many other Inca sites, it also has an irrigation system.
From Moray, the final stop of the day will be in Maras, the famous pre-Incan salt mines which consists of approx. 4,500 salt wells placed in the form of stepped terraces. In the dry season the accumulation of salt is fast, there is greater production, and a better quality of salt is obtained with a white or pink color. In the wet season, these salt deposits turn brown as production decreases. You used to be able to walk in between these salt mines, but due to damage done by tourists, they don’t allow that here anymore. Instead, you can observe these salt mines from different viewpoints along a path. Make sure to sample and buy some of the salt here, it’s very tasty!
After visiting Moray and Maras, you will drive to (or get dropped off at) Urubamba for the night. There are plenty of hotel options in the town of Urubamba, but a few we would recommend would be Amaru Valle Hotel, Wayqey Lodge, Inti Nan Lodge, and Hotel Andes Urubamba. Or if you have room in your budget and are especially adventurous, you might want to consider Skylodge Adventure Suites. Skylodge offers you the once-in-a-lifetime, thrilling opportunity to sleep inside a transparent hanging “capsule” or bedroom on the side of a cliff. This experience allows you to appreciate the impressive views of the Sacred Valley. In order to sleep at Skylodge, you must climb or hike the trail using zip lines to get there!
DAY 3: SACRED VALLEY
After spending the night in Urubamba, there are a couple of options of activities you can do this day. If you want a high adventure day (always our choice!), you can go zip lining and try your hand at the Via Ferrata at Skylodge, as mentioned above. Not sure what a Via Ferrata is? It is a path used to climb a mountain with a safety system permanently installed. Even if you don’t stay at Skylodge overnight, you can purchase a day pass here to climb the Via Ferrata and/or zip line.
Or if you prefer a more cultural day, we would suggest visiting the Inca ruins in Urubamba and then making your way to Ollantaytambo (if you decide to the do the adventure day at Skylodge, you will make your way to Ollantaytambo later in the day). If you are on your own and have a car, you can drive there, but you can also take the train. Of all the towns in the Sacred Valley, this one was our favorite. It’s small and quaint, nestled in a beautiful valley surrounded by Inca fortresses. These archeological sites are impressive and also very well preserved. Climbing up the steep steps, you will get to admire the views of this stunning valley.
Standing at the top of the fortress, you’ll be able to see the Ollantaytambo storehouses, otherwise known as Pinkuylluna. If you choose and have the time, this is a challenging hike (about an hour up a treacherous path), but worth the effort. We recommend doing this hike at sunset. Found at the base of the ruins, there is a great open-air market in the village where you can shop for souvenirs and trinkets. We found this town very easy to navigate, with narrow streets and friendly locals. There were plenty of good restaurants too–don’t miss Mama Simona and Inka King!
There are lots of cute hotels in Ollantaytambo, but these 3 are really good options–Sol Miranda, El Albergue, or Apu Lodge. We stayed at El Albergue and loved it. Make sure to retire to bed early this night, as tomorrow will be an early start and a long hike as you make your way to Machu Picchu via the Sun Gate.
DAY 4: INCA TRAIL TO SUN GATE
Due to the preparations and logistics required to undergo the 2 Day Inca trail to Machu Picchu (or even the more popular 4 day trail), it is HIGHLY recommended to do this trek with a guided company. Especially since they take care all of the details, logistics, and permits/reservations for you (plus provide a guide). Our favorite local Peruvian guides are Sara and Daniel with Peru Eco Expeditions. They are a sustainable, Cusco-based company that specializes in adventure boutique experiences in Peru. Each itinerary and experience is customized to your budget and preferences.
They offer an amazing 2 Day Luxe Inca Trail trip, in which you spend the first day hiking along the most impressive section of the Inca trail to the famous Sun Gate, with the second day spent at Machu Picchu. If you have more time in your schedule, you might consider doing the 4 day Inca trail, so you can get the full experience of the Inca trail.
Since you are staying in Ollantaytambo, your guide(s) will meet you at your hotel instead of picking you up in Cusco. From there, you will take the early morning train to KM 104, in which you will disembark off the train and start the hike on the Inca trail. (Don’t worry about your luggage, the tour company will make arrangements for that to be transported to your final destination.)
This section of the Inca trail is around 8 miles or 13 kilometers. Shortly after you start your hike, you will come across the first archaeological site of the day: Chachabamba. This site sits at one of the last shelters that the Incas used before reaching Machu Picchu. After visiting Chachabamba, you will begin the 2 hour ascent on the Inca Stone steps. The trail is steep, but eventually levels out. From there you will continue on to the beautiful archeological site of Wiñay Wayna. The next landmark on the trail is Intipunku, also known as the Sun Gate. This is where you will see your first glimpse of Machu Picchu!
After entering the Sun Gate, you will descend into the Machu Picchu town, otherwise known as Aguas Calientes. This is where you will stay for the night before visiting Machu Picchu the next day. If you are on a guided tour, the company will arrange your stay and take care of your reservations, as well as permits and tickets for all transportation and admission to the archeological sites (to include the Inca trail). There is also the option to camp, if you would prefer to do that!
DAY 5: MACHU PICCHU AND HUAYNA PICCHU
Entering Machu Picchu is surreal. There’s a reason it is one of the 7 Ancient Wonders of the World. Being there in person is even better than seeing it in photos. The entire valley where these famous ruins sit is beyond anything you can expect. As you learn more about how the Incas constructed these sites with giant stones and no mortar, you will have a greater appreciation for how they built this place. It truly is MIND-BLOWING.
Most likely you will be transported to the Machu Picchu site early in the morning, so you can get there before it gets too crowded (it picks up around 8AM), and enjoy the ruins in peace. Your guide will take you along a one-way trail that goes through the entire archeological site, in where you will stop at several different places and learn more about the discovery and history of these ruins.
If you decide to add on Huayna Picchu (the triangle-shaped mountain behind Machu Picchu), you will have a specific pre-arranged time and permit to climb to the top. Warning: It’s very steep and if you are afraid of heights, you might want to opt out. However, if you take your time and use your hands to help you keep your balance, you will be perfectly fine. The views are outstanding and provide a unique perspective of Machu Picchu, not seen from anywhere else in the park. We would highly recommend adding Huayna Picchu to your visit (unless you have small kids or are deathly afraid of heights).
At some point during your day at Machu Picchu, your guide will provide lunch for you while you sit and admire the 360 degree views. After you finish your visit at Machu Picchu, you will take a bus back to Machu Picchu town and then catch the train all the way back to Cusco.
DAY 6: CUSCO
After a few action-packed days in the Sacred Valley, you will most likely be exhausted and want to take an easy, slow day in Cusco. However, if you decide you want to get out and explore more of Cusco, we have a few recommendations. First of all, if you didn’t get much time on Day 1 to walk around the streets near the historic center–the Plaza de Armas–definitely make sure to prioritize this. There are a few beautiful churches around the plaza (such as Santo Domingo), lots of delicious restaurants and tons of great shopping. We especially loved wandering through the streets of the San Blas neighborhood, which is a few blocks away from the Plaza de Armas (up the hill).
Some other things to strongly consider visiting close to the historic center: the famous 12 cornered stone (in the San Blas area), the Koricancha temple, the Museum of Natural History, and the San Pedro Market. We would especially prioritize visiting the San Pedro Market. This is where the locals shop for their produce and meat, however there is so much more to the market than just fruits and vegetables.
You can shop for local chocolates and tea, souvenirs, and our favorite reason for visiting the San Pedro Market–the fruit smoothies. There are a couple of rows of smoothie-making ladies, all ready to whip you up whatever you want for only $1 USD. With more than 30 fruits to choose from (all local fruits), you will certainly find something to satisfy your taste buds.
If you find yourself with more time, another place to consider going is the Sacsyhuaman ruins (not far from downtown). Sacsyhuaman is an ancient Inca fortress overlooking Cusco from the north. Located only 1 mile (2.2 km) from the Plaza de Armas, this fortress consists of giant stones that will leave you scratching your head, as you wonder how they transported these massive stones here and constructed this site.
Another thing we loved doing while in Cusco was taking a cooking class at the Chocolate Museum. We learned how to make some traditional Peruvian dishes like ceviche, Aji de Gallina, and topped off our dinner with some homemade chocolate and fruit. It turns out, the ceviche we made was the best we had the entire time we were in Peru!
DAY 7-8: HUMANTAY LAKE & SALKANTAY PASS
Now that you have adapted to the altitude after almost a week in Peru, it’s time to head to the Andes! A 3 hour drive from Cusco lies the trailhead to two different hikes–Humantay Lake and Salkantay Pass. Over the next couple of days, you will hike to these breathtaking vistas. The company Salkantay Trekking offers a two day excursion to Humantay Lake and Salkantay Pass. They will pick you up early in the morning (very early!) from your hotel in Cusco and escort you to the trailhead where you will eat breakfast before starting your 3 hour hike to Sky Camp (this is where you will stay for the night).
From Sky Camp, you will hike to Humantay Lake, which is another 3 hours of hiking. The altitude at the lake is around 14,000 feet (4,500 meters) and the views are out of this world. This emerald green-blue lake sits at the bottom of a glacier atop Humantay Mountain. Upon completion of the hike, you will end the afternoon/evening with dinner back at Sky Camp. There you will spend an unforgettable night accompanied by thousands of stars and constellations.
The next morning you will begin the ascent to Salkantay Pass, the highest point of the hike (around 15,000 feet or 4,700 meters). This hike is a bit more challenging and if you are worried about struggling with the altitude, you can opt to take a horse up to the pass instead. Just make sure to arrange that ahead of time with the guides. This trek will reward you with the most unbelievable views the entire trail. Salkantay Mountain and Lake is the ultimate reward. Upon completion of this full day hike, your transportation will be arranged for you back to Cusco.
DAY 9: CUSCO (PISAC)
After returning to Cusco after two days of hiking, you will be ready for a day of minimal or light activity. You can spend that in Cusco sight-seeing some of the sights you couldn’t get to earlier, or you can head to Pisac (about 45 min away). Pisac is a cute town surrounded by mountains in the Sacred Valley. Even though the major attraction here is the archeological site, the market in Pisac is worth going to just on its own. Every Sunday/Tuesday/Thursday all the local artisans sell their handmade crafts, textiles and art in one the biggest open-air markets in the valley.
If you don’t have a rental car, it’s easy and cheap to get to Pisac by shuttle bus or “colectivo”. To catch a colectivo, go to Cusco’s Bus Terminal to Pisac/Urubamba. Colectivo costs $2 per person. If you plan to visit the ruins in addition to the market, simply get a taxi from Pisac to shuttle you there.
DAY 10: RAINBOW MOUNTAIN
You can’t come to the Cusco region without seeing the famous Rainbow Mountain, otherwise known as Vinicunca. It’s a long drive from Cusco (3 hours one way), but it’s worth it because there’s nowhere else in the world like this. The reason we saved this excursion for the end of this itinerary is because of the high altitude. The elevation at the top of the trail is just over 17,000 feet (5,200 meters), and even though the hike isn’t too long (6 miles or 10 kilometers round trip), it is a steady incline.
For that reason, you might want to consider riding a horse instead of hiking. The local community operates the horses at the bottom of the trail, so for a relatively small fee, you can pay for a horse to take you up the trail. *Side note: The horses aren’t permitted to go all the way to the top, so there will be a little hiking that you will have to do the last bit of the trail (20-45 min depending on your speed). You will be rewarded with views of the Andes Mountains the whole way up.
Depending on the time of year you come to Rainbow Mountain, you might have rain or even snow. Between the months of Nov and March, you have a higher chance of having overcast skies and precipitation. While Rainbow Mountain is still beautiful with snow on it, if it’s completely covered in snow, you won’t get to witness the vibrant colors of the mountains. In addition, if you have rainy/overcast skies, the colors won’t pop as much. So, if you happen to be in Peru during the wet season, try to keep an eye on the weather forecast and plan to go to Rainbow Mountain on a sunny, clear day.
Also, we would recommend doing this excursion with a guide, as this will include transportation plus breakfast and lunch. We loved going with Juan from Apurimac Adventures on the Rainbow Mountain Day trip. There is also another “alternative” Rainbow Mountain you might want to consider, called Palccoyo. It’s less busy than the more touristy Rainbow Mountain, however, the colors of the mountains aren’t quite as vibrant, in our opinion. We loved both excursions though. You can read more about both treks in 12 Amazing Hikes Near Cusco, Peru.
DAY 11: ICA/HUACACHINA
From Cusco, you will get ready to depart to the town of Ica, Peru. It’s possible to take a bus too, however keep in mind that the drive takes over 15 hours (long bus rides are best done on night buses). You can find cheap flights in-country, and it will cost you less than $100 USD per person most likely (perhaps even half of that). For that reason, we would suggest flying from Cusco to Ica. It’s a short flight and you have the rest of the day to relax and explore.
Ica is a relatively small town that is near the coast of Peru. It sits between two major tourist attractions–Huacachina, a desert oasis 20 min from town and Paracas National Reserve on the coast. Both are worth visiting and while you could certainly spend a few days here, two days is really sufficient. Also, we would recommend staying in Inca vs. Huacachina for two nights, as it is much quieter (Huacachina is known for partying into late hours of night).
Once you’ve arrived in Ica, we would suggest getting a taxi and heading to Huacachina. The town is walkable in a couple of hours with restaurants lining the street, a park and lagoon, and vendors selling their goods. But the main reason people come here is for the sand buggy tours. There are several tour operators, so it’s easy to just walk down the street and choose one (they cost between $25-75/person).
Another option is to have your hotel/hostel arrange it for you (which usually includes transportation to/from Huacachina. Once it’s time for the excursion, they take you zipping around the sand dunes where you will get to try sandboarding too (so fun!), but also watch the sunset. The sand is also cooler this time of day, making it optimal for being on the dunes.
DAY 12: PARACAS NATIONAL RESERVE
Amid the striking coastal desert of Peru is Paracas National Reserve, a protected natural area known for its marine wildlife and dramatic shoreline of wind and wave sculpted rock formations. Spanning over 3,000 km, it is home to over 400 species of flora and fauna, as well as the Humboldt penguin, the Peruvian booby, sea lions, humpback whales and dolphins. The reserve has breathtaking views where the desert meets the ocean.
The Ballestas Islands can also be found within Paracas. Nicknamed “Peru’s Galapagos Islands”, these rocky islands have gained popularity due to their diverse wildlife and untouched state. These rocky islands are home to thousands of birds and mammals including penguins, sea lions, pelicans and dolphins. The islands are protected, meaning they cannot be walked on by visitors. If you want to visit them, you will need to take a boat tour from the dock in Paracas. The boats take you out to Ballestas, so you can get close to the mammals while also remaining a safe distance and also not disturb the wildlife.
You can also hire a driver (we arranged this with our hostel) to take you to Paracas National Reserve for the day. We loved just driving along Paracas National Reserve and stopping at various viewpoints overlooking the shoreline. You can stop at some of the beaches such as La Mina, a gorgeous beach for swimming, with clear emerald waters. Other beaches worth visiting are Mendieta beach located in front of Zarate Island and Playa Roja, or Red Beach, where the picturesque shore is painted a deep reddish-brown color.
If you are looking for something a little more active, you could consider doing a bike tour in Paracas. This is a great way to get some exercise and see the reserve from a different perspective. Make sure to stop and try fresh ceviche from Restaurante Chalana, Cevicheria Rustikarreta, or Gourmet el Batan.
DAY 13-14: LIMA
Only a 4 hour drive from Ica lies the capital city of Peru, Lima. Home to some of the best restaurants in the world lies this metropolitan city. We were not expecting to like Lima (we aren’t big city people!), however this city took us by surprise and we found that it is worth spending a day or three before heading home. Here are some of the best activities to do in Lima with kids (many are free!):
- Free walking tour: There’s no better way to get to know a city than by exploring it on your own two feet. It’s even better when you can do so with a local guide and a group of like-minded travelers.
- Stroll through Miraflores: This is a popular and beautiful area of Lima where you can visit beaches, go paragliding (even try trike flying!), walk or ride bikes along the “Melacon” (our favorite thing we did in Lima!), and eat at some of the best restaurants in all of Lima.
- Visit the Historic Center: The Plaza de Armas in Lima is surrounded by important historical and cultural landmarks. It’s a beautiful tree-lined plaza with a fountain in the middle and a great spot to relax for a while. (*Note: If you do the free walking tour, they will take you here.)
- Bike the streets of Barranca: This area of Lima has a cool, bohemian vibe and is definitely a must if you are in Lima. It’s also close to Miraflores. Check out this bike tour that combines Miraflores and Barranca.
- Take in the views of San Cristobal Hill: If you want to admire the Centro Historico from above, be sure to include a trip up to San Cristobal Hill. The best (and safest) way to get up the hill is by catching the bus in the Plaza de Armas. It costs 10 soles ($3) round-trip and gives you enough time to enjoy the views and take photos.
- Enjoy a water and light show at Circuito Magico del Agua: The Magic Water Circuit is an amazing tour of 13 fountains that are electronically controlled and together with a synchronized set of lights offer a visual spectacle.
CONCLUSION
When you finish your 14 day family adventure itinerary in Peru, no doubt you will be exhausted, but it will truly be a trip of a lifetime. Peru is one of the most diverse places in the world and even though you will barely scratch the surface in just two weeks, you will also be quite satisfied with everything you witnessed and experienced. From ancient Incan ruins, lush cloud forest, the breathtaking and vast Andes mountains, the quaint and cobblestone streets of Cusco, and the beautiful desert and coastal areas of Peru–surely, you will leave a piece of your heart in Peru. It’s a country that will beckon your return over and over again.