Peru Family Holiday

Trip Code: GGFB

Why we love it

Hike jungle trails in search of monkeys, parrots, otters and caimans and sleep in a nature lodge lit by candles and kerosene lamps., Meet the local artisans, farmers and townsfolk of the Sacred Valley – not forgetting the cute alpacas and llamas., Be mesmerised by the mother of all Inca cities, the mysterious Machu Picchu, where you'll enjoy a guided tour., With the help of a resident musician, make your own zampona – a traditional panpipe instrument – and learn how to play it like a local., Cusco has something for everyone, making it perfect for a family visit. A boleto touristico pass grants you access to the best sights in town.

Is this trip right for me?

Cusco is located a spectacular 3450 metres above sea level, so it's important to be patient as your body adjusts. See the ‘Essential Trip Information’ section for information on altitude sickness.

Tradition runs deep in beautiful old Cusco, so a little homework will put you in good stead. Ask your leader about photography etiquette.

The Amazon Jungle can be very hot and humid, so it's important to drink plenty of water and wear light cotton clothing. Make sure you also bring tropical-strength insect repellent.

The weather can be unpredictable in the Andes. Be sure to bring warm clothes and prepare for all elements.

Important information

1. Please note that these trips are for adults and children travelling together and there must be at least one child under 18 with you.

2. Minimum age for children on this trip is 5 years old.

3. A discount of 10% applies on this trip to children 17 years and under at time of travel.

4. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Days 2 and 3 (Jungle Lodge) where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.

5. Full passport details are required for all passengers at the time of booking, however passengers aged 17 and under (at time of entrance to Machu Picchu) must also provide a copy of their passport details page. This is required in order to secure child tickets.

6. A complimentary airport arrival transfer is included; valid if you are arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-tour accommodation through us. You must provide your flight details to your booking agent at least 14 days prior to travel.

7. First day - there will be a group meeting at 5pm on Day 1
Last day - there are no activities planned for your last day so you can depart at any time.

8. Parts of your trip go above 2800 metres / 9200 feet where it is common for travellers to experience some adverse health effects due to the altitude - regardless of your age, gender and fitness. It even happened to Sir Edmund Hillary!

9. This trip includes one visit to Machu Picchu. According to Machu Picchu visiting regulations, all visitors must follow a pre-determined route within the site. This route must be followed in one direction only, and once the guided visit commences exiting and re-entering the site is not permitted. Once the guided visit concludes, visitors must exit the site and personal exploration of Machu Picchu is not permitted. Please refer to the itinerary for details.

What to bring/pack

CLIMATE & CLOTHING:
Most people automatically assume that the weather is hot in South America, but because of the higher altitude in the Andes, the temperature can feel quite cold, especially at night. Please pack accordingly.
What you need to bring will vary according to the trip style you have chosen, the countries you are visiting and when you are travelling. Generally speaking you should pack as lightly as possible. On the vast majority of our trips you are expected to carry your own luggage, although you won't be required to walk long distances with it (max 30 minutes).
Many travellers carry their luggage in a backpack, although an overnight bag with a shoulder strap would suffice if you travel lightly. Smaller bags or backpacks with wheels are also convenient although we recommend your bag has carry straps. You'll also need a day pack/bag to carry water and a camera etc for day trips.
Below we have listed the essentials for this trip:
*Comfortable shoes or trainers
* Sandals/flip-flops for relaxing
* Sun-hat
* Torch
* High-factor sunscreen & lipsalve
* Waterbottle
* Insect repellent
* Sunglasses
* Personal first aid kit
* Waterproof bags for valuable items like passports, cameras etc
* A laundry service may be available in some hotels, but we recommend taking biodegradable travel detergent clothes can be washed as you wish.

VALUABLES:
Please try to avoid bringing unnecessary valuables, and use your hotel safe and the safe on the overland truck to store the bulk of your money, passport, and airline tickets. It’s also a good idea to purchase a money belt or pouch that is easily hidden.
We strongly recommend that you photocopy all important documents e.g. air tickets, passport, vaccination certificate, etc. and keep the copies separate from the originals. While not valid, a photocopy makes it very much easier to obtain replacements if necessary., TECHNOLOGY
With the modern world you may want to bring along tablets of smartphones for the children to document their adventure - there are a wide variety of apps out there which we suggest downloading before you depart. There will be opportunities to charge ( just make sure you bring the correct adapter) and there will be wi-fi available on your trip, although it will probably not be at the speeds you are used to at home and it won't be available everywhere.

Physical rating

 
2

Joining your group

Hotel Casa Andina Select Miraflores, Calle Shell 452, Miraflores, Miraflores, Lima, PERU, Phone: 511 4167500

Alternate Joining Point


Joining instructions

Intrepid offers a pre-arranged transfer service from Lima Airport at an additional fee. If you require this service, please advise your flight arrival details at least 14 days prior to your trip departure.
If you have purchased an arrival transfer, you’ll be met in Lima International Airport in the arrival hall (as you exit customs) by a transfer representative holding an Intrepid sign. In case of flight cancellations, changes, if you experience severe delays at immigration, baggage collection or customs, or if you are not able to find the driver, please contact our local office on the number in the ‘Problems and emergency contact information’ section.

Finishing your trip

Hotel Taypikala, Calle Inticahuarina 620,, Cusco, Cusco, 84, PERU

Hotel Taypikala is centrally located just 10 minutes walk from the Plaza De Armas and its stunning cathedrals. There are plenty of shops and restaurants nearby. The hotel features a charming central courtyard and wifi.

Alternate Finish Point


Cusco Airport is located approximately 10 minutes drive from Hotel Taypikala. A departure transfer can be pre arranged for you and your family. Please contact your booking agent to arrange this prior to departure.

If you have booked a departure transfer please ask your tour leader to confirm your hotel pick up time. Transfers are scheduled to arrive at the airport with ample time for you to check in.

Alternatively, you may like to take a taxi and the hotel will be able to assist with arranging this. A taxi will cost approximately PEN12 (USD$4).

Meals & dietary information

Breakfasts included: 8

Lunches included: 3

Dinners included: 2

While travelling with us you and your family will experience the vast array of wonderful food available in the world. Your group leader will be able to suggest restaurants to try during your trip. To give you the maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat, generally not all meals are included in the trip price. This also gives you and your family more budgeting flexibility. As a rule our groups tend to eat together to enable you to taste a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each other's company. There's no obligation to do this though. If you or a member of your family have dietary requirements and/or food allergies, please let your booking agent know prior to departure.

Climate & seasonal information

WEATHER IN PERU
Peru is a fascinating country with four distinct geographical regions. June, July and August are considered the driest months in the highlands and Amazon basin and are optimal for hiking and river journeys. However, even during the rainy season in the Amazon, the rains only fall for a few hours at a time. In the Andes, the rainy season can sometimes just mean a bit of overcast weather. The advantage to travelling in these areas at this time is that many other travellers make the mistake of postponing their plans until the dry season, leaving you with more of Peru to yourself. The best time to visit the infamous Nazca Lines or the coastal areas is from December to April, although the other months of the year are perfectly good times to visit also. Remember that the Inca Trail is closed for cleaning during February, although there are other treks to Machu Picchu which are available at this time.

In case of emergency

While we always endeavour to provide the best possible holiday experience, due to the nature of travel and the areas we visit sometimes things can and do go wrong. Should any issue occur while you are on your trip, it is imperative that you discuss this with your group leader or local representative straight away so that they can do their best to rectify the problem and save any potential negative impact on the rest of your trip.

We recognise that there may be times when your group leader or local representative may not be able to resolve a situation to your satisfaction - if this is the case, please ask the group leader or local representative to speak to their direct manager.

You may also choose to provide details in your online feedback, which we ask you to complete within 30 days of the end of your trip. Please do be aware that it is very difficult for us to provide any practical help after the trip is completed, so informing us while still travelling will give us the opportunity to resolve the issue in real-time.

For general contact details please use the following page: http://www.intrepidtravel.com/ourtrips/contact/

In case of a genuine crisis or emergency, you can reach our local office on the numbers below:

In the case of a genuine crisis or emergency Intrepid's Peru Operations Office can be reached on:

Available for phone call or WhatsApp call on +51 996 055559 Lima, +51 940 512701 Cusco

Accommodations

GENERAL ROOMING CONFIGURATIONS:
Family of two - All family groupings of two will be put into a twin room.
Family of three - Wherever possible we will put you in a triple room. Please be aware that in a handful of places triple rooms are in short supply. This means that, in practice, a triple room will often simply be a twin room with a mattress on the floor or a further bed squashed in. Where it is impossible to provide a triple room, you will have to decide which of your party takes the single room.
Family of four or more - You will most likely stay in two twin rooms. If and wherever possible we will aim put you in a quadruple room. Whilst we will do our very best to ensure that families are roomed close together (in some cases, we can arrange adjoining rooms), we can’t guarantee this. Most family holidays occur during peak season and we sometimes have little to no control over where you will be put. You need to come prepared for this.

PERU
Due to local energy supply and infrastructure issues, please be prepared for some cold showers while travelling in Peru.

Transportation