From Paddington to Peru: the best family holidays

The release of Paddington in Peru this week has put this fascinating country in the spotlight, and the latest exploits of the loveable bear may spark interest among families to enjoy their own Peruvian adventure. So where are the best places to visit in Peru for families? Let us guide you through the country's wonders, some of them visited by Paddington, and tell you how to experience them first-hand.  

Peru is a fantastic destination for a family holiday with breathtaking landscapes, from coastal deserts to Andean peaks, ancient Inca sites and Amazon rainforest. Add in frequent flights, top-quality accommodation, delicious food and vibrant culture, and it's clear that Peru has all the ingredients for the family holiday of a lifetime. It need not be an epic, long adventure either - you can easily explore Lima, Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu and the Amazon rainforest in about two weeks. 

Why visit Peru on a family holiday? 

• Spectacular scenery: from the Amazon rainforest to the majestic Andes.
• Fascinating culture: indigenous communities, colonial architecture and Inca ruins.  
• Diverse activities: from cycling and rafting in the Sacred Valley to hiking in the jungle.
• Fantastic food: Peru is one of the world’s top foodie destinations with a rich range of cuisine.
• Short travel times: flights between Lima, Cusco and the jungle are an hour or less, while road and rail journeys to the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu are relatively short.

THINGS TO do on a family holiday to Peru

• Hike the Inca Trail: choose from a four-day hike with camping or the easier mini Inca trail of six hours. A more comfortable alternative is the Salkantay route, staying in mountain lodges. 
• Discover ancient ruins: Machu Picchu is the most famous but there are also many sites in the stunning Sacred Valley such as Pisac, Ollantaytambo and Moray.
• Go whitewater rafting: take an exhilarating excursion on the Apurimac river, either on a day trip or add excitement by camping overnight.
• Cycle in the Sacred Valley: take a half-day ride along the Urubamba river through spectacular Andean scenery. 
• Explore the Amazon: the jungle is so exciting for children. Watch amazing wildlife including caiman, capybaras, monkeys and an incredible array of birds.
• Go high - and deep: Peru has both the world's highest navigable lake, the ethereal Titicaca, and the world's deepest canyon, Colca. Both are uniquely stunning destinations to explore.

the best destinations in Peru for families 

Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu has mesmerised visitors to Peru since its discovery in 1911. The most stunning archaeological site in South America is surrounded by cloud forest beneath iconic hump-shaped Huayna Picchu. The site retains enduring mystery, perfect for a real family adventure. This intricate citadel of terraces and temples is a history class brought to life. Younger children will enjoy wandering the ruins, while teenagers might enjoy a bird’s eye view by tackling a hike up one of the peaks. Plan your own adventure, and don't forget to pack your marmalade sandwiches!

Cusco
Cusco is the former capital of the Inca empire with an enthralling mix of colonial and Inca heritage. Plaza de Armas is dominated by the cathedral and La Compañia church, while high above the city is the towering former Inca fortress of Sacsayhuaman. The heart of the city, Plaza de Armas, is a grand square bustling with life, offering unique souvenirs, from cuddly alpacas to colourful rugs. After plenty of sightseeing, reward the kids with a chocolate-making workshop and plenty of sweet treats. For something different, go paddleboarding on the tranquil Lago Piuray outside the city.

The Sacred Valley
Between Cusco and Machu Picchu, The Sacred Valley  is the region’s agricultural heartland with stunning Andean scenery and equally spectacular Inca ruins, particularly at Pisac and Ollantaytambo. The market at Pisac is filled with colourful clothing and handicrafts, the perfect place for the family to add a splash of Peruvian culture to their wardrobe. Don’t miss the series of microclimates in the terraces of Moray and learn how salt arrives on the dining table at the spellbinding salt mines of Salineras.

The Amazon jungle
More than half of Peru is in the Amazon region, which offers wonderful opportunities to watch wildlife and create memories to last a lifetime. Take the children up the Amazon with a paddle! Choose from an unforgettable cruise from Iquitos or stay in a lodge further south, enjoying hikes through the jungle and the view from above from canopy towers. Savour wildlife highlights that will wow the whole family including flocks of macaws descending to drink at clay licks, fishing for piranhas and seeing their razor-sharp teeth, watching monkeys swinging through the trees, canoeing alongside giant otters and a spine-tingling nightwalk to see tarantulas.

Lake Titicaca
The world's highest navigable lake at 3,812m, Lake Titicaca straddles the border between Peru and Bolivia. While the entertaining name may cause a few sniggers, it's one of the most extraordinary natural sights in Latin America: a vast lake of cobalt blue, peppered with golden islands and peninsulas inhabited by traditional indigenous communities. The children will love standing on man-made reed islands of the Uros Indians, before enjoying a boat trip to the rugged terraced islands of Amantani or Taquile.

Arequipa and the Colca Canyon
Known as the White City, Arequipa sits at the foot of craggy volcanoes with pearl-coloured colonial buildings. After exploring the city's history, journey to nearby Colca, the world's deepest canyon. Home to pre-Inca communities, marvel at the agricultural terraces and watch out for majestic condors swooping overhead.

Lima
The Peruvian capital is often bypassed by visitors en route to Cusco but Lima is a feast of history and food. Introduce your kids to the delights of ceviche (seafood marinated with lime, pictured below) and other fantastic fusions of Latin and Asian flavours. Beyond the restaurants, the city has plenty of colonial architecture, including the Presidential Palace and cathedral, then head to the Pacific coast for some beach time in Barranco or Miraflores.

What are the best Peru TOURS for families? 

Journey Latin America offers a wide range of holidays to Peru. Here are some ideas, but our experts can easily put together a tailormade tour, including Amazon extensions. Contact Our Peru Travel Experts to start planning your holiday to Peru.

Active Peru: Go trekking, biking and rafting deep in rural Peru. This tour includes the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, cycling in the Sacred Valley and white-water rafting in the Apurimac Canyon.

From Paddington to Peru: Inspired by the classic books and hit movies, this 14-day family adventure is a unique opportunity to see endangered spectacled bears (pictured below) in their natural environment at Chaparri Lodge.

Swift: Ultimate Highlights of Peru: This comfortable group holiday whizzes you through Peru’s must-see highlights: Lima, Cusco, Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley.

Signature Peru: The Inca Heartland: This short, great value holiday is an excellent choice if you’re short of time or on a budget.

Unseen Archaeology: Treasures of Peru: For lovers of history and bygone cultures, visit Peru's lesser-known northern highlights, including adobe city Chan Chan and hilltop fortress Kuelap, amid exquisite mountain scenery.

Luxury Peru - Andes to Amazon: This luxury holiday stays in first-class Belmond hotels. Arrive at Machu Picchu in the elegant Hiram Bingham train from Cusco, then fly to the Amazon for a deluxe wildlife cruise.

Just back from Peru...

Our travel experts regularly visit Peru and the rest of Latin America, reporting back on the latest developments. Product Manager Gary visits the majestic Colca Canyon and Machu Picchu, while Travel Expert Heloise enjoys a foodie tour of Lima, and Paul and Jim (pictured below) explore the Sacred Valley's ancient sites and beautiful hotels.

Donate to Peru

The Sol y Luna Foundation provides care and education to children from Peru’s poorest communities in the Sacred Valley. The foundation includes the Sol y Luna School, Paqari for special needs support, the Sol y Luna Home, and Roots & Wings for further education.

Journey Latin America is proud to support this organisation in their important work. We invite our partners and customers to donate to Sol y Luna.