PERU FAMILY ADVENTURE HOLIDAY
Family Holiday Overview
Peru is a country that stirs something deep within the soul. It is an intoxicating mix of humid jungle, ice-capped peaks and ancient empires. Spanning the arid desserts of the coastal plains to the majestic peaks of the Andes and the lush jungle of the Amazon rainforest, Peru has an undeniable spiritual connection to its landscape. It is a place where ancient pageants unwind to the beat of a thousand drums and history hijacks you at every turn. As an added bonus you can also relive the literary inspiration of your youth recreating the adventures of Tintin and Snowy!
For families, Peru offers amazing diversity and depth. Spot scarlet macaws in the Amazonian skies and giant otters in its muddy waters. Learn about oxbow lakes, clay licks and medicinal plants. Wake up to the sound of howler monkeys screeching through the canopy. Visit dazzling salt pans in the Sacred Valley laid out like a patchwork quilt and remote communities high in the mountains with a stoic commitment to Inca traditions. Let the kids try out their haggling skills at the local markets. Hike to Machu Picchu, set in ‘deepest, darkest Peru’ and most notably home to the spectacled bear (aka Paddington). Add in swirling mists and swathes of primary rainforest and you have one of the most spectacular archaeological sites on the planet. Chill in Cuzco. Drop into art galleries, museums and former palaces whose beautiful arcaded patios make perfect rest stops.
For the active family, Peru translates to boundless adventure. Try rafting, zip-lining, mountain biking, kayaking and horse riding plus spectacular hiking at every turn. Try pottery making, take a cookery class and learn to weave. Indulge in amazing cuisine. Try ceviche with slivers of fiery chili, slow-simmered stews and velvety Amazonian chocolate. Immerse yourselves in the lively food markets and join the locals eating tasty anticuchos from street stalls.
You will accomplish more than you could ever imagine in your few days here. Return home with a repertoire of high tales and adventure – enough to write your own literary classic.
Interesting Facts
- Peru's Machu Picchu was named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007, along with the Great Wall of China and the Taj Mahal
- Abundant rainforests and 90 distinct microclimates means Peru counts among the 10 most biologically diverse countries in the world
- There are almost 4,000 native varieties of Peruvian potatoes which have been cultivated in the Andes for at least 7000 yrs. Proud Peruvians use the phrase “Soy mas Peruano que la papa” (I am more Peruvian than the potato). What a statement!
- Peru has the second largest segment of Amazonian rainforest, second only to Brazil. In fact, nearly 60% of the country is covered by rainforest
- Peru is a surfer’s paradise. Chicama has the world’s longest left-handed wave at 4km’s long, and nearby Mancora has the world’s largest left-handed point-break
- There are 3 official languages in Peru: Spanish, Quechua and Aymara, but in the Amazon Jungle regions it is thought that natives speak a further 13 different languages
- The national culinary dish is cuy, or roasted guinea pig. It is served whole, with the head and feet intact. Not for the squeamish!
- The Quechua are described as direct descendants of the Incas and Quechua culture is still very prevalent in the music, dance, dress, food and language of the Andean region in Peru
- The Pisco Sour is Peru’s national drink and is made using Pisco brandy, lemons, sugar water, egg whites, ice and finished with bitters
- In Peru, it is tradition to give friends and family yellow underpants on New Year’s Eve
- Peru is home to the highest sand dune in the world. Cerro Blanco located in the Sechura Desert near the Nazca Lines measures 3,860 feet (1,176 meters) from the base to the summit
Traveller Reviews
Wandering Tribe planned our trip to perfection
We have just returned for a fabulous, once in a lifetime trip to Peru. Along the way, we spent time in Lima, the Amazon Rainforest, Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu and by the beach near Paracas. We travelled with two adults and three children aged 5, 7 & 9 years. The things we experienced on our journey were astounding; exploring clay licks and oxbow lakes in the rainforest, spotting caimans and howler monkeys, learning about traditional medicines, visiting sun temples and terraces in the Sacred Valley as well as white-water rafting, horse-riding and zip-lining before finally visiting the magical (words don’t do it justice) Machu Picchu which was the most breath taking sight we have ever experienced. Wandering Tribe planned our trip to perfection, the research and trip notes contained every thing we could possibly need and the customer service from start to finish was impeccable. It is without doubt, the best family holiday we have ever been on.
