Geoff_Hersch

Thinking about planning a 10 day family vacation to Peru to see Cusco, Machu Picchu, and maybe a few nights in the Amazon. We are a family of 5 with children that will be ages 15, 12 and 11 at the time of travel. I have done very little research on South America Travel but am thinking about some of the following places. Cusco, Lima, Lake Titicaca, Machu Picchu and maybe an Amazon Eco/Wildlife Tour. I am aware that we would not be able to do all of the locations above but most would be nice.

Please pass along an idea of travel to this part of the world for a family and include mentions of general safety, food safety, must see places that are real and not too touristic. This will be a good starting point for the planning. Thanks.

mlgb

You might consider skipping Lake Titicaca since the altitude there is higher than Cusco, and does bother quite a few people much more so than Cusco.

This is a well covered tourist trail, as safe as any really. Food is excellent although don't drink the water and while it is advised to avoid street food with common sense I've been fine with it.

It is touristic but worthwhile. Try to go off season if at all possible. But with children maybe that isn't possible. High season coincides with US school holidays.

Fodors has quite a decent online guidebook and I think their lodging and sightseeing suggestions are right on. You might want to look at colduphere's trip report since he went with a family.

You didn't say how you wanted to see Machu Picchu, hike or take the train?

rkkwan

Three of us took a 6d/5n trip to Manu in the Amazon, before resting 2 more days before hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. 10 days is definitely not enough to do Inca Trail, but going by train is okay, and there should be some time left for Sacred Valley.

There are a number of companies that run Amazon tours, with various itinerary and prices. We went to a small company called Wild Watch Peru and were very happy with them. 6d/5n didn't get us up into the Manu River, but down the Madre de Dios including two nights at the Blanquillo Lodge to see the Macaw Clay Lick and other things before going back to Cusco via Boca Colorado as a loop and not backtracking.

You need to do some research, look at all the itineraries and post questions to the companies.

Amy

I would probably drop Lima and go for Sacred Valley/MP/Cusco and then the Amazon. I visit the Iquitos region with Explorama; it's one of my favorite places in the world. Your children are at a great age to really get the most out of the area.

Ten days is short, it's true; acclimatizing to the altitude of Cusco takes a bit and you'll basically be needing two different wardrobes for everyone (or, at least, lots of layers.)

Geoff_Hersch

Thank you for your early responses. I assume that my family would do the train and if hiking at all would do a smaller version or part of that hike. My kids are good for 3-5 miles before they start to complain. They've surprised us before with their tolerance but due to to time constaints, we would probably be more efficient taking the train. Also, Amy mentioned that we could drop Lima but I assume that we would have to stay there at least one night as we would fly into and out of Lima right? Or would it be better to fly right into Cusco round trip?

The starting and ending city/airport destination would help so any recommendations on that would help get the ball rolling for airfare.

mlgb

Yes, you need to connect via Lima, twice if you go to Iquitos. You will need to go through customs and immigration in Lima, not Cusco.

It isn't uncommon to experience flight delays and cancellations. With Iquitos, in most cases the lodges are reached by launch, and they do not want to travel the Amazon in the afternoon. (And afternoon flights are prone to cancellation). So I really don't think Iquitos is a good idea vs Puerto Maldonado due to the time chewed up in flying back to Iquitos first.

If your arrival into Lima is either late night or in the morning, I would continue on to Cusco without taking more than an overnight in Lima. With the family I would stay at the airport hotel (Costa del Sol Wyndham (ex-Ramada).

For your day before going home I would go back morning or midday, stay in Barranco or Miraflores for your overnight (assuming you have time to sightsee a bit).

When you arrive in Cusco, to minimize altitude discomfort I would go to the Sacred Valley for at least the first night or two. You can take the train from Ollantaytambo. At the end of you can spend a night in Cusco. I would allow a minimum of 4 or 5 nights in that area.

mlgb

should be "time chewed up in flying back to Lima first"

cirwin50

Sounds like a great family adventure!

In 10 days, I would recommend the following:

Lima-->Cusco-->Sacred Valley-->MP-->Lake Titicaca

It's cheaper to fly through Lima and then get a connecting flight to Cusco. Lima does have some interesting colonial history and more recently, quite the food scene. It's a big South American city, so use your street smarts and good judgement, but violent crime is quite rare although petty crime is rampant. Stay in the Miraflores neighborhood which is upscale with many hotels and restaurants.

Sounds like you are taking the train to MP which is a good choice with kids. Not only is the trekking quite arduous but your kids will definitely enjoy the train ride. Try and get there early - less crowds and better photos.

Lake Titicaca is great because you guys can get a glimpse of local life and even stay with a local family. Many different tour companies offer a home stay as part of their itineraries.

Look at Thompson Family Adventures as well as The Family Adventure Company. Both have great family focused itineraries. You can also search Stride Travel which will show you multiple tour company options and the ability to compare itineraries.

have fun!

Geoff_Hersch

Thanks Cirwin50. Great advice. I will check out Thompson and The Family Adventure but know that Thompson is quite expensive. Looking for independent travel with guides hired for specific days. Do NOT want a group tour.

mlgb

I suspect cirwin50 is connected with Stride Travel since s/he has been pumping it in various sneaky ways since joining.

cirwin50

mlgb, I'm not sure why you insist on attacking me. I am not 'connected' with Stride Travel apart from the fact that I came across them a little while ago and found it of interest. Just sharing my opinion and offering advice - is that not what these forums are for?

If you would look, I have commented elsewhere with no mention of Stride.

mlgb

Actually, I did look cirwin50. The only posts you had up (before I called you out) all mentioned Stride Travel. It's always suspicious when a new poster behaves this way.

Now you have added up a few posts to try to cover your tracks, perhaps?

And one of them was from a long time ago!!

Geoff_Hersch

Seriously mlgb. Get a clue. This is a travel advice forum and your finger pointing should stop and go elsewhere. I am a rookie here but cirwin50's advice was legit and, in my opinion, your comments were not solicited. Sorry but travel planning is fun for me and your comments are making it a negative experience.

mlgb

Hey Geoff, I responded to your post with information and advice.

Not promoting a startup travel agency.

In fact I am not sure you asked for any travel agency recommendations?

I think I probably have more of a clue than you suspect. I will follow cirwins future postings with interest, but won't be offering any more Peru advice for you.

Too bad, I've been there 5 times over the last 5 years.

Geoff_Hersch

I am sure more people can give advice than mlgb. Those of you who wish to chime in feel free to do so without backlash.

Anyways, thinking about this family vacation still and we have to choose between Early April and Mid July. Either USA "Spring Break" or our Summer vacation.

Weather would impact this decision. Heard that Summer (SA Winter) is nice in the highlands of Cusco, MP and Titicaca and Amazon is drier.

janisj

Actually Geoff -- I suspect mlgb might be right. The poster in question has posted on several dredged up threads to tout an agency. I might give her the benefit of the doubt if she continues to participate w/o gratuitous mentions of agency(s).

BTW it is <u>perfectly</u> OK to recommend places/companies -- it just looks weird when someone's first 4 posts all mention commercial sites. (a couple of cirwin50's post have been deleted so perhaps the moderators also suspected they were ads.)

Let's hope all is kosher and cirwin50 is just an enthusiastic new member.

Geoff_Hersch

Main question is still whether to travel to Peru from the US in either April or July. Any suggestions regarding this would be helpful. Thank you.

Amy

My four visits to the Amazon have all been in the northern hemisphere summer (both July and August) and it has been great; rain at night, sometimes, which is rather lovely to hear, but beautiful sunny days. I really enjoyed my July time in the Sacred Valley, MP, and Cusco, as well: definitely cool, but clear and beautiful. Obviously, your mileage may vary, but especially if you could stretch your trip a bit longer by going in July I'd enthusiastically recommend it.

I usually do fly into Lima, generally on a late night flight, and then get the very early plane to Iquitos, staying the few hours of overnight in the very cosy domestic terminal. This most recent time I flew out of Nicaragua to Iquitos via Panama, however, and actually felt a little regretful that I'd be missing my time there! (We went straight from one plane to another.) While Lima has good areas and museums, to me when you have very limited time it's not the first priority for Peru.

There are some pictures here if you're interested in seeing a bit of the Peruvian Amazon before you make your choices: https://missalg.smugmug.com/Travel/P...an-Amazon-2015

Geoff_Hersch

How is Copa Airlines? I found amazing airfare to Lima from LAX for around $500 per person on Copa. Have never heard of Copa Airlines but this fare is a great one. July 12-23rd for my family of 5.

Amy

Copa actually saved my most recent trip to Iquitos by having seats on an early enough flight after my flight out of Nicaragua on the previous night never happened. (There's a trip report about it here: http://www.fodors.com/community/sout...r-colombia.cfm ) I didn't find it either better or worse than any other, but of course that was just one flight. I may have flown them in Panama but don't remember; it is the Panamanian carrier. Come to think of it, Copa was better in one respect from some others: rather tasty little sandwiches for lunch!