First Time to Peru: Need Help with Child-Friendly Itinerary
 

Hello---For his 40th Birthday, my husband is interested in going to Peru in the June 2015 timeframe. Our son will be 5 years old and coming along. We are shooting for a 8-10 day or so trip. My husband definitely wants to "do" Machu Picchu (no hiking, from Agua Calientes). Any ideas for a itinerary that would be good with a 5 year old in tow? We are trying to avoid too many transport gyrations or super long bus/car/train rides. Is this a realistic trip with a child this young? Also, is an Amazon/jungle component do-able in a trip of this duration? Or should we just focus on Machu Picchu? Last but not least, any hotel recommendations are much appreciated--since this is a special birthday trip---budget is open. Thanks so much for your kind help!

I think Machu Picchu/Cuzco area would be a great trip with a 5 year old. I'd skip the Amazon until he's older, since I'd worry about dengue, malaria, etc., and I'm not sure at what age you can take the medicine for (some) of the diseases there (others, like dengue, don't have shots/pills you can take). I would see a doctor knowledgeable about both kids and tropical diseases before taking him to the Amazon at age 5.

But back to MP. I assume you'd fly into/out of Lima, so with 8 to 10 days, including travel time, I'd spend most of it in Cuzco, the Sacred Valley, and MP, with a day or two in Lima since you'll go through it anyway. That way, you don't have to travel too much, and it's a varied and fascinating area to explore.

My main concern would be altitude sickness. Has your son (or any of you) been up that high before? I'd plan an itinerary in which you take it easy the first few days. I'd suggest staying at one of the nice hotels in Cuzco, which will have oxygen for those who want it. If price was no concern, I'd stay a night at the hotel at the ruins too...wow!

Also, find a guide (to MP and elsewhere in the area) who is recommended for little kids. I think it would make a big difference, since there is so much there that is of interest to little ones, if it is explained at their level.

My almost 5 year old is really into MP, and we got him this book, which I would recommend for your son:
Lost City: The Discovery of Machu Picchu, by Ted Lewin

Concur with Pantanal

Too many tourists have it backwards and start their journeys in Cusco which has the highest elevation (Machu Picchu is lower).

Rather that starting with overnights in Cusco, split your stay. There are some very upscale resort hotels around Urubamba, eg Tambo del Inka (which is Starwood, if you have points). Or you could start in Ollantaytambo, a quaint village when the tourists are not transiting through for the train. It's a convenient spot for the first night, lower altitude. Many more trains leave from Ollantaytambo than Cusco, to Aguas Calientes.

For hotels, rather than staying up at the top of the mountain at the ruins, look at Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo hotel, which has the Spectacled Bear conservation which I guarantee your son will love. The site has some orchid trails, hummingbirds which can give you some forest "feel" without needing to travel again.

I strongly agree with the recommendation to stay at the Inkaterra rather than the Sanctuary -- the former is a much nicer hotel, and is "in town". If you're staying at the Sanctuary, you're up at, but not inside, the ruins. At least in town you have a lot of restaurant and shopping choices. The food at the Inkaterra restaurants is excellent.

Agree with what was said previously :

Hotel Tambo del Inca in Urubamba (Sacred Valley)
Inkaterra in Machu Picchu Pueblo
Then you can spend 2 or 3 days back to Cusco (you should be acclimated to altitude)

Have a nice trip !
Christophe