Peru Epic Family Trip: Coastal Charms, Incan Adventure, and Active Exploration with Tanit Trails

When it comes to truly epic family travel, it’s hard to top a Peru family trip designed by ​Tanit Trails DMC​.

Time spent in this vibrant land of ancient civilisations, breathtaking scenery and abundant biodiversity is an adventure a million miles away from a typical getaway - with a million times more adventure and enrichment on offer. But of course, planning a tour of this vast country is more complicated than your standard holiday - so we’ve turned to our expert friends at ​Tanit Trails DMC ​for their take on a seamless, luxurious and family-friendly odyssey that covers the best of modern life, lost cities and Pacific wonder.

The result is a peerless 2-week exploration that moves between cities ancient and modern and from coastal plains to soaring Andean mountains. One that takes in the legends of Cusco and Machu Picchu. One packed with unforgettable adventures, from paddleboarding and cooking classes to zip lining over the Sacred Valley and whale watching and surfing in the Pacific. One that includes the stunning, luxurious beach haven of Máncora, where the weather is always warm, the sun shines all year long and the sparkling ocean teems with marine life.

Beach Bliss and Marine Marvels in Máncora

Renowned for its stunning beaches, always-warm and sunny climate and relaxed vibe, Máncora is a laid-back beach town on Peru’s northern coast that’s a mecca for surfers and ocean lovers in the know. With plenty for travellers of all ages, tastes and preferences, bubbly Máncora is barefoot luxe at its off-trail best - in the words of ​Conde Nast Traveller​, “a surf spot undiscovered enough to feel fresh and exciting, but still able to provide turndown service”.

Connecting via Lima, families arrive into Talara and are whisked by private transfer to the town, located just an hour north in the Piura region. Here, the cold Humboldt ocean currents cross warmer waters fed by El Niño, creating a supremely rich and biodiverse marine environment that teems with life, including whale sharks, Orcas and hundreds of Humpback whales, who visit every year from July to October.

How they spend their time here? It’s up to your guests. With endless activities on the menu, from surfing, kite surfing, fishing, scuba and snorkelling, there’s plenty of adventure to be had - or of course, those in search of something far more relaxing can just kick back on the pristine, golden sands and unwind!

For those looking to explore the glittering ocean, we can’t recommend the ​whale-watching​ adventure highly enough (Available July to October). As part of a small group this thrilling tour sees guests sail out as part of a small group, looking to spot the distinctive fins and knobby heads of Humpback whales showcasing their extrovert natures by swimming high on the waves. Few experiences beat watching these awesome creatures gliding majestically through the waters, waving with their black and white tail fins as they head back beneath the surface and continue their annual birthing migration to the equator (July to October).

And it's not just Humpbacks that guests can see - this part of the Pacific is also rife with dolphins, sea lions, sea turtles, blue-footed boobys and more - making for an experience the whole family will remember forever. And for those with dreams of riding the waves themselves, ​Tanit Trails DMC​ have just the thing!

How about a one-to-one surf lesson with a specialised surf master? With wetsuits and boards provided, ​Tanit Trails DMC​'s trusted experts seek out the best waves of the day, judging guests’ experience and the weather conditions to a tee. Tanit Trail's owner, Nicolas Ramirez, is himself a surfing expert and so takes great care to arrange the very best surfing adventures.

How about your own private cinema on the beach or a series of yoga sessions. Tanit Trails can help arrange the perfect family beach stay and select the best accommodation for your family.

Where to stay on Mancora Beach?

Our recommendations for luxe stays include ​Hotel Arennas​ or ​KiChic​ Boutique hotel (adult kids only) and ​Villas del Mar​​

Explore Northern Peru

Those with the time have endless exploration at their fingertips in this incredible northern region of Peru - from the pre-Incan wonders and fascinating peoples of the North to the secrets of the untamed Amazon, with its rich biodiversity, pristine cloud forest and countless adventures. For more inspiration on travel around Northern Peru check out our articles ​HERE​

The Sacred Valley of the Incas & Machu Picchu

This first day in the Sacred Valley is best taken easy due to the altitude - you are now at 2-3000m above sea level! We like to start with an authentic Andean experience at Awana Kancha Textile Centre. At this living museum dedicated to preserving ancient textile traditions, parents and children can see the process that turns the fibres of camelids into finished textile products. Animal lovers will be in their element, with the chance to spot Llama, Alpaca and Vicuña - Vicuñas being the most revered in the Andean culture, their soft, light and luxurious wool among the finest in the world.

Nearby, Pisac is renowned for its extensive Inca ruins, with narrow paths running past its large agricultural terraces, ancient cemeteries, places of worship and buildings which once housed people of high rank in the Incan community. Pisac is also known for its vibrant traditional market, where families can take the time to explore stalls, admire the artisan crafts and sample some of the local products before heading to the elegant surroundings of the hotel to unpack and rest ready for three nights of Andean exploration.

Upgrade your family adventure and ask ​Tanit Trails DMC​ to set up one of their luxury picnics overlooking the famous Pisac archaeology site.

Scavenger Hunts and Mystical Muscial Instruments

Stretch minds and bodies today with an outdoor scavenger hunt that sees guests run, chase and hunt clues through ancient Inca palaces, water channels, terraces and astonishing mountain landscapes until they find the hidden treasure - a brilliantly engaging activity that’s sure to leave everyone with a big smile on their face! A stunning picnic lunch with first-class service sees guests tuck into some incredible dishes in a beautiful, natural setting - a really lovely experience that sets the perfect blissful tone for an afternoon of music.

Meeting one of ​Tanit Trails DMC​ good local friends, a talented musician, families are introduced to a variety of ancient and traditional instruments in a fun and interactive demonstration where they can listen and even learn to play. Later, among the fields of the Chinchero plateau, a biking experience is a wonderful way to explore this very traditional agricultural area - a photographer’s dream, with plenty of scenic opportunities as guests ride gently through a patchwork of potatoes, beans, corn and quinoa with the snow-capped Urubamba mountains in the distance.

Water Sports & Cooking Classes

Arriving at Piuray Lake, it’s time for a spot of stand-up paddleboarding (or kayaking) - and those who’ve never tried, never fear. This experience is guided throughout by an expert, and paddleboarding is actually really easy to learn - even beginners will be gliding serenely across the emerald-green waters before they know it. And, because all that activity is sure to work up an appetite, back on shore a fun and interactive cooking class is a fantastic way to whip up a tasty lunch, to be enjoyed as they relax among some of the most beautiful scenery in Peru.

Adrenaline junkies, don’t worry - ​Tanit Trails DMC​ have something for you too!

In the morning, a short drive from the hotel and an easy (and short) hike from the car park, a thrilling zip line and via ferrata adventure awaits. With 6 lines ranging from 150m to 700m on a circuit that gets longer and more exciting as you go, adventurers ascend as far as they please, upgrading their zipline experience by safely climbing to the next platform using a mix of short trails and via ferratas (a system of iron rungs and cables) - and descending at breathtaking speed with the Sacred Valley unfolding beneath.

For the most adventurous families why not suggest that they actually spend the night literally on the side of the mountain and stay at Sky Lodge or ​Star Lodge​?​

Pachamanca Feast and Unique Andean Spirits (The alcoholic kind!)

And how do you follow that experience? With a change of pace towards the authentic and the community, with a visit to an organic farm set on an old Inca terrace, where guests sample the cooking methods and flavours of the ancient Peruvians. The Pachamanca is a traditional cooking technique where native ingredients - tubers, vegetables and meats - are marinated and wrapped in local herbs before being cooked underground in an earth oven lined with hot stones and heated by a wood fire. Covered with earth, the ingredients slow-cook to tender perfection, infusing each bite with the mouthwatering smoky, earthy flavours that have been enjoyed in this stunning landscape for centuries.

Something for the adults? A drop of "Matacuy - Andean Elixir" is a delicious and oh-so-perfect digestif! We love to recommend a visit to ​Destileria Andina​ and learn about their process and the different elixirs they create based in traditional techniques and organic ingredients. Often asked to tailor-make spirits for the top restaurants in Lima, their beautiful copper stills and boutique operation can be visited with a tour from the owner.

The Magic and Mystique of Machu Picchu - 1 Day Hike

In case you were wondering, of course, this epic family tour includes the wonders of Machu Picchu! With a few days of acclimatisation behind them, now’s the ideal time for your family guests to discover the Lost City of the Incas, a place that inspires childlike wonder no matter your age.

This indelible experience begins boarding the Vistadome train from Ollantaytambo station towards Aguas Calientes. There’s no doubt this is one of the most spectacular rail journeys in the world - winding alongside the picturesque Urubamba River, snaking past the rugged cliffs, dramatic rocks and Indigenous communities of the Canyon of Vilcanota.

Guests can take the train all the way to Aguas Calientes and from there a bus up to Machu Picchu but we love to persuade as many families as possible to do a 1-day hike to Machu Picchu. This is a way to truly experience the rugged and stunning scenery of the mountains, view some sites that few visit and arrive at Machu Picchu through the iconic Sun Gate with its sensational first gaze over the majestic site.

Not into hiking and want the most luxury possible? Let ​Tanit Trails DMC​ book your clients the ​Belmond Hiram Bingham​ train for you! We especially recommend it on the return journey to enjoy the deluxe dinner and entertainment.

The 1-day hike begins with a special, extra train stop in the jungle. Only those hiking will alight here - feels pretty special in itself! With your expert guide from ​Tanit Trails DMC​ you cross the Vilcanota River and hike to two highlights of the Inca trail - beginning with the enigmatic Inca site Chachabamba, a place of well-preserved ruins including terraces, ceremonial buildings and a temple dedicated to water.

Next, at the remarkable site of Wiñay Wayna (meaning "forever young" in Quechua), the tiered terraces, temples and homes cling to the mountainside, making for a captivating prelude to Machu Picchu itself. Here, a series of innovative baths were used by the ancient peoples to help pressurise water for agricultural irrigation and the city’s food production - just a glimpse of the Incan mastery of engineering that’s guaranteed to amaze visitors. This is the perfect spot for lunch, high in the Andes with the incredible sight of Machu Picchu unfolding before you. ​

A quick descent arrives at Inti Punku (the "Sun Gate”), the entrance to Machu Picchu on the Inca Trail. Hikers reaching this viewpoint are rewarded with a truly breathtaking panoramic view of the remote citadel in all its mystical, majestic and mist-shrouded glory as it’s slowly bathed in the golden hourlight of the afternoon. This time of day, when most people have already left, is a wonderful time to relax and take in the beauty of this, one of the new Seven Wonders of the World, in a truly special and life-affirming way.

Where to stay at Machu Picchu?

Here, guests can stay at the stunning ​Belmond Sanctuary Lodge​, a luxury hotel at the entrance of Machu Picchu which offers unparalleled access to the site. As the only hotel directly adjacent to Machu Picchu, guests here enjoy the convenience of being steps away from the ancient citadel, making it far easier to take early morning and late evening visits to the site when it’s less crowded. The lodge also offers luxurious accommodations with spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and lush cloud forest, gourmet dining featuring Peruvian cuisine and international specialities, and a range of spa treatments inspired by Andean traditions, which are brilliant to soothe walk-weary bodies!

For families, there is also the option of the wonderful ​Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo​ hotel which is located down in the valley on the outskirts of Aguas Calientes and has a variety of larger room types, a pool and huge grounds to explore.

Morning brings a second chance to explore the stunning architecture and sophisticated engineering of this iconic archaeological site from a fresh perspective. The Incas worshipped nature (it’s not hard to appreciate why, seeing their landscape!) and built many of their structures in harmony with their dramatic surroundings - but it can be hard to fully appreciate the full extent of their exceptional achievements from ground level.

For those who want to explore even more - an adventurous hike all the way up to Machu Picchu Mountain, the highest mountain in the area, offers awesome 360° views of the Vilcabamba mountain range, with the ruins of Machu Picchu spread out below and, though longer and higher than the trail to Huayna Picchu, (the peak most people climb) this route is gentler and less crowded option that takes families away from the crowds - and with a better result. Lunch is taken back at the hotel before heading back down to Aguas Calientes and onto the train to Ollantaytambo station, where private transport will whisk guests on to Cusco City.​

The Colonial and Ancient Charm of Cusco City

Guests wake for a day of exploration of Cusco. The capital of their Empire, the Incans knew this vibrant city as the “navel of the world”, designing its unique layout in the shape of a puma and filling it with architectural features so well constructed that some are still in great shape today, topped by the Spanish colonial buildings built on their remains. This place sings of adventure, its narrow alleys opening to lively plazas full of colour, life and celebration - and often hosting one of the carnivals and religious festivals Cusco is famous for.

The day begins at San Pedro Market, where guests can appreciate the full spectacle of colour and authenticity on show as they’re expertly guided around the wares of the stalls, each with their own intriguing native Andean offerings. After, a drive whisks the family to the city’s outskirts, taking the opportunity en route to see Cusco from above - the best way to appreciate the original Inca design - and heading on to Sacsayhuaman, an ancient pre-Columbian fortress renowned for its massive, precision-cut stone walls, some reaching up to 30 feet in height, which fit seamlessly together in another perfect demonstration of the Inca’s engineering prowess. Awesome for its impressive terraces, ceremonial plazas and panoramic views over the city below, Sacsayhuamán holds cultural significance as a sacred site and hosts traditional celebrations like Inti Raymi, the Inca Festival of the Sun.

And in the afternoon? With almost every sight within easy walking distance of the main Plaza de Armas, this is a wonderful chance to wander this stunning city, with guests able to easily uncover its many hidden gems for themselves.

And, thanks to ​Tanit Trails​’ peerless experience at crafting sustainable, slow-travel itineraries that head off the beaten track and into the changing terrain of the real Peru, your clients’ dream family tour is just an introduction away.

To learn more why not check out a fabulosu webinar recording from Tanit Trails HERE and explore More Example Itineraries of Peru in ​Tanit Trails​' Sales Toolkit ​HERE​

For more information and to set up a meeting with ​Tanit Trails​' wonderful owner - Nicolas Ramirez please, get in touch today.