Any recent experience with kids in Peru?

[Anonymous]

We are contemplating a trip to Peru late March/early April next year. The big draw would be Machu Picchu but we've heard great things about the country. Kids in 6th& 7th grade and pretty sturdy hikers. Any recent experience? In particular looking for any tour guide companies and it seems like we'd need one to do the climb.
Thanks much.

[Anonymous]

I hike to Machu Picchu with two friends when I was 22. I will say the hardest part was carrying our own gear. We use the cheaper tour company that carried less of the stuff for us. I think with younger kids you'll want to look at a tour company that will carry a lot of the stuff for you.

[Anonymous]

We did it with much younger kids so we skipped the trek and just did the train and bus. Really recommend exploring the Sacred Valley for a few days first, both to acclimatize and also because it's very neat. Don't start in Cuzco - too high.

[Anonymous]

My DD was 8 when we went so we didn't do the Inca Trail hike, but rather took the train and bus. The train ride was beautiful.

For a totally different experience in Peru, I highly recommend a trip to the Amazon. DD absolutely LOVED it. We took a boat to a jungle lodge, did daily hikes, fished for piranhas, etc. Go with this company (I've been there twice with them, once back when I was in my 20s, and more recently with DH and DD.

http://www.explorama.us/contact.shtml

They have a few different lodges and itineraries to choose from. DO NOT MISS the canopy walk - it is incredible.

You can't get there from Cuzco directly (unless things have changed). We had to fly back to Lima and then fly to Iquitos, where they pick you up at airport and take you to the boat. The boat travels down Amazon river to the lodge.

We spent a little over two weeks, with a few days in Lima (amazing food!) and a week in Cuzco area and a week in Amazon.

We had an incredible time - one of the best family trips we've done. Highly, highly recommend!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DD was 8 when we went so we didn't do the Inca Trail hike, but rather took the train and bus. The train ride was beautiful.

For a totally different experience in Peru, I highly recommend a trip to the Amazon. DD absolutely LOVED it. We took a boat to a jungle lodge, did daily hikes, fished for piranhas, etc. Go with this company (I've been there twice with them, once back when I was in my 20s, and more recently with DH and DD.

http://www.explorama.us/contact.shtml

They have a few different lodges and itineraries to choose from. DO NOT MISS the canopy walk - it is incredible.

You can't get there from Cuzco directly (unless things have changed). We had to fly back to Lima and then fly to Iquitos, where they pick you up at airport and take you to the boat. The boat travels down Amazon river to the lodge.

We spent a little over two weeks, with a few days in Lima (amazing food!) and a week in Cuzco area and a week in Amazon.

We had an incredible time - one of the best family trips we've done. Highly, highly recommend!

What time if year did you go?

[Anonymous]

March is the tail end of the rainy season, something to consider.