Hiking

Peru is such a huge and widely varied country that it is hard to decide where to go and what to do. The number one attraction of course is Machu Picchu, the famous Inca citadel throning majestically high, yet hidden in the Andes. The setting and enigma of these ancient ruins are timeless - however, if you are planning to go on the famous Inca Trek, be aware that the timing of your trip is crucial. Gone are the days when you could just turn up and hope to join the next best tour departing Cusco - these days you have to plan months ahead. The Peruvian government has set very strict rules and limitations on the number of visitors that are allowed on the Inca Trail at any one time. Spaces are limited to only 400 people in total - that includes the porters, and guides - and the demand is as high as ever -especially since Machu Picchu has been named as one of the Wonders of the World by the recent New Open World Corporation contest.

If you are set on doing the Inca Trail you must check for spaces and commit yourself to a specific date as early as possible. Once you have picked a date, you must book your trip and confirm with a deposit, which becomes due immediately, and is used by the tour agency tp pay for your license which secures your space.

Shoulder season - from April to June and mid-September to December are less crowded, though the weather may be less predictable. June to October is the best time for hiking in any part of the highlands. From January to March it is rainy season and it is not recommended to do this trek or any other camping/trekking adventure in the Andes at all. Even during the dry season, be prepared for cool temperatures, especially at night. If you did not bring enough warm clothes, be sure to stock up in Cusco - beautiful, warm woollen jackets, gloves, hats and pullovers etc. are available at the artisan market.

If you find that the Inca Trail is already booked up for the dates that you had in mind, you might want to consider the popular alternative, known as 'Salcantay Trek'. This trek takes a little longer and is a bit harder too, but it is a wonderful route with far fewer people on it. To go on this trek you will have to pay an entrance fee, but numbers are not yet limited. Group tours that take 5 days and 4 nights, with one hotel night in Aguas Calientes included, depart from Cusco every Thursday and Sunday throughout the hiking season. Private groups can depart any day with a minimum of 4 participants.

If hiking isn't 'your thing' you can of course also get to Machu Picchu the easy way - by taking the train to Aguas Calientes and from there a shuttle bus that transfer visitors on a hair raising 20 minute ride up the mountain to the main entrance of the ruins. Many people want to stay an night and come back early in the morning to see the sun rise. But if you are planning on this, you should know several things:

Firstly - there is only one hotel right by the ruins themselves, and unsurprisingly, it charges an extortionate amount of money for a night's stay - of course, it's all about location. Most people however, will stay in Aguas Calientes, the little town where the train station is located. It has become quite an unsightly sprawl of mostly hotels and restaurants as this village has been completely taken over by tourism. There are hotels in every price range, but most of them more expensive than what you would pay for equivalent services elsewhere.

The first buses leave at about 5:30am and if you did not get your bus ticket in advance you can expect there to already be quite a queue even at this early hour. If you did get your ticket in advance you can get straight on the bus and get up to the ruins. If you want to watch the sun rise from Huayna Picchu, the prominent, cone-shaped mountain that rises behind the ruins, you should get over there straight away, even though the sun does not begin to rise over the mountains until about 7:00am. The reason you need to get there early is the fact that numbers of visitors allowed to climb the hill have also been restricted, although the tickets for this climb, which are handed out at a little hut at the base of the mountain, are still free. You have to get down again by 10:00am, when the second lot of visitors is allowed to climb the hill. Be careful as you climb the steep and narrow trail as it can be slippery and dangerous if it has been raining. Sturdy hiking boots are essential. Be prepared to scramble and get your hands and clothes dirty. It takes about 1 hour to reach the top.

Another thing to be aware of - not just on the Inca Trail, but anywhere in the high Andes, is the high altitude, which can make moving around quite strenuous. Give your body a chance to rest and adjust before attempting any hikes. Don't rush your itinerary in this part of your trip - Cusco and the surrounding region has so much to offer, but take your time discovering it, otherwise you might run out of puff. Listen to your body and rest when it is telling you to take a break - altitude sickness can be serious. The best way to prevent it is to slow down. It is crucial to always carry plenty of water with you to avoid dehydration. Bring your own refillable water bottle, rather than buying new plastic bottles all the time. Also essential is lip balm and sunscreen - even when it is not hot, the sun at this altitude near the equator is intense.

But if you love hiking and want to see some of the most spectacular Andean scenery in Peru, you should consider a visit to Huascaran National Park. Situated in the Cordillera Blanca, an Andean mountain range north of Lima, this National Park comprises some of Peru's highest peaks. There are not only some gorgeous hikes, but also some interesting archaeological sites, including the best preserved pre-Incan ceremonial city of Chavin. Huaraz National Park is not visited by tourists as much as much as Cusco or Puno and thus preserves more an authentic Andean feel. This region is for for active, outdoor people who love to explore a country by trekkin, hiking, horseback riding etc.

For those who are interested in Peru's botanical treasures, especially in the drier regions, the best season to visit is October/November. This is the beginning of the rainy season, when even normally arid desert-like places burst into flower. The mountains around Huaraz are also coated in green and blooming at this time, and this is one of the few accessible places where one can admire a botanical oddity known as 'Puya raimondii', a giant among flowering plants, and a relative of the pineapple. But as the rainy season wears on, roads may become impassable.

Both private and fixed departure hiking tours to Chavin and the Cordillera Blanca/Huaraz region are available - please inquire.

Cloud Forest and Rain Forest

For journeys into the cloud forest or into Manu and Tambopata, the dry season is the best time to visit. Although in the tropical rain forest one should be prepared for occasional heavy downpours at any time, in general the dry season (May - October) will be much drier. Manu National Park, one of the most biodiverse regions not just in Peru, but in the whole world, is actually closed from December to mid March, so if you are planning a visit there, keep this in mind.

Manu is the most extensive protected area in Peru. It is divided into 'cultural', 'buffer' and 'protected' zones. Lodges are only allowed in the cultural zone, but tourists are also allowed into the 'buffer zone', provided they are travelling with a licensed tour operator. Accommodation within the buffer zone is only in tents. The protected zone is completely off limits to tourists or any type of commercial enterprise. Only native tribes (some of which are still uncontacted), continue to live here - much as their ancestors have done for countless generations. Even scientists require a special permit to enter this zone.

But not just the protected and buffer zone of Manu are spectacular - coming down the eastern slopes of the Andes as you traverse the mysterious cloud forest is an unforgettable experience. Trees, festooned with mosses, epiphytes and orchids, give this terrain a primeval feel. As you make your passage from high to low altitude the ecosystem constantly changes, giving rise to ever new habitats and species. This is the most easily accessed part of the cloud forest in Peru, yet thanks to its protected status it remains undeveloped, save for a few simple lodges along the way.

• Manu Wildlife Center
• Cock-of-the-Rock Lodge
• Naturalist's Journey

The cloud forest is also an 'El Dorado' for birders. It is the home of Peru's national bird, the bright red 'cock-of-the-rock' who performs fantastic courtship dances, which can be observed at special courting grounds called 'leks'. Birders should join a birding tour into this area to get the most out of their visit. Birds are often hard to see, but experienced bird guides can track them down by their calls alone. Those who are experienced in tropical birding will find Pantiacolla Lodge the perfect base for their explorations. Located in the Pantiacolla mountains, it is situated in an especially bird rich habitat, even within this biodiversity haven.

• Manu for Birders
• Pantiacolla Lodge

Those who are more generally interested in Manu's wildlife should join one of the camping trips into the buffer zone. This could also be a unique and very active family adventure for families with teenagers - though all participants should be over 12 years old. These camping tours are fixed departure trips of varying length, from 5 - 9 days. These tours are for those who want to get really close to nature and don't mind 'roughing it'. They are also a great option for single travelers for whom private tours into this region become forbiddingly expensive.

• Manu Camping itineraries

For slightly less adventurous, but equally active families, Posada Amazonas and Refugio Amazonas are also great options for a family rainforest adventures with greater creature comforts, such as comfortable rooms with private bathrooms. Lodge based rainforest adventures are also suitable for younger children. In fact Posada Amazonas and Refugio Amazonas have developed special programs for families with kids and teens which combine educational activities with some active adventures and fun.

• Teen program - please inquire
• Kids program - please inquire

If you are looking for more suggestions for travels in Latin America with kids and teens, check out these resources:

• Best Family Adventures in Latin America
• Travelling with Kids in Latin America
• Highlights of Peru

For further information and booking inquiries please send us and e-mail.