Unplugged Adventure in Peru

Day 1 | Arrive in Lima Touch down in Peru’s capital and settle into Barranco, a relaxed coastal neighbourhood known for its creativity and café culture. Villa Barranco feels personal and welcoming, offering a calm base after international travel. The afternoon is kept intentionally light, allowing everyone to reset, wander nearby streets or enjoy ocean views along the clifftop. It’s a gentle start that prioritizes comfort and ease, setting the tone for a journey designed around shared experiences, without rushing straight into sightseeing.

Day 2 | Lima: Art, Culture and the Pacific
Today showcases two contrasting sides of Lima that appeal equally to parents and teenagers. Begin with a guided exploration of Barranco, the city’s most creative district, known for its colorful streets, coastal views, and vibrant art scene. A visit to the Pedro de Osma Museum offers insight into Peru’s rich colonial history through an impressive collection of viceregal art, providing cultural depth without feeling overly formal.

Day 3 | Into the Amazon
Leave the city behind and journey deep into the Amazon Basin, where the rainforest unfolds in every direction. A short flight brings you to the river, where Aqua Nera awaits — a vessel designed for intimate luxury, with elegant cabins, panoramic decks, and attentive service that ensures comfort as the jungle surrounds you. As the boat glides along the river, roads vanish and the landscape is dominated by lush greenery, winding waterways, and the calls of exotic wildlife. The afternoon is spent settling in and exploring from the deck or in smaller launches, with early chances to spot colorful macaws, playful monkeys, and river dolphins. It’s a graceful transition into a more immersive, nature-led chapter of the journey, where every moment feels curated yet authentic.

Day 4 | Amazon: Wildlife and Discovery
Awaken to the symphony of the rainforest and spend the day exploring its rich diversity. Excursions by tender boat and on foot bring the forest to life, combining wildlife spotting with insights into medicinal plants, conservation efforts, and the intricate ecosystems of the Amazon. Experiences are designed to captivate teenagers and adults alike, with hands-on learning that sparks curiosity and invites questions. The pace is balanced with downtime on board, allowing families to relax on open decks or in elegant lounges, absorbing the ever-changing scenery. The Amazon reveals itself gradually, its scale and complexity leaving a lasting impression that feels both personal and profound.

Day 5 | Amazon: Deeper Immersion
Your second full day aboard Aqua Nera allows for a deeper exploration of the jungle’s hidden corners. Navigate quieter tributaries, hike along serene riverbanks, and observe more elusive wildlife in their natural habitat. Guided activities provide rare insight into the region’s delicate ecosystems and ongoing conservation efforts, offering a sense of connection to the forest that few visitors experience. By now, the family moves at the rhythm of the jungle, sharing unforgettable moments — from spotting a sloth high in the canopy to watching a golden sunset over the river — creating memories that are as distinctive as the rainforest itself.

Days 6–9 | The Sacred Valley
Return to the Andes and settle into the heart of the Sacred Valley at Explora Sacred Valley, an immersive lodge set on a former hacienda between Cusco and Machu Picchu. Surrounded by open landscapes, soaring peaks and Inca history, Explora offers a seamless blend of comfort, expert-led exploration and thoughtful pacing. All meals, daily guided explorations and transfers are included, allowing the family to fully relax and engage without logistics or decision-making.

Each day is personalized with Explora’s guides, offering a choice of explorations matched to energy levels and interests — ideal for families traveling with teenagers. Between outings, the lodge itself invites downtime: quiet gardens, riverside walks, spacious lounges and time to simply absorb the valley’s scale and beauty.

Explorations may include:
• Guided visits to Moray’s circular agricultural terraces and the Maras salt pans, offering insight into Inca innovation and living traditions
• Exploration of Ollantaytambo, where massive stone terraces and village life feel vividly present
• Scenic hikes, gentle cycling routes or more active options for adventurous teens, always paired with cultural context
• Opportunities to engage with Andean traditions, landscapes and local perspectives through Explora’s expert storytelling.

Evenings are unhurried, with refined Andean-inspired cuisine served at the lodge, followed by time to reconnect as a family under clear mountain skies. This three-night stay provides a deeper, more balanced understanding of the Sacred Valley — combining discovery, comfort and shared experience — before continuing onward to Machu Picchu.

Day 9 | Machu Picchu: Journey and Discovery Travel by Vistadome Observatory train, one of the most scenic rail journeys in South America. The route follows the Urubamba River as high Andean landscapes gradually give way to lush cloud forest, visible through panoramic windows. Arrive at Machu Picchu and explore this remarkable citadel, where terraces, temples and viewpoints reveal the Incas’ mastery of engineering and landscape. Lunch at Sumaq offers a refined pause before settling into the tranquil surroundings near the site.

Day 10 | Wayna Picchu and Cusco An early start brings the opportunity to climb Wayna Picchu, a steep but rewarding ascent with unforgettable views back over Machu Picchu — a highlight for active teenagers. A second visit to the site allows time to explore areas missed the previous day before returning to Cusco by train. The shift from jungle to historic city is energising, with the evening free to relax and enjoy the atmosphere of the former Inca capital.

Day 11 | Cusco: Hidden Stories This morning reveals a more intimate side of Cusco on a Magical & Hidden walking tour. Step away from the main squares to uncover Inca foundations concealed within colonial buildings, quiet courtyards and lesser-known streets. The experience brings history to life in a way that feels engaging for younger travelers. The afternoon is free, offering time to explore markets, cafés or simply wander together, absorbing the city at your own pace.