In search of Paddington: Peru for kids

Itinerary in brief:

• 2 nights at Chaparri Ecolodge
• 2 nights in the Sacred Valley
• 1 night in Aguas Calientes
• 3 nights in Cusco

Day 1: Depart UK

Depart the UK from your chosen airport.

Day 2: Arrive in Chiclayo  

When you arrive in Chiclayo, you’ll be met and driven to Chaparri Lodge – just over an hour’s drive. When you arrive, check into your accommodation and then you’ll be told all about the range of activities that you can take part in at the lodge.

The lodge is at Peru’s first wildlife rescue centre designed specifically for Spectacled Bears – a.k.a Paddington Bear! Seven bears here have been rescued and rehomed and now live in large, semi-wild enclosures that provide a stimulating natural environment.            

Day 3: Chaparri Ecolodge and spectacled bears

Today you have plenty of time to enjoy some of the activities offered by the lodge, including nature walks and visits to the herpetarium (home to amphibians and reptiles) and the Andean bear rescue centre. Here you will be able to meet the real-life Paddington bear. With the help of a guide, you can watch bears in their natural habitat and learn more about these threatened animals. There are also some rescued Ocelots, Andean Condors, King Vultures and Military Macaws, so you can see these creatures too.

All your meals are included with the stay at the lodge, so you can focus on seeing the animals.

Day 4: Fly to Cusco   

Today you will be driven to the airport to catch your flight to Cusco. Once you land, you will be met and taken to your hotel in the Sacred Valley.

Day 5: Urubamba       

Today is all about exploring the Sacred Valley. You’ll have the chance to visit a rural community in the Huilloc province, where you’ll be welcomed with traditional music and meet a local family. Your kids will have a hands-on opportunity to help in the process of making traditional garments and you can join the fun too! In the end, you will all dress up in the Huilloc clothes – a great photo moment!

Day 6: Machu Picchu

Today you’ll be collected from your hotel in Urubamba and driven to Ollantaytambo train station where your guide will help you board the train to Aguas Calientes, the charming village that is the gateway to Machu Picchu.

Once you arrive, you a local guide will be waiting to take you up to explore the citadel on a guided tour through the ruins. As well as learning with the guide, you’ll also have some time to look around yourselves, independently. After the tour, you’ll travel back to Aguas Calientes. Once you reach the village, you’ll have lunch and the rest of the day to relax.

Day 7: Cusco     

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and a free morning today – with the option to go back and visit Machu Picchu independently (let us know if you wish to add the second entrance ticket).

In the afternoon, make your way to the train station to catch the train to Cusco, where you will be met and driven to your hotel.         

Day 8: Cusco

Today your family will be taken to the Art Trail in Cusco where you will have the opportunity to work in the process of the Dorado technique. This is a traditional colonial method of applying bronze and aluminium sheets and finishing them with acrylic paint, the chance for the whole family to get creative together! This activity lasts a few hours, then you’ll have the rest of the day free for you to spend as you wish.

Day 9: Cusco     

This morning you’ll visit Cusco’s Choco Museum. Here you can all savour some of the country’s best chocolate and also take part in a chocolate-making workshop for the whole family!

The rest of the day will be free.

Day 10: Depart Cusco

Today you’ll be collected from your hotel and driven to the airport for your next flight.

Day 11: Arrive UK