Holidays to South America may be more than what you might think, travel in Peru, is, of course, an option but the continent is full of amazing destinations full of interesting manmade and natural beauty. The continent is extremely large and you will need to do some air travel, so depending on your budget and time constraints, this will determine how much of South America you will see. Traveling to South America with the family is also a rewarding experience. With so much beauty in the one place, the trip will be a memory made for a lifetime. Here we will give you some ideas on what we feel are the best places to travel in South America with your family.
No trip to South America would be complete without travel in Peru; the country filled with the most amazing ancient Inca sites and especially Machu Picchu, probably the most famous place in Peru. If you have older children you may like to hike the famous Inca Trail, a four-day hike over high passes, through the cloud forest to the Inca citadel, this challenging but rewarding experience will not only delight but will give you a sense of the Inca way of life. The other option to get to Machu Picchu is by train, there are several different styles of trains that travel all day every day to and from Machu Picchu. Definitely a family-friendly destination with many lovely hotels and delicious restaurants to choose, take the time to decide the best time to go to Machu Picchu, this will depend on the crowds and the weather.
Next on our list is the naturally wonderful Galapagos Islands, if you love wildlife this is the place for you. You may get up close and personal with many different species of birds, land animals, or even try diving for closeness with many different species of marine wildlife. What better way to have a luxury vacation than to cruise the Galapagos Islands for an education your children will never forget, you may visit these islands all year round, the cost is sometimes pricey but the rewards are many.
Why not also travel to the magnificent Glacier National Park in Patagonia, Argentina, take the kids to Perito Moreno an advancing glacier, you can do a boat tour to the glacier or short treks are also available. Patagonia is at the Southern tip of the continent and there is much to see and do in the region. There are flights from Buenos Aires in Argentina daily and plenty of hotels from which to choose. While in the southern part of South America do not forget to visit Torres del Paine National Park in Chile, full of natural beauty and plenty of hiking for the family. There is a decent infrastructure to cater for every budget from hotels, tours to restaurants.
Traveling to the north of South America is the Cotopaxi Volcano National Park in Ecuador, located south of Quito, the park features three volcanos, there are hikes available to the volcanos but is only recommended for the older children as it is very strenuous. There is also horseback riding tours as an alternative for all ages. As the park is at a high altitude make sure to bring your high altitude medicine for the kids.
For the perfect Peru vacation, arrive into the Peruvian capital, Lima, said to be the food capital of South America, Lima is a food mix from different cultures, from five-star restaurants to food stalls on the streets all for you to try. However, there is also much to do for the kids. Being a coastal town, in the summer months, you might venture to one of the many beaches for a swim or participate in the many adventure activities from paragliding to a coastal bike ride around the Costa Verde. In the center of Lima is the Parque de las Aguas, featuring many different colorful water displays, the park is opened at night, a must-see with the kids in Lima.
Moving over to Argentina, is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, Iguazu Falls, located in the north of Argentina, has many walking trails available to explore and enjoy in the park. Walk to one of the many viewing points and see the Devils Throat, the largest of the waterfalls the views are amazing, go out on the platform for the best views.
Peru tourist attractions abound with many different places to visit, not only Lima and Machu Picchu but the city of Cusco is full of Inca ruins, museums and markets to visit, not far from the city are many more Inca sites complete with horse riding. Around a forty minute drive from Cusco is the beautiful Sacred Valley of the Incas. This naturally beautiful place features many attractions that the kids will enjoy, such as zip-lining, white water rafting, and quad biking as well as the magnificent Andes mountain range with its breathtaking scenery for Mum and Dad to enjoy.
Also, while in Peru travel south from Lima and see the mysterious Nazca Lines. Drawn in the desert floor there lines are a complete mystery, nobody seems to know why they were made and by whom and for what reason. You will need to take a flight in a small plane to get the best view of the lines, which is sometimes hard on the stomach, so it is not good to eat breakfast before the flight. Also in the area is the cemetery of Chauchilla, which features real skeletons from the Nazca culture displayed in the desert, a very interesting place to take the kids for a visit.
A holiday to South America with the family will not disappoint, so book today for an adventure to one of the most naturally beautiful continents on the planet.
