Top five family experiences on the Inca trail to Machu Picchu and Beyond

South America. The Amazon River. Thick, humid rainforest. The towering Andes. Lost Inca cities. Nothing could be more exciting or hold more promise than these sights and experiences. The same excitement you feel is quadrupled when it comes to your children, and their wide-eyed wonder at what they see will create a truly unique family experience to be treasured for years to come. We count down the top five family experiences you can enjoy on your Inca trail trek to Machu Picchu and beyond.

5. White water rafting

White water rafting through the beautiful gorges and clear waters of the Urubamba River is an exciting experience for all the family. Working together against the swirling river rapids, to keep the boat on course, is an amazing adrenaline rush for everyone involved. It’s great fun and you get a real feeling of achievement when you get to the end of the course. Definitely something to share with the family before or after your trek to Machu Picchu.

4. The Inca Trail itself

Setting out on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu really feels like the start of a great adventure as you walk alongside the sparkling waters of the Urubamba River, climbing slowly past spectacular Inca ruins and through stunted cloud forest. Good acclimatisation means a slow and steady pace in order to cross the highest point at Dead Woman’s Pass (4,128m), but your efforts are rewarded with beautiful views across the peaks and valley of the Andes. En route to Machu Picchu there are many fascinating Inca sites to explore and as well as a wealth of exotic birdlife to look out for including hummingbirds, flower-piercers and Mountain Tanagers. The culmination of this superb trek comes as you reach the Gateway of the Sun for your mesmerising first glimpse of Machu Pichhu – a fantastic memory to share with your family.

3. Amazing Incan ruins

The Incan ruins in the area are astonishing both in their technology and grandeur. As an incredible legacy, these historical landmarks dot the Inca trail all the way to the most spectacular example: Machu Picchu itself. However, it’s worth stopping over in Pisac to see the impressive ruins of the citadel and the Temple of the Sun with its complicated geometry (which was based on a now lost celestial and astronomical function). A visit to Pisac will also help with acclimatisation for your Inca Trail trek and provide some tremendous views along the Sacred Valley.

2. Delving into the Amazon.

Away from the Inca Trail, the Amazon rainforest has its own magic and is worth taking the time out to explore. Huge, buttress rooted trees wrapped in lithe forest climbers form a vaulted ceiling of branches high above your heads as you trek through the dense forest. You can trek and camp in the rainforest itself, or take a canoe up the Amazon River to one of the river lodges and stay there overnight. Activities in the area include guided walks and canoe trips to see Caiman and giant, fresh-water otters in the shallows, whilst monkeys play in the trees above and a myriad of colourful birds fly overhead. It’s guaranteed to cast an inspiring spell over the whole family.

1. Machu Picchu

The highlight of your Inca Trail trek, Machu Picchu, is quite simply breathtaking. The site is built high in the Andes and its creation and much of its original use is shrouded in mystery. There are a vast range of ideas on the use, construction and intent of Machu Picchu at the time it was built but, no matter your idea of what the site is for, you can’t deny the majesty and beauty of this settlement. A crowning achievement for you and your family to accomplish together.

Jude Limburn Turner is the Marketing Manager for Mountain Kingdoms, an adventure tour company who have run treks along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu for many years http://www.mountainkingdoms.com/machu-picchu-inca.ihtml. They now offer treks and tours worldwide, including destinations in North and South America, Europe, Africa, and Central and South East Asia.