My family’s 8 day trip to Peru last week finds us on day 4 in my blog….

We had a SUPER early wake up call that morning because Adventure by Disney’s goal is to beat the crowds. Have to admit – I was not loving being told what time to wake up – which is part of a being with a tour group- but it ended up being worth it.

Arriving at the Ollantaytambo train station to being our journey to Machu Pichhu, I already felt transported somewhere lost in time.

Although the station is pretty modern, Peru is still a third world country. It felt old fashioned.   But once inside the passenger car, which services thousands of tourists, the ride was surprisingly plush: leather seats, meal service, and even a fashion show!

In my seat I took it all in. The additional windows on the ceiling allowed more extensive viewing of the lush and rugged Andes dotted with Inca ruins.

The thick fog rolling in and out between the hills – revealing a new scenery each time it dissipated… and the mysterious music playing through the train’s speaker set the scene for a spiritual and mystic journey to the lost city of the Incas.

It was an hour and a half train ride, and when we arrived at the main gate, you must show your passport.  Tickets are pricey about 50 US dollars. Our tickets were already part of our Disney package, so we didn’t need to wait in any lines. The Peru govt is now limiting the number of people, so order tickets in advance. There are lockers to check personal belongings too. (The other way to enter is to hike the Inca Trail.)

Meandering up a hill, the ruins suddenly become visible as you walk through a tunnel-like rock formation.

The first glimpse is an awesome moment – it makes you think about life and those who came so long before you.

Machu Picchu - Put This On Your Bucket List

We spent a few hours following a guide up close through the ruins….I had always wanted to come to Machu Picchu. It is easy to savor the moments here.

Bringing my kids was a thrill.  Having guides from the region is a huge bonus. Disney trains all the local guides, so they are jovial and a fabulous source of information.

I could tell you all the amazing stories about the Incas that you come to appreciate by exploring Machu Picchu… but you are better off getting the history lesson from another website. www.peru-machu-picchu.com/

In a nutshell. the Incas built this city to purposely be out of reach.. and up high to be closer to the gods.

The reason they say these remains are so special is that they weren’t destroyed by the Spanish when they conquered Peru…. and were actually kept secret to most of the world, overgrown with fast growing lush vegetation. That, until American explorer Hiram Bingham discovered it in 1911.

Because they’re unspoiled, we can marvel at the Incan construction – how did they get this many tons of boulders up to 8000 feet  above sea level?

How did they get each stone to fit together flawlessly, without mortar and modern tools?

So how did the kids like it?

As parents, we bring our children on trips like this with the hopes of teaching about other cultures and explaining history. At the same time, I realize true appreciation of this magnificent site won’t take root immediately, and that’s OK. The guides on our tour did a good job of trying to keep the kids engaged, and my six year old actually asked if we could Google the Incas…. mostly because he learned they had small feet, but hey – it was a start…. My older kids had fun imagining playing laser tag at Machu Picchu. Had to be honest.

We ate lunch at the restaurant right at the entrance – which is much more expensive than going back down the mountain for a cafe, but it gives you more valuable Machu Picchu touring time. My tip would be to splurge at the expensive restaurant near Machu Picchu, or pack a lunch if possible.

After lunch, the guides gave us two choices: to hike part of the Inca trail from the ruins up to the Sun Gate.. or to spend more time wandering the ruins on our own.

Our family chose to hike about 1000 feet higher  along  the stone path that the Incas built some 500 years ago. All my kids made it – even my six year old. The Inca trail here is wide enough that parents don’t have to worry. You should however, judge the maturity, and physical shape of your child before you take him or her up there.

It is a good hike – most in our group didn’t find it too strenuous – about two hours round trip depending on how long you rest at the top, and how big a ham you are…..

Kids having fun at Machu Picchu. Disclaimer: There IS solid ground below their feet.

We took many photos – you can’t resist…. but we found the views at Sun Gate aren’t more spectacular than below, just different.

The Incas were highly spiritual people.. so I couldn’t help but feel the power here. It was nice actually.

Needless to say… we all slept like babies that night…. with strangely lucid dreams. Machu Picchu had infiltrated our souls.

Tomorrow: Lovin’ the llama.

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This week I am blogging about the trip I just took to Peru with Adventures by Disney.  Epic and educational are two words that come to mind as I chronicle the journey day by day.

Moray, Peru

On day 3, we started out at Moray, an archaeological site in Peru… just a bit away from our hotel in the Sacred Valley. The ruins of Moray are visually amazing… Unique circular stone terraces that are enormous, and look vaguely artistic.

The deepest one of these stadium like patterns goes is 98 feet, which can create a temprature difference from top to bottom of 15 degrees. The purpose once again, was for the Incas to experiment with the effect of climatic conditions on crop growth.

The agricultural terraces are characteristic of the Incas. Terracing crops achieved different micro-climates for various growing conditions . I marveled at how much the Incas were so in tune with nature and astronomy,  and smart about farming for abundance.

As you can see in the photo, it was a horribly cold day…. Thank goodness our Disney guides had rain ponchos, but here in Peru, it was easy to find rain ponchos for a mere $5, as street vendors flocked any tourist site.

***TIP: At a location this close to the equator, and this high altitude, you need to wear sunscreen even with complete cloud coverage!

Salt Mines, Peru

From here, we visited the salt pans, where local families have been mining salt for more than 500 years, beginning in Inca times.  The enormity of the project is mind boggling – there are about 5000 baths from which salt is mined after the water evaporates.

This area is especially salty  – just put your finger in and taste. Nearby you can buy the salt produced here, which they say is super saturated…the pink salt is high quality  -  I bought some and can’t wait to try in my cooking!

The kids found some fun things at the gift store here, and liked the salt mines more than Moray’s agriculture terraces.  You can’t hit a home run at every attraction, but if the kids walk away with one nugget of inspiration or new information, I am happy.

The good news about Disney though is that they realize this, and so they balance the fun with the educational. After lunch, the guides took us to the studio one of Peru’s most famous  ceramicists, Seminario.

We got a first hand glimpse at his studio, and met him in person. His work is in the Chicago Field Museum.

This is the type of experience you would not get to  plan on your own, and where having a connected tour operator can enhance your trip tremendously. When you are spending this much money, you want to maximize your bang for your buck.

While we adults learned about the artist, one of his apprentices took the kids and made some clay figurines and plaques with them. Their energy was so relaxed, and they really enjoyed the art project. This is the balance of the day  – fun mixed with culture – to which I was referring that Disney did so well.

At the studio, parrots roamed freely… and monkeys in cages loved flirting with visitors – the kids were enchanted. There was something for everyone here.

More fun to come: Pizza night at the hotel. The kids donned chef’s hats and aprons, and made their own pizzas! They welcomed the “comfort food, ” after trying so many Peruvian dishes.. which is just another great perk of travel.

Tomorrow: The thrill of a lifetime: Visiting Machu Picchu.

www.adventuresbydisney.com

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Machu Picchu, Peru, Jan, 2012

This week I am chronicling my recent family trip  to Peru with Adventures by Disney. It will give you insight into taking a guided tour rather than going it alone, and shine a light on a bucket list destination, that is educational for children too.

Day 2 found us waking to a beautiful sunshine morning…. the birds chirping was our alarm clock. Perfect setting for our  thrilling river rafting trip between lush Andean mountains through the Sacred Valley.

You may be asking yourself…. Is she crazy to take her young kids rafting in a third world country? What if something should happen? No, I am not loco.

What you will learn about my particular tour operator, Disney, is that the company is uber conservative, and ultra concerned about safety.

Adventures by Disney Guided Tours Took Us Rafting

Case in point: At the last minute, the guides changed the location of the rafting trip because the rains the day before swelled the river, causing rougher, class 6 rapids. They said the new location had Class 1 and 2, and “Maybe” 3 rapids…. their estimation really ended up being a float, not more than class 1.

They also made sure there was a trained guide on every raft….

and an extra solo guide on a catamaran-like vessel who went ahead of everyone, making sure the path was safe, and also hanging around in case anyone fell out.

Although these mellow waters were not a blood rushing experience that older children may have had bragging rights about, it was perfect for the younger kids… and the adults thoroughly enjoyed the relaxing nature and the incredibly beautiful scenery. We all had fun.

The great thing about this organized tour, is that the Disney guides have bottled water for you anytime you want it, and provide snacks between meals if you need it. So after a snack and a quick change into dry clothes, we were off to the second part of the day – the old Inca town of Ollantaytambo. (If you notice the pattern here, Disney seems to organize the days with 50% something fun for kids, and 50% something cultural and educational that they try to make the most engaging.)

Something struck me about Ollantaytambo… not the largest… not the cleanest or even most developed town… but it felt very authentic, despite being a popular starting point for thousands who hike the Inca Trail.

The guides arranged a buffet lunch of Peruvian fare (as always) at this charming little garden, and then we explored the ancient Incan ruins on the hillside.

What you MUST research about Peru before you go, because it is inescapable once you get there, is a little bit about the Incan Empire… and teach your kids about it too. The Incan Empire was the largest pre-Columbian empire in America. It was headquarted in Cuzco.

Incan Ruins at Ollantaytambo, Peru

The Incas were eventually conquered by the Spanish, but their ruins are well preserved around the Cuzco area. Ollantaytambo is the perfect example – we hiked the hillside to see a 600 year old temple.

Incan Ruins at Ollantaytambo, Peru

This was an intimate intro  to Incan construction style, which we would later in the trip learn more about at Machu Picchu. The Incas were known for their precise joints between boulders – and how tightly each rock fit together. Look how closely the rocks are bound – not even a piece of paper could slip through. More astonishing is that they used no mortar.

After the tour, we wandered the cobble stone streets of this town, then headed back to the hotel for dinner…. and the kids had dinner and movie night with the Disney guides! They loved it, and the parents got a little break!

Tomorrow: Exploring the picturesque salt mines.

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The first day we arrived at our hotel in Lima, Peru a little past midnight – rather late, and painful because our flight the next morning to Cuzco, Peru required us to be up at 6:30 AM.

Arriving in Lima, Peru after midnight

Even though the Disney Adventure Guides are lively  even at midnight, (note photo LOL,) ***my HUGE recommendation to you is to arrive a day early  before moving around again.  Give yourself and your kids a chance to adjust to the time change. Trust me on this – it sets the tone for the first few days of the trip. It is worth any extra money so you are fresh and alert for the first activities. We were all zombies.

I had never jumped at the idea of an organized tour…but before our flight from Lima to Cuzco the next morning, we gave our baggage to the Disney Adventure guides, and didn’t see it again until we arrived at our next hotel later that evening.

No schlepping – nada.  Disney checked all of our luggage through security. Plus one in “Organized Tour” column.

Andes, Peru

After the hour long flight, we were off to the Andean village of Chinchero, in the mountains of Cuzco, Peru. At  12,500 above sea level, some travelers in our group  felt the altitude effects right away. The kids fared very well – we made sure they drank plenty of water. TIP:  See your doctor before you visit high elevations like Cuzco or Machu Picchu. I took some altitude meds and felt Uh-Mazing the entire trip.

Center for Traditional Textiles of Cuzco, Peru

At the Center for Traditional Textiles of Cuzco in Chinchero, the ancient custom of weaving is on full display.

We saw demonstrations  on how to weave some of the traditional blankets one would associate with the Latin American country.

We saw the alpaca wool being made into yarn… and the whole loom process, still done by hand.

It can take months to make something like the blanket above.

This stop is one of many cultural experience that Adventures by Disney tries to “weave” into it’s trips.  The benefit of this kind of family-friendly tour is that the guides try to keep it entertaining for the kids… thus, the parade of Peruvian clothes on everyone. The whole experience was an interesting contrast to the fast-paced, commercially mass-produced life in the United States.

We had a nice catered lunch there under a canopy, another plus for the tour to not have to think about where to eat. We then saw our first torrential downpour – and hail! (Which is what my six year old won’t forget) The Disney guides have ponchos for guests – they are prepared for all conditions.

From there, we were ready to crash after the exhausting travel…but made a trek through the beautiful country side of Peru to our hotel in the Sacred Valley.

The scenery is peaceful… Agriculture is big there… We passed many farms, and many poor houses made simply of adobe and grass roofs. The local guides told us most houses are made of adobe because it can cost only $1000 to build.

Sol Y Luna Hotel, Sacred Valley, Peru

The beautiful Hotel Sol Y Luna, surround by the Andean mountains, was our home for the next four nights.

It is not short on charm, but in a third world country, you can’t always have every amenity when you need it – like internet service. If you take a trip like this, I wouldn’t plan on having much time to be on your computer, but also don’t count on a connection 100% of the time in a remote location like this. I only know because I had to get out one document for business.

That night – we ate dinner in the hotel, which has lively and colorful Peruvian decor.

Dining Room at Sol Y Luna Hotel, Peru

The meal preparation was fascinating – an unorthodox BBQ by our standards, but common cuisine in Peru…

The chefs dug a deep hole in the ground, put all the meat in, then covered with burning hot coals. The coals are then covered with blankets to keep the steam in, and waa-laa! The meat is cooked with a flavorful smoked taste. As entertaining as it was delicious.

After dinner,  we watched an authentic Peruvian show, which felt like a performance we would see at Epcot, coincidentally. Credit to Disney  to incorporate the local culture. There is never a dull moment on a this tour, but once in a while you may need some down time. The kids were so tired, we wanted to get them back to their rooms to bed. Once again, arriving a day earlier could help you and your kids adjust and not be so tired.

The Sol Y Luna casitas were cozy, and the next morning we were ready for a thrilling river raft down the magical Sacred Valley. Check back in tomorrow….

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Enter, stage right : Disney. They own the family brand, and rule the theme parks, but did you know they have a whole family travel division? The Disney cruises are probably the most well-known.

For the next week or so of posts, I am going to blog about the bucket list trip I took to Peru with a lesser known Disney travel area: Adventures by Disney guided vacations. Yes! We took the kids to Peru ….

Machu Picchu, Peru

…climbed the Inca Trail… and got spiritual at Machu Picchu…

Awana Kancha Llama Farm, Peru

….and went loco for llamas at a llama farm.

Was it easy? Surprisingly, yes. If you don’ t believe me, just ask my husband who is a little more the reserved roamer than the passionate pilgrim that I am.

Adventures by Disney organizes tours around the world: See the Great Wall in China…. cruise down the Nile in Egypt… or search for the Big Five in South Africa.

Let me just say that I have never been attracted to organized tours because I have traveled a lot, and like doing things on my own time.  But I was impressed with how much easier an organized tour makes family travel. Do you get to pick your own hotels? No. The restaurants? Not all of the time. Make your own schedule? Nope.

However… Travel stress melts away as everything is organized for you – your hotels booked: Check. Luggage picked up at airport and you don’t have to even TOUCH it : Check. Transportation from airport to hotels, to attractions: Check . Check. Check. Key in a third world country like Peru.

Pisac Market, Peru

You also save countless hours in planning and researching every activity and hotel…and with a little Disney magic, you can avoid crowds at some of the most packed tourist attractions, and have access to true treasures otherwise off the tourist trail.

If your idea of vacation is to move around a lot, learn a bout other cultures,  be chauffeured around the world without a worry, and mingle with other families – then this is something you might want to consider.

If you like slower pace with lounging at a pool – that is a different trip, and frankly,  you don’ t need to pay to have guides show you that. There was little down time on the tour I took -  This is a special immersive experience for which you have to have the energy.

Disney Guide and Jr Adventurer

If you don’t think you have the energy, you almost certainly will once you arrive because if Disneyland is the happiest place on earth…then the Disney adventure guides are definitely the happiest people on earth. They have the personalities and patience to have fun with the kids from all different time zones, and at the same time work hard to make sure the adults have ever single thing they need, without ever breaking a sweat.

In our group, an American Disney guide was paired with a couple local Peruvian, Disney-trained guides. The American guide  is the heart and soul if you will…. and the local guides are well versed in their country’s history, know the language and customs, and can answer all questions. We tried really hard to stump ours – it became a game – “Stump Ernesto.”

If you do consider a guided tour for any trip, here are some things to think about:

1) Make sure the destination is age appropriate for your children. Only you know your child best. For example, I would recommend waiting until your child is 7 or 8 to go to Peru. Not only will they get more out of it, but if they are bored or fidgety, you will not have a great time.

2) If you think the price sounds expensive, try itemizing what it would cost to go it alone at comparable quality hotels and attractions.  Often these tours sound expensive, but are better-priced because they have the power to negotiate good rates since they bring in more business… and some mistakes you may make with transportation, etc could cost you more in the long run. Plus, you have little extras that you may not even think about when calculating the cost of your trip- Disney had water bottles for us whenever we needed.

3) Find  a tour group that fits your personality. Adventure? Scholarly? Volunteer-oriented? Family? Disney for example, makes family the focus.

4) If it is an international trip, I would highly recommend flying in a day before the tour begins to adjust to any time difference. Trust me, it is worth any extra money. If you are a zombie at the beginning of the trip, it is hard to recover.

Now that you have a general idea of a family vacation option, the next few days will take you on a more personal look at my vacation of epic proportions…a day by day journal of our adventure through Peru. From river rafting, to hiking the Inca Trail overlooking Machu Picchu, it was a trip we will always carry with us.

www.adventuresbydisney.com

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