Virtual Vacation | Hiking in Peru

Let’s make travel accessible to everyone around the world through virutal vacations from home! This is a place where we will celebrate culture, language, history, and acceptance of people around the world. Here, families can travel to Peru comfortably! Find virtual travel, tours of famous destinations and museums, cooking lessons, and more in our Travel From Home section. Kids will get hands-on experiences and learn about a variety of cities, countries, and regions through these at-home travel guides. Additionally, these resources can be used as an educational tool. In this edition, let’s take a virtual vacation from home to hike in Peru! Enjoy, explore, and create memories together!

Take a Virtual Vacation from Home to Hike in Peru

Peru is a vibrant South American country filled with ancient ruins, breathtaking landscapes, and fascinating culture! Its capital Lima is also home to a whopping 8 million+ population, which is quite astounding given Peru’s unique geography. The Andes Mountains run north to south while the Montana Amazonian rain forest covers about 70% of the country. Luckily, you can travel to Peru from home and still experience its ancient cultural practices and dramatic architecture. Learn more about the natural wonders in Peru by telling kids a few fun facts about the area first. Peru was once predominantly inhabited by Incas and other indigenous tribes! As you visit Cusco and the surrounding Sacred Valley, feed llamas, explore marketplaces, and traverse ruins on your way to the famous Machu Picchu. When you plan to actually travel to Peru, spend at least 10 days in this dynamic area! 

Peru truly has it all! Use this virtual vacation from home to hike in Peru as an opportunity to teach children more about the Andes Mountains, the longest mountain range in the world (with some of the highest peaks!) Nestled in the Peruvian Andes, Machu Picchu is an abandoned stone city built by the Incas, uncovered by American archaeologists in 1911. Today, it still provides families an amazing glimpse into the life of the mysterious Incas! Truly a worthwhile sight, Machu Picchu is now considered a New 7 Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Get Your Hiking Boots Ready for Our Virtual Vacation from Home to Hike in Peru

Get active with a hike during your virtual trip to Peru! Fortunately, there are so many phenomenal hikes in Peru, especially for families with younger kids. For your next hike, have your kids pack their backpacks, talking through what they might need on a hike. (Water bottles, bug spray, and snacks are a good place to start!). If you’re not sure what else you’ll need during your family’s virtual travel to Peru, watch some tutorials to learn more about effective backpacking. Here, REI will teach you how to pack your backpack for an overnight hike. Ready to try a virtual vacation hiking in Peru? Here we go!

Hike the Incan Trail

First, travelers can tackle the Inca Trail and come to admire what the Incas built. Parents will definitely want to give kids some historical background on these curious artifacts. In fact, archaeologists today are still in awe by what the Incas understood about astronomy and star alignment. Plus, since Machu Picchu is located above the Sacred Valley, acclimating to its elevation of 7,970 ft (2.430 meters) above sea level surely takes some time. Ask children what they think about being that high in the air! Then, look at the various Inca masks made of gold and precious stones for inspiration on how to create your own Inca relic. Families can create this mask at home using cardboard while learning more about Peru’s incredible ancient culture.

Hike Machu Picchu

After you’ve gotten your daily dose of history, ready your hiking boots to explore this awe-inspiring lost city from home! For more interesting facts about the Incas and how Machu Picchu was built, you can also watch this Free School video on Youtube or this National Geographic video for more context. Or, try exploring with Cody, a helpful guide providing insights into the best time and how to get to Machu Picchu through the city of Aqua Calientes. Finish your exploration of Machu Picchu by learning to draw Machu Picchu, a more advanced activity that’s great for older kids!

Hike the Choquequirao Trek

As an alternative to hiking Machu Picchu, you can also consider visiting the beautiful Choquequirao Trek. A marvelous archaeological site only accessible on foot, this hike is perfect for adventurous families who enjoy the road less traveled! Additionally, it’s certainly an authentic and less crowded tour in Peru for avid hikers.  Surrounded by rain forest and snow-capped mountains, families can observe local plants and wildlife while immersing themselves in Peru’s stunning scenery. There’s no doubt this incredible trek is sure to excite adults and little ones alike!

Hike Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain

Travel to Peru from home without much fuss! Finally, families can hike the world-renowned Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain – virtually! Check out this drone footage on Youtube to witness this mountain’s truly breathtaking, kaleidoscopic view of the Peru panorama. Plus, be sure to keep it in mind for when you actually travel to Peru. If your family is physically fit enough to hike to the altitude of 5,200 meters or over 17,000 feet above sea level, you’ll be rewarded with  360-degree views over one of the most gorgeous countries in the world!

Kids Get Crafty

Try a few more crafts to make your virtual travel to Peru more entertaining! Younger kids will particularly love building a kayak with colorful craft sticks, constructing as if a budding architect. Then, turn it into a fun game! Kids can float the makeshift boats in your bathtub, all the while pretending to be viewing the picturesque Andes Mountains. Younger children may also enjoy drawing a llama with Art for Kids Hub. For toddlers and preschoolers, create a llama out of paper plates together. Llamas are another important part of Peruvian culture. Watch this video from National Geographic Kids to learn why!

Older kids and teens can learn some basic Spanish as a fun activity to improve their language skills. Unless you already have an advanced learner, which you should definitely direct to the Duolingo App to get daily practice for your future travels. Looking for a little more language sharpening? Practice your comprehension skills with a Peruvian film. Here are 11 family-friendly Peruvian Movies you can stream online with kids!

Music and Dance

Peru has a rich musical history waiting to be enjoyed! Families can learn about the music and dance of Peruvian Culture through online resources to better understand this cultural tradition. Peru has many indigenous musical instruments, most built from the reeds of the lakes. Here, families can learn the difference between the music of the lowlands and the highlands. Then, once you have a brief background, put your knowledge to the test!

Listen to some traditional Inca music to get you up on your feet and swaying. Or, enjoy this instrumental music from Peru, and children may even enjoy putting their own twist on the lyrics. Active kids will also delight in practicing some dynamic dance ideas from these 7 Peruvian dances. Get the whole family involved in a fun dance party! Finally, the kids can dance their way into the kitchen to help adults prepare some traditional Peruvian food.  Use this soundtrack of emotional Peruvian Andean music to begin your culinary adventure throughout Peru!

Let’s Get Cooking on Our Virtual Vacation from Home to Hike in Peru

Travel to Peru virtually through its culinary arts! Exploring Machu Picchu and its surrounding areas have certainly caused you to work up an appetite by now. Thankfully, Peru has plenty of great dishes you can make at home! First, learn all about contrasts between Peruvian palettes as you explore 10 Peruvian foods you must try, like ceviche, creamy chicken, and potato casserole! Peruvian cuisine historically uses fresh ingredients inspired by the various regions located throughout the country, including tiny coastal, mountain, and jungle towns. Primary ingredients include rice, potatoes, chicken, pork, and lamb. To concoct your own delicious Peruvian creation, follow this recipe for Papa a la Huancaina, recommended by a local Peruvian. Then, for dessert, try your hand at making picarones. Kids are sure to delight in these magical treats as they journey through this virtual vacation to hike peru!

Enjoy Your Virtual Vacation from Home to Peru!

Whether you are preparing to travel to Peru in the future or looking for a virtual vacation from home to hike in Peru, this virtual hiking tour of Peru can help your family get a taste of Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley. From Inca history to iconic ruins to culinary classics, Peru is sure to be a hit with your kids – be it on the ground or from your couch! We hope you have enjoyed your virtual vacation to hike in Peru!

Want to see more from Michelle?  Find her on Instagram @adventuretolearn.

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