Family Wildlife Holiday to Peru & Galapagos

Your first stop is Lima, where you'll spend the night in the seafront JW Marriott, a towering glass hotel that overlooks the Pacific Ocean. Take a look at the impressive Cathedral of Lima and stroll around the busy cafes and shops of the capital’s historic centre, or simply chill out in the hotel, where you can take a refreshing dip in the pool and watch paragliders float above your heads from the bar. In the morning, tuck into a hearty breakfast buffet before the next leg of your journey.

Once you’ve acclimatised, you’ll head to Puerto Maldonado, where you’ll be transferred, via canoe, deep into the heart of the Amazon to your home for three nights, the stylish Inkaterra Hacienda Concepcion. Set on stilted cabanas, which hang over the jungle, you’ll be able to start wildlife spotting as soon as you arrive, as each room has its own veranda and entire walls of mesh screening - offering superb views.

Following the lodge’s nature trails and canopy walkways, you can observe the incredible Amazonian flora and fauna, including kingfishers, monkeys and stunning orchids, while canoeing trips and boating excursions specifically catered towards children can provide sightings of giant river otters, black caimans and vibrant blue macaws.

Your next stop is the 17^th-century colonial hacienda Aranwa Sacred Valley, which is built on the banks of the Vilcanota River. Surrounded by colourful wildlife and the beautiful landscapes of the Sacred Valley, relax and enjoy the swimming pool and the spa, while the children are kept entertained by the on-site facilities, from the peacock-filled gardens to the high-tech movie theatre.

Those in search of adventure won’t want to miss rafting down the river towards the charming market town of Pisca, where you’ll be rewarded with an authentic dose of Peruvian culture. Then there's the best mountain biking available, which is entirely downhill and weaves past Lake Huaypo and the stunning Vilcanota mountains to end along the extraordinary Maras salt pans.

Catching the Vistadome from the Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu, you’ll spend the day on a privately guided tour, exploring the mysterious Lost City of the Incas with its 200 religious, ceremonial and agricultural structures, before relaxing next to the roaring fire in your casita at the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo. With over 200 bird species spotted in the hotel’s 12 acres, you might catch a glimpse of the golden-headed quetzal or the iconic Andean cock-of-the-rock, as well as the hotel’s colossal collection of nearly 400 orchid species during your night's stay.

A five-minute walk from the main square and right in the heart of the historic centre, the opulent Palacio del Inka is ideally located for discovering Cusco’s 16th-century cathedrals, historic plazas and cracking restaurants. With a great atmosphere, spend your time here wandering along the cobbled streets lined with Incan stonework, or if you’d prefer to take it easy, sink into the vintage furniture at the hotel’s Inti Raymi restaurant or soak up soothing oils and aromas in the Palacio del Inka Spa.

You’ll begin the second part of your adventure in Guayaquil, Ecuador’s largest city. According to legend, the city is named after Guayas, a brave warrior, and his wife Quil, a story that has been popularised in the city’s growing theatre, film and art scenes.

Staying at the Oro Verde for one night, tuck into a meal at one of the many restaurants, go swimming in the hotel’s pool, stroll to the buzzing waterfront along the Guayas river, amble among the revitalised squares and parks or check out the massive urban-renewal project, refuelling every so often in the lively cafés and bars.

With wildlife watching top of the holiday’s agenda, there could be no better end then spending four nights sailing around the Galapagos Islands, whose unique flora and fauna has captivated visitors from Darwin to David Attenborough. Amid the dramatic landscapes and perfect dive sites, you'll spot marine iguanas and penguins, seeing it all from the viewing decks of the Santa Cruz II.

When you’re not on an excursion in the glass-bottomed boat, donning snorkelling equipment and diving into the sea or walking around the islands to get up close to the lava lizards, wallow in the open-air Jacuzzi or lounge by the bar, sharing the day’s sightings with your fellow adventurers.

At the end of your family adventure, you’ll be transferred to the airport for your return flight home.