Many children will only know ‘Darkest Peru’ as the place from which Paddington Bear started his long journey to England. But, outside Michael Bond’s fictional world of his marmalade-loving bear is an exciting modern-day Peru, offering the unique opportunity to discover and explore an amazing ancient Inca culture.
Taking your children to Peru will ignite their imagination in a way that a beach holiday never could and perhaps can even spark a lifelong interest in ancient history – the country is home to some of the most fantastic ruins to be found in the world. However, you should only consider taking children old enough to appreciate such fascinating culture and that also possess the stamina to endure lengthy spells of air, train and bus travel!
There is much to discover on the celebrated Inca trail, which culminates at the incredible ruins of Machu Picchu; precariously perched on a hill-top 8,000 feet above sea level in the Urubamba Valley in the Peruvian Mountains. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983, this settlement was never discovered by the conquering Spaniards of the 16th century and its relatively intact ruins hold so much historical interest.
Built around 1460 at the height of the Incan Empire, the “Lost City of the Incas” was abandoned less than 100 years later. Theories abound as to why that happened with some historians believing the cause to be smallpox spread amongst the local population by Spanish invaders, thus causing a catastrophic impact on the settlement without ever finding it! Others believe that the native occupants left for other reasons before the Spanish conquest even started. Regardless, the ruins at Machu Picchu – incorporating sophisticated and elaborate stone carvings – are a ‘must-see’ on any visit to Peru.
But, even getting to the ancient city itself should also be considered an adventure in its own right. The first part of the journey is relatively easy and merely involves getting scheduled flights to Peru. Next, a domestic flight to Cuzco from where you will board the train to Aguas Calientes for a three hour ride. The last leg is a scenic five mile bus ride to the ruins, which are guaranteed to take your breath away, not only because of the beauty of the ruins but also due to their elevated location above sea level.
Located only 50 miles away from stunning Machu Picchu is the Incan capital of Cuzco in the Southern Sierras. Also a UNESCO World Heritage site, the city was said to be designed by the Incans in the shape of a puma. Now, significantly larger modern-day Cuzco boasts a population of almost 400,000 and in addition to a plethora of ancient relics also offers museums and a host of modern entertainment. From here it is possible to hike all the way to Machu Picchu, taking in several other important Inca settlements including the ‘fortresses’ at Ollantaytambo and Sacsayhuaman.
And whether you go by train or by foot, travelling the Inca Trail can leave an indelible imprint on your children’s memory.
Paul McIndoe – About the Author:
Paul McIndoe writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.
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