Collaborator: Camille B.
Month of travel: April 2025
Length: 1 week
Upon our arrival in Lima, we dropped off our suitcases to explore the Miraflores district. The welcome was incredibly warm. Parque Kennedy, home to dozens of cats, served as a peaceful haven where locals could read or relax with a feline companion on their lap. The park's serene atmosphere shifts throughout the day; in the evening, it becomes a gathering place for salsa lovers!
Our stroll led us to the impressive Huaca Pucllana, a large pyramid made of earth and adobe that dates back to Lima's pre-Inca culture. This ancient structure stands in striking contrast to the surrounding skyscrapers, serving as a reminder of the country’s rich history. As we continued walking along the cliffs of Miraflores, we stumbled upon Parque del Amor (Love Park), a garden featuring wavy mosaics reminiscent of Barcelona's famous Park Güell, which offers spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean.
Parque del Amor and Lima’s Historic Center during Easter
On our first day, we walked over 20,000 steps exploring Miraflores and Barranco, a bohemian neighbourhood filled with art. We admired magnificent colourful murals, visited lively bars, explored art galleries, and saw the famous Puente de los Suspiros (Bridge of Sighs). We ended our busy day in Barranco with a pisco sour in hand, a cocktail that tastes like instant travel. The next day, Lima surprised us with vibrant colours. Arriving in the historic centre on Easter Sunday, we found the city in celebration, decorated with flower beds and lively orchestras. It was there that we tasted our first sánguches de chicharrón, a sandwich made with crispy fried pork, which made us realize how much of a treasure Peruvian cuisine is. We enjoyed it alongside chicha morada, a non-alcoholic drink made from purple corn. The flavours of Peru called to us, piquing our curiosity and marking the true beginning of our journey.
After our stay in the city, we headed for Cusco! The plane from Lima to Cusco is the easiest and fastest way to reach the Inca capital; the flight takes about 1 hour 30 minutes. But we had been warned: at an altitude of 3,400 meters and acclimatization is a gradual process. This was one of the main reasons we chose to travel without the children, who were still too young to cope with this kind of altitude.
Our first afternoon consisted of a short nap, water, and some coca leaf candies to help us adjust to the altitude before setting off to explore the city. Our fatigue quickly faded, giving way to fascination. Cusco captivated us with its colonial architecture and omnipresent history, a blend of Inca and Spanish culture.
Cusco
But the highlight of our trip was yet to come: the Inca Trail. Accompanied by passionate guides, we embarked on a two-day, one-night trek that took us through breathtaking landscapes and fascinating Inca sites. We had the opportunity to visit the site of Winay Wayna, and after a beautiful climb, we arrived at the Puerta del Sol (or Sun Gate). It was there that we truly understood the magic of this trail! The view of Machu Picchu is simply extraordinary. And for the record, we can confirm that llamas and alpacas are not just for show; we encountered many of them going about their business at the Inca sites!
Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu
During our trek on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
We spent the next day exploring the Sacred Valley, a region brimming with charming landscapes and quaint villages. We were captivated by the beauty of the Peruvian scenery. Our journey concluded where it all began, back in Lima for our final evening. We returned to our favourite neighbourhood, Barranco, to try an authentic Peruvian restaurant that had piqued our interest, Isolina. For starters, we enjoyed ceviche, followed by lomo saltado (sautéed beef strips with onions and tomatoes, served with French fries) and aji de gallina (chicken in a chilli pepper sauce). In short, we savoured 100% authentic Peruvian dishes, and the experience was sensational.
Our adventure in Peru took us from high-altitude hiking to the bustling streets of Lima, reminding us that a successful trip allows for the discovery of new experiences. Every moment brought surprises, and as we had planned everything ourselves, we realized that the trip would have been smoother and more enjoyable with a tailor-made itinerary. Next time, we will definitely consider entrusting our journey to an expert, to explore the possibilities they could offer and see what options would be available for travelling with our children!
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Photo credit: Camille Bouchot, cover image: Getty Images
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