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