How to do Peru and Chile

Hi there
We are planning a trip to Mexico, Peru and Chile this Christmas with our 2 kids. They will be 7 and 18 months. We have done Mexico before so that shouldn't be too difficult. I am looking for tips on what to do with kids in Peru and Chile, where we will be for 8-10 days each. I am especially interested in Peru as I will be alone for 5 days with the kids whilst there.

Any tips gratefully received,
Many thanks

Here is what I can suggest, we did these things with our 3 y/o and one y/o in Peru:

1. Ica: Stayed at Lago Huacachina and did the dune buggies etc. This was a suprisingly great part of our trip.
2. Spent 3 days in Arequipa - a lovely little city worth exploring
3. Macchu Picchu: of course. But we did it this way: flew to Cuzco and immediately went DOWN to Ollantaytambo to adjust to the altitude. Ollanta is a pleasant spot, worth a couple days exploring the ruins and valleys ...then we took the train to MP. After that we spent 3 days in Cuzco ... nifty place again.

Depending on your time, I'd also suggest some time at Lake titicaca, I preferred Copacaba in Bolivia to Puno in Peru.

Murray

We've been to Peru but not Chile.

When we were in Lima, visiting friends, they took us to a circus -- kind of Cirque De Soleil style, with acrobats. It was cool. We also liked the National Museum, colonial architecture, market, and zoo.

My husband and I loved Machu Picchu but our son (10 at the time) got bored after less than an hour of walking around. Our friends said that their daughter was the same way (8 at the time).

We went to an eco-lodge near Puerto Maldonado. That was a big hit.

We were in Peru for 16 days with 3 kids 9, 6 and 3. They loved everything. Lima old part, the zoo, the sea. We were in Puno and lago Titicaca, a beautiful boat trip and we went to Cusco and of course Machu Picchu. All three enjoyed that. For us it was a perfect holiday.