Machu Picchu with Kids
Visiting Machu Picchu with Kids is often looked at as impractical for many parents. Machu Picchu is one of those destinations that parents decide to “hold-over” until the children are older. But, believe it or not, visiting Machu Picchu with kids is not as hard as it’s often portrayed. So if you’re looking for tips on how to visit Machu Picchu Peru, we have you covered!
Age suggestion
It’ s a recomendation that wait until your child is a bit older to visit Machu Picchu and the surrounding Sacred Valley. Considerations include the altitude (Cusco sits at over 11,000 feet), health care availability, and the simple fact that you will probably enjoy yourself a lot more if your child is a bit more mature.
Enjoy your Summer vacation
As luck would have it, the best time of the year to visit the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu is in the summer, especially June. The crowds may be bigger, but the weather is sublime and colorful festivals abound.
Take your time and Acclimatize
If you are making the trip to Peru, try to stay a minimum of 10 days and 9 nights. A sample itinerary could include one night in Lima (on your way in or out of the country), four or five nights in the Sacred Valley to relax and acclimatize, one night in Machu Picchu and three nights in Cusco. Having extra time means more time to explore different villages, hikes and ruins and less pressure to squeeze everything in and wake up early!
What clothes to wear to go to Machu Picchu with Children
The weather in the Inca citadel is unpredictable, so it is recommended to dress the children with different layers to change them according to the weather and the situation, since you must have for example a hood or rain poncho, but you must also wear light clothes to feel comfortable in the sub-tropical heat.
Alternatives in Machu Picchu when traveling with children
Apart from the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, also known with the Quechua word ‘llaqta’ which means land, there are also other mountains to explore that are close to this wonder of the ancient world.
The Machu Picchu mountain It is the most appropriate alternative when traveling with children, as the ascent to this viewpoint located near 3000 meters above sea level is through a relatively flat and accessible path, away from the abysses, which can be traveled by a child without taking great risks .
The other alternative is the Huayna Picchu mountain, which is located right next to the Inca citadel and is the one that appears in most of the photos; access to this mountain is restricted to children under 12, due to the narrow steps during the ascent and the dangerous abyss of almost 400 meters next to it.
Tips for visiting Machu Picchu with kids
Outside of some of the suggestions already in this post, there are a few other things that are useful to know about visiting Machu Picchu with kids.
- Always make sure before leaving the hotel that you carry: wide-brimmed hats, insect repellent, rain protection and high-grade sunscreen.
- Kids of all ages are welcome at Machu Picchu, but it is probably most suitable for children 6 years and up.
- If you are visiting with a baby or toddler, please be aware that strollers are not allowed on the site, but that you are permitted to use a baby carrier.
- Machu Picchu sits at 2430m/7972’. Altitude sickness generally occurs above 2500m/8200’ so it should not be an issue at this stop on your trip (although you may experience it in other higher elevations areas of Peru such as Cusco).
- Enter the hygienic services with your children before entering the Sanctuary (once inside Machu Picchu you will not find services).
- Buy water and candy in Aguas Calientes since there are no shops in the citadel.
- The entry of food is prohibited.
- In the town of Aguas Calientes there are thermal baths (hot pools with hot underground water), where you can spend a really pleasant time in the company of your little ones. These pools are located outdoors and the entrance fee is S/. 8.00 (USD 2.50). There are also small pools for children.
- Do not forget to visit the butterfly garden ‘Wasi Pillpi’ (house of butterflies in Quechua) of the town of Aguas Calientes, where you can see some of the more than 400 species of butterflies registered in the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu.
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