Hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu: Cusco with Kids

South America

Hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu: Cusco with Kids

Hi friends, I’m writing to you from Peru and we just did the two-day Inca Trail with kids, and I can’t wait to tell you all about this amazing family trip! Something that we really love about traveling is soaking up the culture of the country we’re visiting. And man, did we do that during our spring break in Peru. The views, the food, the history… it was such a rich experience that we can’t wait to tell you all about it so you can experience it too.

If you’ve been reading along for a while, you know we’re a family of five kids (ranging from ages 9 to 18), each with their own interests. Planning trips requires activities that suit everyone. Our goal was to find a truly unique experience the whole family would love, while also fulfilling a lifelong dream of visiting one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

*Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. Opinions shared are my own, and I only endorse products I support. By clicking on any of the links below, I may get a small commission if you purchase at absolutely no additional charge to you. I appreciate your support.*

We had a friend, Ryan, from the travel family Ragged Shoes, whom we met while full-time traveling through Bali tell us, “You really have to do the Inca Trail if you’re going to go to Machu Picchu.”

So, we looked into it. There is a classic 4-day Inca Trail hike, but it’s probably too hard with kids, a bit dangerous, and not suitable for pregnant women or anyone with back problems. Then, there is a 2-day Inca Trail. We opted for the 2-day trek, and it was amazing—truly—but also really, really hard. I’m not going to lie; it was a hard hike.

Is the Inca Trail Kid-Friendly? 

One of the biggest questions we had leading up to this trip was if the Inca Trail is kid-friendly since our littlest one is 9 years old. The general answer is: It can be difficult for children younger than 6 or 7 years old. If your children are sporty or used to long hikes, they can do it. Otherwise, it might be a rough trip for both you and your kids.

On the first day, you hike up the mountain, basically straight up an original Incan staircase for 1 to 2 hours. Our guide prepared us perfectly for this reality, but even if you are relatively fit, the physical toll is intense. Because our family currently lives at sea level in Lisbon, Portugal, coming straight to Peru was a major kick in the pants! The altitude is 13,000 feet above sea level. This can cause altitude or motion sickness. We had to take a lot of breathing breaks on that staircase.We highly recommend you bring lots of water, but also comfortable shoes and a light backpack.

Once you survive the stairs, the trail reaches a halfway point and flattens out, undulating up and down. Finally, you climb a little more to reach the Sun Gate (Intipunku). This was how people used to enter Machu Picchu in ancient times, and seeing the citadel open up below you from the top makes you feel like you truly earned it. Our oldest daughter even noted the next day how much better it felt to have earned our way into such an incredible landmark.

The hike itself took us all day. I think we took about 6 hours to complete the trail. More fit folks that were passing us were faster, of course, but our guide told us the longest she ever did with a group was 12 hours! This time varies based on your fitness level and your ability to hike up. It is always humbling to see the porters running up and down the trail. However, don’t stress about this. Your guide with Wayki Trek is going to take the pace you need and you can do this!

Your guide also will be prepared with things you aren’t… a first aid kit, perhaps oxygen (our youngest used this on another hike we did in Peru due to the altitude). They are invaluable!

Understanding the Circuits of Machu Picchu

When planning your visit to Machu Picchu, one of the most important decisions you’ll make is choosing your circuit. To protect the ancient sanctuary and manage crowd flow, Peru’s government enforces strict one-way circuits that require specific timed-entry permits.

Here’s a quick breakdown of how they work:

• Circuit 1 (Panoramic): This circuit focuses on the upper terraces and elevated view points. It gives you those sweeping, classic postcard views of the citadel, but it doesn’t take you through the lower urban ruins.
• Circuit 2 (Classic): The most popular single ticket for first-time visitors because it attempts to combine the classic upper photo spot with a tour through the central ruins. Because of this, it is also the busiest and sells out fastest!

• Circuit 3 (Royalty and Lower Citadel): Covers the lower archaeological sector, including the Temple of the Sun, the Royal Tomb, and the House of the Inca, giving you an up-close look at the intricate stonework without the heavy upper-terrace crowds.

Why the Combination of Circuits 1 and 3 Was Perfect for Us

While most travelers try to grab Circuit 2, our guide from Wayki Trek recommended pairing Circuit 1 and Circuit 3 across our two days, and it honestly ended up being the best way to experience Machu Picchu with our kids!

On day 1, finishing the 2-Day Inca Trail brought us through the Sun Gate (Intipunku) and into the upper terrace area of Circuit 1. We got to take in that breathtaking, sweeping overview of the ruins right at sunset after a long day of hiking.

Then on day 2, after a night in Aguas Calientes, we returned in the morning to explore Circuit 3. Walking through the lower royal sector gave the kids a different perspective. We were right up against the incredible stonework, exploring ancient temples with plenty of room to move without feeling rushed by the massive tour groups on Circuit 2.

Splitting our time between the panoramic heights on day 1 and ruins on day 2 gave us the best of both worlds! So, after finishing the hike on the first day, you catch a glimpse of Machu Picchu from above and catch a portion of Circuit 1.

Instead of tent camping on the mountain (which is standard for the 4-day trail), the 2-day trek allows you to take a bus down to sleep in Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo) at a hotel. And let’s be honest, this is quite a bit nicer than camping! Aguas Calientes is a cute, highly touristy town right at the base of the mountains with a river running through the middle, tons of restaurants, and hot springs that felt incredible to soak in after our hike.

The next morning, we took the bus back up to Machu Picchu to explore Circuit 3. Splitting the experience across two days gave us the best of both worlds: the triumph of the hike and a fresh, rested morning to tour the lower ruins.

Logistics and Why Choosing a Private Tour Group is the Best Option for Machu Picchu

1. Booking Permits & Private Tours

If you want to pull this off, the absolute most important things to lock down are permits and timed entries. There is a strict, limited number of permits available for the Inca Trail, and entries for Machu Picchu sell out incredibly fast. You have to align these dates perfectly!

We ended up booking through a tour company called Wayki Trek, and they were amazing. They coordinated all the logistics, transportation, and permits seamlessly. We highly recommend booking a private group tour if you have a larger family or younger kids. I didn’t want our kids to feel pressured by a mixed group, nor did I want them slowing anyone else down.

Our guide, Sonia, was patient, super clear, and fantastic with the kids. Having a local guide is also a major safety net. Landslides are incredibly common in this region; literally two days before our trek started, a landslide closed our original path. Thankfully, there are two to four backup Inca trails, and Sonia redirected us without a hitch. Keep in mind that there is zero cell coverage on the trail, so having an experienced guide who knows every narrow or unstable turn is invaluable.

2. Combating Altitude Sickness

This is a hard one, as you never fully know how your kids will react to the elevation. And as soon as we arrived, our kids got sick because of the altitude, so we had to take it slow in order to be able to do the Inca Trail!

Important elevation check: Cusco sits at around 11,152 feet (3,400 meters), while Machu Picchu drops down closer to 7,972 feet (2,430 meters). You actually descend into the Sacred Valley when you go to the ruins, meaning Cusco is the real altitude test!

The altitude hit us hard. Our youngest, Grace, got very sick, vomiting three times on our first day in Cusco and remaining ill on the second day. And us, as adults, we dealt with constant nausea and headaches.

• Acclimate for 3 Full Days: Do not rush the trek. Stay at least three full days in Cusco or the Sacred Valley beforehand to give your bodies time to adjust. We used this time to hike one of the Rainbow Mountains as a test run. There is quite a bit to do in and around Cusco and we all really liked this city.  In fact, we liked it more than Lima, which we visited after! We all agreed we’d go back to visit Cusco (minus Grace, who got so sick she now hates Peru as a whole).

• Get a Diamox Prescription: We highly recommend talking to a doctor about Diamox (altitude sickness medication). It’s easy to get to Cusco, but you need to start taking it two to three days before you hike or change elevation. We went and got it from a local pharmacy right when we got there as Grace was already sick. It’s cheap and easy to find in Cusco, or you can try to get it from home before you go.
• Electrolytes are Mandatory: Our guide’s number-one tip was to mix electrolytes into our water bladders and bottles. It drastically helps combat the headaches and dehydration caused by sweating at high altitudes. We went for the apple Gatorade, which is easy to find in any little convenience store all over Cusco, which was a nice mix and not too much food dye.

3. Packing Light and Bathrooms in the Inca Trail with Kids

Because this is a day hike, you don’t need the headlamps or towels required for the 4-day trek. We still packed them (which were on our packing list from Wayki), but they weren’t needed. We used the towels for the hot springs later!

The goal is to keep your pack as light as possible. Furthermore, Machu Picchu rules dictate that no bags over 25 liters are allowed inside the archaeological site.

• The Food Situation: Our tour company provided healthy, delicious box lunches that we carried in our packs. It was perfect hiking fuel. Be careful with tours that cook fresh food directly on the trail, because plates are often rinsed in river water; food poisoning is a known risk on the 4-day route! We packed extra salty crackers and “motivational snacks” (like a bag of M&Ms and Easter candy since we hiked on Easter Sunday) to keep the kids moving.
• Unpredictable Weather: Mountain weather changes in a flash. It was pouring rain when we stepped off the train, sunny enough to give us all sunburns a few hours later, and then back to rain. Pack high-SPF sunscreen, sunglasses, sun hats, and reliable rain ponchos.

• Bathroom Situation: Trail options are very limited. There is a bathroom on the train (use it, as it’s the best one you’ll get) and basic septic-hole facilities at both the start of the trail and the top of the staircase halfway point. There are no bathrooms at the Sun Gate and no bathrooms inside Machu Picchu itself. There are bathrooms at the entrance to Machu Picchu, but you won’t get to that until the end of your Inca trail adventure. Pack a small baggy and toilet paper just in case for emergency waste. (Do your best to avoid any risky foods or liquids before you hike! I cannot imagine having diarrhea during this hike.)

Getting the Kids Excited Before You Go

To make the trip meaningful, teach your kids about the Incas beforehand. Our kids are much better at watching videos than listening to a guide on a hot trail, so we watched YouTube videos the night before the trek to make the history come to life.

Warn them ahead of time that you will want to document this lifelong memory with a lot of photos! They definitely got tired of the camera, but hey… how many times in your life are you going to be standing in Machu Picchu?

Choosing the Right Trek Route in Machu Picchu for Your Family

The Inca Trail might be tiring for kids, but that doesn’t mean you have to put off your trip. There are several ways you can experience Machu Picchu depending on your family’s physical stamina and timeline:

• Classic Inca Trail: This incredible tour involves walking, camping, and panoramic views! However, it can be very tiring for kids, carries food safety risks on the trail, and isn’t suitable for pregnant women or people with back problems.

• One-Day Inca Trail: Perfect for families with active kids 7+. You get the triumph of hiking to the Sun Gate on day 1, sleep in a hotel in Aguas Calientes overnight, and explore the citadel relaxed on day 2.

• Machu Picchu Half Day: If your kids are very young and get tired easily, you can stay in Aguas Calientes and take the bus straight up to the citadel. A half-day tour lasts about 4 hours and includes all transportation and entry tickets.

Why We Recommend Wayki Trek

When researching family-friendly operators, finding a company that specializes in personalized private tours makes all the difference. Booking with Wayki Trek gave us:

• Zero Group Pressure: We hiked entirely at our family’s pace without worrying about slowing down strangers or feeling rushed on steep stairs.
• Seamless Permits: They handled all complicated entry permits, train tickets, and transfers. We even had a little issue with our passports (I sent our old passport numbers accidentally and when we went to start the hike, we almost didn’t get in!  Sonia was super patient and helped as I showed photos of the old passports and our current passports and we worked it out).
• Kid-Centric Guides: Local guides like Sonia know how to keep kids engaged, keep everyone safe on narrow trails, and flex the itinerary if someone gets hit by altitude sickness.

Best Times to Visit Machu Picchu with Kids and Where to Stay

Best Seasons for Kids

Machu Picchu is open all year round, so if you’re looking for the best seasons, here’s what you can expect depending on your preferred dates. Also, keep in mind that some seasons may not be that suitable for kids, so let’s break down what each season has to offer.

• Spring (March–April): Easter/Spring Break is one of the best times for families! The rainy season is ending, trails are green, flowers are blooming, and temperatures are mild. Plus, as a shoulder season, you’ll find fewer crowds and better rates.
• Summer (May–August): Very popular, sunny, and dry, perfect for views! However, it gets crowded and hot. You must book tours and hotels far in advance. Tip: Do activities early in the morning or evening to beat the heat.

• Fall (September–November): Great weather, moderate temperatures, and fewer crowds. Keep in mind the rainy season approaches in late fall.
• Winter (December–February): Rainy season in Peru. The main Inca Trail closes in February for maintenance as trails get slippery. Road options are limited, though you will encounter fewer tourists. Bring heavy, waterproof gear!

Where to Stay in Peru with Kids

No matter where you choose to stay, most hotels offer family rooms or connected rooms, perfect for big families or if you’re looking for more space. Here are a few recommendations depending on location:

• Cusco: The best places to stay here are hotels near San Blas or the historic center as most tours offer pick ups in these locations. Consider hotels like:
  • JW Marriott El Convento Cusco: We stayed here once we got back from the Inca Trail and it was honestly the best decision. It was comfortable and had a lot of space for our crew. The food was great and the best part is that it also had a pool, so we could unwind and relax after hiking Machu Picchu!
  • CASA CRISTOBAL Siete Cuartones: If you’re looking for a cozy, charming boutique option just a short walk from the Plaza de Armas, this hotel is the perfect choice. It offers family suites (with mezzanine attics that kids love!) and a quiet inner courtyard garden.
  • Casa Matara Boutique: This hotel is located near the San Pedro Market and has easy access to all of Cusco’s main sights, making it perfect for first timers. It also offers great family rooms. It’s a great budget-friendly option for families who want a clean and central hotel in Cusco.

• Sacred Valley: This is also a popular location as many tourist attractions are nearby. Consider staying in Urubamba or Ollantaytambo for easy access to activities, and a lower altitude than Cusco. Some hotels are:
  • Casa Inka B&B: This property is located just minutes from the main plaza and the train station, making early morning departures for the Inca Trail or Machu Picchu completely stress-free! You’ll find great food and rooms with incredible views of the mountains.
  • Ayllu B&B Ollantaytambo: If you want to be steps away from the Ollantaytambo ruins, then this is a great budget-friendly choice. Here you’ll find family rooms for your crew and the best part is that they offer luggage storage while you go out in case you need it.
  • Casa Yanahuara Valle Sagrado – Urubamba: If your family is looking to slow down then this is the option for you. This hotel has really beautiful gardens, and you’ll be able to see a bit of the Andean peaks while acclimating comfortably before heading up to the Inca Trail.