During a trip to Machu Picchu, children can learn about the ancient Inca civilization while exploring terraces, temples, and mysterious passageways. It's like a historical amusement park! But remember, teach them to respect and take care of this heritage. No touching the monuments.
Visiting the lost city of the Incas, Machu Picchu, with family and children is a truly enriching experience and completely doable. It will be unforgettable, but you should consider that there are no nearby entertainment activities for the little ones and touring the citadel requires special care from parents.
As a historic monument, Machu Picchu has rules that must be followed, such as respecting the established access routes, not climbing the terraces, etc.
It will definitely be a trip to remember; we invite you to visit Machu Picchu!
Visiting Machu Picchu can be a magical experience for people of all ages, even for families with children.
Although there is no mandatory minimum age to explore this wonderful citadel, we suggest it be an adventure for children aged 6 or 7 and above. This is because the tour can be a bit tiring and, at times, challenging.
It is vital to prioritize the safety of the little ones; therefore, make sure they do not wander off exploring the archaeological remains on their own and always keep them in sight.
Apart from the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, also known by the Quechua word "llaqta," which means land, there are also mountains to explore near this wonder of the ancient world.
The Machu Picchu mountain is the most suitable 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 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 photos; access to this mountain is restricted to children under 12 years old, due to the narrowness of the steps and the dangerous abyss of almost 400 meters located nearby.
You have to know that tickets for Machu Picchu are for people of all ages, but some buildings and experiences will be prohibited for them.
If you want to reserve and buy a Machu Picchu ticket for children, you must follow these steps:
If you encounter any difficulty in the purchasing process, contact info@cuscoperu.com who will gladly assist you.
Also consider the following:
Entry to the Wonder of the World offers discounts so you can visit it with children:
Entry to the Machu Picchu Historic Sanctuary for minors is subject to presentation of their Passport or National Identity Document (DNI) in the case of Peruvians.
All minors must enter Machu Picchu accompanied by their parents or legal guardians.
The journey to Machu Picchu consists of various short sections that must be completed to reach the lost city of the Incas. To access the Inca citadel, there are various alternatives, which vary depending on the traveler's budget, physical condition, and willingness to walk.
The first alternative, which is the most common among travelers to Machu Picchu, is to take the classic route starting in the city of Cusco to the town of Ollantaytambo, a journey that takes an average of one and a half to two hours. In Ollantaytambo, you must board the train, which will arrive in the town of Aguas Calientes in approximately 2 hours.
The train tickets for children, on the two companies that offer the service (PeruRail and IncaRail), have a discount of approximately 40% to 50% as long as the children are under 11 years old.
The final stretch in this option consists of choosing whether to climb from the town of Aguas Calientes to the citadel, located atop a mountain, using the bus (average 50% discount for children's tickets), or climb on foot, free of charge.
With this alternative, you will travel by car to Santa Teresa, an approximate 6-hour journey, until you reach the town of Santa Teresa. Once there, you must board another vehicle to the so-called 'Hydroelectric Plant,' a journey that takes 30 minutes.
In the next section, you must choose between taking the tourist train to the town of Aguas Calientes or walking the route (2 hours of walking along the train tracks in the middle of the subtropical jungle) and finally choose between the Consetur bus or walking to the Inca citadel.
There is also the famous hike or trek known as the 'Inca Trail' as an alternative to reach Machu Picchu, but this option is not viable with children, due to the high physical demand that this route requires.
Always confirm before leaving the hotel that you are carrying: wide-brimmed hats, insect repellent, rain protection, and high-grade sunscreen.
The weather in the Inca citadel is unpredictable, so it is recommended to dress children in various layers to change according to the weather and situation, as you must have, for example, a rain poncho, but you must also wear lightweight clothing to feel comfortable in the subtropical heat.
Other places you can visit in Cusco with children include:
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