South America

Hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu: Cusco with Kids

The Two-Day Inca Trail With Kids: Our Machu Picchu Family Trip

Last updated: October 18, 2026. Updated altitude and medication guidance, route and child-readiness qualifications, Machu Picchu circuit and bag rules, and warnings about superseded advice in the historical trip Q&A. Date information added October 30, 2026.

Our family hiked the shorter Inca Trail, stayed in Aguas Calientes and returned to Machu Picchu the next day. It was demanding and memorable. Here is how our trip worked, with current medical and visitor-rule links alongside the personal account.

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.

Watch our full family video ↗

Historical film note: This is our original trip Q&A. Its medication-timing, higher-altitude “test” and bag-limit statements have been corrected in this article. Use the current medical and visitor guidance below rather than those older instructions.

*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 we chose the shorter option for our family. Suitability depends on the individual, route, and operator requirements; pregnancy or health concerns need individual medical advice. 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. It was demanding for our family. Discuss each child’s readiness and the exact route with your operator and clinician; being sporty does not protect against altitude illness.

Our shorter Inca Trail trip still meant a steep climb. We reached the Sun Gate, saw Machu Picchu from above, slept in Aguas Calientes and returned the next day. This is how our visit worked; today’s ticket, circuit and route choices need their own checks. Readiness depends on the individual, rather than a universal age or fitness rule.

The demanding hike and our two-day family trip · Scene from our film (35 sec)

▶Watch scene from our film 35 sec

Archived kids discussion in the original film. This records our past trip, not current route or package inclusions.

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! Elevations vary across Peru and between Inca Trail routes; altitude illness is different from 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. Our guide with Wayki Trek gave us time for breaks. Our completion time is a personal experience, not a promise that another family can safely finish.

Confirm the operator’s first-aid supplies, communications, and emergency plan before departure rather than assuming equipment will be available. Our youngest used oxygen on another hike we did in Peru due to the altitude; that was a separate outing.

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 uses specific circuits, routes, and entry times. Our two-day experience below describes the access arranged for our visit; confirm the exact Inca Trail permit and citadel route included in your own booking on the official circuit information and with your operator.

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): A circuit with classic views and archaeological areas. Check the specific route and time on your ticket; routes within a circuit differ.

• 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

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 our hike on the first day, we caught a glimpse of Machu Picchu from above and visited part of the upper terrace area.

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 We Chose a Private Tour 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!

A private group let us plan around the pace our children needed. Sonia was part of what made our own trip memorable, including when the route had to change. That personal experience is why I liked our choice; it does not mean every guide, package or family will have the same day.

Why we chose a private tour for our family · Scene from our film (1 min 14 sec)

▶Watch scene from our film 1 min 14 sec

Archived tour discussion in the original film. This records our past trip, not current route or package inclusions.

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, Sonia redirected our group without a hitch. That was our experience, not a promise of an available alternative whenever a trail closes. Confirm authorized access and the operator’s emergency communications; do not rely on mobile coverage.

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!

We took plenty of what we called breathing breaks on the stone steps. Even the adults felt how demanding the climb was. This short memory is separate from Grace’s illness during our Cusco days, the oxygen used on another Peru hike and the separate Rainbow Mountain outing. Fitness is not protection against altitude illness; use the current clinician and CDC guidance in this section.

Taking breathing breaks on our hike · Scene from our film (10 sec)

▶Watch scene from our film 10 sec

Archived altitude discussion in the original film. This older chapter includes medication advice superseded by the current medical guidance in this article.

Important elevation check: Cusco is higher than Machu Picchu, but visiting a lower destination later does not make the whole itinerary free of altitude risk. Review every overnight stop and higher excursion when planning with a clinician.

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.

• Allow time to acclimatize: Plan gradual ascent with individual medical advice rather than treating three days as a guarantee. We also hiked one of the Rainbow Mountains during our stay, thinking of it as a test run; that describes our decision, not an acclimatization recommendation. CDC advises against going higher while symptoms persist. 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).

• Discuss medication before travel: We got Diamox from a local pharmacy when Grace was already sick. That is our experience, not a medication plan for another child. Ask a qualified clinician whether medication is appropriate and how to use it; do not follow a fixed schedule from our story. Worsening symptoms need medical assessment, not just a pharmacy purchase.
  
• What we drank: Our guide suggested electrolytes in our water bladders and bottles. We chose apple Gatorade in Cusco and liked the taste and lighter coloring. This is a packing memory, not a claim that electrolytes prevent or treat altitude illness.

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

Bathrooms were one of the practical details I wanted to understand before taking the kids. The film records what we encountered on our route. Confirm current facilities, stops and what your operator supplies for the particular trek you book.

Bathrooms during our own Inca Trail trip · Scene from our film (59 sec)

▶Watch scene from our film 59 sec

Archived bathrooms discussion in the original film. This records our past trip, not current route or package inclusions.

We packed headlamps and towels because they were on our Wayki packing list. We did not use the headlamps on our hike, and used the towels at the hot springs later! Follow your operator’s current equipment list rather than leaving safety equipment behind based on our day.

The goal is to keep your pack as light as possible. Furthermore, The official site rules prohibit bags larger than 40 × 35 × 20 cm. Trail packing and citadel entry rules differ, so arrange any storage with your operator.

We started in rain, later had sun, and carried the boxed lunches our guide arranged. A poncho and the food in our packs were part of that day’s memories. The old “under 25L” graphic is not the current bag rule: the official code of conduct specifies a maximum of 40 × 35 × 20 cm. Confirm the current entry rules and what your operator supplies before packing.

Changing weather and the lunches we carried · Scene from our film (29 sec)

▶Watch scene from our film 29 sec

Archived packing discussion in the original film. Its bag-size and medication statements are not current instructions.

• The Food Situation: Our tour company provided healthy, delicious box lunches that we carried in our packs. It was perfect hiking fuel. Ask your operator about food preparation and safe drinking water. 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! It involves more trekking and camping than our two-day choice. Check operator requirements and individual medical suitability before booking.

• Short Inca Trail options: Our two-day trip combined a hiking day with a hotel night in Aguas Calientes and a citadel visit the next morning. Confirm the linked product’s current duration, age requirements, permit, and included citadel route rather than assuming it matches our itinerary.

• 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. Check the specific tour’s duration, starting point, transfers, and entry ticket; those inclusions are not universal.

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: Sonia was patient and fantastic with our kids. A private guide’s flexibility does not guarantee safety or replace medical assessment if someone becomes ill.

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.

• 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.
  
• 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.

• September–November: Great weather, moderate temperatures, and fewer crowds. Keep in mind the rainy season approaches in late fall.
  
• 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.

Best Things to Do in Cusco and The Sacred Valley with Kids (Pre/Post-Trek)

Give yourselves downtime to rest after the trail, then enjoy these amazing family-friendly cultural activities:

What to Do In Cusco with Kids

• ChocoMuseo: An entertaining workshop where kids learn cacao history, make their own chocolate bars, and take them home!  It’s SUPER small, to be honest, but has a great bathroom. It’s really more like a giftshop, but you can book a little workshop. There is also a nice bakery where you can buy treats and sit down for a while.
  
• San Pedro Market: Great for trying local fruits and seeing daily life. If your kids like cooking, book a chef-led market walk and cooking class. (Note: Skip the stroller here due to narrow aisles; use a baby carrier for little ones). We had lunch in this market.  We randomly picked a fish dish (without knowing it). The kids were skeptical at first, but loved the fish so much we went back and ordered two more!

• Planetarium Cusco: Spend an evening learning about Andean astronomy with outdoor stargazing under clear mountain skies (~$23.75/adult, ~$16.75/kid).
  
• Sacsayhuamán Ruins & Qorikancha: Explore massive stone walls above Cusco, followed by a guided tour of the ancient Inca Sun Temple. Next, we visited Qoricancha, one of the most important temples of the Inca Empire. We hiked up to this, which is a hike if coming from downtown. It was a beautiful hike/walk. We didn’t want to pay the entrance fee as it was closing soon (and it’s a bit expensive for Cusco), but it looks really nice.  We enjoyed the views from the entrance instead.

• Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley: A stunning day hike where kids can spot alpacas, llamas, and vicuñas along the way! Our visit is a personal memory, not a recommendation to go higher while ill. We had a great driver that we found through a local tourist shop in Cusco. He was so kind. His English was a little rough, but he made up for it with amazing kindness and patience.  He even carried our youngest on his back! Prep with jackets, hats, and gloves, as this hike gets cold, but well worth the visit to Rainbow Mountain.

What to Do in Sacred Valley for Families with Kids:

• Pisac Market and Ruins: Combine breathtaking mountain terraces with one of the most colorful artisan markets in the valley (great for fresh bread and alpaca socks!).

Tip: If you’re traveling with little ones, a baby carrier is better as the streets can make strollers a bit tricky to handle.

• Humantay Lake: A horseback tour to Humantay Lake can reduce some walking, but it does not remove altitude risk. You get to ride horses while taking in the breathtaking views of the snow-capped Andean peaks before a short final walk to the lake’s stunning turquoise waters. We absolutely loved it! Check the route and each traveler’s suitability before booking.

• Maras Salt Mines and Moray Terraces: A quick half-day tour showcasing circular agricultural terraces and thousands of salt ponds cascading down a canyon like a snowy wonderland.
  
• Ziplining or Horseback Riding: Try 4 different zipline cables or opt for a relaxed horseback ride through farms and ancient ruins to rest tired legs after the trek.

Hiking the 2-day Inca Trail with kids is tough, but earning your way to the Sun Gate is well worth the effort. I am so glad we used a private guide, could go at our own pace, and were able to accomplish this. I know our kids will be remembering this trip for a long time. Getting kids to do hard things and see they can do hard things is one of the best things we can do for them. Bonus: this one comes with an amazing visit at the end!

Save it for Later

Our original Peru trip Q&A

About the older film: It preserves my personal trip account, but its medication-timing advice, higher-altitude “test” and bag-limit statements have been corrected in this article. Do not use the video as medical instructions or current entry rules. For altitude planning, speak with a clinician and use the CDC’s current guidance; check the official visitor rules for entry and bags.

Historical Peru trip Q&A: our family’s Inca Trail experience · Full film (10 min 29 sec)

▶Watch full film 10 min 29 sec

This original trip Q&A contains older medication, altitude-test and bag-limit statements that have been corrected above. Do not follow those parts as medical or current entry instructions. The selected clips focus on our family’s experience; original rainy-trail, stone-step and Cusco-market videos remain in their own sections.

Additional Readings

Visiting the Great Pyramids with Kids: My Exploration Guide

How To Choose a Destination When Traveling Abroad With Kids

10 Tips For Surviving Jet Lag When Traveling With Kids