5. Transportation days are taxing.
Getting to Machu Picchu requires a flight to Cusco and a train ride to Aguas Callientes. These days of transport are hectic, so don’t plan to double up and see a lot beyond the flight or train ride. Enjoy your transportation days and remember to consider them as part of the overall experience. The train ride to Aguas Calientes is especially fun since it goes through the Sacred Valley and affords tremendous views through the large windows.
6. Take the train from Ollantaytambo rather than Cusco.
Ollantaytambo is a city with a spectacular set of ruins about halfway between Cusco and Machu Picchu. The station there is much less chaotic than the one in Cusco, and the train ride is only half as long. To get to Ollantaytambo, you’ll have to arrange road transportation, but this allows you to spend a day seeing the ruins of Pisaq or Moray.
7. Spend two nights at Aguas Calientes.
Aguas Calientes, sometimes called Machupicchu pueblo, is the tourist town at the base of Machu Picchu. Most tour agencies recommend taking a train to Machu Picchu, seeing the ruins, and returning all in the same day. This is far too much for your kids to handle. Instead, plan on spending two nights at Aguas Calientes. Aguas Calientes is at about 6,500 feet of elevation, so it is significantly lower than Cusco and feels much more tropical. Your kids are going to enjoy this city since it is much less strenuous than Cusco and the weather is more agreeable.
8. Take your kids to the thermal baths
The thermal baths in Cusco are not extremely warm and my kids enjoyed them tremendously. The baths help take away the aches and pains of hiking at altitude, and after soaking for a while your kids will be ready to drop into a relaxing sleep. This is a very easy activity and was one of the highlights of the trip.
9. Hold your kids tight at Machu Picchu.
Machu Picchu is a beautiful set of ruins, but there is the potential for tumbling off ledges in some sections. Make sure you hold your children tightly by the hand at all times, and don’t allow them to run around. They will be amazed by the beauty of the ruins, so it will be up to you to make sure they keep a sure footing.
10. Plan on spending about 3 hours at Machu Picchu.
The day we spent at Machu Picchu was the one day we pushed our little ones a little more than usual. Just like at Disneyland, the kids seemed to be energized by the ambiance of the place, and they hiked around the ruins for 3 hours without complaint. You’re allowed to bring in a small backpack with snacks which was vital for having a good day. Between the bus rides from Aguas Calientes up to the ruins and back, the Machu Picchu day was extremely full. But the combination of lower altitude and a preceding day of rest at the thermal baths allowed the kids to enjoy their visit tremendously.
Peru is a great country for a family visit. The culture has a deep sense of family value, and you’ll find bus conductors and airline attendants go out of their way to make things easier for you. There is no charge for children under the age of 7 to enter Machu Picchu, and train and bus tickets for children are also discounted.
Our family trip to Machu Picchu was a tremendous success and the kids are now able to recognize and point out Machu Picchu when they see it on a television advertisement or in a magazine. I highly recommend making this life altering trip with the whole family!
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