Reply to Minimum reasonable age for kids to travel to Machu Picchu

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[quote=Anonymous]It depends on what kind of experience you'd like to have, I think. If you want a hiking-heavy trip, I would wait until the 6-year-old is a few years older. The 4-day Inca Trail trek wouldn't work for a child that young, and a tour group probably wouldn't allow it. There are two short (3-4 hour) hikes in the park that can be booked in advance. One of them, Huyana Picchu, is moderately steep and strenuous, and not a risk I'd take with a first grader. The other, Machu Picchu Mountain (which is a mountain behind the ruins; the nomenclature can get confusing) is easier, but it's longer and there's a lot of steps. Still not something I'd do with kids aged 6 and 10 unless they're (1) good/practiced hikers who can do moderate trails and 3-4 hour loops; (2) aren't afraid of heights; and (3) you can absolutely 100% trust them not to roughhouse. There are several steep stone staircases that are totally open on one side, and there are no guardrails.

However, if you just want to do a standard sightseeing trip, Machu Picchu is totally reasonable for kids that age. The best option for a family like yours, IMO, would be to take the train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes (the town closest to the park) the afternoon before, wake up early, and take the bus (20 minute ride) up to the entrance. Some people hike up the the gates of the park, but it's not really worth the time and again, certainly not something I'd do with kids. There are tons of English-speaking guides at the gates, who you can hire for around $50. They'll walk you through the ruins and main area/sights, which are completely doable with kids (reasonable steps, clearly-marked paths, etc. - not comparable to hiking), and you can walk around by yourselves afterward. Then you can take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes and either spend another night there or take the train back to Ollantaytambo or Cusco. All of this is really easy with advance planning, and I would definitely do it with kids the age of yours. Good luck planning - it's an amazing trip![/quote]

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