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[quote=Anonymous]For 10 years, I've been traveling to Machu Picchu with student groups and families.  
Regarding minimum age, it's difficult to say.  
Generally speaking, kids should be old enough to understand why they should not approach ledges and drop-offs.
They should be under adult supervision every minute.  And they should be old enough to understand and follow directions.
Toddlers and babies should go in backpacks.  
Another thing to be aware of is "ruin fatigue."  If you take your kids to other ruins in Cusco and Sacred Valley, after a while, they
all start to look alike. This is one case where I recommend visiting Machu Picchu early in the trip.  Don't save it for the grand finale. The kids don't care.

I like to mix up the activities so the kids get a little but of culture, history and fun activities.
I take families/kids to Chinchero to see the weavers.  There is usually hands-on action with dyeing and spinning and the Qechua women always have their babies, children and animals with them.
It's a family-friendly intimate setting.
Then plan a picnic in the Sacred Valley near Moray Greenhouse ruins or Maras Salt Ponds. Ask your hotel or tour operator to help you with the lunch. 
Pisac is another route through the Sacred Valley, and on the way is Cochahuasi Animal Sanctuary and Awana Kancha Llama farm.  This is great way to break up all the archaeological ruins and history.

Kids as young as 8 may be able to hike the easy 1-day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu if they have done day hikes before.  The distance is 7.5 miles.
Older kids can do it, but families need to know that hikers are expected to carry a backpack with everything needed for the hike as well as 1 overnight in hotel in Aguas Calientes.
Some operators can arrange private porter service to take one piece of carry-on size luggage by train and deliver to your hotel in AC.
There are plenty of options.  Just ask.

Peruvians love kids and you will see (usually Moms) them at their jobs, with babies on their backs and their children playing nearby.

Enjoy your adventure in Peru!  
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