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!

Anonymous wrote:I think it's definitely doable but you have to adjust your expectations. Those people telling you to do treks are mistaken and I recommend not listening to them. I can't imagine any of that being okay for a 6 year old. I recommend skipping the trek and taking the train. Don't plan any strenuous hikes on site, just buy a regular ticket to Machu Picchu. Stay in Ollantaytambo (or Urubamba) first to get accustomed to the altitude and take the train from there. Plan to stay the night before and night after Machu Picchu in Aguas Calientes so that your kids can rest, bathe and don't have to rush.

^^ also, I don't remember there being guard rails anywhere. Keep that in mind.

I think it's definitely doable but you have to adjust your expectations. Those people telling you to do treks are mistaken and I recommend not listening to them. I can't imagine any of that being okay for a 6 year old. I recommend skipping the trek and taking the train. Don't plan any strenuous hikes on site, just buy a regular ticket to Machu Picchu. Stay in Ollantaytambo (or Urubamba) first to get accustomed to the altitude and take the train from there. Plan to stay the night before and night after Machu Picchu in Aguas Calientes so that your kids can rest, bathe and don't have to rush.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Piggybacking, but I am considering a trip for next year, kids are 10 and 12 and decent hikers. OK to do the hike at those ages?

Michu Picchu is 8,000 feet with a lot of climbing. Denver is like 5,200. The only place in the states that is close is Mammoth Lakes, California 7,800 feet. Remember you do not go down at night so it can be very uncomfortable for a lot of people. Cusco is at 11,100 feet. That is really high.

We did hike to Gaylor lakes in Yosemite when the kids were 7 and 9, and they did great. That was without acclimatization - we came up for the day from Yosemite Valley. I think that trailhead is around 10,000 feet, but I could be remembering wrong... But yes, there is still a difference between 10 and 12K. And if we do the Salkantay trek, which is the one I would like to do, that is almost 15K at the highest point... Still debating. May have to leave the kids at home for this

Anonymous wrote:Piggybacking, but I am considering a trip for next year, kids are 10 and 12 and decent hikers. OK to do the hike at those ages?

Michu Picchu is 8,000 feet with a lot of climbing. Denver is like 5,200. The only place in the states that is close is Mammoth Lakes, California 7,800 feet. Remember you do not go down at night so it can be very uncomfortable for a lot of people. Cusco is at 11,100 feet. That is really high.

Definitely start in Cusco. The food there is fantastic--no worries finding something kids will eat. Then I'd take the train through the sacred valley and just go up on the bus in the morning.

I went at 5.5 months pregnant and that was fine. They wouldn't let me do any of the hikes to the peaks once there--the guides all looked at me and shook their heads. There are no guard rails, parts involve crawling or shimmying to go through narrow sections. It was still awesome though.

I'd have a hard time spending the money on a 6 year old who won't remember it though. If money is no issue, then go...but it's such a cool place, I'd want my kids to understand what they were seeing.

Anonymous wrote:Piggybacking, but I am considering a trip for next year, kids are 10 and 12 and decent hikers. OK to do the hike at those ages?

I think so. We took our son when he was 11, we did 4 days Larez treck (higher that mot common Inca trail). He was fine. One suggestion - spend day or two in Cusco to get acclimated to high altitude.

Piggybacking, but I am considering a trip for next year, kids are 10 and 12 and decent hikers. OK to do the hike at those ages?

You could do the 1 day hike - not the 4 day. Or you coudl take the train directly there. Agreed about trying out something with altitude - although I've done that hike 2 times and was never bothered, nor were my traveling companions. You just never know.

I wouldn't. But, that's because when I went a suffered from altitude sickness and could barely enjoy it. I look back at the pictures and am impressed by the beauty, but I was so consumed with a headache, I barely enjoyed it while I was there. I would hate for that to happen to a young kid. I would try somewhere else with high altitude first.

We did the one day trek and in our tour group were some kids, who were maybe between 8 and 12 - they seemed to enjoy it! The altitude is an issue for any age, and you should acclimate in Cusco for a couple days before doing the trek

You might want to try taking your kids to altitude for a shorter trip first. We were not happy to find that our 6 year old vomits for at least 48 hours after getting to (a much lower) altitude when we went skiing in Utah last year.

Those are my kids ages and I've been to Machu Picchu and I think they'd love it.

The youngest will barely remember it though.

If they are picky eaters I could see it being stressful at times.

I think the adults are more likely to be bothered by the altitude or lose their footing but things are definitely not as engineered for safety there as here so you will need to pay close attention but as is the case here it is being around cars that is going to be the most dangerous part of the trip.

I have done the 4 day hike and personally wouldn’t take a 6 and 10 year old. But are you talking about the hike or just taking a train up there? I think the way to do it is to hike but I know others disagree

For safety and real enjoyment, how old should kids be for this trip? Mine would be 6 and 10 when we'd go. They're adventerous and have gone to Iceland, Costa Rica, love camping, hiking, etc. I wonder about the altitude issue and losing footing.