If you’ve ever dreamed of standing among the misty Machu Picchu mountains with your kids by your side, you’re not alone. This iconic UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the most breathtaking Peru attractions—and yes, it’s absolutely possible (and rewarding!) to explore it as a family.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about visiting Machu Picchu with kids: the best time to visit, how much a trip costs, family-friendly hiking options, where to stay, what to pack, and even fun Machu Picchu facts for kids. Think of this as your go-to playbook for planning the ultimate family adventure—with all the little personal tips we discovered along the way.
Spending Time in Cusco Before Machu Picchu
Before heading to Machu Picchu, we spent two weeks in Cusco with our girls enrolled in a worldschooling summer camp called Deliberate Detour. It was such a smart move for our family: the camp’s local staff helped with planning, arranged activities, and connected us with trusted local agencies for tours, transportation, and even Machu Picchu logistics.
The extra time in Cusco allowed us to:
- Acclimate to the altitude (essential for keeping kids happy at Machu Picchu)
- Explore Cusco at a relaxed pace… markets, shops, historic plazas, and little hidden gems. Our girls loved hunting for llama earrings and colorful ponchos at ARTESANÍAS ASUNTA, a shop with a huge selection claiming to have the best prices
- Enjoy local culture: we even caught live street performers and markets that made the city feel alive and magical
Tip for Families: If you’re curious about enrolling your kids in Deliberate Detour, you can use our discount code MRSBLINKS for a little savings. The camp made traveling with kids so much easier, and the local expertise gave us peace of mind.
Keep and eye out 👀: We’ll be sharing a full guide about our worldschooling experience in Cusco, including what a day at the camp looks like, how it helped our kids engage with local culture, and tips for families wanting to combine travel and learning.
Why Machu Picchu Is Worth Visiting with Kids
Machu Picchu isn’t just a “bucket list” site, it’s an unforgettable learning experience for children. They’ll step inside ancient Incan history, explore towering mountains in Peru around Machu Picchu, and see firsthand one of the most famous archeological sites in the world.
For kids, this isn’t just sightseeing. It’s history, geography, and adventure rolled into one.
Pro Tip for Parents: Kids are naturally curious explorers. Our girls were completely captivated by performers on the train who acted out a story in Spanish, we didn’t understand a word, but they were mesmerized!
When Is the Best Time to Visit Machu Picchu?
The best time to visit Machu Picchu depends on what kind of experience you want.
- Dry Season (May–September): Clear skies, minimal rain, and easier hiking conditions. June to August is peak season, so book early. We visited in July and found the weather to be perfect.
- September: A great “sweet spot.” Fewer crowds than summer but still dry and pleasant. If you’re traveling with kids, Machu Picchu in September offers the best balance of good weather and manageable crowds
- December (Rainy Season): Visiting Machu Picchu in December is possible, but expect wet conditions, fog, and potential trail closures. Crowds are smaller, and hotel rates often drop
Family Tip: Late May or September is ideal. We spent two weeks in Cusco first to acclimate to the higher elevation, which made the Machu Picchu visit much easier for the kids.
Easy Way vs. Challenging Way to See Machu Picchu
When people picture visiting Machu Picchu, many imagine multi-day treks with tents and backpacks. And yes, that’s one incredible way to experience it… but it’s not the only option. In fact, getting to Machu Picchu can actually be surprisingly simple.
The Easy Way (what we did):
- Take a train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes.
- Stay overnight in a hotel.
- In the morning, take the short bus ride up the winding mountain road to the entrance of Machu Picchu.
This option is straightforward, family-friendly, and doesn’t require a high level of physical fitness. It also means you arrive rested and can spend your energy exploring the ruins instead of recovering from the hike. For us, traveling with kids, this was the best choice for a first visit.
The More Challenging Way (for the adventurous):
- Multi-day hikes such as the Inca Trail (typically 4 days, 3 nights), Salkantay Trek (5–6 days), or Lares Trek (3–4 days).
- Camping along the way or staying in basic lodges depending on the route.
- Long days of hiking at high altitude before finally arriving at Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate.
These hikes are breathtaking and offer a sense of accomplishment you just can’t get from a train ride, but they’re also demanding. You need to book well in advance (permits are limited), pack light, and be ready for altitude and changing weather conditions.
For our family, we decided the easy way made the most sense this time. But we’re already talking about coming back when the girls are older and tackling one of the treks together. If you have active teens or are traveling without kids, a trek could be the adventure of a lifetime.
Should You Book an Early or Late Entry to Machu Picchu?
Most guides will tell you to book the earliest slot to catch sunrise over the ruins, but with kids, early mornings can be rough. Our girls were not thrilled about a 4 a.m. wake-up call!
We ended up with afternoon tickets (booked a bit last minute), and it was actually a blessing. The ruins were beautiful, not crowded, and we even caught the early part of the sunset before the park closed.
Tip: If your family isn’t made for pre-dawn wakeups, don’t stress. Afternoon visits can be magical, with soft lighting perfect for photos and fewer crowds.
What Is Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo) and Why Stay There?
One thing I didn’t realize at first is that you don’t stay at Machu Picchu itself. Most travelers overnight in Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo), the town at the base of the mountain.
It’s the gateway to Machu Picchu, all trains from Cusco or Ollantaytambo drop you here, and from Aguas Calientes you take the shuttle bus (or hike) up to the ruins.
Staying here is a game-changer:
- Flexible access to the ruins: Whether you choose early or later entry, it’s easy to hop on the shuttle or hike up
- Energy-saving for families: No long train rides or bus rides back in the evening. Kids can nap or explore the town
- The town has everything you need: Restaurants, shops, and even hot springs. After a day of trains and buses, having all the basics right there is a relief
- Perfect for families: We stayed two nights, which made the experience far more relaxed. One day to arrive, settle in, and explore; the next day for Machu Picchu itself; and the third day to enjoy town or relax before heading back
Insider Tip: Staying two nights in Aguas Calientes allows for a slower, more comfortable pace for families… no rushing, no meltdowns, and plenty of downtime for the kids.
How Much Is a Trip to Machu Picchu?
Costs can vary widely depending on your style:
- Entry Tickets: $45–60 per adult, kids under 12 often discounted or free
- Train from Cusco/Ollantaytambo: $60–150 round trip
- Bus to the Citadel: $24 round trip per adult, kids half price
- Guided Family Tour (Recommended): Around $50–70 per person via GetYourGuide. Our guide was wonderful. He taught us so much about Inca history and the terraces
- Hotels: Budget from $30, mid-range $80, and luxury hotels in Machu Picchu like Belmond Sanctuary Lodge from $500+
Family Booking Tip: If you book last minute, there are a limited number of last-minute tickets available, but you have to wait in a long line the day before.
Where to Stay When Visiting Machu Picchu
Most families stay in Aguas Calientes.
Family-Friendly Hotels:
- El MaPi by Inkaterra – Book Here
- Casa Andina Standard Machu Picchu – Book Here
- Belmond Sanctuary Lodge – Book Here
Family Comfort Tip: Staying two nights made the trip super relaxed. We didn’t feel rushed, and the kids had downtime after long walks.
Best Machu Picchu Hikes with Kids
Visiting Machu Picchu itself is moderately easy, so if you aren’t doing the multi-day Inca Trail hikes, hiking boots aren’t necessary. We even saw babies and older people with walkers navigating Route 3b without issues. A few stairs exist, but not as many as I expected.
- The Citadel Tour (the famous sites you think of when you hear Machu Picchu): 2–3 hours walking, perfect for families
- Sun Gate (Inti Punku): 1.5–2 hour moderate hike with epic views
- Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain: Steep, only for older kids or teens
Tip: For our first trip to Machu Picchu we opted to take the bus up to the site so we actually didn’t do any hiking at all. We didn’t know what to expect and were worried our kids couldn’t handle it. We were pleasantly surprised that seeing the famous ruins (and the process to get to the gates) was fairly simple. Next time we are going to try one of the more challenging hikes since our kids will be a bit older.
Our Actual Family Machu Picchu Itinerary
Day 1:
- Transfer from Cusco to Ollantaytambo (we visited a special village along the way, more on that in a future post!)
- Continue by train to Aguas Calientes
- Check in to your hotel and explore the town. We strolled around, visited local shops, and even spotted a Paddington Bear statue, which the kids loved
Day 2:
- Explore Aguas Calientes in the morning… markets, shops, and small streets full of color
- Begin Machu Picchu hike at 3 PM. This later entry was incredible: soft lighting, fewer crowds, and the early part of the sunset before the park closed
- Guided tour of Machu Picchu, covering Route 3b and terraces, which was moderate and kid-friendly
Day 3:
- Early train back to Ollantaytambo
- Tour the surrounding area and the Sacred Valley, stunning landscapes and historical sites
- Private transfer back to Cusco for the final leg of your trip
Family Tip: Staying two nights in Aguas Calientes allowed us to relax and fully enjoy both the town and the ruins without feeling rushed.
Things to Do at Machu Picchu (Beyond the Ruins)
- Spot llamas roaming the terraces
- Visit the Inca Bridge
- Explore Aguas Calientes hot springs
- Restaurants near Machu Picchu: Indio Feliz or Mapacho Craft Beer Restaurant
- Try coca leaves for altitude sickness (we did, and it helped!)
Don’t Waste a Minute of Your Trip
When we’re exploring bucket-list places like floating over Morocco in a hot air balloon or standing at the Wonders of South America, the last thing we want is to waste time on activities that fall flat. That’s why we swear by GetYourGuide.
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Disclosure: If you download the app through my link, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. I only share tools we use and truly love.
What to Pack for Machu Picchu with Kids
- Comfortable shoes (sneakers are fine)
- Rain jackets
- Sunscreen + hats
- Depending on the time of year lots of layers because temperatures can fluctuate quite a bit
- Reusable water bottles
- Snacks (granola bars, gummies)
- Small backpack
Clothing Tip: Layers are key. We wore leggings, light tees, and our new ponchos we picked up in Cusco. Comfortable enough for 4–6 hours of walking. We expected it to be a lot colder as the sun went down but it was the perfect amount of layers to be comfortable (even hot at times after some walking).
Machu Picchu Facts for Kids
- Built in the 1400s by Inca emperor Pachacuti
- Hidden from Spanish conquerors, rediscovered in 1911
- Over 150 buildings, including temples, houses, and baths
- Llamas roam freely
- “Machu Picchu” means “Old Mountain”
How Many Days in Machu Picchu Do You Need?
1–2 days works best for families. Two nights in Aguas Calientes makes everything far more relaxed and comfortable.
Final Tips for Visiting Machu Picchu with Kids
- Book tickets early if possible; last-minute tickets require a long line the day before
- Acclimate in Cusco first (higher elevation)
- Later entry times can be just as magical as sunrise
- Staying two nights is far more relaxed
- All routes are gorgeous: Route 3b is moderate and kid-friendly. All the blogs say you need route 2B but we loved our route and I think all of them offer something different and special. Don’t worry you’ll still get that picture perfect family shot!
- Sneakers or comfortable walking shoes are fine unless doing multi-day hikes that take you up to the ruins.
