planning
Machu Picchu with Kids
Machu Picchu with children: ticket prices and ages, strollers and carriers, altitude tips, and which tours and treks suit each age.
Machu Picchu is a great family trip at almost any age. Children under 3 enter free, and from 3 to 17 they pay a reduced child ticket. Strollers are not allowed, so bring a baby carrier for the little ones. The key is planning around the altitude and choosing the right tour: train tours suit all ages, the Short Inca Trail suits children from 10, and other treks start at 8.
Tickets and documents for children
| Age | Ticket (foreign visitors) |
|---|---|
| Under 3 | Free |
| 3–17 | S/ 70, or S/ 118 with a mountain |
Each child needs their own passport, and the ticket is issued with their passport number. Travelers under 18 must travel with a parent or legal guardian, or carry a notarized travel authorization. See our Machu Picchu tickets guide.
Which tours suit which ages
| Age | Good options |
|---|---|
| All ages | Train tours: the day tour, the 2-day tour, Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu |
| 8 and older | Day hikes such as Humantay Lake, and treks such as Salkantay, Lares and Inca Jungle (for active kids) |
| 10 and older | The Short Inca Trail and the Classic Inca Trail |
| 12 and older | Huayna Picchu, recommended only for kids confident with heights |
For most families, the best choice is Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu 2 Days: short walks, a night in Aguas Calientes and no 4 am start. Active children from 10 love the Short Inca Trail, which ends at the Sun Gate.
Altitude and children
Children usually adapt to altitude as well as adults, but they may not say they feel unwell. Plan a gentle first day in Cusco, go down to the Sacred Valley early in the trip, keep them well hydrated and watch for headaches, unusual tiredness or loss of appetite. Ask your pediatrician before the trip, especially for babies. Read our guide to Machu Picchu altitude.
Practical tips for families
- Carriers, not strollers: the paths are stone steps and narrow terraces.
- Eat before you enter: food is not allowed inside, so have a good breakfast and snacks before the gate.
- Toilets: the only ones are at the entrance; go before you start.
- Pace: most routes take 2–2.5 hours. A private guide can adjust the visit to your children’s energy and turn it into a story.
- Stay overnight: a night in Aguas Calientes avoids a very long day trip and gives time for the hot springs.
- Sun and rain: hats, sunscreen and ponchos for everyone.
Making it fun
Ask your guide to bring the Incas to life: how they moved stones without wheels, the llamas grazing on the terraces, the Temple of the Condor and the tunnels and stairs. Many children love spotting the llamas and searching for animal shapes in the stones.
A family itinerary
Our Cusco & Machu Picchu 4 Days package works well for families: an easy city tour, two days in the lower Sacred Valley with Chinchero, Moray and the Maras salt mines, and Machu Picchu after a night in Aguas Calientes.
Tours to link
Plan this with a local team
Machu Picchu journey
Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu
Pisac, Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu in 2 days. Train, hotel, buffet lunch, every entrance ticket and guide included. Private option available.
Inca Trail · permit required
Short Inca Trail
Hike the last stretch of the Inca Trail, enter through the Sun Gate and sleep in Aguas Calientes. Permit, train, hotel and Machu Picchu ticket included.
Machu Picchu journey
Cusco & Machu Picchu 4 Days
Cusco city tour, Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu in 4 days. Hotels, trains, guides, transfers and every entrance ticket included.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers
What is the minimum age to visit Machu Picchu?
There is no minimum age for the citadel. Children under 3 enter free; from 3 to 17 they need a child ticket.
Can I bring a stroller?
No. Strollers are not allowed inside Machu Picchu. Use a baby carrier for small children.
Can children climb Huayna Picchu?
We recommend it only for children aged 12 or older who are confident with heights.
Do children need a passport?
Yes. Each child's ticket is issued with their passport number, and the passport is checked at the gate.