Visiting Machu Picchu with children is a worthwhile travel alternative. The citadel of the Incas, known as one of the seven wonders of the modern world, is visited daily by more than 3,000 tourists from all over the world.
Visiting it implies some prior planning, since suitable dates must be chosen and issues such as the weather, the number of tourists depending on the season and the train schedule to the town of Aguas Calientes.
Given the logistics, the length of the train journey, and the conditions at the archaeological site, many people might be discouraged from traveling to Machu Picchu with children.
The truth is that traveling with children in general is giving them unforgettable experiences, and even more so if it is a place as special as Machu Picchu, which will definitely remain in their memory.
Macchu Picchu
The citadel of Machu Picchu is located in Cusco, about 80 km from the city at 2,340 meters above sea level. It is still not known with certainty if it was a religious sanctuary, or one of the rest residences of the Inca Pachacutec, but the truth is that its incredible architecture located on the slopes of the Huayna Picchu mountain, is an incomparable beauty.
The citadel, discovered and disseminated to the world by Hiram Bingham in 1911, has been, since then, the most important reference point for Peruvian archaeological tourism, and one of the most visited historical sites in America.
Travel to Cusco with Children
The first thing to think about when traveling to Cusco with children is their well-being. We must make sure that the height of the city does not make them dizzy or give them the annoying soroche. Avoiding it is easy: a good rest upon arrival from the airport, a light meal for the first day and sugar candies to give them extra energy if they lack oxygen.
Travel to Machu Picchu with Children
Machu Picchu with children is usually an unforgettable experience, but some advice related to the weather should be taken into account (a storm could be uncomfortable or not to please them), or the walks that are usually exhausting if you do not rest properly.
Tips For Traveling by Train With Children
For many children, the train trip can be a moment as long-awaited as the destination itself, especially for those without much experience riding trains.
The trip to Machu Picchu from Ollantaytambo lasts 1 hour and 40 minutes, with which any child could get bored sitting in the same place. It is advisable to invite him to look through the windows at the landscapes that he travels during the trip to Machu Picchu.
Upon arrival, it is advisable to hire a tour guide in Machu Picchu who uses an appropriate and understandable language for children, and that the visit is entertaining. This way the tour will be more enjoyable.
Children will be able to find some llamas in the citadel, which can be fun for them.
The ideal is to start the tour early in the morning, and thus finish before your lunch hour in Aguas Calientes. It is recommended to bring plenty of water for them, snacks on hand and sunscreen and a hat in case they have a very sunny day.