Traveling with Children
Who doesn't love traveling with their little darlings? Wide-eyed and fresh, the whole world is waiting for them. And so are we. More children are traveling than ever before. We have children and we are aware of their special needs and interests. They are not like adults. We avoid those 'ho-hum-everybody-back-on-the-bus' tours. (We hope none of our tours ever become like that!)
Tips for taking children to Machu Picchu
- Avoid "ruin-fatigue." There are many ancient Inca archaeological sites beginning in Cusco and continuing through the Sacred Valley. Adults have a say in how many sites they want to visit. For kids, we suggest a mixture of cultural tours and activities. All the ruins may begin to look the same. Choose kid-friendly activities on the way to Machu Picchu: cooking classes, picnics, short hikes, and visits to an animal sanctuary and weavers village.
- Normal, active children are quite capable of hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. However, hiking is best for families who routinely hike together. Don't assume your child has the attention span for a full-day hike on the Inca Trail if they have never done one before.
- Machu Picchu ruins have no amenities inside the park. Once you enter, there are no restrooms and no food or water. People traveling with babies and toddlers should be prepared to carry their child. It's not possible to use a stroller and there are terraces, drop-offs, and stairs without handrails. There are very few guard rails and no warning signs. You are solely responsible for the safety of your child. On the plus side, children under 5 years of age can enter Machu Picchu for free.
- Children's menus and special kid-friendly foods like chicken nuggets are non-existent except maybe in large airports.
Kids Activities
Pre-trip checklist for families
- Let us know the ages of all members of your group. We have many options for planning activities, including special destinations that stimulate your child's interests and imagination.
Ask about adding kid-friendly activities
- Day hikes - Peru, Ecuador, and Galapagos Islands
- Camp-outs - Peru (we provide all equipment and porter help)
- Mountain biking - Peru, Ecuador, and Galapagos Islands
- Horseback riding - Peru, Ecuador, and Galapagos Islands
- Hands-on cooking fun - Peru
- Wildlife and birdwatching - Amazon in Peru/Ecuador and Galapagos Islands
- Grand catered picnic - Sacred Valley, Peru
- Homestay on Lake Titicaca - Peru
- Visits to rural schools to have lunch with local children - Peru and Ecuador
- Go to the top of a volcano - Ecuador
- Visit indigenous markets - Peru and Ecuador
- Explore the hands-on Solar Museum in Quito, Ecuador and find out if water drains in different directions in each hemisphere
- Amazon River Cruise - 4 to 8 days in Ecuador
- We have plenty of museums too, but we know a little museum goes a long way
- Want to lend a hand? Bring school supplies or sponsor a meal in an orphanage
- Groups of 10 or more can ask about volunteering for a service project in Peru.
- Want to lend a hand? Bring school supplies or ask about a 2 to 3 day trip to Callipata to help build livestock shelters for porters: volunteer in Peru.