Cusco family guide
Cusco was the capital of the Inca world, and children can still touch walls built without mortar, slide down rocks at Sacsayhuamán and feed alpacas by the road. It is also the gateway to Machu Picchu. The city sits at about 3,400 m, so this trip rewards slow pacing: many families sleep lower in the Sacred Valley first and save Cusco's steep streets for later.
Create a Cusco activity book
Best ages
Ages 6-12 handle the walking, stairs and altitude best; for babies and toddlers, talk to a paediatrician first, and note that Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain climbs are for ages 12+.
Stroller
Cusco is steep, cobbled and full of steps, and the thin air makes pushing hard work. Strollers are not allowed inside Machu Picchu, so bring a soft carrier for under-4s.
Take this guide on the trip
Signal and roaming are not guaranteed abroad. Print this guide or save it as a PDF, then add a Cusco travel journal and packing list. All three are free and are made in your browser.
Travel journal for Cusco Packing list for CuscoTop things to do in Cusco with kids
Machu Picchu Ages 5+
Take the train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes and the bus up; tickets are timed with fixed circuits, sell out weeks ahead in June-August, and every child needs one with passport details.
Sacsayhuamán Ages 4+
Kids stare at zigzag walls of giant stones, then whizz down the smooth natural rock slides of the Rodadero just across the field.
Awana Kancha Ages 3+
On the road to Pisac, children feed llamas, alpacas and vicuñas and watch women spin and weave wool; entry is by donation or a small fee.
Moray and the Maras salt pans Ages 5+
See the giant circular Inca terraces at Moray, then walk beside thousands of white salt pools at Maras and buy a small bag of pink salt.
Ollantaytambo Ages 5+
Climb the steep terraces of the Inca fortress and follow the stone water channels that still run beside the village lanes at a lower 2,800 m.
Rainy-day and cold-day options
ChocoMuseo Cusco
A bean-to-bar chocolate workshop where kids make and decorate their own treats.
Planetarium Cusco
An evening show about how the Inca read the stars, with telescopes on clear nights.
Qorikancha
The Inca Sun Temple inside a Spanish convent, with perfectly fitted stone rooms to explore.
A simple first day
- Morning
- Arrive and go straight down to the Sacred Valley to sleep lower.
- Afternoon
- Take a gentle walk and visit the alpacas at Awana Kancha.
- Evening
- Have soup and an early night so bodies adjust to the altitude.
Getting around
Walk the centre slowly and use cheap licensed taxis for uphill trips. For the Sacred Valley hire a driver for the day, and reach Machu Picchu by PeruRail or Inca Rail trains plus the Consettur bus.
Food kids like
Try giant-kernel corn with cheese, lomo saltado, quinoa soup and purple-corn chicha morada, which has no alcohol. Eat light the first two days at altitude, with lunch as the main meal around 1 pm.
What Cusco costs for a family
About PEN 700-1,100 (about €175-275) a day for a family of four, excluding lodging and the Machu Picchu day.
| Item | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Machu Picchu entry (foreign adult / child 3-17) | PEN 152-165 / 70-80 (about €38-41 / €18-20) |
| Train Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes (per person, each way) | USD 60-110 (about €52-95) |
| Bus Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu (adult return) | USD 24 (about €21) |
| Boleto Turístico del Cusco (adult, 10 days) | PEN 130 (about €32) |
The Boleto Turístico covers Sacsayhuamán, Moray, Pisac, Ollantaytambo and more, so plan those sites inside its 10 days. Prices are typical ranges checked for 2025–2026; confirm current prices before you book.
Safety notes
- Altitude sickness can hit children too, so rest the first day, drink plenty, eat light and see a doctor if a child has a strong headache, vomits or becomes unusually sleepy.
- The high-altitude sun burns quickly while nights in June and July can drop near 0°C, so pack hats, sunscreen and warm layers together.
- Tap water is not safe to drink, so use bottled or filtered water, including for brushing teeth with small children.
What's inside the Cusco activity book
A personalized printable book for one child (or up to three with Family), built around Cusco: landmark spotting, a 12-item scavenger hunt, a local food tasting page, local phrases and a quiz. Print it at home before you leave and bring a pencil.
Missions
- Twelve-angled stone hunter
- Llama and alpaca spotter
Landmarks to find
- Machu Picchu
- Sacsayhuamán
- Plaza de Armas
- Maras salt pans
Foods to spot or taste
- corn with cheese
- chicha morada
- lomo saltado
- alfajores
Words to try
- Hola Hello
- Gracias Thank you
- Por favor Please
- Sí Yes
Mini €5.90 (10 pages), Adventure €9.90 (25–28 pages) or Family €14.90 (up to three children). One-time purchase, no subscription; the book is printed at home in English.
Create a Cusco activity bookQuestions parents ask
Is Cusco good for young children?
Ages 6-12 handle the walking, stairs and altitude best; for babies and toddlers, talk to a paediatrician first, and note that Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain climbs are for ages 12+.
Can you use a stroller in Cusco?
Cusco is steep, cobbled and full of steps, and the thin air makes pushing hard work. Strollers are not allowed inside Machu Picchu, so bring a soft carrier for under-4s.
How much does a family day in Cusco cost?
About PEN 700-1,100 (about €175-275) a day for a family of four, excluding lodging and the Machu Picchu day. The Boleto Turístico covers Sacsayhuamán, Moray, Pisac, Ollantaytambo and more, so plan those sites inside its 10 days.
When is the best time to visit Cusco with kids?
Best months: April, May, June, July, August, September, October.