Top Tips for Hiking with Kids in Peru – Ace Family Hikes

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Last Updated on December 9, 2025 by Ariana Svenson

Have you ever asked yourself, should I take children trekking in Peru?  Here we give you some guidelines to determine if it is a good idea to trek with your kids in Peru.  Everyone wants to have a memorable family vacation and you want it to be for the right reasons, not because you were not properly prepared!

Every child is unique and every family is different with different combinations of older kids and young children.  Most importantly, each Peru trek is different and for different reasons.  Sometimes it is the altitude and sometimes it is due to the steepness of the terrain that makes a trek more difficult.  In this blog we refer to kids aged about 6 to 12 years old, often referred to as tweens or even pre-tweens!

This post may contain affiliate links, from which we would earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. More info in my disclaimer.

Key Questions if You Are Considering Taking Children Trekking in Peru

If you are considering doing a Peru trek with tweens, these are some standard questions you can ask yourself!

1. Do your kids love the great outdoors?
2. Are your children fit and relatively athletic?  They need to be fit and physically able to trek in Peru.  Hiking with kids can be challenging at any time, but add in the cold and altitude, and it can be a hard experience.
3.  In addition to fit, are your children focused and resilient?  For example, lots of 8-year-olds are quite fit but might complain bitterly about trekking for several hours straight.  That is, they are not focused nor have the mental stamina to keep trekking.
   And, if they are smaller eight year olds, they might also have smaller legs and so their size does matter some degree.
4. Do they generally have a positive attitude?  Right now my pre-teen is negative about everything and the idea of taking her on a hike is not fun!
5.  Are they well-behaved/will they follow the guide’s instructions?  This seems like a simple thing, but you don’t want rebellion or attitude on the hiking trail.
6. Do you do family hikes for fun?  You should!  They are one of the best ways to build family bonds and are so much fun!
7. Have your kid’s done longer hikes – treks over distance?  Did they trek for a full day recently?
8.  Have the children ever done an overnight hike or camped before?  Will they be comfortable using squat toilets and other basic facilities?  What about going without electricity for days?  While trekking in Peru with kids with most likely only have basic facilities.

If you answer Yes to most of these questions, read on.

If you answer NO to most of these questions, then put trekking in Peru on your ‘in a couple years’ bucket list.  Or perhaps head out for a day or two in some local National Parks and see how your kids fare with some trekking!  In many cases, waiting a couple of years for this Peru bucket list adventure will make it a positive experience for everyone!  The way I see it, if you force your kids to trek too early you may ruin it for life.

If you are looking for advice specific to the Classic Inca Trail, look at How to Trek to Machu Picchu – Ace the Inca Trail with Kids!

Trekking in Peru With Children – Top Tips to Include in Your Plan

• Ask your travel consultant for their advice on the easiest treks in the Cusco region.  Make sure you are comfortable that the travel agents are actually familiar with the Andes and can give you some ideas about what are the best options.  Remember – travel agents are a fairly generalized profession and the most don’t have much or any specific experience.  For specific suggestions, read onto the next section.
• In order to have the most successful trek with kids possible, acclimatize for a minimum of 3 plus days in Cusco.  4 days are even better in our opinion.  Also read Tips For Acclimating To Altitude With Kids.
• While acclimatizing there is so much to do in the Cusco region.  There is a multitude of activities to do in Cusco with Kids and the Sacred Valley Peru for Kids and families!  On some of these days you could make short trips up into the mountain to get some fresh air and extra elevation gain (then sleeping lower each night).
• Consider doing a private trek where it is just you and your guide and trek team.  This will mean that you can go at your own pace with plenty of stops for kid’s questions and interest in the world.  If you are on a group trek there is a lot less opportunity for going at your own pace and you can be rushed along, which is when kids can feel the pressure.  You can also feel pressure if kids are being silly at the end of the long day and other trekkers in your group are looking for solitude.

Planning a Machu Picchu family vacation? Check out our blog post for tips, ideas, and everything you need to make it unforgettable. Share Peru’s stories and traditions with your kids through our favorite Peruvian Children’s books.

• Let the kids know that it is OK to turn back because their safety and health is the most important thing in the world.  This is also the advantage of doing a private trek or ensuring that there are two guides with you.
• If you are doing an alternative trek, talk to your company about having an emergency horse/ mule.  These walk alongside you and can totally save the day on steep sections when little legs are failing.  We’ve seen on many occasions the horse get to the top and then go back down for the next person that is struggling.  The ability to have an emergency horse (not available on the Inca Trail) is one of the ‘deciding’ aspects of doing alternative trek vs the Inca Trail.  Some families have opted to have two emergency horses so a couple of children can ride at the same time.  All reputable trek agencies will be able to organize this for you.
• How sensible are your kids?  Especially on the Inca Trail (but some alternative treks also) the drops are very steep and the path is very narrow.  The kids need to be old (and wise) enough to understand the need to stay away from the edge without you holding their hand.  Can they remember to stay away from the edge when you are not there?  An 8-year-old might get distracted, but by the time they are 10 they have a better sense of self-preservation!  This totally depends on your child.

Thinking About Taking Children Trekking in Peru?

Consider asking a travel agents help for some of the logistics. Apus Peru Adventure Travel Specialists have plenty of experience in offering treks with young people!

What to Pack for Trekking in Peru

• Depending on their age, once children are about 10 years old, they can carry their own, small backpacks.  However, remember that even a couple of kg at altitude make things more difficult.  Having their own backpack means they can carry their own water bottles rain jacket and their own snacks.  Take a look at these backpack ideas here in The Best Hiking Backpacks for Kids.
• Peru definitely experiences four seasons in one day!  You should pack layers or extra clothes.  You might want to carry these yourself.  Check out these ideas in Hiking Gear For Kids: Essential Kids Outdoor Gear.
• Parents vary on their opinion, but I think a safety whistle is a great idea for any hiking adventure.
• Having the right hiking shoes is also important – and make sure that they are worn in.
• Take snacks that the children like from home, especially in the case of picky eaters, so they can keep their energy up on the trail.  Granola bars provide awesome energy (as do chocolates).  Trail mix is another winner.  Heathy snacks like fruit also help keep up the energy level!
• Having plenty of water is vital!  While (hopefully) the kids carry their own bottles you will have yours as well.
• You should always pack a basic first-aid-kit – and be aware what the most common hiking injuries are!!! Keep in mind that reputable trek operators should also have an extensive first aid kit and the guides receive up to date training.

Tips for Getting Started with Trekking

Whether you are first time parent still heading out with a baby carrier and younger kids, or a more experienced parent of older kids, one of the most important things to enjoy a hike in Peru is to first of all do a first hike near home!  Who knows your young kids might enjoy it so much you start a new family tradition and a lifetime appreciation of the natural world.

Without a doubt trekking or hiking is a great way to spend quality time with your children.  If you start when they are young, we definitely recommend new parents invest in a baby carrier.  Check out our The Best Toddler Carriers And Baby Backpacks For Hiking.  Here we give our opinions on the best based on personal experience.

You don’t have to start off with something complicated, you can do short hikes and still have a great time.  You might find that after one successful hike you start planning your next hike right away (or not)!

Trekking in Peru with Kids – Which is the Best Trek?

Take a look at our post about Trekking the Inca Trail with Kids if you think that the most famous Peru trek is for you.  In our opinion, a minimum of 10 years of age is necessary for the Inca Trail.  However, there are other treks are suitable for children much younger.  Of course if you think that a day hike might be a good way to experience some of the Inca Trail, you could also consider the The 2-Day Inca Trail, The Shortest Hike to Machu Picchu.

For the youngest children, we recommend the Huchuy Qosqo Trek because it is short and relatively “flat” (by Andean standards) or a variation of the Lares Valley Cultural Trek.  We like Lares as it can be adapted to 1, 2 or 3 days and is also not extremely high altitude in most places.  Also, it provides lots of opportunities for interactions with local people and not so much focus on Incan ruins.

Which Treks Should I Not Take My Kid Trekking in Peru?

1. Our post the Rainbow Mountain with Kids explains why we don’t think that a visit to this highly popular attraction is suitable for children.
2. The trek to Choquequirao is not suitable for tweens.  This is one of the hardest treks in the region and is difficult for even the fittest and hardiest adult.  We would consider it only for about age 13 and up.

Disclaimer: 

• We haven’t experienced the tweens age as a parent, we are just entering into this phase.
• Mumma traveler has operated a Peruvian Trekking agency for over 10 years and worked with many parents on a range of treks and bases this advice on feedback from those parents!
• All ages are “arbitrary’ suggestions –  children come in all shapes, sizes and abilities.  If you know that your child is super fit and hardy, done loads of trekking then sure you can trek the harder treks.  However, if your child is average and doesn’t have a lot of experience, don’t turn them off for life.  Put your Peru trek with kids off for a few years!

Some Incentives and Ideas to Keep Kids Occupied on the Trail

We find that planning some interesting things on the trail can go a long way to making the overall hiking trip a more pleasurable experience.  It also encourages kids to love outdoor activities as much as you do.  Depending whether you are travelling with older children, or younger kids, you will need to adapt these ideas to individual circumstances.

Always remember!

Hiking with kids takes longer that it would with adults.  Plan that any trek will take at least 2 to 3 times longer with children.  Kids are just slower hikers than adults and there is nothing wrong with that.  They have smaller legs, shorter attention spans, and are naturally curious.  Point it to plan on the hike taker longer if you have kids in tow.

For All Ages 

1. Talking about your favourite things; this is actually the perfect time to talk and share ideas.

2. Offering a special treat for reaching certain goals along the way.  For example, we will have some sweets/lollies next time we get to the trail marker.

3. Playing games along the way is great for taking kids minds off how long a hike is.  It helps to keep them occupied and engaged.  Fun games may include hide and seek or I-Spy.

3. Depending on the child and your family, lots of people offer a bigger treat like a ice cream for the end of the trail.

4. Keep your eye out for animal tracks, beautiful flowers, or any other interesting things to make the hike more interesting.

Ideas for Little Kids

My younger children have always liked to carry their own small pack for the first while.  Let them pack it, but then make sure you have space in your pack for theirs.  You can also hang it off your pack using a caribiner.

If you are not actually walking far, you might take a magnifying glass to look carefully at plants or ants.  Whatever you can do to make it a fun hike.  Obviously it is also a great opportunity for learning.  However, try not to be too ‘teachy’ as that will spoil the fun!

Older Kids 

1. Pack the binoculars (and maybe the magnifying glass) to see what you can see during rest stops.  I believe an interesting hike is made more so by your perspective, and what you see along the trail.

2. Taking pictures on hikes is a great activity to help teach kids to frame what they are seeing.  Take a look at our The Best Gopro for Kids – What You NEED to Know.

2. Telling jokes (if you are not a joke teller, like me, you will need to google them and pop them in your pocket).  Your kids will be so delighted and surprised they will keep trekking.

4. Storytelling – see our tips for how to do storytelling in Family Travel Tips: Awesome Ideas For Traveling With Kids.

If  You are Camping Overnight 

• Don’t forget to pack some toys, games or activities for the camp at the end of the day’s hike.  You will actually find that you are there for a lot of time and having fun things for the kids to do is a must.
• Little kids might want lightweight dolls or cars, or whatever they are into.
• Older kids might like to sketch, draw or write.
• Taking a pack of cards is the perfect way to create new favorite traditions. There are no other distractions (like devices) and mega family card games a one of the cool things about camping for us.

Other Ideas for Breaks

• Aerobie Sort of like a Frisbee but much better!  This is fun entertainment the whole family can get in to.
• Bubbles Literally who does not like bubbles?  Cheap, and easy to carry they are great to pack.  Make sure you keep them packed away while on the actual trek.  You don’t want the kiddos to get too distracted.
• Toss and Catch Super simple, yet fun and easy to carry.  Not only is it an activity to keep kids busy at camp but it can also be brought out during short breaks along the hiking path.

Read more:

Planning a Family Vacation in South America: The 8 Best Destinations

The Verdict – Trekking Tips for Peru

Peru does have some kid-friendly hikes.  However, you must be willing to put in the planning and preparation to make this a successful trek for the family – one that is remembered by all as a “good time!”

While having the right gear, water and high energy snacks will help, at the end of the day my best tips are to really deeply go into the planning process and make sure the children will be properly prepared for a trek in Peru.  I honestly believe that if it is going to be too long, too difficult, or the children are too young – it won’t hurt to wait a year or two!

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