Short Inca Trail with Kids and Older Travelers: A Family Guide

Quick answer: yes, the Short Inca Trail is the best way for families and older travelers to hike to Machu Picchu. It is one day of hiking, about 11 km (6.8 miles), always below the altitude of Cusco, and you sleep in a hotel instead of a tent. We recommend a minimum age of 7 and there is no maximum age: what matters is being able to walk 6 to 8 hours on uneven stairs at your own pace.

Why the Short Inca Trail works for families

• Only one hiking day. Day 2 is the guided visit of Machu Picchu, with no big climbs.
• Low altitude. The highest point is the Sun Gate, at 2,720 m (8,924 ft), lower than Cusco (about 3,400 m).
• A hotel, not a campsite. Hot shower, a real bed and breakfast in Aguas Calientes.
• Light packs. Everyone carries only a daypack; extra luggage stays in Cusco.
• Short distances between rest points. Chachabamba, Wiñay Wayna and the Sun Gate break the day into stages that kids can follow.
• Small groups. A maximum of 8 travelers per group, so the guide can follow the pace of your family.

Hiking the Short Inca Trail with kids

What age is right?

There is no official age limit, but we recommend children be at least 7 years old. Younger children usually cannot walk the stone stairs for so many hours, and the trail is not suitable for strollers or child carriers on the steep sections. Kids who already do day hikes of 3 to 4 hours are ready.

Permits and documents for children

Every child needs their own Inca Trail permit and their own passport, exactly like adults. The passport number on the permit must match the passport you carry, so book with the document your child will travel with.

Tips to keep kids motivated

• Turn the hike into stages: the train, the first ruins at Chachabamba, the waterfall near Wiñay Wayna, the Sun Gate.
• Pack their favourite snacks on top of the lunch box we provide.
• Let them carry their own small backpack with water and a rain jacket, but keep it light.
• Ask your guide about the Inca stories behind each site; most of our guides are used to hiking with children.
• Bring a dry change of socks and a warm layer for the end of the day.

Which Inca Trail route suits which age?

• Under 7: we do not recommend the Inca Trail. Visit Machu Picchu by train instead.
• From 7: the Short Inca Trail in 2 days is the best fit, with a hotel night and a rested visit of Machu Picchu.
• From 8: the Classic Inca Trail in 4 days is possible for active kids used to long hikes, but it means three nights of camping and a pass at 4,215 m.
• Any age, 1-day Inca Trail: the hike is the same as the short trail, but the day lasts 16 to 18 hours, which is too long for most children.

Altitude and kids: what parents should know

The trail itself is low: its highest point is 2,720 m. The altitude you need to plan for is Cusco, at about 3,400 m, where most families sleep before and after the hike.

• Kids are not protected by their age. The CDC notes that children are as susceptible to altitude illness as adults.
• Watch, do not wait for complaints. Young children may not describe a headache. According to the CDC, signs in very young children include loss of appetite, irritability and pallor; the medical commission of the UIAA, the international mountaineering federation, adds that children often just become very quiet.
• Assume it is the altitude. The UIAA advises parents to treat these symptoms as altitude-related until proven otherwise.
• Going down helps. If symptoms get worse at the same altitude, the CDC says descent is necessary. The good news: the Sacred Valley and the trail are lower than Cusco.
• Plan the first nights. Many families sleep their first nights in the Sacred Valley, which is lower than Cusco, and visit Cusco afterwards.
• See your pediatrician before the trip, especially if your child has asthma or another medical condition.

Hiking the Short Inca Trail as an older traveler

We regularly guide travelers in their 60s and 70s on this route. Age is less important than regular activity: if you walk often and can climb stairs for a while without stopping, you can do it.

• Use trekking poles. They take a lot of weight off the knees on the descents, especially after the Sun Gate.
• Take your time. There is no race; your guide adapts the pace to the slowest member of the group.
• Acclimatize first. Spend two days in Cusco or the Sacred Valley before the hike.
• Check with your doctor if you have heart, lung or blood pressure conditions, and bring your medication in your daypack.
• Tell us in advance about knee or back problems so we can plan breaks and, for larger groups, an assistant guide.

How to prepare as a family

1. Arrive two days early in Cusco or the Sacred Valley to acclimatize.
2. Do a test hike together in the weeks before the trip: 3 to 4 hours with some stairs or hills.
3. Break in everyone’s shoes. New shoes cause blisters, especially for kids.
4. Pack for sun and rain: hats, sunscreen, insect repellent and rain jackets for everyone.
5. Book early if you travel in July or August, the school holidays in the US, Canada and the UK; only 250 people per day can start at Km 104.

Check the dates with available permits on our live permit calendar.

Child and student discounts

Reduced rates exist for children and for students, but they depend on the age, the document and the official fares in force for your date. Ask us for a quote with each traveler’s age and nationality, and we will confirm the price before you pay. Students must bring a valid student card on the trip. Peruvians and citizens of the Andean Community also pay the same lower national rate.

Short Inca Trail or 1-day Inca Trail for a family?

We recommend the 2-day version. The 1-day Inca Trail is the same hike, but you return to Cusco on the evening train and arrive late at night, which makes a 16 to 18-hour day: too long for most children. With the Short Inca Trail you rest in Aguas Calientes and visit Machu Picchu the next morning with fresh legs. Compare all options in Short vs Classic vs 1-day Inca Trail.

Family-friendly · hotel in Aguas Calientes included Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu: 2 Days / 1 Night 2 Days · From $569 See itinerary & dates →

When the trail is not a good idea

The Short Inca Trail is not accessible for wheelchairs or for travelers who cannot walk on uneven stairs. In that case, you can still visit Machu Picchu by train with a guided tour: see our Machu Picchu day trip from Cusco.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an age limit for the Short Inca Trail?

There is no official minimum or maximum age. We recommend a minimum age of 7 because of the long stone stairs, and we have no maximum age as long as you walk regularly.

Can a 5-year-old do the Short Inca Trail?

It is possible for a very active child, but we do not recommend it. Most children under 7 cannot walk 6 to 8 hours on stairs, and child carriers are unsafe on the steepest sections.

Is the Short Inca Trail OK for a 70-year-old?

Yes, if they are in good health and walk regularly. Trekking poles, a slow pace and two days of acclimatization in Cusco make a big difference.

Do children need a permit for the Inca Trail?

Yes. Every hiker, including children, needs a personal permit issued with their passport number.

Are there discounts for children or students?

Yes, reduced rates exist, but the amount depends on age, documents and the official fares for your date. Ask us for a quote with each traveler’s age before you book.

Can kids get altitude sickness on the Short Inca Trail?

The trail is lower than Cusco, so the risk on the hike is low once your family has acclimatized. The higher risk is in Cusco itself. Children are as susceptible as adults, so watch for loss of appetite, irritability, pallor or unusual quietness.

What is the minimum age for the Classic Inca Trail?

We recommend a minimum age of 8 for the Classic Inca Trail in 4 days, and only for kids used to long hikes and comfortable with camping and altitude.

What happens if my child gets tired on the trail?

Your guide slows the pace and adds breaks; groups have a maximum of 8 travelers, so there is room to adapt. Plan for a parent to carry part of the child’s water and layers, since porters are not included.

Is the 1-day Inca Trail a good option for kids?

Usually not. It is the same hike, but the day lasts 16 to 18 hours with the return to Cusco. The 2-day Short Inca Trail is much easier for children.

Are older travelers more likely to get altitude sickness?

No. According to the CDC, people over 50 have a slightly lower risk of altitude illness. Fitness, health conditions and a gradual arrival at altitude matter more than age.