During our tour of Peru in September, we hiked the Inca Jungle Trek with kids. This adventurous route is a great alternative to the classic Inca Trail with kids, and fit perfectly into our longer trip through the country. We had been looking forward to it for months, and it turned out to be in everything the extraordinary experience we were hoping for. For our family, it was one big adventure: from the impressive nature to the challenging trails and, of course, the moment we reached
Inca Jungle Trek with kids
Beforehand, we were quite hesitant about walking this trek. After all, the distances are quite long. Our boys are 8 and 11 years old at the time we make this trek. We do not hike on a daily basis, so we are not super trained. Fortunately, that turned out not to be necessary, as we have adventurous kids with lots of energy.
There are also other treks to Machu Picchu. For example, a 4-day trek where you sleep in a tent and do long walks daily. The Inca Jungle Trek consists of different activities, making it very varied and extra fun for kids!
Day 1: Cusco-Santa Maria
The first day we will be taken by van all the way to the highest point of the trek. The adventure begins immediately, because today we are going to downhill from that altitude. The mountain bikes are on the roof of the van and we are super excited!
Our bags can stay in the van, so we don’t have to bike down with all our luggage. At the top we are given protective clothing, a helmet and warm layers, because at 4,600 meters it is chilly. The ride up takes about an hour.
Once dressed, we start downhilling. In two hours we cover about 50 kilometers, completely downhill. So you have to stay focused. The guide sets the speed, so it’s never too fast and it stays safe. We really loved this! Arriving downhill, our bags are already waiting for us, as is lunch, in the same hotel where we sleep that night.
After lunch, the second activity is scheduled: rafting! Across a fast-flowing river we rafted for 1.5 hours. Exciting, but fortunately we were allowed as a family with a guide in one boat and it didn’t go too wild. In between we were allowed to get off to cool off under a waterfall. Nijs was even allowed to jump off a rock into the water.
Back at the hotel, a van is waiting to take us back for dinner. Before dinner, another campfire will be lit in the garden, where we can chat about this first day. We have all done new things-such as downhilling and rafting-and are already looking forward to the rest of the trek.
Day 2: Santa Maria-Santa Teresa
Today is the longest day of the entire trek: we walk 18 kilometers straight through the jungle. Beforehand, we doubted whether this would be feasible with the boys. The first hour is mostly climbing, but then the route flattens out, with a small climb now and then and a lot of descending.
After a walk of about 45 minutes, a Peruvian ceremony follows to receive permission from the spirits to walk the Inca Trail and to show gratitude to Mother Earth (Pachamama). Orange symbols are drawn on our faces and some rituals that “prepare” us for entering the jungle follow.
While hiking we pick fresh pineapple and citrus fruits and learn all about plants and the special insects we hear, see and feel. The route is beautiful: narrow mountain paths, varied views and deep valleys. At the end of the route there is a cable car where two people are pulled over the river in a small cart. Super fun, and it saves some extra miles of walking.
The 18 kilometers was tough, but doable! After the hike, we went to relax in the natural hot springs in Santa Teresa-a well-deserved reward after such a long day.
Tip: bring some sweets for when your kids get tough, and wear long pants! It’s warm, but we were covered in mosquito bites that continued to bother us for weeks.
Day 3: Santa Teresa- Agua Calientes
Today, after a local breakfast, we start with two hours of ziplining across a valley. There is a course with four ziplines that you go down one after the other. Super cool! You ‘fly’ from A to B through the valleys of Peru and after two hours the adrenaline is well up.
Then a van will take us to the starting point for the last stretch of walking towards Aguas Calientes. This part is flat and the last part you walk along the train track, with occasional trains passing by. The walk is 11 kilometers.
Day 4: Machu Picchu-Cusco
We get up early (05:00) for our visit to Machu Picchu! We take the bus up the hill to avoid the steep stairs.
In retrospect, the kids liked Machu Picchu the least, mainly because of the many rules because of World Heritage status. “Don’t climb rocks!” (Exactly what they like.) “Don’t touch walls!” (Which they do all the time.) “Don’t run!” (Pretty tricky for kids.) And so on. But … we made it through and look back on a great trek and unforgettable experiences together.
Then it is time to travel back. The train tickets are already booked and in two hours we will drive back to Cusco.
Tips Inca Jungle Trek with kids
Packing list Inca Jungle Trek
The packing list for these days:
Travel light! On day 3 you will be carrying your own luggage for a distance of 11 kilometers, so it is really nice if you do not take too much with you. By the way, you can have your bag carried for a fee, but with a compact and light packing list this is usually not necessary.
What to bring:
- Good walking shoes or sturdy sneakers with coarse tread
- Backpack of 30-40 liters
- Comfortable clothing in which you walk and move comfortably
- Rainwear or poncho
- Slippers (for after hiking and in the hot springs)
- Warm sweater or jacket (especially for day 1 at 4600 meters)
- Cap or hat against the sun
- Sunscreen
- First aid kit
- Anti-mosquito spray
- Toilet paper or tissues
- Snacks (candy, cookies, nuts – perfect for kids!)
- Passport (needed for Machu Picchu)
- Enough cash (for snacks, the cable car, restrooms, souvenirs, etc.).
Additional tips:
- Pack in layers. The weather varies greatly: cold in the mountains, heat in the jungle.
- Bring a rain cover for your backpack; rain can fall suddenly.
- Bring dry socks. Wet feet are disastrous on long hiking days.
- Reusable water bottle (many tours offer opportunities to refill water).
- Earplugs and a sleep mask can be helpful, especially if you sleep light.
- Powerbank, because you can’t charge everywhere.
- Quick-drying towel, especially nice for rafting and hot springs.
Best travel time Peru
The best travel time for Peru is generally the dry period from May through October. This is especially favorable for hiking the Inca Jungle Trek or the classic Inca Trail. During these months the weather is more stable, with little rain and often clear mornings – ideal for Machu Picchu as well as activities in the Andes.
We were there in September and had excellent weather: occasional brief showers, but mostly sunshine. Keep in mind that Cusco is at a high altitude. As a result, it feels cooler and a warm sweater or jacket is definitely needed, especially in the morning and evening.
During the Inca Jungle Trek, however, you will walk through different climate zones. The jungle is hot and humid, so light, airy clothing is just right. The temperature difference can be large, so clothing in layers works best.
Transportation to the Inca Jungle Trek with kids
Transportation to the starting point of the Inca Trail or the Inca Jungle Trek is generally well arranged, even when traveling with kids. Most tours are fully inclusive of transportation, so you don’t have to worry about that yourself. Still, it’s helpful to know how it works, what to expect and what to consider as a family.
Start in Cusco: Cusco is the base for almost all trekking towards Machu Picchu. Here you will usually be picked up at your hotel early in the morning. Most organizations use comfortable minivans or vans. Make sure your kids have already had breakfast or that you bring a snack, because the ride to the starting point can take from 1 to 3 hours – depending on the trek you will be doing.
Transportation to the starting point
- Inca Jungle Trek: You are taken by van to the highest point, where you start downhilling. This is a beautiful route with lots of curves, so it may be nice to bring car sickness pills if your kids are prone to them.
- Classic Inca Trail: You will be taken by van to km 82, the official starting point of the trail. The ride is fairly comfortable, but the last part is sometimes bumpy.
Traveling with kids: what to look out for?
- Safety: Good tour companies use safe vehicles and professional drivers. Feel free to ask about this when booking.
- Stop moments: Many tours make short stops along the way, ideal for stretching your legs, using the restroom or taking photos. With kids, this is extra nice.
- Air conditioning and temperature: It can be chilly around Cusco, but hot in the jungle. Make sure kids have layers of clothing on hand in the van.
- Altitude difference: As you get higher (such as toward 4600 meters on the Inca Jungle Trek), you can feel the altitude difference. Let kids stay calm and drink plenty of water.
Return trip after: Most treks end in Aguas Calientes, from where you travel back to Cusco by train. The train ride takes about 1.5 to 2 hours and is often a highlight for kids. The views are stunning, and the ride is comfortable and quiet. Arriving in Ollantaytambo or Poroy (depending on the ticket), you are usually picked up again by your tour company and taken to Cusco.
Tip for families: For your kids, bring a small bag of entertainment for the road – coloring book, audiobook, deck of cards or e-reader. Long rides and wait times are then suddenly a lot easier.
About the author: I am Prynta and together with my husband and two kids I love to explore the world with the four of us. We have been on many exotic trips and are far from done traveling! You can follow us on our Instagram channel _TravelTribe_.
