Machu Picchu for children – Student Excursion
Machu Picchu is wonderful for anyone, even more so for children, this is why Nat Geo (National Geographic) put Machu Picchu on the list of 100 Places That Can Change your Child’s Life, and this is because the sacred city of Machu Picchu is impressive wherever you look and is great to visit with your children. Children love to know the story of how Hiram Bingham would not have rediscovered the Inca city of Machu Picchu, without the help of a child, like them.
Taking a trip with a group of children is really a good idea as long as you plan accordingly. Here we explain everything you need to know so that the trip with students is fun and the whole group can have fun. Since it is a group adventure with children’s friends, some precautions must also be taken. In this blog we tell you everything you need to know so that the trip with children in your care has an unforgettable trip.
- Machu Picchu for children and students
- Student trips or excursions
- How to plan this trip with students?
- Children have discounts for entry
- An unforgettable trip for children
- Frequently Asked Questions
Girl visiting Machu Picchu on a cloudy day
Machu Picchu for children and students
In Peru, it is almost a tradition to organize student excursions. To achieve this, a series of activities are often planned. One of the most visited destinations is Machu Picchu.
Machu Picchu is one of the most visited destinations in Peru. Trips are planned especially for children so that they can have a better understanding of the ancient cultures of Peru. Machu Picchu is the ideal place for people to feel a beautiful connection with the past and nature.
The student excursion trip is recommended for children from 11 years old to students who will graduate from high school, who are under 17 years old. Thanks to this, they can have significant discounts if they wish to visit Machu Picchu or the Wonder of the World.
Students listening to the guide’s explanation in Machu Picchu
Where is Machu Picchu?
Machu Picchu is located in the Selva Alta of Cusco. That is, in the Peruvian Andes, located 2430 meters above sea level. It belongs to the district of Machu Picchu Pueblo or also known as Aguas Calientes. The distance from Cusco is almost 100 kilometers away and can be reached by doing different activities.
Student trips or excursions
Student trips or excursions are quite popular, especially as a form of celebration. That is why, several individuals and groups of students, both primary and secondary, organize themselves to make the trip without the need to spend large amounts of money on travel.
One of the most important points to visit Machu Picchu. So you have to take into account:
- Make reservations in advance – Machu Picchu is visited by thousands of people every day, and even daily availability is often exhausted. For this reason, you must make a reservation in advance to purchase tickets, especially if you are looking to do Circuit 2.
- Making the trip to Cusco – Many groups of people start their trip far from Cusco. It is advisable to make the trip in the way that best suits them. Some choose to make the trip by plane and others by bus. The main difference being the time and comfort of the trip.
- Making the trip from Cusco to Machu Picchu – Once in Cusco, you can make the decision to get to Machu Picchu. To do this, you can take the train trip and also the bus trip via Hidroeléctrica. Let’s see:
- Train travel – You can start from Ollantaytambo, but also from Cusco (this has limited availability). Another negative factor is that the train journey is much more expensive, especially if you plan to travel on the exclusive trains. On the other hand, the journey is much shorter and does not require any additional effort.
- Bus trip to Hidroeléctrica – Start the trip in Cusco and follow the route until you reach the community of Hidroeléctrica. From here, the 2 to 3 hour walk begins to reach Machu Picchu Pueblo. This trip is also known as the most economical option to get to Machu Picchu. Although, yes, the activity can take up to two days.
| Details | Train ride | Bus trip to Machu Picchu |
|---|---|---|
| Start of the journey | Train stations in Cusco, Wanchaq, Ollantytambo and Poroy. | From a central square in Cusco. |
| Duration of the trip | A maximum of 5 hours of travel. | 6 hours of travel by minivan and 2 to 3 hours of walking. |
| Travel cost | Much higher, prices from 65 USD. | Affordable prices, starting at $20. |
| Physical effort | It is minor, just what is necessary to complete the route. | Major, requires a 2 to 3 hour walk through the Amazonian part of Cusco. |
| Total duration to complete the trip | The trip can be done in just one day of full activities. | It takes two days. The first to get there and the second to tour the Inca citadel. |
| Landscapes along the route | You can appreciate beautiful landscapes if you travel at the right times. | Geographical change from the bus trip and better contemplation of the high jungle by taking the route on foot to Machu Picchu Pueblo. |
| Amenities | The journey is much more comfortable even on the cheapest trains, because the journey is short and the carriages also have much more space. | Comfort may be a negative point, however, the walking adventure is a separate experience that is recommended to appreciate the flora and fauna of the place. |
| Schedule options | You can make the trip at various times, starting from Cusco or from Ollantaytambo. | It is recommended to start early to arrive at Hidroeléctrica at lunchtime and continue with the walk. |
| Cultural Experience | There are some live shows that recreate local dances and music. However, it does not offer social and cultural interaction as such. | It is possible to appreciate the route to Machu Picchu from another perspective. You can learn more about other communities and their way of life, even if the experience is short. |
- Climbing to Machu Picchu – Once in Machu Picchu town, the best option is to take the eco-friendly buses. The journey time on these buses is only 30 minutes. On the other hand, you can reach the Inca citadel by taking a 2-hour hike uphill. This option is not recommended if you are looking to save time and energy.
- Other details to keep in mind – In Machu Picchu Pueblo, you will find various services such as hotels, shops, service centers, a craft market, restaurants and more services that can facilitate your travel experience so that you do not miss anything.
How to plan this trip with students?
There are two options for making the trip. One of them is to find all the services independently. But another option is to contact a travel agency that can even provide you with a complete tour of the trip and stay in Cusco. They will also offer you food, guidance and other activities to have a pleasant memory of the trip. Therefore, you can organize the trip by adding the following destinations:
- Cusco City Tour – Student trips will be better enriched if you start by getting to know the main places in Cusco such as Qoricancha, Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Pukapukara and the Cusco Cathedral.
- Sacred Valley Route – This is one of the obligatory routes to get to Machu Picchu. Along the route you can see several Inca buildings such as Písac, Ollantaytambo and Chinchero.
- Salineras de Maras (quad bike) – Offers new experiences on the route to the Sacred Valley. The route can be done by quad bike from a community near the Maras district. It can also be connected to the Moray Circular Terraces.
- The trip to Machu Picchu – It is one of the best activities for students from anywhere in the world. Once the trip is confirmed, all that remains is to take the route that best suits your needs and also the Circuit that you choose.
Children looking at the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu
How many trains can be found on the route to Machu Picchu?
There are up to 8 trains to get to Machu Picchu. Every 4 trains belong to different train travel agencies. There are cheap trains and also luxury trains. These trains have very high costs, but no one can deny that they offer new experiences and are in line with their cost.
Children have discounts for entry
Yes, minors have special discounts when trying to book their tickets to the venues they visit. You can find the following discounts:
- Children under 3 years old: Children in this age range do not pay an entrance fee. That is, they enter for free.
- Minors under 17 years old: Minors in this age range pay an entrance ticket with a discount specified in the reservation.
- Others: Some agencies offer a free space for a number of 15 or 20 students.
An unforgettable trip for children
Traveling to Machu Picchu is always a unique experience. Sometimes the distance of your trip allows you to acquire many more experiences than just taking any trip.
For many students, coming to Cusco can be one of the opportunities of a lifetime because it is unlikely that they will be able to return immediately. In addition, Cusco is one of the places that you must visit in your life.
In this sense, if there is the possibility of making the trip to Machu Picchu, it is recommended that you do not miss the opportunity. Even more so if there is the chance to do it with your childhood or high school friends and classmates who are hard to forget.
Students on a tour in Machu Picchu
Frequently Asked Questions
1) From what age do they have discounts?
There are discounts for minors from 17 years old to 3 years old. This age range offers a significant discount. Children under 3 years old do not have to pay, meaning they can enter for free.
2) Are there other discounts for teachers or family members?
Some travel agencies offer packages that include promotional rates and even free rates if a certain number of students is reached. You can also find discounts if the teacher or family member of the students is from Cusco.
3) What is the best season to travel to Cusco and Machu Picchu?
The best months to get to Machu Picchu and Cusco without any complicity start from March and last until November. In December, you can do the tour, but you must take into account that the rains are beginning to have a greater presence.
4) Are there any restrictions for entering Machu Picchu?
There are only restrictions for some tours within Machu Picchu. One of these restrictions is that minors under 17 years old cannot go on the hiking trails. That is, they cannot go to Huayna Picchu, Machu Picchu Mountain and even the route to the Temple of the Moon.
5) How far in advance should a reservation be made?
It is advisable to book your entrance tickets to Machu Picchu 3 to 4 months in advance. If you have not been able to book your tickets, you can contact the Ministry of Culture in Cusco to resolve this problem, which can also take a long time.
Advice from people who have been there
By: Selena D.“We traveled from Lima“
“I am a primary school teacher and this year we went with my students and a group of parents. We had a great time in Machu Picchu, we learned more about our ancestors and we all returned to Lima feeling more Peruvian than ever. I recommend this experience for children and also for families from all over Peru and the whole world.“
By Ticket Machu Picchu – Last updated, January 22, 2025