The Inca Trail and the Lares Trek with kids, Peru

Kathy, Andean Trails’ director, is just back from a trip to Peru over Easter.

“ April is a fabulous time to travel to Peru. We have school holidays around Easter but many people don’t so flights are readily available and there are not many tourists around. The weather was excellent and the countryside stunningly green as the rainy season has just ended, with masses of flowers out.

Views on the Inca Trail

After several visits to Peru, my 11 year old son suggested he really wanted to go to Machu Picchu and could manage the Inca Trail trek. We asked another family if they would join us and got together to plan – we decided on a week to acclimatise and enjoy Cusco then the trek over 5 days. We organised our trek permits and put a few dates in the diary for training walks, building the kids’ stamina over a period of 6 months.

Kathy and Lewis on the Inca Trail

The timing worked out perfectly, a week to explore Cusco, Pisac and Tipon Inca sites, to shop the markets, make chocolate at a workshop, and generally catch up on sleep and hang out…. then the Inca Trail trek and Machu Picchu. We managed to avoid the bulk of other trekkers by taking an extra day – most people go over four days.

The Inca Trail is suitable for kids that are reasonably active and used to a bit of walking. In terms of age 11 was fine, we didn’t get a single moan and whilst we supped tea after reaching camp the boys were still jumping around outside the tent playing star wars games.  Energy wasn’t in short supply.

The whole team on the Inca trail

The Lares trek is also a good one for families and we can tailor this trek in terms of days and distance, as there are several route options.

Some of our customers are also just back from trekking in Peru:

Siva and his family trekked the Inca Trail in April this year, with two teenagers. When we asked him what he would like to do in Peru he said:

I have been waiting until my kids could do the Inca Trail trek with me and with limited time (spring break)

We were delighted he and the family had a great time, after his trip he let us know what they thought:

Very well organized. We had dietary restrictions (vegetarians, one of us had allergies) but they made it look easy & seamless. Shout out to the chef who made tasty, nutritious meals throughout the trek.

Accommodation was excellent – clean and nice tents, great locations with very good views, very comfortable. No complaints from the first time campers (including two teenage daughters!!!)

Guide (Wilson) was very experienced, friendly, helpful, informative, and put us at ease. 

They were as supportive as they could be and made it enjoyable in spite of the physically demanding trek / terrain.

Kathy A. trekked the Lares in April this year with her teenage son, and also loved it, saying:

We had the most amazing time…

I would thoroughly recommend this trip and itinerary to other families or adults, the trek was a real highlight – ….. I’d really recommend this to families to see real Andean life in the villages along the way and to learn about the local cultures.  Having a campfire on a mountainside was also a highlight, especially for my 14 year old son. ….

The Lares Trek was great.

(read more comments from Siva and Kathy on our web site)

and……

On all of our Peru treks, except the Inca Trail, there is the option to ride a horse for anyone who prefers, kids or adults, if you want to give the walking legs a rest one day.

Through the Sun Gate to Machu Picchu

Trekking in Peru is fabulous. We have been doing it for over 25 years and are still going back for more.  If you fancy taking your family trekking in the Andes of Peru, get in touch with us at Andean Trails and we will give you invaluable advice and help put together a wonderful adventure.