Cusco With Kids: Things to Do in Cusco and the Sacred Valley

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Cusco stole my heart. Cobblestone streets, golden light, markets full of color, and the Sacred Valley spread out below it like something from a dream. If you are planning Cusco with kids, this is the part of Peru where the magic really turns on. Here is what we loved and what I would tell a friend.

Start in the Sacred Valley, not Cusco

Here is the tip I give everyone. The Sacred Valley sits lower than Cusco, around 9,000 feet versus 11,000. Spending your first days here helps kids adjust to the altitude gently before you go higher. We did this and it made a real difference. (Full details in my Peru altitude guide for kids.)

Things to do in the Sacred Valley with kids

• Pisac market and ruins for color, textiles, and easy exploring.
• Ollantaytambo, a living Inca town with terraces the kids can climb and the train station for Machu Picchu.
• Maras salt ponds and Moray, which look like another planet and spark every kid question imaginable.
• Animal sanctuaries and farms where kids can meet llamas and alpacas up close.

Things to do in Cusco with kids

• The Plaza de Armas for people watching, pigeons, and ice cream.
• San Pedro market for juices, bread, and a riot of color.
• Sacsayhuaman, the giant stone fortress above town, where kids can roam huge boulders.
• Chocolate making workshops, a local family favorite on a rainy afternoon.

And of course, Cusco is your base for the big one. Read Machu Picchu with kids next.

If you are not traveling with a group

Our trip was fully planned by Travec, so our stays were arranged for us. If you are booking your own, you can browse family stays in Cusco and the Sacred Valley here. Look for a place with a kitchen and a bit of outdoor space so kids can decompress between adventures.

Why we loved having it all planned

Cusco and the Sacred Valley have a lot of moving pieces, and stringing them together at altitude with kids is real work. Travec handled every transfer and timing for us while keeping the cultural immersion that makes a trip mean something. Our kids made a local friend their own age, and we connected with people rather than rushing past them. Your family gets $200 off a Travec family group trip with code BRAVEFAMILY at traveltravec.com. The honest fine print: family group trips only, not combinable with other promos, applied at booking.

Travel insured, every time

At this altitude and this far from home, coverage is a must. We use SafetyWing on every trip because it is built for families who are always on the move. Sort it before you fly.

Cusco and the Sacred Valley are the soul of Peru with kids. Start with my full Peru with kids guide, and grab all my family guides here.

Xoxo, Marae: your travel mom bestie
www.bravefreetravel.com