Peru Altitude With Kids: How to Handle Cusco and Avoid Altitude Sickness
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If there is one thing that kept me up at night before Peru, it was this one. Altitude sickness in kids is the worry I hear from almost every family, and it is the part I most want you to plan for. Cusco sits around 11,000 feet, and altitude does not care how young or healthy anyone is. Here is exactly how we handled it, and how our girls did beautifully.
What altitude actually feels like
The first day up high, you might feel headachy, breathless, tired, or a little queasy. Kids may just seem cranky or low energy and not be able to tell you why. That is normal for the first day or two. The goal is to go slow and let little bodies catch up.
Our altitude game plan
- Start lower. We based ourselves in the Sacred Valley first, around 9,000 feet, before going up to Cusco. This one choice made the biggest difference. (More in my Cusco and Sacred Valley guide.)
- Do nothing on day one. On purpose. We rested, played cards, and let everyone acclimate.
- Hydrate like it is your job. Way more water than feels normal, for everyone.
- Sip coca tea. It is offered everywhere and it genuinely helped the grown ups. Ask your doctor about kids.
- Eat light and easy. Big heavy meals sit hard up high.
Talk to your pediatrician first
This is the important part. Before you go, talk to your child’s doctor about altitude, about whether any medication is appropriate, and about your specific kids. I can tell you what worked for our family, but your pediatrician knows yours. Please make that call.
Why we were so glad to be insured
Altitude is unpredictable, and being far from home with kids makes good coverage essential, not optional. We travel with SafetyWing, built for families always on the go. If altitude had hit one of us hard, I wanted to know we were covered. Get this sorted before you fly.
Letting someone else handle the timing
Honestly, the trickiest part of altitude is sequencing your trip correctly, low to high, with the right rest days. Our whole Peru route was planned by Travec, and they built the acclimatization right into the schedule so I did not have to. What I love is that they handle all the logistics but keep the deep cultural immersion, even pairing our kids with a local friend their age. It never felt like a tour. It felt like being welcomed in.
Your family gets $200 off a Travec family group trip with code BRAVEFAMILY at traveltravec.com. Quick honesty: family group trips only, not combinable with other discounts, applied at booking.
Altitude is manageable with a little planning, and then Peru opens all the way up. Next, read my Machu Picchu with kids guide, and start with the big picture in Peru with kids.
What family travel insurance actually costs
We never travel or live abroad without it. Here is the live price from SafetyWing:
Xoxo, Marae: your travel mom bestie
www.bravefreetravel.com