Inca trail/ Macchu picchu and galapagos islands with a six year old

Sounds like a great trip! Problems with the Inca trail were raised some time ago on this branch. I haven't been but it is something I would like to do when I get to that part of the world, so I followed some of the discussion. It seems parts of the trail have steep drop-offs and could be dangerous for young kids. The discussion was for younger children than your son though. Maybe you could ask the companies why they have a minimum age of 10 - whether it is for safety reasons or the convenience of others on the tour (many people seem to have allergies against young, enthusiastic kids).

Another thing to think about would be whether your son would enjoy walking all day for multiple days. I have two boys - the older one (now 8) has the personality to enjoy something like this, but the younger one (5 years) wouldn't really enjoy it.

We went to Peru when our son was 10. We decided that, even at that age, he wouldn't have had the patience or stamina to do a 4-day hike. We stayed in Aguas Caliente and took the train to Machu Picchu instead. The whole experience was amazing! Even though we didn't do the Inca Trail, I didn't feel like we were short-changed at all.

We did meet some other families at an eco-lodge who had hiked the Inca Trail. Those kids were mostly 10-15 years old; I think one was 8 or 9. So, to some extent the question of minimum age depends on your child. Still, I think it would be pretty rare for a 6 year old to be able to do it.

Our kids were 4 and 6 when we went to MP but didn't do the trail either - we loved it like the above poster. We did ours as a bus trip from Cuzco, then a train from Olly to AC then a bus. I know at 6, our kids wouldn't have been able to handle the duration combined with the altitude of the trail.

You may also want to check out the Ballestas Islands off the coast of Peru as a cheaper alternative if you don't get as far as the Galapagos. Tons of birds, our kids had a great day trip there!

We took our 3 and 6 year old to south America for 11 weeks a few years back. i agree with above, i would take the train to aguas caliente and stay for a couple of days rather than do the hike. It's awesome when all the visitors go on the train back in the afternoon, you can stay up at macchu picchu a bit later and it clears out. Our 6 year old also got altitude sickness in Quito and wasn't very well at all so you just don't know how you would go. I would suggest to go to the cloud forest in Ecuador too, its much closer to Quito and not as far as the Amazon proper. We went to Galapagos with the kids and only stayed at Isabella island. we got a light plane straight from the main airport and flew there and just stayed in the one place for a week. it was magic! there was plenty to see, the kids made friends with other local children, we could chill out at the beach, they got to swim with the seals every afternoon, i got to go on my dive and we got to see all the animals we wanted to (seals, penguins, giant tortoise, flamingos, boobies, sharks) without being stuck on a boat. best decision we ever made. Oh and Copacabana in Bolivia is so much nicer than Puno in Peru, much more chilled out with kids. Also you get treated really well in south america when you have children! Our 6 year old was speaking in spanish in sentences by the time we left, but that was because she hung out with lots of local kids! you'll have an awesome time.

The Galapagos were one of the definite highlights of our RTW trip last year and our then 9 yr old twins loved, loved loved being on the boat and seeing a new island and new animals and birds everyday. The most important thing to check is that the naturalist on board speaks excellent english and is good with kids. You really want a level 3 and unfortunately the budget boats don't guarantee that. However once you narrow down your options by deciding on dates and itinerary just make sure you research feedback on the actual boats you are deciding between. Another thing - is you 6 yr old comfortable with snorkeling? It is the most fabulous part of the trip, swimming in the midst of sea lions , sting rays and penguins so you don't want your kid to miss out because he's scared and definitely make sure your boat has kid size equipment or you'll have to bring your own.

Don't miss the jeep trek across the salt flats in Bolivia but leave from Tupiza not Uyuni. much, much better.

Thanks for all of your advice and also for your enthusiasm! Its making me even more excited hearing such positive experiences!

I think I am leaning towards catching the train up to Macchu Picchu rather than doing the trek, however having said that I just got back from a New Zealand trip and did the Milford Track with my son. He absolutely loved it, walked really well, and amazingly there was not a single whinge, whine, or complaint from him for the entire 4 days! really!!! I was very impressed. Actually I was AMAZED! 4 days trekking with no complaints from a 6 year old - I'm lucky to get through one day like that at home! lol. After this trek I think that he would cope with the actual walk on the Inca trail but am still probably leaning towards taking the train up to Macchu Picchu due to the altitude factor as many of you have pointed out, especially considering that my son is prone to asthma.

I will look into the cloud forest too and thanks for the recommendations in the Galapagos. much appreciated. Can you give me an idea of how much accomodation on land is in the Galapagos?