Altitude affects children differently from adults, and it can affect the same child differently on different days. We have dealt with it at Cotopaxi in Ecuador (refuge at 4860m above sea level), across the Sacred Valley circuit in Peru (sites ranging from 2800–3700m), and in Cusco (3400m). Here is what we know from experience rather than theory.
What Happened at Cotopaxi
We drove about 30km to the base of the volcano and hiked an hour to the Refuge at 4860m. The effect on your body is immediate and humbling: a few steps at too fast a pace and you are out of breath and dizzy. One of our boys was badly affected on day two and could not join the volcano hike at all — he stayed at the hostel while Jesper and Noah took an off-the-beaten-track route up to the glacier. The body does adapt fast once you slow down, but you cannot predict who will be hit and how hard.
What Happened in Peru
- The Sacred Valley floor sits around 2800–3000m — meaningfully lower than Cusco (3400m) — and is the recommended way to acclimatise before heading into the city.
- Even at these altitudes, tight tour pacing — lots of walking, bus transfers, and climbing steps — compounds the fatigue noticeably in children.
- We learned the hard way that a “light day” listed on a tour itinerary at altitude is not the same as a light day at sea level.
Rules That Actually Helped
- Arrive and do nothing for 24 hours. The temptation to explore immediately is strong; resist it.
- Go slow at all times. The body adjusts faster when you let it — pushing pace is the fastest way to trigger symptoms.
- One significant activity per day at altitude. Save the rest for lower elevations.
- Watch the quieter child, not the active one. The kid who goes quiet and pale is the one struggling; the one running around may be fine and then crash later.
- Have a backup plan for every high-altitude day. Vitus staying at the hostel meant the rest of us could still do the glacier trail. Without that flexibility the whole day would have been lost.
Related Reads
- Peru altitude acclimatization itinerary with kids
- Altitude sickness in kids: symptoms and what helped us
- Cotopaxi: altitude sickness and hiking to the glacier
- Sacred Valley: what rushed pacing at altitude feels like
- Peru destination hub
- Ecuador 2024 hub
FAQ
At what altitude should families start worrying?
We noticed effects from around 3000m upwards, with significant symptoms at 3500m+ in one of our boys. Every child is different; do not assume your kids will be fine because adults in your group are.
Does acclimatisation time help kids more than adults?
In our experience, yes. Children seem to adjust faster once they have rested, but they also hit harder and faster when they do not.