CuscoPeru.com offers highly experienced tour guidesCuscoPeru.com offers highly experienced tour guides
In July 2017, the Peruvian government mandated that all visitors to the Machu Picchu archaeological site must be accompanied by an official tour guide, aiming to make their visit to the ancient Inca city more organized and comprehensive.
The Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, as many already know, was named one of the seven wonders of the modern world. It is not only an archaeological complex but also a natural ecological sanctuary and a place of exceptional beauty.
What visit options are available at Machu Picchu?
When booking your entry ticket to the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, you will have different options or alternatives to choose from:
On the panoramic circuit, you can tour the upper terrace of Machu Picchu and choose to visit the Sun Gate (Intipunku), the Inca Bridge, or hike to Machu Picchu Mountain. Note that you can only choose one of these routes. The guiding time will depend on the route you select.
On the classic circuit, you can explore a large part of the Inca citadel, with two route options: the Classic Designed Route or the Lower Terrace. The guiding time will depend on the route you select.
On the royal circuit, you can choose from 4 different routes: hike to the top of Wayna Picchu Mountain, visit the Inca Royalty precincts, hike to Huchuy Picchu Mountain, or visit the Great Cave. Note that circuit 3 does not include the classic Machu Picchu photo. The guiding time will depend on the route you select.
The guided tour service at Machu Picchu involves the accompaniment of an official tour guide throughout your stay at the archaeological site. The duration of this guiding service depends on the type of circuit chosen, but it generally lasts approximately two hours. The cost of this service is NOT included in the entry ticket.
Official tour guides are required to complete a professional degree in Tourism and undergo an accreditation and evaluation process by local authorities before being allowed to offer guiding services at Machu Picchu.
Visiting Machu Picchu with an official tour guide is the best way to learn about the history of the Inca citadel.Visiting Machu Picchu with an official tour guide is the best way to learn about the history of the Inca citadel.
Where to hire an official guide for a tour at Machu Picchu?
The Machu Picchu ticket does not include the guiding service; however, it is recommended to enter the citadel with an official tour guide to enhance your experience and gain a better understanding of the site.
All organized tours include the guiding service in the package offered. However, if you are traveling independently, you can find tour guides offering their services at the entrance of Machu Picchu.
Authorized guides are properly identified with a credential issued by DIRCETUR, the regulatory body for tour guides in Cusco.
There will always be independent guides at the entrance of Machu Picchu; however, during high season, it is very unlikely to find one available.
How much does it cost to hire a guiding service?
The price for a guide varies depending on the number of people in the group and the type of guiding service required.
Shared Guiding: In this type of guiding, you share the service with other tourists who are not part of your group. The price starts from 15 US$, but this can decrease as more people join the group.
Private Guiding: This type of guiding is offered exclusively to people from the same group. Even if there is only one person, the cost can vary starting from 65 US$.
The maximum number of people in a group is 10.
How long does a guided tour at Machu Picchu last?
The guiding time varies depending on the circuit chosen when purchasing the entrance ticket.
Circuit 1: This panoramic circuit with views from the Guardhouse allows you to tour the upper terrace of Machu Picchu and see most of the important constructions without access to them. The guided tour lasts approximately 1 hour.
Circuit 2: This circuit is ideal for those seeking a more comprehensive experience. In addition to the classic photo from a terrace below the Guardhouse, you can visit the main Inca buildings. The guided tour lasts approximately 3 hours.
Circuit 3: On this circuit, you can visit the lower part of the Inca citadel. Additionally, you can visit Huayna Picchu and Huchuy Picchu mountains, and explore other less frequented places. The guided tour lasts approximately 2 hours.
