How to Hire Guide Machu Picchu?
Machu Picchu is one of the Seven Wonders of the modern World and one of the most important destinations on the planet. Do not let an improvised or unofficial guide ruin your trip. A guided tour is the best way to get to know the Inca City.
Learn how to hire a professional and authorized guide in Machu Picchu.
- Guided service in Machu Picchu
- Tourist guides in Huayna Picchu, Inca Trail and more
- Questions and answers about the guides in Machu Picchu
- Make sure you have a good guide in Machu Picchu
Guided in the Sector of the Mirrors – Machu Picchu
Guided service in Machu Picchu
The guiding service has 2 variations:
- Shared Guidance Service
The cost of shared guiding varies depending on the number of people. The maximum number of tourists is up to 10 people. The larger the group, the cost of the guidance will be less per person. - Private Guided Service
The cost of private service is greater than the shared service. The tourist decides which guide to choose. It is ideal for a family trip. This service is contracted online or through a tourism agency in Cusco.
Where to hire a guide in Machu Picchu?
If you plan to travel independently to Machu Picchu, you have the option of hiring an official tour guide at the entrance. There are located the guides authorized by DIRECETUR (Regional Directorate of Foreign Trade and Tourism).
Remember that the guides are identified with your official guide credential. Most guides work independently. There will always be an independent one; unless it comes in high season.
How to hire a guide in Machu Picchu?
The tour guides offer their service at the entrance to Machu Picchu. The visitor must only make the deal for a certain price and enter the Inca City in the company of the guide. Shared services are up to 10 people.
The organized tours to Machu Picchu include the guided service. If you travel on your own, you can request a guide online through a tourism agency.
How long is the guided tour in Machu Picchu?
The time of guided by all the Inca City of Machu Picchu usually lasts 2 hours and 30 minutes. This may vary according to the circuit chosen within the Inca site.
Circuit 1:
- What is it about? This circuit is a reduced version of circuit 2 (the most complete). It includes a visit to the House of the Guardian (the classic postcard photo), the Temple of the Sun, the Main Temple, the Temple of the Three Windows, the Water Fountains, the Temple of the Condor and the agricultural sector.
- Entrance ticket: ‘Machupicchu Solo’ entrance and ‘Machupicchu with Inca Bridge’ entrance.
- Recommended: For older adults.
- Duration: 2 hours approximately.
Circuit 2:
- What is it about? This circuit is the most common in Machu Picchu. Visit the main archaeological sites such as the Temple of the Sun, the Main Temple, the Temple of the 3 Windows, the Intihuatana, the Sacred Rock, the Temple of the Condor, the Water Fountains, the agricultural sector and the House of the Guardian (the classic postcard photo).
- Entrance ticket: ‘Machupicchu Solo’ entrance and ‘Machupicchu with Inca Bridge’ entrance.
- Recommended: For all tourists.
- Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes approximately.
Circuit 3:
- What is it about? This circuit makes a short section below the lower part of Machu Picchu. Includes a visit to the House of the Inka, the Temple of the Sun, the Temple of the Condor and the agricultural sector. Does not include the classic photo in the House of the Guardian.
- Entrance ticket: entrance ‘Machu Picchu with Mountain’.
- Recommended: For all tourists and older adults.
- Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes approximately.
Circuit 4:
- What is it about? This circuit makes a short section below the lower part of Machu Picchu. Includes a visit to the House of the Inka, the Temple of the Sun, the Temple of the Condor, the Sacred Rock and the agricultural sector. Does not include the classic photo in the House of the Guardian.
- Admission ticket: ‘Machu Picchu with Huayna Picchu’ ticket and ‘Machu Picchu with Huchuy Picchu’ ticket.
- Recommended: For all tourists and older adults.
- Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes approximately.
How much does it cost to hire a guide in Machu Picchu?
The price will depend on the size of the group. The more people, the less will be the cost that each of them has to pay. Hiring a guide in Machu Picchu will cost between S/. 30 and S/. 50 (US $ 10 and 16 dollars).
Remember that you can not enter Machu Picchu if you do not present your valid passport and your printed ticket. Guided tours with private services have an even higher cost.
Tourist guides in Huayna Picchu, Inca Trail and more
The tour guides are an important part not only of Machu Picchu but of all the tourist attractions of Cusco such as: Sacsayhuaman, Coricancha, Sacred Valley of the Incas, Huayna Picchu, the Inca Trail and more.
Can I tour Machu Picchu without a guide?
The tour of Machu Picchu in the company of a tour guide is mandatory. As of July 2017, the new norm for the conservation of the ‘Inca Citadel’ established this to ensure good practice and order in the Inca site. However, in practice, tourists can tour Machu Picchu without a guide.
Can I tour Huayna Picchu without a guide?
Huayna Picchu is the huge mountain located within Machu Picchu. The tour of this summit is not mandatory with a tour guide. Visitors can ascend on their own.
Before or after knowing Huayna Picchu, the visitor must visit Machu Picchu in the company of a tour guide. This is because the entrance ticket to Huayna Picchu includes a visit to the ‘Inca City’.
As well as Huayna Picchu, the ascent to the Machu Picchu mountain does not need a tour guide. This attraction also includes a visit to the ‘Inca City’.
How to hire a guide for the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu?
The Inca Trail is a 4-day route through ancient Inca trails until arriving at Machu Picchu through the old Puerta del Sol ( Intipunku ). The tour, camp and everything related to this walk is in the company of a tour guide.
To hire a guide for the Inca Trail, you should only book the tour with a tourism agency. It is not possible to do this hiking trail on your own. The guide is responsible for the welfare of the tourist during the Inca Trail.
How to hire a guide for Cusco?
The City of Cusco is known as the ‘Archaeological Capital of America’ due to the many historical sites that exist there such as: Sacsayhuaman, Coricancha, Tipon, Ollantaytambo, Pisac and many more.
To get a guide in Cusco you must hire the services of tours such as: the City Tour Cusco, the Tour to the Sacred Valley or the Tour to the South Valley Cusco. All of them include mobility, entrance to the archaeological sites and tourist guide service.
If you visit Cusco’s archaeological sites on your own, you can hire a guide at the entrance door of the enclosures.
Questions and answers about the guides in Machu Picchu
The main doubts that tourists make in internet travel forums.
How much does a private guide cost in Machu Picchu?
A private guide service costs between 70 and 120 dollars for the entire group. The number of visitors must not be more than 16 people. The advantage of the private service is that tourists can choose their guide based on the languages they have mastered, their experience and recommendations.
How to hire a guide in Machu Picchu during the high season?
On festive dates such as Inti Raymi (June), Independence Day (July 28), Christmas (December) or at any time of the high season (May to September); It is best to book your guide to Machu Picchu in advance. The best thing would be to reserve it when you buy your Machu Picchu tickets. Also, to come in high season, you will need to book additional hotels and tours.
How much should I tip a guide in Machu Picchu?
The payment for the services of the guide in Machu Picchu is usually in advance. At the end of the tour, it is customary to tip the guide as a thank you. The amount of the tip depends on the quality of the service. A prepared and didactic guide can perceive a tip between 10 or 20 dollars. A bad guiding service can receive between 1 or 5 dollars.
Do I need two guides to visit Machu Picchu in 2 different days?
If the tourist has already made the guided tour of Machu Picchu, it is no longer necessary to request a guide for a new visit in the next shift or the next day. To do this, you must only show the Machu Picchu entrance previously used or simply indicating the name of the guide with which you toured the ‘Inca City’.
Make sure you have a good guide in Machu Picchu
- Make sure the guide is an insightful, capable and enthusiastic person. Do not let a bad guide ruin your trip to Machu Picchu.
- If traveling with children, be sure to get an entertaining guide. The little ones can have a great time in Machu Picchu thanks to the guide.
- Be sure to get a guide that masters the language you are looking for. In Machu Picchu, there are people trained in the main languages of the world.
By Ticket Machu Picchu – Last updated, August 15, 2024