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The Peruvian government decreed in July 2017 that all visitors to the archaeological park of Machu Picchu must be accompanied by an official tour guide, with the intention of making their visit to the ancient Inca city more organized and complete.
The Inca citadel of Machu Picchu was named, as many already know, one of the seven wonders of the modern world and is, in addition to an archaeological complex, a natural ecological sanctuary and a particularly beautiful place.
What visiting alternatives exist in Machu Picchu?
When you book the 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 Inka Bridge, or hike to the Machu Picchu mountain. Note that you can only choose one of these routes. The guided tour time will depend on the route you choose.
On the classic circuit, you can tour a large part of the Inca citadel, and in this circuit, you have two options to visit: the Designed Classic route or the Lower Terrace. The guided tour time will depend on the route you choose.
Within the royal circuit, you can choose between 4 different routes: hike to the summit of Wayna Picchu Mountain, visit the enclosures built in the Inca Royalty, hike to the Huchuy Picchu Mountain, or visit the Great Cave. Remember that circuit 3 does not include the classic Machu Picchu photo. The guided tour time will depend on the route you choose.
The guided service in Machu Picchu consists of the company of an official tour guide throughout the time spent in the archaeological site. The duration of this guided service depends on the chosen circuit, but on average, it is 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, in addition to undergoing an accreditation and evaluation process by local authorities before they can offer the guided service in Machu Picchu.
The visit to Machu Picchu with an official tour guide is the best way to learn the history of the Inca citadel.The visit to Machu Picchu with an official tour guide is the best way to learn the history of the Inca citadel.
Where to hire an official guide for the guided tour in Machu Picchu?
The Machu Picchu ticket does not include the guided service, however, it is recommended to enter the citadel with an official tour guide to have a better experience and better understand the citadel.
All organized tours include the guided service in the offered package; 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 the credential granted by DIRCETUR, which is the regulatory body for tour guides in Cusco.
There will always be guides at the entrance of Machu Picchu who work independently; however, during high season, it is very unlikely to find any available.
How much does it cost to hire the guided service?
The price you have to pay for a guide varies depending on the number of people in the group and the type of guided tour required.
Shared guided tour: In this tour, the service is shared with other tourists who are not part of your group. The price varies from $15 USD; however, it can be reduced as more people join the group.
Private guided tour: This type of tour is only offered to people from the same group, even if it is just one person. The cost can vary from $65 USD.
The maximum number of people in a group is 10.
How long does the guided tour in Machu Picchu last?
The guided tour time varies depending on the circuit chosen when purchasing the ticket.
Circuit 1: This panoramic circuit with a view from the Guardian's House allows you to tour the upper terrace of Machu Picchu and view most of the important constructions but without access to them. The guided tour lasts approximately 1 hour.
Circuit 2: This circuit is ideal for those who want a more complete experience. In addition to the classic photo from a terrace lower than the Guardian's House, you can visit the main Inca buildings. The guided tour lasts approximately 3 hours.
Circuit 3: In this circuit, you can visit the lower part of the Inca citadel. You can also visit the mountains of Huayna Picchu and Huchuy Picchu, and explore other places that are not frequently visited. The guided tour lasts approximately 2 hours.
