Tour guide price in Machu Picchu
Hiring a tour guide is the best way to enjoy Machu Picchu. Otherwise, you will not be able to assess the real size of each of the Inca constructions. The guides crowd at the entrance gate of the archaeological site. The price depends on the type of service (shared or private) as well as the number of people. Find out here the price and the tour of the Inca city in the company of a tour guide.
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The tour guide service in Machu Picchu
The tour guide service in Machu Picchu is mandatory although in practice it is not. Many tourists tour the Inca city alone, without the company of a guide. In any case, the most advisable thing, for a complete visit, is to hire one.
Machu Picchu has more than 150 constructions between enclosures, temples, canals, squares, platforms and more. Unfortunately, there are no information panels on these buildings. The guide is the one who provides the necessary information about each construction.
In addition, tour guides are in charge of taking care of the well-being of tourists. Likewise, you must ensure that they comply with the rules such as not mistreating the buildings within Machu Picchu.
If you visit Machu Picchu through an all-inclusive tour, you should not worry because the tour guide is already in the service.
The tour guides are professionals who speak, mostly, Spanish and English. They can also offer tours in Portuguese, French, Italian, German, and other languages.
Prices
Guided prices in Machu Picchu * | Shared service (price per person) | Private service (price per group of 1 to 5 people) |
|---|---|---|
| Machu Picchu | 15 USD | 55 USD |
| Huayna Picchu | – | 135 USD |
| Machu Picchu Mountain | – | 120 USD |
Where to get a guide?
Tour guides are usually located at the entrance door to the archaeological site of Machu Picchu. In most cases, they are the ones who approach tourists to ask if they already have a guide for the tour of the Inca city.
Another way to get a tour guide is through the internet. Guided tours of Machu Picchu are offered on the websites of tourism agencies.
If you are looking for a tour guide in a language with little offer in Machu Picchu (Chinese, Japanese, Russian, Korean, Arabic, Nordic, etc.), the best option may be to hire a tour in the same country or through a tourism agency specialized.
The circuits through Machu Picchu
The tour of Machu Picchu follows a route established in advance. It is not allowed to go back the steps and return by this route. The tour guide will lead you through the main buildings to the exit gate. Of course, you will also have time to take the classic postcard photo.
These are the three established routes:
- Route 1 – Tour the vast majority of Inca constructions including: the Guardian’s House, the Temple of the Sun, the Main Square, the Temple of the 3 Windows, the Intihuatana, the Sacred Rock, the Temple of the Condor, the Water Mirrors, Water sources and the agricultural sector. This route takes approximately 3 hours.
- Route 2 – Tour the main buildings including: the Guardian’s House, the Temple of the Sun, the Main Square, the Temple of the 3 Windows, the Intihuatana, the Temple of the Condor, the Water Mirrors and the Water Fountains. This route takes approximately 2 hours. It is the most used by the tour guide and visitors.
- Route 3 – Travel a route summarized by Machu Picchu: the Temple of the Sun, the Main Square, the Temple of the 3 windows, the Temple of the Condor and the Water Fountains and the Water Mirrors. This route takes approximately 1 hour 30 minutes. It is used by the elderly or by people with disabilities.
Tour guide in Huayna Picchu
Huayna Picchu is one of the mountains that surrounds the Inca city. The Incas built stone paths to reach the top. This famous trek is recognized as one of the best adventures in Machu Picchu.
The tour guide service in the Huayna Picchu mountain is not mandatory. If you want to do this route accompanied by a tour guide, you must hire a private service as shared services are not available.
Most tourists who make the route to Huayna Picchu, do so without a tour guide.
The entrance to this mountain is with the ticket ‘Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu’.
Tour guide in Machupicchu mountain
The Machu Picchu mountain is one of the peaks that are located around the Inca archaeological site. The stone paths that lead to its top offer incredible landscapes from the top of the wonder of the world.
The tour guide service on this mountain is also optional. The tour guides do not offer shared services, only private services for this mountain.
As in the case of Huayna Picchu, visitors who hike this mountain prefer to do so without the company of a tour guide.
The entrance to this summit is through the ticket ‘Machu Picchu + Mountain’.
More information
The prices of the tour guide for Machu Picchu in shared service are the cheapest but they take time. The guides expect to complete a group of at least 8 people to start the tour. Therefore, if the visitor gets a guide, they will have to wait for a group of 8 people to settle down.
The prices of the tour guide for Machu Picchu in private service are more expensive. However, they are the best option if you are traveling with family, couples, friends or just want a more personal tour. In addition, the tourist can suggest the route to the guide (you can visit a specific construction).
By Machupicchu Terra – Last updated, September 18, 2023