Private tour guide in Machu Picchu

Summary
Itinerary
Included
Booking
FAQ

Summary

Machu Picchu was an Inca citadel built by order of Emperor Pachacutec in the mid-15th century. It was an important strategic city on the borders of the Tahuantinsuyu empire (empire of the 4 suyos) with the eastern domains, the Amazon region of the empire.

The Incas built Machu Picchu in a beautiful geographical setting surrounded by mountains, the Vilcanota River and dense vegetatio. Stone enclosures, religious temples, roads (qhapac ñan), workshops, small squares, agricultural terraces and more were built to accommodate around a thousand people.

Today, there are more than 150 stone constructions in Machu Picchu. Most of the temples and buildings are located in the archaeological site or core area. The most famous sites are: the Temple of the Sun, the Main Temple, the Temple of the Three Windows, the Sacred Rock, the Temple of the Condor, the Hall of Mirrors and the Sacred Fountains.

All these Inca constructions can be visited by taking Circuit 2 of Machu Picchu. This circuit is the most complete because, in addition to the classic postcard photo of Machu Picchu, it includes a visit to the temples described above. It is a tour of approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes.

It is not mandatory to visit Circuit 2 of Machu Picchu with a tour guide. However, this service is highly recommended because the Inca buildings do not have legends that explain their historical importance. The company of a guide allows for a safe visit, with full knowledge of the places to be seen and entertaining company with a professional.

Itinerary:

Tourists are welcomed by a tour guide or an agent at the train station in the town of Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu town). If the tourist stays one night in this town beforehand, a briefing or informative talk about the tour guide service in Machu Picchu is held.

Then, together with the agent or tour guide, you will walk a few steps towards the bus station in the town of Aguas Calientes. There, after a queue of 5 to 15 minutes, you will board the tourist buses (not included in the service) bound for the entrance gate of Machu Picchu.

The professional tour guide will give you time to use the toilets or store your backpack or luggage. Then you enter Machu Picchu through circuit 2.

Circuit 2 begins with a climb up stone steps until reaching the Guardian’s House sector. There, visitors will have free time to take the most beautiful photos of Machu Picchu (classic postcard photo).

Then, a descent is made through the core area of Machu Picchu where the visitor will see: the Temple of the Sun, the Main Temple, the Temple of the 3 Windows, the Sacred Rock, the Hall of Mirrors, the Sacred Fountains, the agricultural sector (photography of llamas) and more.

In total, it will take around 2 hours and 30 minutes to tour Machu Picchu. The guide will help you by providing a historical and cultural explanation about each of the Inca constructions. In addition, he will provide you with the necessary security to comply with the rules and enjoy the best that Machu Picchu has to offer. Of course, the guide will help you get the best photos of the Inca citadel.

After visiting Machu Picchu, it is time to leave without first taking the last photos of the place. At the exit gate of the archaeological site, the guide will help you board the bus back to the town of Aguas Calientes.

Included

Briefing one day before in the town of Aguas Calientes (or welcome at the Aguas Calientes train station on the same day of the service).
Tour guide service in Machu Picchu through circuit 2 (tour of 2 hours 30 minutes on average).

Not included

Train ticket.
Bus ticket.
Entrance to Machu Picchu.
Lunch or breakfast in Aguas Calientes.
Use of toilets.
Snacks or calls.
Tips.

Guided tour route map

‘Circuit 2 in Machu Picchu’ – Since 2024, there are three tourist circuits in Machu Picchu: Circuit 1 called ‘panoramic’. Circuit 2, called ‘classic’. And Circuit 3 called ‘royalty’. They all offer different experiences in Machu Picchu. However, the circuit considered the most complete and the best is definitely Circuit 2. This circuit offers a tour of the most important temples in the Inca citadel. These are: the Temple of the Sun, the Main Temple, the Temple of the 3 Windows, the Sacred Rock, the Hall of Mirrors and more. Likewise, this circuit offers the classic postcard photo from the Guardian House sector where you can get the classic postcard photo that everyone wants in Machu Picchu. This circuit offers a guided tour of Machu Picchu of approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes. The visitor will live the best experience in the Wonder of the World.

How to book?

There are two ways to book this service: through our online payment form or by receiving a payment link via email. The first option is through our website, for which you must register your personal information (names and passport or ID). To receive the payment link you must contact a sales advisor via WhatsApp. He will register your email to send you the payment link to your email. In both cases, payment is made online through any Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Diners Club or PayPal credit or debit card. All are totally secure payment methods!

Availability

Before organizing your Machu Picchu tour with one of our professional guides, check if there are tickets available for Machu Picchu on the day and time of your preference. If you already have a ticket to Machu Picchu, book the tour guide service according to your ticket type on the day and time of your visit to Machu Picchu.

Changes and Cancellations

Regarding the date change of the tour guide service in Machu Picchu:

Changes to the date or names of the service holders are permitted as long as they are requested at least 3 days in advance. Date changes are made by sending a simple request via email to info@machupicchuterra.com. The penalty for changing the date is 10% of the total value of the tour guide service requested.

Regarding the cancellation of the tour guide service in Machu Picchu:

Cancellation of the tour guide service in Machu Picchu is allowed as long as it is requested with a final notice of 3 days before the day of the service. Cancellation is made by sending a simple request via email to info@machupicchuterra.com. The penalty for cancellation is 25% of the total value of the service you contracted.

Questions and answers about the private tour guide service in Machu Picchu

1. How long does the tour guide service last in Machu Picchu?

The private tour guide service in Machu Picchu is carried out through circuit 2. This tour is private for the tourist and their private group of friends, partner or family. The service lasts 2 hours 30 minutes on average.

2. Is it mandatory to hire a professional tour guide in Machu Picchu?

No, a visit to Machu Picchu with a tour guide is highly recommended, although it is not mandatory. The guide helps the visitor to fully understand the historical importance of the Inca citadel.

3. What language is the private tour guide service in Machu Picchu?

The private tour guide service in Machu Picchu is provided in Spanish, English, Portuguese or the language requested by the tourist.

4. Can I change the date of my private tour guide service in Machu Picchu?

Changes to the date or names of the service holders are permitted as long as they are requested at least 3 days in advance. Date changes are made by sending a simple request via email to info@machupicchuterra.com. The penalty for changing the date is 10% of the total value of the service.

5. Can I cancel the private tour guide service in Machu Picchu that I hired?

Cancellation of the tour guide service in Machu Picchu is allowed as long as it is requested with a final notice of 3 days before the day of the service. Cancellation is made by sending a simple request via email to info@machupicchuterra.com. The penalty for cancellation is 25% of the total value of the service.

6. Why is circuit 2 in Machu Picchu the best?

Circuit 2 is considered the best in Machu Picchu as it offers the most complete tour of the Inca city. In addition to the classic postcard photo at the Guardian's House, it offers a visit to important Inca temples such as: the Temple of the Sun, the Main Temple, the Temple of the 3 Windows, the Sacred Rock, the Temple of the Condor, the Hall of Mirrors and the Sacred Fountains.

7. Does the tour guide service in Machu Picchu allow you to get the classic photo in Machu Picchu?

Yes, the service includes the tour of circuit 2 in Machu Picchu, considered the best because it also offers a visit to the Guardian's House. There you can get the classic postcard photo of Machu Picchu.

8. Does the private tour guide service in Machu Picchu include the entrance to Machu Picchu?

No, the entrance to Machu Picchu is not included in the service. This ticket must be purchased separately.

9. Does the private tour guide service in Machu Picchu include the bus ticket?

No, the bus ticket (from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu and vice versa) is not included in the service. This ticket must be purchased separately.

10. Does the private tour guide service in Machu Picchu include groups of other nationalities?

The private service is carried out privately for the tourist, his/her partner, group of friends or family. No one outside this private group participates in the tour.

Contact:

Private tourist guide in Machu Picchu