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Explore the iconic Inca citadel at your own pace with a dedicated guide. Options range from 2.5-hour guided walks to all-inclusive full-day trips departing from Cusco.
Free Cancellation Discover Machu Picchu's history and landmarks with a private local guide on a personalized 2–3 hour walking tour.
Private full-day trip from Cusco through the Andes to explore the history and architecture of Machu Picchu.
A private guided tour of Machu Picchu including entry fees and bus transfers for travelers with train tickets.
Likely to Sell Out A full-day guided tour of Machu Picchu from Cusco, featuring a scenic train ride through the Sacred Valley.
Explore the ancient stonework and steep mountain trails of the legendary Inca citadel high in the Andes.
Explore Machu Picchu with archaeologists who share deep historical insights and help you capture the perfect photos.
Explore Machu Picchu with a guide and dedicated support for securing in-person tickets when online sales are closed.
Free Cancellation Discover Machu Picchu with a private guide on a tour of the citadel’s temples and terraces for up to eight people.
Free Cancellation Explore your chosen route with a private guide who shares local insights and lets you capture every perfect shot.
Free Cancellation A private, guided walk through Machu Picchu’s iconic ruins starting directly from Aguas Calientes.
Read what travelers share about their experience visiting Machu Picchu — from practical tips to personal highlights.
Booking a private tour of Machu Picchu allows you to explore this 15th-century Inca citadel at your own pace with a dedicated expert guide. Instead of being rushed along the complex circuits with a large crowd, you will get personalized insights into the site's history, architecture, and breathtaking mountain landscapes.
This iconic vantage point offers the classic, postcard-perfect panoramic view of the entire stone citadel. It is the best spot to capture breathtaking photographs of the ruins framed by Huayna Picchu.
A sacred semicircular temple built directly onto a massive natural rock formation. Its perfectly carved stone windows align exactly with the sun's movements during the winter solstice.
Known as the place where the sun is tied, this carved ritual stone served as an astronomical clock. Inca priests used it to predict solstices and align agricultural cycles.
Massive stone terraces that cascade down the mountain slopes, demonstrating sophisticated Inca engineering. They provided fertile ground for crops and prevented mountain erosion.
The wide, grassy central plaza that separates the agricultural and urban sectors of the ancient city. You can walk across the open lawns and often spot grazing llamas here.
Planning a trip to Machu Picchu requires careful attention to logistics, as entry rules and ticket availability are strictly regulated by the Peruvian government.
Private tours range from simple 2-3 hour 'guide-only' services where you meet at the entrance, to comprehensive full-day packages departing from Cusco that include train tickets, bus transfers, and admission.
Daily visitor capacity is strictly capped at 4,500 people during the high season. You should book your tour and entrance tickets 4 to 6 months in advance, especially if traveling between May and October.
Read the tour inclusions carefully. Budget-friendly private tours (around $40-$90) usually only provide the guide, meaning you must buy your own $40 entrance ticket. Higher-priced tours usually include your guaranteed Circuit 1, 2, or 3 entry.
You must provide your passport name, number, expiry date, and country at the time of booking. You are also required to present your original, physical passport at the entrance gate—digital copies are not accepted.
Large backpacks are not allowed inside the ruins. Your bag must not exceed 40 x 35 x 20 centimeters. Any oversized luggage must be left in lockers at the entrance or at your hotel in Aguas Calientes.
Because Machu Picchu entrance tickets and train tickets are non-transferable and non-refundable by government rule, many all-inclusive tours have a strict 'All sales are final' policy. Guide-only tours may offer a 24-hour refund window.
The site involves steep inclines and uneven stone steps. While about 60% of the citadel is wheelchair accessible via designated routes, standard buses are not equipped for them. Elderly visitors should bring rubber-tipped walking poles.
| Guide-Only Service | Guided Tour + Tickets & Bus | All-Inclusive Full Day from Cusco | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | 2.5 to 3 hours | 3.5 to 4 hours | 12 to 14 hours |
| Best for | Budget travelers who already bought their own tickets and transport | Travelers who booked their own train but need help with local logistics | Visitors wanting a completely hassle-free day trip from the city |
| Includes | Private guide only (meet at gate or Aguas Calientes) | Private guide, Machu Picchu entry ticket, Consettur round-trip bus | Hotel pickup, round-trip train, bus tickets, entry tickets, private guide |
| Price from | $40 USD | $170 USD | $360 USD |
Archaeological Site: Machu Picchu is open daily from 06:00 to 17:30. The final entry slot of the day begins at 15:00.
Time Limits: General admission tickets allow a maximum of 2.5 hours inside the citadel. Exceptions are made if you have a ticket that includes a mountain hike like Huayna Picchu.
Entry Tolerance: You must enter during your specific ticketed time slot. There is a 30-minute tolerance period during the low season, and a 45-minute tolerance period during the high season for travel delays.
By Train: PeruRail and Inca Rail operate daily trains from Cusco or Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes. The journey takes about 1.5 to 3.5 hours depending on your departure point, costing between $80 and $500+ round-trip.
The Shuttle Bus: Once in Aguas Calientes, you must take the Consettur shuttle bus up a steep dirt road to the entrance. Buses depart every 5-15 minutes from 05:30 to 15:30. Tickets cost $24 USD round-trip for foreign adults.
Budget Option: Budget travelers can take a 6-hour shared van from Cusco to the Hidroeléctrica station, followed by a 10km (3-4 hour) flat hike along the train tracks to Aguas Calientes.
Dry Season (May to October): This is the most popular and best time to visit. The weather is generally dry with clear, sunny skies, making it ideal for photography and significantly reducing the risk of slipping on the stone steps.
Wet Season (November to March): Characterized by heavy rainfall in the cloud forest. While the site is lush and green, rain can obscure the views with heavy mist. Landslides and flooding in the Andes can also cause train delays or cancellations.
Wheelchairs: Approximately 60% of the main citadel is accessible via designated routes, but standard trains and Consettur buses are not wheelchair friendly. Specialized companies offer all-terrain wheelchairs (joelette) and trained porters.
Mobility Assistance: Walking sticks with metal tips are strictly prohibited to protect the ruins. Elderly visitors or those with knee issues must use rubber-tipped trekking poles.
Families: Strollers and baby carriages are entirely banned inside the site; infants must be carried in a baby carrier.
Restrooms: There are no bathrooms inside the archaeological site. You must use the paid facilities located outside the main entrance gates before scanning your ticket. Re-entry is strictly prohibited once you leave.
Food and Drink: Large food containers and eating utensils are banned. However, you are allowed to bring small, sealed snacks (like energy bars) and water in reusable bottles. Disposable single-use plastic bottles are not allowed.
Luggage Storage: If your daypack exceeds the 40x35x20 cm limit, you can store it in the lockers available near the entrance gate for a small fee.
It depends on the specific tour you book. Budget-friendly private tours (around $40-$90) usually only cover the guide's service, meaning you must purchase your own entrance tickets in advance. Comprehensive half-day or full-day tours typically include your guaranteed entry ticket.
Most private guides will meet you either at your hotel in Aguas Calientes, at the Aguas Calientes train station upon your arrival, or directly at the main entrance gate of Machu Picchu. You will coordinate the exact meeting point after booking.
You should book your tour at least 4 to 6 months in advance, especially if you are traveling during the peak dry season from May to October. Daily visitor capacity is strictly capped at 4,500 people, and tickets sell out very quickly.
Machu Picchu operates on strict timed entries. However, there is an official tolerance period for late arrivals: 30 minutes during the low season and 45 minutes during the high season to account for train or bus delays.
Yes, you must bring your original, physical passport. The park guards will check it against your entrance ticket at the main gate. Digital photos or photocopies of your passport are not accepted.
No. Tripods, selfie sticks, monopods, and gimbals are strictly prohibited to prevent path congestion. Drones are also completely banned in the sanctuary, and flying one can result in a $10,000 fine and equipment confiscation.
Cancellation policies vary. Tours that include entrance tickets and train rides usually have a strict 'all sales are final' policy because the Peruvian government does not allow refunds or name changes on tickets. Guide-only tours often allow cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.
Yes, booking a private tour is highly recommended for older adults because the guide can tailor the walking pace to your needs. Be aware that there are many steep stone steps, so bringing rubber-tipped walking poles is strongly advised.
You will take the Consettur shuttle bus, which departs every 5 to 15 minutes from Aguas Calientes. The ride takes about 30 minutes up a winding mountain road. Tickets cost $24 USD round-trip for adults.
You can bring a small daypack, but it must not exceed 40 x 35 x 20 cm. Large backpacks must be left in storage. You are allowed to bring light, sealed snacks and water in a reusable bottle, but large food containers are prohibited.
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This private walking tour provides a dedicated local guide for your visit to Machu Picchu. You can meet your guide at the Aguas Calientes train station, your hotel, or directly at the citadel's main entrance. The tour typically lasts between two and three hours, covering the site's most significant areas, including the main temples, residential quarters, and agricultural terraces. Your guide will explain the history of the site, Inca construction techniques, and the daily lives of the people who lived there. Because this is a private service, you can move at your own pace, ask questions, and stop for photos whenever you like. This booking covers the guide service only, allowing you to use your existing entry tickets and transportation arrangements.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English, Spanish
This private full-day tour departs from Cusco, traveling from the high Andes into the lush cloud forest where Machu Picchu is located. You will see the landscape change from mountain peaks to jungle terrain before reaching the archaeological site. At the citadel, you will explore the stonework, temples, and agricultural terraces that define the Lost City of the Incas. The tour focuses on the history and engineering of the site, explaining how the Inca built these structures within the rugged mountain environment.
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
Portuguese, English, Italian, Spanish
This private tour provides the remaining logistics for visiting Machu Picchu if you have already booked your own train travel. It includes the round-trip bus shuttle between Aguas Calientes and the citadel entrance, as well as the official admission tickets required to enter the archaeological site. Once at the ruins, a private guide will lead you through the main sectors of the Inca city. You will learn about the history and construction of the site while visiting its key landmarks. This private format allows you to navigate the citadel at your own pace and ask specific questions throughout the tour.
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
Portuguese, English, French, Spanish
Your day begins with a pickup from your hotel in Cusco for the drive to the Ollantaytambo train station. From there, you will board a train for the 1 hour and 45-minute trip to Aguas Calientes. The route follows the valley floor, passing through rural farmland with views of the surrounding mountains and snow-capped peaks. Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes, your guide will meet you at the station and lead you to the shuttle bus for the 30-minute climb to the Machu Picchu sanctuary. Once inside, you will have a 2.5-hour guided tour of the main sectors and landmarks of the Inca citadel. After the tour, there is time for photography before returning to the town. To conclude the visit, you will take the train back to Ollantaytambo. A vehicle will be waiting at the station to drive you back to Cusco, where you will be dropped off at your hotel.
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
Portuguese, English, Spanish
Machu Picchu is a 15th-century Inca citadel located on a mountain ridge 2,430 meters above sea level. Built at the height of the Inca Empire, the site is known for its sophisticated dry-stone walls that fuse massive blocks without the use of mortar. The complex is divided into an agricultural sector featuring terraces and an urban sector containing temples, plazas, and residential quarters. A visit to the site involves walking through these historic stone structures and along trails that offer views of the Urubamba River valley. You can observe the architectural precision of the buildings and the engineering used to manage water and stabilize the steep terrain. The site remains one of the most well-preserved examples of Inca urban planning and architecture.
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
Portuguese, English, Spanish
Our tours are led by professional guides and archaeologists who provide an in-depth look at the Incan citadel. Rather than a standard overview, we dive into the specific history, archaeology, and local traditions that shaped the site, while also explaining the unique geography and geology of the surrounding mountains. Beyond the history, we focus on helping you document your visit. We know the best angles and lighting for photography and will help you capture high-quality images throughout the tour. Our goal is to balance scholarly insight with a practical, well-paced experience of the ruins.
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
Portuguese, English, Spanish
This tour provides a guided visit to Machu Picchu starting from Aguas Calientes. Groups of two or more are assigned a private guide, while solo travelers join a small group of no more than four people. Our team assists with the logistics of visiting the site, particularly when online tickets are unavailable. Since online tickets often sell out months in advance, the Cultural Office in Aguas Calientes holds 1,000 tickets daily for in-person purchase. If online spots are gone, you will need to arrive in Aguas Calientes at least one day before your tour—and sometimes two days during peak season—to present your passport and secure your ticket in person. We monitor ticket availability daily and will notify you if you need to adjust your hotel or train bookings to arrive earlier. Your guide will meet you in town to help you navigate the local ticket office and ensure you complete the registration process successfully.
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
English, Spanish
This private tour provides a dedicated guide for your group of up to eight people, allowing you to navigate the Machu Picchu citadel at your own pace. You will visit the site's most significant landmarks, including the stone temples, central plazas, and the expansive agricultural terraces that define this ancient Inca city. Throughout the walk, your guide will explain the history and architecture of the ruins, offering insights tailored to your group's interests. To help you remember the visit, your guide is also available to take photos of you and your companions at the best viewpoints across the lost city.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Portuguese, English, Spanish
This private tour provides a dedicated guide for your group, ensuring a personalized experience as you follow the specific circuit listed on your entry ticket. Your guide will navigate the route while explaining the history and significance of each landmark you encounter along the way. We prioritize your pace, allowing plenty of time for photography and questions. You can expect clear, detailed information about the site and a flexible approach that ensures you don't feel rushed while capturing your memories.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English, Spanish
Meet your guide in Aguas Calientes to begin a private tour of the Machu Picchu citadel. This personalized approach allows you to explore the ruins at your own pace, focusing on the history and architecture that interests you most while avoiding the crowds of larger tour groups. During the tour, you will visit the site’s most significant landmarks, including the Temple of the Sun, the Intihuatana ritual stone, and the agricultural terraces. Your guide will provide historical context for each location, leaving plenty of time for questions and photography as you walk through the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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