Every amateur or professional traveler dreams of seeing the ancient Incas citadel. It is one of the places you have to experience firsthand before leaving the material world. And precisely Machu Picchu is an archaeological complex with much to do and much to see. So the best thing is that we have a Machu Picchu guided tour.
In this way, you’ll not miss the cultural and historical context that embraces this Inca citadel. Machu Travel Peru has prepared a small article so that you know how to hire a guide the right way.
The experience of a Machu Picchu guided tour
- Is a guide necessary in Machu Picchu?
- Advantage to hire a guide
- Private or group guide
- Where to hire a guide
- How to hire a guide
- FAQs
Is a guide necessary in Machu Picchu?
Since June 1st, 2017, the Peruvian government has issued the current regulations governing visits to the Inca Marvel. It says: “All visitors to Machu Picchu need to hire an official tour guide to enter the Inca citadel”. In other words, yes, you need an official tour guide to visit the Machu Picchu citadel. Touring the archaeological site without a guide is forbidden.
Happily, there are many forms to hire an official tour guide without leaving home. Since your own country!
So, do you need a guide to hike a surrounding mountain?
In the case of hiking in Huayna Picchu, Huchuy Picchu, or the namesake mountain, you don’t need a tour guide. But, Why? Because these mountains have well-signed paths and routes. In addition, these don’t have archaeological rests to be explained by a tour guide.
The reason for hike to Machu Picchu and nearby mountains is to appreciate the beautiful scenery and nature. So it’s not necessary to have a tour guide. However, if travelers want a tour guide during these hikes, they can get one. It is allowed, but it is not usually.
But, before or after hiking some of these mountains, the visitor must visit Machu Picchu in the company of a tour guide. This is because the entrance ticket to these mountains includes a visit to the “Inca City”.
Advantage to hire a guide
If you are in a natural attraction like a beach, a mountain, or a cloud forest, you only need to enjoy the landscape by yourself. Maybe you’ll need a guide, but if the path or beach is well-signed, you can rescind the service of a tour guide. However, if you are in a cultural or historical attraction, the situation changes.
Historic or cultural places have many stories to tell. These attractions contain fabulous tales of how they were built, besides battles, ceremonies, lifestyles, and even love stories. Of course, touring these attractions without someone to tell you these fantastic stories would be a big mistake. For this reason, hiring a tour guide to visit cultural or historical sites is highly recommendable! In this case, he or she will show you the best things to do in Machu Picchu.
A. Personalized experience
A tour guide will always attend to your questions and requests, whether you have a private guide or share with a group. In the same way, you’ll get his or her attention at all moments.
B. Safety and Orientation
The citadel of Machu Picchu is large and extensive. So, taking a walk through it, by its alleys, plazas, and palaces, can be a challenge. An official tour guide will show you the most convenient routes through Machu Picchu to avoid crowds and keep you safe. But not only in the Incas marvel but also in the Sacred Valley or the same Cusco.
He or she can even inform you about the best time to go to Machu Picchu if you have contacted him months prior to your visit through a travel agency.
During the tour, anyone can face health issues or accidents, so it’s helpful to have someone who knows first aid. We refer to the tour guides. They are trained in first aid.
C. Normative update
Local guides are often privy to information and knowledge that is not publicly available. This includes the latest updates on regulations, restrictions, and best practices inside the citadel. This can be particularly valuable when navigating the ever-changing landscape of regulations and visitor limits at Machu Picchu. For example, it is important to know what schedule the visitor can visit the Sun Gate or the Inca bridge, among other things.
D. Historical and cultural information
This may be the most important function of a tour guide. They will show you the fascinating history, culture, and archaeology of the Incas, besides the most important Machu Picchu facts. If that were not enough, a tour guide would help you to appreciate the importance of Machu Picchu in a deeper way.
Private or group guide
All will depend on your budget and if you are traveling alone, in a couple, or with family. In some cases, a group guide (shared guide) could be a great option for you. Otherwise, a private tour guide will be perfect if you are on a honeymoon or celebrating a special date with your couple.
A. Private tour guide
If you are traveling with a couple or with an older person who cannot keep up with younger ones, this option is for you. If you also want privacy and exclusivity while touring at your own pace, consider hiring a private tour guide. The cost goes from $50 to up, and the hire is usually done through a travel agency.
He will be completely at your disposal. The tourist decides which guide to choose. It is even ideal for a family trip.
B. Group tour guide:
Otherwise, if you have a tight budget, are a young traveler, or want to meet new people, a shared guide is for you. The administration of the park allows a maximum of 10 persons per guide. Usually, the group or shared guides are more lively and entertaining as they have to keep the attention of more people. The cost can go from $20 up to $30 per person.
These are usually at the entrance of Machu Picchu archaeological park. They have a little flag, so you can approach them, check the language they speak and their price, and join their group!
Where to hire a guide
As we mentioned before, you have two ways to hire a travel guide:
- Through a travel guide or tour operators: This is the most recommended form for hiring a tour guide for Machu Picchu. The travel agency will provide the best tour guide for you, whether it’s part of a package or a single service. A tour guide is the face and represents the prestige of a travel agency. Even more, the tour company carefully selects the tour guides they will work with.
- At the same entrance as the Machu Picchu archaeological park: They are close to the Machu Picchu archaeological park entrance. Even, some are in the main square of Aguas Calientes, also called Machu Picchu Pueblo, the modern town of Machu Picchu. And they usually have a little flag to identify it. In this case, the hiring is personal, so you have to be more careful.
How to hire a guide
For many, visiting Machu Picchu is a unique and special occasion in life. So, hiring a guide to explore the Inca site can lead to a great experience or a total disappointment. The best tour to Machu Picchu is the one that goes around circuit 2 of the citadel with a good tour guide.
In this way, hiring a good tour guide will be essential for your dream experience in Machu Picchu. Here are some tips.
1. The guide must be official and authorized
In Peru, there are two institutions that issue official guide cards, endorsed by the Peruvian government, to guide in Machu Picchu. The first one is the College of Tourism Graduates, specifically the Cusco College of Tourism Graduate. This institution brings cards (Blue) to those guides who studied tourism and guidance techniques at Cusco universities.
The second is the Official Tourist Guides Association. This institution brings official guide cards (Yellow) to people who study only guidance technics in specialist Cusco institutes.
If you are going to hire a tour guide as a part of a complete touristic package through a travel agency, rest assured. As part of the travel agencies’ policy, they only work with formal guides with many years of experience.
Otherwise, you can hire a guide at the same entrance of the archaeological park. In this zone, guides are collecting up to 10 people to begin exploring Machu Picchu (in the case of a shared guide). Or they are searching for couples to offer them their services of a private guide. They are usually with a little flag to identify them.
When approaching them for a price quote, make sure they have their official guide card, blue or yellow, hanging on their chest.
2. Make sure they speak your language well
Knowing how to transmit information in clear and simple language is essential for an official tour guide. They are generally fluent in their native language: Spanish and English. However, there are others who master additional languages such as Italian, French, German, and Portuguese, among others.
The group guides speak Spanish and English, but there are very few who speak other languages than those already mentioned. However, private guides who specialize in a specific client can speak more languages than Spanish and English.
Again, if you hire a tour guide through a travel agency, rest assured. They pass language tests to work with a travel agency. The prestige of the travel agency lies in the language skills, knowledge, and kindness of the tour guide to the tourist.
In case you want to hire a tour guide at the same entrance to Machu Picchu Park, first talk with him for a few minutes in your native language. Evaluates their level of communication in a language that is not their own, their fluency. Put them to the test!
3. Years of experience
Like most professions, the more experienced professional will always do a better job. In tourism, it is the same. The professional tour guide must have at least five years of experience as a tour guide. In the same way, if you hire one through a travel agency, you don’t have to worry about this item.
However, if you are going to hire someone at the same entrance to Machu Picchu Park, ask for his/her years of experience. You can also see since when he has been an official tour guide (the date is written on his license) and check his years of experience.
4. Charismatic and enthusiastic
The tour guides in Machu Picchu have been trained in universities and specialized institutes in Cusco. It is understood that they have a high knowledge of Inca civilization and Peruvian history, geography and anthropology. Or to know how high above sea level Machu Picchu is. The details are in what their attitudes towards the visitor are.
Personality traits such as charisma, enthusiasm, or empathy are not taught or acquired at university. They must be developed in people who possess them. In this sense, having a conversation with the guide before hiring him/her will let you know if he/she possesses these skills, especially if you are traveling with children.
If you hire a guide through a travel agency, make it a point to ask for one who is lively and enthusiastic. They will know how to please you.
Frequently Asked Questions
A. Do I need a guide to the Inca Trail?
Yes, you need a tour guide when you realize an Inca Trail experience. The Peruvian government requires visitors to have a tour guide and a travel agency. In other words, making the Inca Trail without a tour guide or authorized travel agency is forbidden. So, we recommend hiring an authorized travel agency to do the Inca trail through it and a good tour guide.
B. How much is hiring a tour guide for Machu Picchu?
As we mentioned, the cost of a private tour guide goes from $50 to up. In the case of a shared tour guide, the cost can go from $20 up to $30 per person. In both cases, these costs are for a two-and-a-half-hour guided tour of the citadel of Machu Picchu.
C. How long is the guided tour in Machu Picchu?
The tour through the Inca citadel lasts two hours and thirty minutes. This is the range of time enough to visit the citadel. This is an additional price if you want him/her to accompany you during a mountain hike to get the best views of Machu Picchu.
In addition, most people only need one day to visit the Inca citadel. However, spending an extra day allows you to take your time and thoroughly explore the site and do other surrounding Machu Picchu tours.
D. How many tips do I give a guide?
Tipping the guide is traditional as a thank you at the end of the tour. The level of service excellence determines how much is left in the tip. A knowledgeable and well-prepared guide may accept a gratuity of ten to twenty dollars. One to five bucks can be given to a poor guiding service.
E. Do I need two guides to visit Machu Picchu on 2 different days?
If you’ve already done the guided tour of Machu Picchu, you don’t need to request a guide for a new visit on the next shift or the next day. Just show the Machu Picchu tickets you used before with your original passport or let the checkpoint’s guard know which guide you toured the ‘Inca City’ with.
“DREAMS ARE WHAT GUIDE US, ART IS WHAT DEFINE US, MATH IS WHAT MAKES IT ALL POSSIBLE, AND LOVE IS WHAT LIGHTS OUR WAY”
As you can see, a guide is highly recommended when touring the beautiful Inca citadel. We hope that Machu Travel Peru has been helpful with everything you need to know about the guided tour of Machu Picchu.
Remember that no matter which guide is with us, the important thing will be with what eyes you see the beautiful citadel. If you have any questions or concerns about our different travel programs, you can consult with our qualified team of advisers. We will be waiting for your soon visit to Peru!
