Is it necessary to hire a Machu Picchu guide?
The truth is that whether doing some of the Inca trails for several days or visiting the ruins for just one day, it is very important to choose the tour or guide correctly since part of the wonderful experience we will have will depend on it . .
We do not visit Machu Picchu every day of our lives, and our recommendation is that to try to save on this, the only thing you may end up doing is ending up commenting on the poor quality of the guide instead of the beauty of the place we are visiting.
How to hire a Machu Picchu guide?
Tour guides offer their service at the entrance to Machu Picchu. The visitor only has to make the deal for a certain price and enter the Inca City in the company of the guide. Shared services are up to 16 people.
Our tours to Machu Picchu include the guiding service. If you travel on your own, you can request a guide online through a tourism agency.
How much does a Machu Picchu guide cost?
The price is quite fixed among all the guides, so it is better not to argue with them about this issue because the only thing you will achieve is create an unnecessary queue. The price basically depends on the size of the group, and for more than two people it is usually around 70 soles (25 dollars per person). If the group is very large, and only in that case, it is worth haggling a little on the price between the different guides to get a discount.
Officially, only qualified and authorized guides can guide Machu Picchu, although reality tells us that there are many other guides who practice without being authorized. Official Machu Picchu guides must have completed a university degree in tourism and have obtained a professional qualification certificate generated by the National University of Tourism. You will know that it is an official guide if you carry a blue identification card generated by said university. Additionally, all official guides operating in Machu Picchu must be certified in first aid.
Remember that you cannot enter Machu Picchu if you do not present your valid passport and your printed ticket. Guided tours with private services have an even higher cost.
Where to hire a Machu Picchu guide?
If you plan to travel independently to Machu Picchu, you have the option of hiring an official tour guide at the entrance. There are guides authorized by GERCETUR (Regional Directorate of Foreign Trade and Tourism).
Remember that the guides identify themselves with your official guide credential. Most guides work independently. There will always be an independent one; Unless you come in high season it is advisable to book your guide tourism in advance .
How long does the guided tour in Machu Picchu last?
The guided time throughout the Inca City of Machu Picchu usually lasts 2 hours and 30 minutes. This may vary according to the circuit chosen within the Inca site.
Should I tip in Machu Picchu?
Finally, the habit of tipping at the end of the service is highly recommended. It is not an obligation at all, but if the service is quality it is a local custom, just as in other places like the US or Chile, tipping is given in restaurants or bars. In general, a figure of about $5 per person is a typical and common value among visitors who have really enjoyed the guided service. In conclusion, consider a value of about 20 USD per person plus the optional tip you want to give.
Can I tour Huayna Picchu without a guide?
Huayna Picchu is the enormous mountain located within Machu Picchu. The tour of this summit is not mandatory with a tour guide. Visitors can ascend on their own.
Before or after visiting Huayna Picchu, the visitor must visit Machu Picchu in the company of a tour guide. This is because the entrance ticket to Huayna Picchu includes a visit to the ‘Inca City’ through circuit 4.
How to hire a guide for the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu?
classic route until reaching Machu Picchu through the ancient Intipunku (Puerta del Sol). The tour, camping and everything related to this hike is in the company of a tour guide.
To hire a guide for the Inca Trail Tour, you only need to book the tour with a tourism agency. It is not possible to do this hiking route on your own. The guide is responsible for the well-being of the tourist during the Inca Trail.
How to hire a guide for Cusco?
The City of Cusco is known as the ‘Archaeological Capital of America’ due to the large number of historical sites that exist there such as: Sacsayhuaman , Coricancha, Tipón , Ollantaytambo, Pisac and many more.
To get a guide in Cusco you must hire the services of tours such as: the City Tour Cusco, the Tour to the Sacred Valley or the Tour to the South Valley Cusco. All of them include mobility, entrance to the archaeological zones and tour guide service.
If you visit the archaeological sites of Cusco on your own, you can hire a guide at the entrance gate of the sites.
