Guided Machu Picchu Tour with Professional Local Guide — Inca Citadel Walk
Walk the terraces and temples of Machu Picchu with a professional local guide. This 2–3 hour guided tour covers key temples and viewpoints — bring your entry ticket and prepare for stone steps and rapid weather changes.
The Experience
Before You Go
Bring your Machu Picchu ticket
Tickets are required at entry and are not included with this guided service — print or have your mobile ticket ready.
Wear grippy footwear
Stone steps are often wet and uneven; sturdy shoes with good traction reduce slip risk.
Acclimatize before the tour
Spend a day in Cusco or a night in Aguas Calientes to reduce altitude effects; walk slowly on stairs.
Start early to avoid crowds
Morning visits offer softer light, fewer people and cooler temperatures on exposed terraces.
Local Knowledge
Hidden Gems
- •Sun Gate (Intipunku) viewpoint for a sunrise approach
- •Terrace edges above the agricultural sector for quieter llama encounters
Wildlife
- •Llamas and alpacas
- •Various Andean birds, including tanagers and hummingbirds
Conservation Note
Visitor numbers are regulated and routes enforced to limit wear on fragile stonework; follow guide instructions, stay on marked paths and avoid touching structures.
Built in the mid-1400s during the Inca empire, Machu Picchu served agricultural, religious and possibly royal functions before its early 20th-century rediscovery by Hiram Bingham.
What to Bring
Sturdy hiking shoesEssential
Essential for traction on wet, uneven Inca stonework.
Water bottle (1–2 L)Essential
Hydration at altitude is important; bring enough for the full visit.
Light rain shellEssential
Quick, packable protection against sudden Andean showers, useful year-round.
Sun protection (hat + SPF)
High-altitude sun is intense; protect skin and eyes during exposed sections.
Common Questions
Is entrance to Machu Picchu included with the guide?
No. This guiding service covers interpretation and pick-up but does not include the official Machu Picchu entry ticket, which must be purchased separately.
How do I get from Cusco to the meeting point?
Most travelers take a train from Cusco (Poroy) or Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes, then a 25–30 minute bus or a steep 1–2 hour hike up to Machu Picchu.
Is the tour suitable for people with limited mobility?
The citadel contains many uneven surfaces and stairs; while parts of the site are accessible, full participation requires stair and uneven-terrain capability.
What languages do guides speak?
Local guides commonly speak Spanish and English; confirm language availability when booking and request your preference in advance.
Book This Experience
Check AvailabilityDuration
2–3 hours
Location
Aguas Calientes, Cusco
Difficulty
moderate
Fitness Level
Able to walk uneven surfaces and climb several hundred stairs; average fitness for short steep sections is sufficient.
Ready to Explore Aguas Calientes?
Book your guided walking tour and discover the hidden stories of this historic mountain city.
Check Availability & Book Now