Machu Picchu ticket and guide service
Machu Picchu offers 10 different tickets to get to Machu Picchu, so a guided service is required to learn more about Machu Picchu. Although Circuit 2 currently offers a more complete tour with its two routes, the new routes and new tickets can offer new experiences. The experiences are greatly enriched by the presence of official tour guides that can be hired in Machu Picchu. However, for some new routes it may not be necessary to hire one at all. In this blog, we will tell you everything related to Machu Picchu and the guided service. Let’s get started!
- Machu Picchu ticket in regular season
- Machu Picchu tickets in high season
- The guide service in Machu Picchu?
- Is a guide essential for visiting Machu Picchu?
- Tickets to enter with a guide
- Frequently Asked Questions
Tourist couple admiring Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu is located on the top of a mountain. To gain entry, you must travel by bus, train, and then bus again. After that, you must show the reserved ticket along with your passport or identity document. Only after this validation will you be able to enter.
Tickets can be booked online, through the official Peruvian government website, and also through travel agencies or websites that often offer complete packages to discover this wonder of the world.
The trips will normally start in Cusco or Ollantaytambo. If you start in Cusco, you can choose to travel by bus and train (Bimodal Service) and from Ollantaytambo the direct train trip. However, and to avoid getting tangled up in so many tickets, a travel agency usually offers everything you need to get to Machu Picchu such as:
- The train ticket to reach Machu Picchu Pueblo (sometimes by bimodal service).
- The ticket to travel on the ecological buses to the access area to Machu Picchu.
- The entrance ticket to the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu.
- Assistance of a tour guide with an authorized and verified guide license.
- The bus ticket to return to Machu Picchu Pueblo or Aguas Calientes.
- Finally, the train ticket or bimodal service to return to Cusco.
- They can also help you acquire a hotel either in Cusco or Machu Picchu Pueblo.
It is important to purchase entrance tickets to Machu Picchu months in advance, especially during the high season. It is normal to make reservations months in advance, the recommended advance notice to purchase tickets is 2 to 3 months. Below are more details about entrance tickets to Machu Picchu.
Machu Picchu ticket in regular season
Tickets to enter Machu Picchu during the regular season are considered to be tickets that can be reserved throughout the year, but the tour can only be done from November 3rd to June 18th. But not throughout the year, since the rest of the tickets, from the high season, are only added. The regular season tickets are the following:
| Ticket or entry route to Machu Picchu | This is the route with this ticket |
|---|---|
| Machu Picchu + Mountain (Route 1A) | This is one of the tickets that includes a short hiking route. The destination will be none other than the highest point of Machu Picchu. The views from this spot and also during the ascent are truly incredible. The hike can take approximately six hours. Another advantage of this ticket is that it allows you to explore the upper terraces and take the classic postcard photo. |
| Machu Picchu Classic Photo or Upper Terrace (Route 1B) | It allows you to ascend to the upper platform and admire Machu Picchu from the various viewpoints available. You can also see some of the trails from this platform. One of the must-see spots on this route is the Guardian’s House , which is also a great place to take that classic postcard photo. |
| Machu Picchu Classic Circuit or Classic Designed(Route 2A) | This is one of the most comprehensive tours you can take to explore the Inca citadel. The tour begins at the main entrance and ascends through the upper terraces to reach the main access point. From there, you can see the main temples and appreciate the key differences between the architectural styles. The tour reaches near the Sacred Rock and ends at the lower part of Machu Picchu. |
| Machu Picchu Classic Circuit or Lower Terrace (Route 2B) | Another of the most comprehensive and, therefore, most popular tours for tourists. The route begins at the main entrance and ascends the platforms until it reaches the upper platform. From there, you can take the classic postcard photo and continue the tour of the main temples, passing through the Main Plaza and admiring the wide religious and ceremonial esplanades. The tour culminates with a visit to the lower area, the sacred rock, and the ancient warehouses or colcas. |
| Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu Mountain (Route 3A) | It is one of the most popular and popular routes among tourists. Although this route has changed slightly, it is still viable for many, especially those who are familiar with the route’s grandeur. It covers part of the Qhapac Ñam, which allows you to reach the summit of Huayna Picchu. There, you can find Inca buildings and truly impressive views of the entire mountain range. Similarly, it will be possible to follow a route similar to the Royal Route. |
| Machu Picchu Temples Lower Part or Designed Royalty (Route 3B) | This is another of the best-suited tours for tourists. Currently, it’s quite a hike because it allows you to enter the Inca citadel. It all begins in the agricultural area, passing through the main temples in the lower zone. You can also get another perspective of the wide esplanades in relation to the main temples in the upper zone of Machu Picchu. The tour also allows you to see the Sacred Rock, and then you can exit. |
Machu Picchu tickets in high season
Tickets to enter Machu Picchu during the regular season are considered to be tickets that can be reserved throughout the year, but the tour can only be done from June 19th to November 2nd. Below, we show you which tickets are added to the list we mentioned above.
| Ticket or entry route to Machu Picchu | This is the route with this ticket |
|---|---|
| Machu Picchu + Inti Punku (Route 1C) | It allows you to follow the original route of the entrance to Machu Picchu, connecting with the 4-day or 2-day Inca Trail. This route takes you to the famous Inti Punku, an Inca structure that offers one of the best views of Machu Picchu. Along the way, you can also encounter other Inca structures and ceremonial stones of great value. This route is only available during peak season. However, as mentioned, it is the original route of the Inca Trail in all its variations. The hike takes 1 hour and 45 minutes. |
| Machu Picchu + Inka Bridge (Route 1D) | This ticket is available during peak season. It allows access to the upper platform, allowing you to take the famous postcard photo. You can also stroll through all the viewing points on the upper terrace before making your way to the Inca Bridge. The route follows Inca trails and takes you to a bridge-like structure made of logs and stones that provided access to paths that led to the lowland jungle. After an explanation, a tour, and photographs, it’s time to return along the same path. |
| Machu Picchu + Temple of the Moon or Great Cavern (Route 3C) | Another route that goes beyond the Inca citadel. After a brief tour of Machu Picchu along the lower section, it’s time to continue the route to Huayna Picchu and take a detour. The hike in this case is downhill and lasts approximately two hours. The destination is a temple building that lies beneath a large rock that gives the impression of a cavern. It’s a quite different destination from the others, but it’s only available during the high season. |
| Machu Picchu + Huchuy Picchu (Route 3D) | This route follows the trails that connect Machu Picchu with Huayna Picchu. Along the way, you’ll take a slight detour toward this mountain. Your destination will be a small hill where you can find remains of Inca buildings and also beautiful views of the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu. The hike is easy, despite the steep incline. The one-way trip takes approximately one hour. You can also take a simple tour of the Inca citadel. |
The guide service in Machu Picchu?
- It is important to know that the guide service is not included in the entrance ticket to Machu Picchu.
- You can hire a tour guide at the entrance or long before.
- Some travel agencies offer guided tours among their services, so you no longer have to worry about anything.
- There are also some agencies that can help you contact a guide for your tour in case you have already booked everything else.
- It is recommended to take the Machu Picchu tour to receive all the information about the place and learn more about the site.
Guided tour in Machu Picchu
Is a guide essential for visiting Machu Picchu?
A guided tour of Machu Picchu is considered one of the best cultural experiences in the world. Although it is now mandatory to enter the Inca city with a guide, do not miss the opportunity to enjoy everything that a guide can offer you during your visit to Machu Picchu. The guided tour lasts approximately two hours.
A good guide will make your visit to Machu Picchu not only a visual delight, but also an experience for all your senses. A guide will help you understand the meaning of each structure and enclosure of the Inca city, will explain the reason for its remote location, will tell you stories and legends that have survived to this day, will tell you the recent history of Machu Picchu and its great importance for humanity as one of the greatest cultural legacies in the world. In addition, a guide will make your tour of the Inca city more pleasant and organized.
Tickets to enter with a guide
- Machu Picchu Classic Circuit or Designed Classic (Route 2A) – Ideal for children and seniors because the tour is easy to follow. The guide will take you on the correct route and explain the importance of each of the Inca sites.
- Machu Picchu Classic Circuit or Lower Terrace (Route 2B) – It is recommended to do it with the whole family. The tour will take you through the main buildings and the guide will explain how they were built, the importance of the site and its current influence.
- Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu Mountain (Route 3A) – It is recommended to do this route with a guide to help you along the route and also to help you understand the importance of the route and the buildings that can be seen at the top of the site.
- Machu Picchu Temples Lower Part or Designed Royalty (Route 3B) – This tour can also be done with the whole family. The tour begins in the agricultural area with beautiful views from inside the Inca citadel.
- Machu Picchu + Temple of the Moon or Great Cave (Route 3C) – It is recommended to do this route with a guide so you can learn more about the religious world of the Incas and the Andean worldview.
Enjoying the view of the Inca citadel Machu Picchu
Frequently Asked Questions
1) Is it necessary to take the tour with a tour guide?
It is not really necessary to take a tour. However, to have a better understanding of the place, it is advisable to do so with a tour guide.
2) How do I know that the person I contact is an authorized guide?
Tour guides must wear appropriate clothing and also, very importantly, a card showing their details and their Machu Picchu guide license.
3) What type of guiding service do you offer?
Guided tours in Machu Picchu are usually private. This service is a bit more expensive, however, it is possible to do it on a shared basis to do the tour with other tourists, but the prices are also cheaper.
4) Can I find a guide for any entry time?
Yes, guides are usually waiting at the entrance area from the earliest times. You can also contact a travel agency to take the tour with a tour guide.
5) Do the entrance tickets to Machu Picchu include any other services?
Entrance tickets to Machu Picchu do not include any other services. Therefore, to make the trip you must book train tickets, bus tickets and even the guide service.
6) Which tickets are only available during peak season?
During the high season, additional tickets are available: Machu Picchu + Inti Punku, Machu Picchu + Inka Bridge, Machu Picchu + Temple of the Moon, and Machu Picchu + Huchuy Picchu.
7) What tours can I take with regular season tickets?
With regular season tickets you can choose between routes such as Machu Picchu + Mountain, Machu Picchu Classic Photo, Classic Circuit (Designed or Lower Terrace), Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu Mountain and Machu Picchu Temples Lower Part.
8) What are regular season tickets to Machu Picchu?
Regular season tickets are available year-round and allow you to visit Machu Picchu on any date. They are not limited to a specific period, unlike high season tickets, which are only available between June 19 and November 2.
9) Which circuits are ideal for families?
The Designed Classic Circuit (Route 2A) and the Lower Terrace Classic Circuit (Route 2B) are perfect for families, including children and seniors. They offer simple, safe, and comprehensive tours, where a guide can help you understand the history and significance of each site.
10) What are the advantages of touring Machu Picchu with a guide?
A guide transforms the visit into a complete experience: he or she gives you greater security, interprets the Inca buildings, explains the spiritual and strategic significance of Machu Picchu, and provides historical details to help you make the most of your trip.
Advice from people who have been there
By: Mili T.“Excellent“
“We bought the tickets and hired a guide for the visit to Machu Picchu, everything was fast and excellent. Eddy (our guide) was very well prepared and really made our visit very interesting. The service was always very friendly during all the emails we sent.“
By Ticket Machu Picchu – Last updated, May 7, 2025