1.- WHY HIRE A GUIDE IN MACHU PICCHU?
Choosing a Machu Picchu Tour guide is undoubtedly one of the best choices a traveler can make when visiting the Inca citadel because their company can add historical and cultural aspects and benefits but at the same time turn your experience into an interactive visit which gives you the opportunity to understand more about the rich history of this ancient citadel.
By hiring a guide in Machu Picchu you have the opportunity to enjoy a deeper visit, full of knowledge and knowing about the secrets that this citadel hides. A professional tour guide is a person who has been trained as a travel companion, with each step he tells you more about the history and interprets the archaeological remains that are shown inside the citadel. A Machu Picchu Tour guide allows you to visit each of the most important areas of the citadel but at the same time also gives you curious information about the place. The company of a tour guide makes your adventure a more enriching trip but also unforgettable thanks to the interpretation of the symbolisms that are in each of its spaces.
2.- Benefits of Hire a guide in Machu Picchu
Among the best benefits that you will find during your tour in Machu Picchu, is that a guide has information and specialized knowledge in history and culture telling a set of stories about the ancient civilizations, local legends, myths, traditions and many other functions that developed in this place. On the other hand, a tour guide is also a person who constantly lives with the local people so he/she knows closely and directly how the local traditions and customs are developed. So a Machu Picchu Tour guide is also an educational and entertaining visit.
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Another aspect that is essential and that you enjoy when you hire a guide in Machu Picchu is that you do not get lost. Machu Picchu is a really big citadel and contains many paths within it, with the updated circuits it is even easier to get lost when you go alone. For this reason the guides play a very important role during the orientation and sequence of the visit. During the tour in Machu Picchu you will find an efficient navigation inside the citadel allowing you to optimize even more your time, another important detail is that he also knows the secrets of the citadel such as the best places to take a picture or the best time to do it, avoid crowds of visitors and improve the visual experience of the Inca citadel.
Usually when you do not hire a guide in Machu Picchu it is common to make many mistakes, among the main ones is not orienting yourself along the way because it is very easy to get lost. There is also the historical aspect, without a guide to accompany you in each step there is no way to interpret, know or understand the purpose of the enclosures, temples, houses, terraces and even mountains so you can not properly appreciate this wonderful place. On the other hand there is also the risk of emotion, as you slowly enter the citadel you lose track of where you are so there may be the thought that then you will get the picture you want, however you can not return to a place already visited during the sequence of places. By hiring a guide in Machu Picchu you prevent all these problems ensuring that the visit is not only entertaining but also safe.
3.- TYPES OF GUIDES AVAILABLE
Among the decisions you must make during the planning of your next trip, choosing the right Hire a guide in Machu Picchu is among the most important. Remember that there are many options available to you and it is not necessary to go crazy with the first proposal. You should evaluate certain important aspects for this as well between quality, presence, price and others. Essentially the basis of the decision is to hire an official guide with a permit and an informal guide, in addition to other personal aspects that each guide shows to his passengers.
4.- Official vs. Informal Guides
- The official tour guides are people who have been educated in specialized centers such as University or educational institute in the career of official tour guide, they have an authorization permit issued by the Ministry of Culture of Peru and in order to obtain it they must pass different tests, meet requirements and obtain the required knowledge as history and culture, also security, environmental and social standards. The work that these guides do is regulated and governed by regulations that have been developed to protect the cultural, historical and social heritage of Peru.
- On the other hand the informal guides are people known as orientadores, these people have not had an education or training in the tourist world however as they are local people they have very detailed information about the destination and with considerable knowledge of history and tradition. Although in price comparison this option is much cheaper, it represents a less enriching experience and does not meet the safety guarantees required of an official tour guide.
5.- How to be identical to an official tour guide
The main regulation issued by the Ministry of Culture of Peru is that all tour guides must have their official ID card on their chest, this document is also to identify them and it is where you can see their personal data. In fact, at every checkpoint the guide is required to show his ID card together with his ID in order to comply with the required formality. When you hire a guide in Machu Picchu make sure that he/she has this document always visible, if he/she does not have it, he/she is probably an informal guide.
When you are ready to Hire a guide in Machu Picchu you should also consider that he/she has some specific qualifications to delight your experience:
- Language proficiency
It is one of the most important aspects, that the guide can communicate in your language so that the experience is 100% understandable, otherwise there will be problems for communication.
- Ability to adapt
It is important that when you hire a guide in Machu Picchu, he/she adapts to your preferences. If you are looking to learn more about the history, culture, nature, customs and want more information about it, this is precisely the information you should receive.
- Experience and references
In many cases it is better that people or acquaintances who have already traveled to Machu Picchu refer you to a professional guide, this will be the best idea of Hire a guide in Machu Picchu.
- Knowledge about the history and culture
Although it is a general aspect, any guide should be able to provide you with information about the history, architecture, purpose of the sites and more information to make the trip more enriching.
6.- Consider the prices
The price of Hire a guide in Machu Picchu can always vary depending on various factors such as type of service and number of people, however there is also the aspect of the formality of the tour guide himself.
- A shared service with a formal tour guide can cost between $10.00 dollars to $15.00 dollars per person (depending on the group size), usually this occurs in Spanish and English language.
- On the other hand a service with a formal guide has a cost between $60.00 dollars and $00 dollars for the group (Maximum 10 people). Here you should consider that it can be done in another language without problems but the more special the language is the higher the price may increase.
7.- How to Hire a guide in Machu Picchu
Hire a guide in Machu Picchu is really easy now that there are platforms to help you plan your trip. There are options from traditional guided tours to more specialized versions. Of course it is always advisable to make the reservation in advance and for this we recommend you some platforms:
8.- REGULATIONS FOR VISITING THE INCA CITADEL
“One of the regulations that is still in force in the Inca citadel is that the groups of visitors can not exceed 10 participants, without exception. In case there are larger groups, Hire a guide in Machu Picchu should be considered for each group of 10 people, remember this at the time of your planning.”
9.- FAQS
- Do I really need a guide for Machu Picchu?
Yes, since July 1st, 2017 all visits to the interior of the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu are mandatory in the company of an official tour guide.
- How much does a Machu Picchu guide cost?
There are different prices depending on the type of service you are looking for. A shared service can cost from $10.00 dollars per person, while a private service is from $60.00 dollars per group.
- Can I book a guide on arrival at Machu Picchu?
Yes, there is the alternative of hiring a site guide that are located at the entrance gate of Machu Picchu, however as it is last minute the price could be a little higher than usual.
- What’s the difference between private and group guides?
Essentially the exclusivity that they can give you during the tour. A guide in shared service must distribute his time for each participant, however a private guide provides personalized assistance only to you and your group.
- How long does a guided tour of Machu Picchu take?
A 2-hour guided tour is typical, but with a tour guide it can be extended a bit longer as needed.
- Are English-speaking guides readily available?
Yes, English is one of the most popular and general languages when visiting the Inca citadel, so almost 90% of the official guides speak English. There are also guides who specialize in other languages such as Portuguese, French and others.
Now you know the importance of hiring a guide in Machu Picchu for your next trip in 2025 and if you still don’t know how to do it you just have to trust us. Auri Peru can give you a personalized experience in the company of a professional guide with years of experience, contact us now and live the best adventure of your life.
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