What is the status of the regulation that states you need a tour guide to enter Machu Picchu?

Tour guides at nor required but strongly recommended. The reason they're recommended is to help people navigate the various steps to get to Machu Picchu. I'm talking about a tour guide that is booked in advance. He or she may travel with you from Cusco, or meet you at the train station or your hotel in the village of Aguas Calientes.  .

Adios professional, licensed guides live locally in Cusco and will travel to the village of Aguas Calientes to meet you. They speak English and are experts on local history, lore and culture. Scroll to the bottom for information about our tour guides. If you need all-inclusive 1-day service to Machu Picchu, including the tour guide, train tickets, bus tickets and train station transfers, send an email with the number of people in your group, their ages, and the date. We'll send you a quote.

What you need to know about "Pick-up" Tour Guides at Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu pick-up tour guides will no longer be found hanging around the main entry of Machu Picchu. Tour guides have now relocated near the bus stop in the village of Aguas Calientes. The extra time it takes to ride the buses will be included in the amount you pay for a guided tour. However, the cost of a "pick-up" guide will usually be cheaper than pre-arranging a trained professional guide, The entry time printed on your ticket is the window for entry to Machu Picchu, not the duration of the tour of Machu Picchu. Tours of Machu Picchu by pickup guides are up to 2.5 hours max depending on the circuit you have. They like to get in and get out so they can hook up with another group. Seasoned, experienced tour guides will not be found standing at the bus stop or the entry to Machu Picchu. These guides live in Cusco and they are booked in advance. Machu Picchu tours done by experienced guides booked in advance will be 3 hours or longer if you have the stamina (and the right entry ticket!)  At the end of this post I've included info about booking professional tour guides.

Are Machu Picchu "pickup" tour guides licensed?

Machu Picchu "pickup" tour guides must be licensed and must be able to demonstrate basic skills. It's fair to say that many have emerging skills and may have just graduated from tourism school and are looking to develop their technique as a tour guide by practicing their English and public speaking on visitors who show up at Machu Picchu. Tour guides can be found standing near the bus stop in Aguas Calientes. There are still a few standing at the main entry to Machu Picchu, but most are in the village. 

Machu Picchu entry tickets are valid for one entry only.  Whether it's guided or not is irrelevant  (click here to get more details)

Why Do Machu Picchu Circuit 3 ticket holders have a separate entry gate at Machu Picchu?

This is to cut down on the crowd that assembles each hour for entry. And to prevent circuit 3 ticket holders from accidentally mingling with the groups going into circuits 1 and 2. Park officials are now separating ticket holders at the main entry. So. Circuits 1 and 2 which both include access to the classic view of Machu Picchu enter through the main gate. Circuit 3 will enter through the lower gate on the right side of the one and only restrooms in the park. (which reminds me, here's the link to read about that!)  

Are Tour Guides required to accompany visitors on the hikes inside Machu Picchu?

  • Visitors with tickets to hike to any of the hikes inside the park are not required to have tour guides

Finding Guide Service at main entry to Machu Picchu:

  • Although there may be a few "pickup" tour guides still loitering around the main entry, it's best to arrange your guide at the bus stop in Aguas Calientes (or in advance before you travel)
  • New hourly entry tickets affect your entry time only. Once you're inside the citadel, a good guided tour should take about 2.5-3 hours. (Adios guided tours can take up to 4 hours.. We do not use "pickup" guides)
  • During the guided tour, re-entry to Machu Picchu is not allowed. (the only restrooms are located at the main entry and should be visited prior to entering the citadel. Follow this link to get more details about restroom situation at Machu Picchu)
  • Machu Picchu visitors can enter without tour guides. (although new rules recommend that all visitors should hire a tour guide, you can still enter on your own)
  • You pay your pickup tour guide in cash. They will take US dollars or Peruvian currency. Here's what you need to know about money-handling in Peru

Average cost to hire pickup guides for tours of Machu Picchu: (guides will determine their own rates and these are subject to change without notice) Experience and training will vary. 

  • $80 USD - 1 or 2 people
  • $30 USD pp for 3-5 people
  • $20 USD pp for group of up to 8 people 

How to Hire a private "Adios" professional, licensed, English-speaking guide for your visit to Machu Picchu:

  • All groups who book multi-day trips that include a visit to Machu Picchu have the services of an experienced and licensed private Adios tour guide.
  • Adios tour guides can accompany you on any of the hikes inside the park as well as the circuits paired with the hike, depending on the type of entry tickets you have. 
  • Having a great tour guide can make a difference in having a satisfactory trip and a Great Trip. Our guides are your advocate for solving problems and providing advice. Our guides live in Cusco (except for a couple of outliers)
  • For 1-day tour guide service, our tour guide will meet you at the train station or your hotel in Aguas Calientes. 
  • Tour Guide service is subject to availability and is best arranged in advance
  • Cost covers guide wages, and travel expenses to and from Cusco and can be prepaid with a credit card
  • Full day trips to Machu Picchu including trains, buses, van, tour guide and entry tickets, beginning from Cusco can be arranged on request
  • Other guide services including Cusco Walking City Tour / Cusco Historical Outskirts Tour / Sacred Valley Tour / Rainbow Mountain, can be arranged on request

Cost for private Adios tour guide at Machu Picchu per group in USD: $212 (flat rate for 1 to 6 people)  
Please provide the following information to make a reservation in advance:

  • Date of service required
  • Entry times and the types of Machu Picchu tickets you have
  • Name of hotel including name the reservation is made in, or train arrival information. 
  • Name of group leader, age of each person and number of people in the group
  • Contact Adios US Office to set up a private guided tour. 757-270-9293 (Text or call on What's App). All major credit cards accepted.

What do you need to know about toilets at Machu Picchu? Find out before you go! 

Link to view Peru Pre-Departure Info for essential gear including the best water filter for traveler. I used it for 40 days without buying a single plastic bottle. We now offer a discount code.