Private guide tour at Machu Picchu from Aguas Calientes

A licensed guide walks you through the Temple of the Sun and the Main Plaza at your own pace, not a group's.

A private guided tour of Machu Picchu departing from Aguas Calientes with pickup from your hotel or the train station, led by a certified guide fluent in English or Spanish. The guide tailors the route and timing to your interests, covering the Temple of the Sun, Main Plaza, Royal Residences, Agricultural Terraces and Incan aqueducts over roughly 3 hours. You choose your circuit in advance, and after the guided portion you're free to explore on your own or return to Aguas Calientes. Train tickets and entrance tickets to Machu Picchu are booked separately. The guide assists with the ticket reservation process if needed.

Step-by-step itinerary

Guided tour of Machu Picchu

• Meet guide in Aguas Calientes
• Take bus to Machu Picchu entrance
• Private guided tour of Machu Picchu
• Explore Machu Picchu independently

The experience

Your guide meets you at your hotel, the train station, or the main entrance in Aguas Calientes: coordinate the exact time and place once your booking is confirmed. If you're staying overnight in town, the guide reaches out the evening before to walk through the details and make sure you're ready. From there, a 30-minute bus ride climbs the mountain to the entrance gate. Bring your original passport and entrance ticket, both required for entry.

Once inside, the guide shapes the tour around what interests you and how fast you want to move. Depending on your entry time and which circuit you've chosen, you might start with a short hike for panoramic views before moving into the heart of the citadel. The guide explains the history, engineering and spiritual meaning of the site as you visit the Temple of the Sun, Main Plaza, Agricultural Terraces, Royal Residences, Ritual Areas, and the Incan aqueducts and stone pathways. A private tour means you get the depth and flexibility a group cannot offer: no waiting for stragglers, no rushing through a site because the schedule says so.

When the guided portion ends, you can keep exploring on your own (within the limits of your ticket and circuit), or take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes to catch your train back to Cusco. The guide can help you book your entrance ticket and arrange the bus ride up the mountain if you haven't already.

What’s included

• Pickup from your hotel or train station in Aguas Calientes.
• private certified guide fluent in English, Spanish or Portuguese.
• assistance with the ticket reservation process if needed.

Options for this experience

2 options

Private guide for circuit 1, 2, or 3Up to 12 per booking · Guide in English or Spanish · 10 departure times: the first at 06:00, the last at 15:00Private guide: this option is a private guided tour for guests who already hold Machu Picchu tickets for circuit 1, 2, or 3. Valid only for one circuit. Please let us know after completing your booking. Pickup is included

Private guide for other circuitsUp to 10 per booking · Guide in English or Spanish · 10 departure times: the first at 06:00, the last at 15:00Valid for the Machu Picchu Mountain circuit, Huayna Picchu circuit 3, or other circuits; pickup is included

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day10 departure times: the first at 06:00, the last at 15:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (10 and older) · Child (under 10)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 68

Prices and times updated 10 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Willka travel Cusco

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're arriving in Aguas Calientes with a free afternoon or morning and want a guide who moves at your pace instead of a group's schedule. The private format means you set the rhythm and the guide adjusts to what interests you most.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

5 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 10).

What exactly does the guide show you at Machu Picchu?

The guide takes you through the Temple of the Sun, Main Plaza, Agricultural Terraces, Royal Residences, Ritual Areas, Incan aqueducts and stone pathways, explaining the history and engineering of each. The specific route depends on which circuit you've booked and your own interests.

How do I get from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu on the day of the tour?

A 30-minute bus ride takes you from the entrance gate area up the mountain to Machu Picchu. You'll need your original passport and entrance ticket for entry. Book the bus tickets and entrance tickets in advance.

Can I explore Machu Picchu on my own after the guided tour ends?

Yes. Once the 3-hour guided portion concludes, you're free to explore the citadel on your own as long as your ticket and circuit allow, or you can take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes.

Do I need to book my train tickets and entrance tickets separately?

Yes. Train tickets between Cusco and Aguas Calientes and entrance tickets to Machu Picchu must be booked in advance. The guide can assist with the ticket reservation process if you need help.