Explore Machhu Picchu

Machu Picchu Tours — Book Direct with Local Operators

Everything you need for Machu Picchu

Aerial view of the iconic Machu Picchu ruins surrounded by lush green mountains in Peru.
Machu Picchu Tickets
Official entry tickets for all circuits. We secure your spot before availability runs out — especially during high season when circuits sell out weeks in advance.
A tourist in traditional attire gazes at the breathtaking view of Machu Picchu ruins in Peru.
Guided Day Tours
Full-day guided tours from Cusco or Aguas Calientes, led by certified local guides who know every corner of the site. Small groups, real context, no rushing.
Woman in pink cap observes stunning Machu Picchu ruins through stone window.
Cusco & Machu Picchu Packages
2 to 5-day itineraries that combine Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. Transport, accommodation and guided tours included. Everything coordinated so you don't have to.
Stunning view of the colorful layers of Rainbow Mountain, Cuzco, Peru under a clear sky.
Private Experiences
Fully customized tours for couples, families or small groups. Your dates, your pace, your guide. Designed around what matters to you.

Why book with us

You’re booking with the people who actually run your tour

Direct booking, no commission

When you book through Viator or GetYourGuide, 20–30% of what you pay goes to the platform — not to your guide or your experience. Book with us and that money stays where it belongs.

We know this place

We're based in Cusco. We operate in Machu Picchu every week. We know which circuit is less crowded at 6am, which months have the best light, and what nobody tells you in the guidebooks.

A real person answers

Write to us on WhatsApp and a member of our team responds — not a chatbot, not a call center. You get answers in hours, not days, from someone who has actually been there.

Machu Picchu and beyond

Machu Picchu

The iconic Inca citadel at 2,430 meters. We handle tickets, circuits, entry times and logistics so you spend your energy on the experience, not the paperwork.

Cusco

The historic capital of the Inca Empire. City tours, markets, San Blas neighborhood, Sacsayhuamán and the best restaurants in the Andes.

Sacred Valley

Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero and Moray. A full day through living Inca heritage before or after Machu Picchu.

Inca Trail

The classic 4-day trek to Machu Picchu through cloud forest and Inca ruins. Permits sell out months in advance — plan early.

What our guests say

Travelers who booked direct

A Trip We Will Remember Forever

We just returned from a wonderful two-day Machu Picchu tour booked with Machu Picchu Tours. The logistics of a trip like this are complicated and even though I was a travel agent for 30 years I would never try to put all the parts together myself. This is where a local agency is a necessity. Not only did everything run smoothly but we had the most enjoyable time.

Phenomenal experience with Machu Picchu Tours

Rudy was an incredible guide on the Inca Trail. He is kind, attentive, and so knowledgeable, and made the entire experience feel both meaningful and enjoyable. I loved listening to the history and stories he shared along the way—they truly brought everything to life. He was consistently supportive and encouraging, which made a challenging trek feel much more doable.

Inexplicable is too worth living this experience

Wonderful and professional people committed to our comfort and well-being, did not lack attention, affection and dedication. Thank you all for making your country an extension of ours. I highly recommend,Elaine super attentive gave all the support to make this experience even more amazing

Common questions

Planing & Tickets

How far in advance do I need to book Machu Picchu tickets?

During high season (June–August and national holidays) we recommend booking 4 to 6 weeks in advance. Machu Picchu has a strict daily visitor cap per circuit — Circuit 1 and Huayna Picchu sell out fastest, sometimes weeks ahead. During low season (November–April) you can usually book 1–2 weeks out, but we never recommend waiting until the last minute. If your travel dates are confirmed, book now.

The Peruvian government limits daily entries to 4,500 visitors split across four circuits and two time slots (morning and afternoon). Each circuit has its own cap. This means that even if there are tickets available for one circuit, another may already be sold out for the same date.

Circuit 1 covers the classic panoramic viewpoints and the Sun Temple — the most complete route. Circuit 2 is the most visited and includes the main agricultural terraces and the iconic postcard view. Circuit 3 focuses on the lower agricultural sector. Circuit 4 is the shortest and most accessible, ideal for visitors with limited mobility. We recommend Circuit 1 or 2 for first-time visitors.

Since 2019, visiting Machu Picchu without a licensed guide is not permitted. All visitors must be accompanied by a certified guide for the duration of the visit. Our tours include a certified English-speaking guide. If you already have a ticket and only need a guide, contact us and we’ll arrange it.

Morning entry (from 6am) gives you the site before the crowds peak, better light for photography, and the chance to see Machu Picchu in the mist. Afternoon entry (from 12pm) is less crowded than late morning and has softer light. We always recommend morning entry when available, especially for Circuit 1.

Yes, Machu Picchu is open 365 days a year. The only exception is occasional closures due to extreme weather, landslides or government-mandated maintenance days — these are rare and announced with short notice. We monitor closures actively and will notify you immediately if your visit is affected.

Logistic & travel

How do I get to Machu Picchu from Cusco?

There are two main routes. The train route is the most common: bus or transfer from Cusco to Ollantaytambo, then a 1.5-hour train to Aguas Calientes (the town below Machu Picchu), then a 25-minute bus up to the site. The budget route goes by bus to Hidroeléctrica and then a 3-hour walk along the train tracks to Aguas Calientes. Our packages include all transport — you don’t need to figure this out yourself.

Not necessarily, but we recommend it for the best experience. Staying overnight lets you enter the site at 6am with first-light and fewer crowds, and avoids the exhausting same-day return to Cusco. Our packages include accommodation options in Aguas Calientes at different price points.

Comfortable walking shoes with grip (the stone surfaces get slippery when wet), light layers (temperature varies significantly during the day), rain jacket or poncho, sunscreen, insect repellent and at least 1.5 liters of water. No food is allowed inside the site — eat before or bring snacks for the bus stop outside. Tripods are not permitted inside.

Machu Picchu sits at 2,430 meters above sea level — significantly lower than Cusco (3,400m). If you’re coming from Cusco and have had at least one day to acclimatize, Machu Picchu is generally manageable. If you’re flying directly from sea level and going to Machu Picchu the next day, you may feel some mild symptoms. We’ll advise you based on your itinerary.

Yes. Machu Picchu and the Cusco region are among the safest tourist destinations in South America. The site itself is fully managed and secure. As with any travel, normal precautions apply — keep valuables close and be aware of your surroundings in busy areas like train stations and markets. We provide safety briefings as part of every tour.

About Tours

What's included in your guided tours?

Every product page lists exactly what’s included and what isn’t — we don’t hide anything in fine print. In general: guided day tours include the certified guide, entry ticket and transport from the agreed meeting point. Multi-day packages include hotel accommodation, all transfers, guided tours and breakfast. Private experiences are fully customized — inclusions are defined with you before booking.

Our guided tours run with a maximum of 8 people. We don’t do bus-sized groups. Smaller groups mean more time at each spot, more flexibility, and a guide who can actually answer your questions instead of managing a crowd.

A standard guided tour of the main circuits takes 2.5 to 3.5 hours inside the site. Full-day tours from Cusco including travel time typically run 12 to 14 hours. If you’re combining Machu Picchu with Huayna Picchu or Montana, add 2 to 3 hours for the hike.

Yes, but these require a separate ticket purchased at the time of your main entry ticket — you cannot add them on the day. Huayna Picchu (the iconic steep peak in photos) is limited to 400 visitors per day and sells out very quickly. Montana is less crowded and offers the best elevated view of the entire citadel. Tell us when booking and we’ll add both tickets together.

Yes. All our guides are certified by the Ministry of Tourism and speak fluent English. If you need a guide in another language (French, German, Portuguese), let us know when booking and we’ll arrange it subject to availability.

Circuit 4 was specifically designed for visitors with limited mobility — it’s flat, paved and accessible via wheelchair for most of the route. The bus from Aguas Calientes to the site entrance is accessible. We’ll advise you on the best option based on your specific needs — just mention it when you contact us.

Bookings & Payments

How do I book a tour?

You can book directly on this website using your credit card, or contact us via WhatsApp and we’ll confirm your reservation manually. Both options give you the same price — no markup for booking by message. We send a written confirmation with all details within 2 hours of your booking.

We accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express and PayPal online. For bookings made via WhatsApp we can also arrange bank transfer. All payments are processed securely — we never store card details.

Most tours and packages can be cancelled or modified up to 48 hours before the start date at no charge. Within 48 hours, cancellations may incur a fee depending on costs already committed (train tickets, hotel nights). Inca Trail permits are non-refundable once issued by the government — this is a regulation we cannot override. Full cancellation policy is listed on each product page before you pay.

We don’t compete on price with OTAs — we compete on value. When you book with us, you’re not paying a 20–30% platform commission. That means you get more service for the same price, or the same service for less. If you find the exact same tour, same guide and same inclusions at a lower price elsewhere, contact us and we’ll discuss it.

Inca Trail

How do I get an Inca Trail permit?

Inca Trail permits are issued by the Peruvian government and limited to 500 people per day (including guides and porters). They sell out months in advance — sometimes as early as January for the peak June–August season. We handle the entire permit process for you. All we need is your passport number and travel dates. Contact us as early as possible.

There are excellent alternatives. The Salkantay Trek (5 days) offers stunning mountain scenery and ends at Machu Picchu. The Lares Trek (4 days) passes through indigenous communities and high-altitude lakes. The Quarry Trail (2 days) is less demanding and also reaches Machu Picchu. We’ll recommend the best option based on your fitness level and available dates.

The classic 4-day Inca Trail involves 43 kilometers of hiking at altitudes between 2,700 and 4,215 meters. You don’t need to be an athlete, but you do need to be in reasonable shape and have spent at least 2 days acclimatizing in Cusco before starting. We’ll give you a full preparation guide when you book.