Machu Picchu Private Guided Tour from Aguas Calientes
Recommended by 94% of travelers
Cusco, Peru
- 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
- Group discounts
- Offered in: English
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Overview
There’s no better way to experience Machu Picchu than on a private tour from Aguas Calientes. Receive undivided attention from a personal guide as you discover the history of ancient temples, terraced hills, and sacrificial sites. Capture photographs from the best vantage points, come face-to-face with resident llamas, and absorb spectacular views of the Sacred Valley from your vertiginous perch. Round-trip bus transfers and admission tickets from Aguas Calientes are included.
- Private tour of Machu Picchu from Aguas Calientes
- Enjoy a personalized sightseeing experience of one of the New7Wonders of the World
- Capture photos from prime vantage points and meet resident llamas
- Round-trip bus transfers from Aguas Calientes and admission tickets are included
What's Included
- Expert Professional Guide from Machu Picchu town
- Shuttle Bus Machu Picchu town / Citadel gate / Machu Picchu town
- Admission Ticket to Machu Picchu citadel on selected circuit and shift.
- Lunch
- Train tickets from/to Cusco
- Gratuities
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Bus to Machu PicchuAguas Calientes 08681, Peru
Departure Point: Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu town) bus station Dates: Daily Return point: Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu town) bus station
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Itinerary
Taking this private tour means you’ll be able to choose a time, between morning and afternoon, to greet your guide and depart by bus from Aguas Calientes.
Following the drive to Machu Picchu’s hilltop perch, you’ll enter the archaeological site and begin a tour of the ancient Inca citadel, characterized by its terraced hills, resident llamas, and dramatically protruding mountains.
Enrich your historical knowledge at archaeological highlights including the Main Temple, Royal Tomb, and the Sacred Plaza, and capture spectacular photographs at vantage points on the way to the Sun Gate and Temple of the Sun.
A private guide means you'll be able to ask numerous questions and customize your itinerary according to your interests. Plus, your guide is more than happy to snap photographs of you and your party throughout the experience.
After thorough exploration of South America’s most famous archaeological site, you’ll return to Aguas Calientes by bus.
Following the drive to Machu Picchu’s hilltop perch, you’ll enter the archaeological site and begin a tour of the ancient Inca citadel, characterized by its terraced hills, resident llamas, and dramatically protruding mountains.
Enrich your historical knowledge at archaeological highlights including the Main Temple, Royal Tomb, and the Sacred Plaza, and capture spectacular photographs at vantage points on the way to the Sun Gate and Temple of the Sun.
A private guide means you'll be able to ask numerous questions and customize your itinerary according to your interests. Plus, your guide is more than happy to snap photographs of you and your party throughout the experience.
After thorough exploration of South America’s most famous archaeological site, you’ll return to Aguas Calientes by bus.
Aguas Calientes (Pass By)
1
Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu
2 hours • Admission Ticket Included
Aguas Calientes (Pass By)
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Most travelers can participate
- Tour starts in Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Town)
- Bring comfortable shoes to walk and camera.
- You can choose your shift to go inside the citadel. Take care about the arrival time of the train.
- VIPAC is not responsible about train delays.
- The admission ticket of Machu Picchu is not refundable and valid for the date of travel only.
- Machu Picchu has implemented new visitor circuits, with three main routes with specific differences to distribute passengers in various areas. These changes are intended to improve the visitor experience and preserve the integrity of the archaeological site. The circuit with route 2 will be given as priority and if it is not available, the options of taking circuit 3B or circuit 1B will be informed so that you can confirm your decision before the tickets are issued.
- Remember that, if you are a Peruvian national, you must have a valid National Identity Document (DNI) in order to be able to issue your ticket to Machu Picchu. In addition, this document must be sent through the corresponding platform and presented on the day of the visit. The system does not allow the issuance of tickets with a passport for Peruvian citizens.
- The option to take the Panoramic Circuit 1 tour from the moment you enter the Citadel of Machu Picchu can be extended for a maximum of 2 hours.
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
This experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.8
based on 249 reviews
JOHN_C, Mar 2026
This is a "must do bucket list adventure "....our guide (Johnny) made it extra special...pictures cannot capture this place.
Caroline_L, Mar 2026
We loved this tour. Rudier was fantastic and couldn’t have been better. We learned so much from him, he knew all the spots for the best pics and he was wonderful with our boys. He made this once in a lifetime trip to Machu Picchu perfect. Don’t hesitate to book this tour
Nathan_H, Mar 2026
Awesome excursion. Wonderful time. Guide was exceptional. Very well organized and very knowledgeable. Recommend without reservation.
CharlesF_M, Mar 2026
My guide, Abraham, met me as planned at the train station and efficiently guided me to the shuttle bus and on to Circuit 2 to see Machu Picchu! He did a wonderful job explaining the sights to me and taking multiple photos for me to remember this special time in his country. Thank you!!
MELANIE_R, Feb 2026
Machu Picchu is truly a magestic and beautiful place. I am in awe. This tour was amazing and if you're not sure to book...do it. Now! Jaime was so great and extremely helpful and had so much knowledge and history to share about everything!! Words cant describe how wonderful this tour was.
Antoinette_v, Jan 2026
We visited Machu Picchu as part of a mother and daughter (29) trip to Peru. It was the highlight of our 2 week journey. The experience was magical and made so much more memorable by our guide Paul. He was amazing from start to finish. His knowledge and insights into the Quechuan people, and the Inca Empire, thought us so much about this special place and its history. We will always cherish this experience, partly thanks to him as his calm and positive energy😉
Sonia_B, Jan 2026
Hector was an incredibly knowledgeable and friendly guide. He was also very empathetic when my son experienced altitude sickness, making sure we took frequent breaks so he could fully participate in the tour. As first-time visitors to Machu Picchu, Circuit 2 was the perfect choice. We highly recommend this tour for anyone wanting a great overall understanding of Machu Picchu’s history through the perspective of a local guide.
Mirella_S, Dec 2025
What an amazing experience in a kind guide! Very knowledgable and felt welcomed and cared for throughout my journey. Anyone coming to Machu Picchu should definitely book with them. Amazing experience for my family and I 10 out of 10.
MariaRegina_A, Sep 2025
Abraham was a very patient and kind tourist guide who was also very knowledgable. He helped me navigate the tricky steps at the Machu Picchu site. I could not have done the whole tour without his help, Muchas gracias, Abraham!
Dena_S, Sep 2025
Jaime was a wonderful guide for our Machu Picchu experience. He was incredibly knowledgable about the history of MP and pointed out several things we would have never known or noticed on our own. We were able to book Circuit 2 (highly recommend) and even were able to walk a portion of Circuit 3 as we were one of the last entry times and things were pretty quiet. I think we lucked into a wonderful guide and a really great time slot! Overall it was a very special memory for myself, my husband and our 20 something kids.
Lorraine_S, Sep 2025
We had a private tour led by Jaime. He called me the night before the tour to give detailed instructions on how to meet with him. We had chosen circuit 2 and he took us on the route picking the best places for photos. It was a hot day and he recognised when we needed a breather. He gave us lots of information on the citadel and it was a pleasure to walk around with him. He is a great credit to the company.
Tracy_H, Aug 2025
I didn’t understand that we could have taken the train to Aguas Calientes and it was quite expensive. The area that we went to at Machu Picchu was beautiful but unfortunately we only were on one circuit and couldn’t go back through once we walked it.
RajKumar_R, Jul 2025
A great choice. The guide is knowledgeable. Though would have preferred more history and less tourist pictures etc.
Charles_H, May 2025
My tour with Jaime was great. We lucked out and had perfect weather and relatively light crowds. Jaime was very knowledgeable and took great photos to help me memorialize my experience.
Priya_P, Apr 2025
Fermín was very knowledgeable and truly wanted us to have a great experience. He shared about the origin, historical context and evolving tradition that helped us better appreciate a beautiful landmark.
Response from Host, May 2025
Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We’re delighted to hear that Fermín made such a positive impact on your visit. His passion for sharing Peru’s history and cultural heritage is something we truly value, and it’s great to know it enriched your experience. We’ll be sure to share your kind words with him. We hope to welcome you again soon for more meaningful discoveries!
Dominic_W, Apr 2025
Excellent experience with a really friendly and knowledgable tour guide, who was also really good with our 3 year old daughter. A thoroughly enjoyable experience of this amazing place!
Mary_K, Apr 2025
Jaime was an excellent guide, knowledgeable and well-versed in the history and culture of Machu Picchu. We took Circuit 2 and it surpassed our party of 5’s expectations.
He went above and beyond, picked us up at the train station and escorted us to our hotel. He was extremely thoughtful, let us have time alone at the hotel to wash up from the train trip and regroup and recommended a place to have lunch, then picked us up again. Excellent in every way! He made it seamless for us. His English is also excellent.
Colleen_B, Mar 2025
This is a highly recommended company. Very easy to book online. Our guide was in constant contact with us once we arrived in Peru. He met us at the train station and our tour was perfect. Jaime didn’t rush us, he was very knowledgeable, answered every question we had. And then made a reservation for us at his favourite restaurant.
Response from Host, Mar 2025
Thank you so much for your kind words and recommendation!
We're delighted to hear that booking your experience was smooth and that Jaime provided such attentive and knowledgeable service throughout your visit. It's wonderful to know he made you feel welcomed, took the time to answer all your questions, and added a personal touch by recommending a favourite restaurant, that’s the VIPAC way!
We truly appreciate your trust in us and hope to welcome you back soon for more unforgettable adventures in Peru.
Tiffany_S, Mar 2025
Frank gave us the best experience. The day before, he came to our hotel in the town to discuss the tour & things we might need to take. The next morning he met us in the lobby again. Getting on the bus & into machu picchu was such a smooth process. He gave a lot of history about machu picchu & was all for getting the good pics! We did a 6am tour & it was perfect. This tour was simply amazing, many thanks to Frank!
Alexandra_R, Feb 2025
The site was beautiful. The tour guide was terrible.
Do NOT get a private tour from “Paul”. He told us almost nothing about the site. He made us guess. Literally. This is not a joke, we wasted SO MUCH time playing his stupid guessing games. By the end of the tour my wife and I were both over it. We both agreed the experience would have been better without him. We paid a lot of money, we expected a professional guide, not “Paul”. He didn’t even seem knowledgeable about the site at all.
Tom_H, Jan 2025
Great guide. Very prompt. Good pace. Great time of day. Beautiful weather. Spectacular site. Breathtaking.
Response from Host, Jan 2025
Thank you so much for sharing your experience! We’re thrilled to hear that you had such a wonderful time and that everything from the guide's promptness to the breathtaking beauty of the site exceeded your expectations.
We’re especially pleased that the pacing and timing of the tour enhanced your visit. It sounds like the day came together perfectly with the spectacular weather and stunning views of this incredible destination.
Your kind words motivate us to continue providing exceptional experiences for all our travelers. If you’re ever planning another adventure, we’d be delighted to assist you!
Jay_v, Dec 2024
Excellent Tour! Guide was super informative and did a great job with keeping the energy up on a long tour. We could've done without the last stop, but otherwise we really enjoyed our day!
Frederick_H, Dec 2024
I had an amazing time! My tour guide was wonderful!! Machu Picchu is an absolutely magical place to visit!!
JP_d, Nov 2024
Truly one of the seven wonders of the world made super special by Hector our guide! Not.to be missed by anyone loving nature and who respect Inca culture. We were fortunate to have an early start and, although misty, it created a wonderful scene and made the rest of the morning once the fog disappeared, extra special.
Melissa_H, Nov 2024
What a wonderful morning! I can’t recommend going with a guide enough! Not only did he share historical context we would have missed, but he also took fabulous photos of us.
Response from Host, Nov 2024
Thank you for sharing your experience! We're thrilled to hear you had a wonderful morning and enjoyed the insights your guide provided. A knowledgeable guide truly elevates the experience by uncovering historical details and capturing those special moments. We're glad you left with great memories—and great photos!
KEITH_S, Oct 2024
Great experience. Very individual and personable. Guide talked all morning. We say everything and explanations were great. It was just me.
Response from Host, Nov 2024
Thank you for your feedback! We're thrilled to hear you had such a personalized and engaging experience. It's wonderful that your guide provided detailed explanations and made the day enjoyable, even for a solo traveler. We're delighted that everything met your expectations, and we hope to welcome you back for more memorable adventures in the future!
Yvonne_G, Oct 2024
Great Guide answered all are questions. Information Galore.
We would recommend Viator to our friends and family. We also look forward to more tours in the future.
Mark_N, Oct 2024
When we walked through the citadel, we were in constant awe of the enormous undertaking by the Incas to build this city using advanced construction techniques.
Corey_B, Sep 2024
Words cannot describe Machu Picchu! It is truly a once in a lifetime experience. Ludovico was a fantastic guide, and we would highly recommend him to anyone visiting Machu Picchu. He picked us up at our hotel to take us through the entire process and had the bus stop at our hotel on the way back.
Response from Host, Oct 2024
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear that your experience at Machu Picchu was truly unforgettable, and we completely agree—it's a once-in-a-lifetime destination! We're also happy to hear that Ludovico made your visit even more special with his guidance and seamless coordination. We'll be sure to pass along your high recommendation. We hope to welcome you back for more amazing adventures in the future!
Brione_P, Aug 2024
Our guide Hector was fantastic. He met us at our hotel and got us directly on the bus. He had all our tickets for the bus and entry to Machu Picchu so we did not have to worry about it. When we arrived at Machu Picchu it was very foggy and we could not see anything. But Hector was patient and let us wait until the fog cleared before moving us along on the tour so we could get the iconic view of the city. He also had great knowledge about Machu Picchu and the Inca culture. And he took great pictures and fun videos.
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