The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu includes the tour guide service. This tourism professional accompanies the group along the 39 kilometers of hike, with 4 days of route and 3 nights of camping. It offers the necessary information in each place, each natural landscape, archaeological site and even in Machu Picchu. Guides are essential to successfully complete the walk. Learn more about them, their capabilities, their role on the road and more.
To do the Inca Trail it is necessary to take the services of a tourism agency. For reasons of sustainability and responsible tourism, it is not possible to do the Inca Trail on your own. In turn, the agencies cannot operate an Inca Trail group without an official tour guide. The guides are responsible for compliance with the rules during the route. They also offer all the necessary information for visitors to fully understand the importance of this ancient route. The guides are professionals who speak more than one language. They are trained in hiking trails as well as first aid.
The tourist guide service on the Inca Trail
The Inca Trail is only done with a tour organized by a tourism agency. Tours include all necessary implements and services: permits, entrance fees, food, tents, transportation, cargo equipment, and tour guide. This last service is essential.
The tour guide service is complete. That is, it lasts the 4 days of walking. The guide must accompany tourists, especially those who go to the rear of the route.
The guide has knowledge of first aid. At all times he provides information to the visitor about the flora, fauna, customs and archaeological sites along the route.
The tour guide accompanies the visitors from the departure in the city of Cusco on day 1. He also accompanies the visitors on the three days of walking and even Machu Picchu. On the last day, return by train to Cusco along with the other tourists.
All guides must be authorized to provide their services on the Inca Trail by the UGM – Machu Picchu Sanctuary Management Unit.
The Inca Trail regulations also consider that an authorized Tourism Guide is a professional who has a Professional Title in the name of the Nation and has the respective Official Tourism Guide Card that accredits it.
The permit to operate as a guide on the Inca Trail is 1 year renewable according to the behavior record that this professional has had.
The short Inca Trail lasts only 2 days and ends in Machu Picchu. This service of only 13 kilometers of walking also includes a tour guide service.
Shared and private guide service
Most tourists do the Inca Trail in a shared guided service. In other words, the visitor makes the route together with other tourists from different origins. In this case, the guidance is generally in Spanish and English.
The private tour guide service is an exclusive tour of the visitor with his group of friends, family, partner or the tourist alone. This tour is more personal. The guide can be done in Spanish, English or another language that the visitor requests.
They have experience?
To travel the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu it is absolutely essential to have an insightful, experienced and reliable guide.
All tour guides are trained annually in: first aid, flora, fauna as well as archaeological sites on the Inca Trail. Only by doing this training the guides are authorized to carry out the guiding service on the Inca Trail.
In addition, all guides must have their official tourist guide card. This document is granted only to professionals from institutes or universities with studies in tourism.
The tour guides have experience on the Camino as well as other tourist routes in Cusco. They are experienced professionals who can guide you on specific visits, or give you private lectures on such varied topics.
What can I learn from a tour guide on the Inca Trail?
The Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu has diverse and spectacular landscapes with multiple ecosystems. These are home to numerous species of plants, animals and insects, many of which can only be seen on the Inca Trail route.
The first time you enter the rainforest, you will be amazed at how quiet and lifeless it seems. This is because much of the action happens high up, in the treetops, or at night. In addition, the animals move very fast through the dense vegetation, or remain camouflaged. That is why it is essential to have the correct guide.
Tour guides possess knowledge of botany, zoology, entomology, hydrology, anthropology, and many other disciplines. That expert will take you to know the Inca Trail, revealing its secrets, without overlooking any detail. He will also tell you countless experiences on one of the most fascinating walks in the world.
El servicio de guía turístico en Machu Picchu y otros destinos del Cusco
The tour guide service is included in the tour to the Inca Trail. However, if the tourist makes his visit to Machu Picchu on his own (with the entrance ticket) this service is not included. Thus, you must hire a tour guide at the entrance gate of Machupicchu. The price for shared service varies from 5 to 10 dollars per person.
The same happens with the most important archaeological sites of Cusco: Sacsayhuaman, Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero, Moray, etc. If the tourist makes his visit on his own, he must hire a tour guide at the door of the place. The price ranges from 3 to 8 dollars per person.
If the tourist decides to visit Machu Picchu or another tourist attraction in Cusco with a tour, the tour guide service is already included in the price. You can choose the tourism agency of your preference.
By Inca Trail Machu Picchu - Last updated, 22-08-2024
Interested in the Inca Trail? Know more about Reservation and Services!
- Inca Trail Travel Equipment
- Machu Picchu Tourist Packages
- This is the diet on the Inca Trail
- Cooks and food on the Inca Trail
- Passport for the Inca Trail?
- Documents required for the Inca Trail
We are part of MACHUPICCHU TERRA, Travel agency and tour operator authorized to operate the Inca Trail and other hiking routes in Cusco. Our authorization code is "CI1578".
We have the certificate CALTUR, which recognizes the application of good management practices for the service of travel and tourism agencies. We offer a proven quality service!
Machupicchu Terra received the ‘Safe Travels’ seal for its compliance with all the control and prevention protocols against Covid 19. Travel in complete safety!