Machu Picchu Walking Tours

James Bustamante( Travel Writer )

James Bustamante is Native to New York but born to Peruvian parents. He has been traveling throughout Latin America since early 2003 and finally made his home in Peru. James has made his way by eating and traveling through almost every country in Central and South America.

www.journeymachupicchu.com

Last Updated on April 22, 2023 by James Bustamante

Thousands of travelers visit the Inca citadel for  Machu Picchu walking tours annually. However, it is common for most travelers not to know what to expect once they arrive or what is included in the tour. 

Some travelers consider the Machu Picchu tour a full-day, physically demanding hike. The truth is that the Machu Picchu tour is relatively easy. There is a hiking factor, but ultimately it can be described as more of a walking tour since it is primarily a “low-impact” activity.

If you are looking for legitimate Hikes to Machu Picchu that present a challenge, we might suggest the top 3 treks. You can choose from the following: The four-day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, The five-day Salkantay Trek, or the two-day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.

Now, the ruins are fascinating, and while it’s entirely possible to enjoy visiting them on your own, you’ll have a much grander experience by taking a tour of the site. Here’s a summary of what you can do and see there:

Machu Picchu Walking Tour Outline

Listed below are some of the landmarks hikers will get to see during the Machu Picchu tour. They are divided into different sections within the Incan complex. An experienced guide will be able to give full details on each one of the landmarks.

• Intihuatana.
• The temple of the Sun.
• Temple of the Condor.
• Temple of the Three Windows.
• The Moon Temple (Reserved with Huayna Picchu permit).

Machu Picchu Walking Tour, What You Should Consider…?

A Machu Picchu walking tour is a fantastic experience that requires careful planning. Some of the important factors to consider when planning the walking tour are:

How Physically Fit Should I Be For The Hike?

The Machu Picchu walking tour is not difficult, but travelers will move across uneven terrain, steep ascents, and descents. In preparation for the hike, we recommend going for walks and short hikes before coming to Machu Picchu. As I previously stated, the Machu Picchu walk isn’t particularly challenging, but walking around uneven ground, going up various steps, and hiking down slopes does take some getting used to. 

Will I Get Altitude Sickness During The Walking Tour?

This is always an important topic regarding Cusco and Machu Picchu. Machu Picchu is located at a high altitude of over 2,400 meters (7,874 feet) above sea level. This can cause altitude sickness, which can be a nuisance at most for some people and a severe issue for others. Spending a few days acclimatizing to the altitude is recommended before embarking on the tour. 

Machu Picchu Fact: Cusco is at a higher elevation than Machu Picchu by almost a thousand feet. If you have already gotten past the elevation sickness portion in Cusco, a traveler should have no issues at the lower elevation in Machu Picchu. 

Always Check For Available Permits First

Permits to enter Machu Picchu for the walking tour must be reserved in advance. There is a limited supply of entrance tickets, so it is best to always check with your travel advisor to make sure permits and spots on the group tour are available. If you are booking a private tour, ticket availability should also be reserved in advance. This also applies to guides available for private groups. 

Check Weather Conditions Before Going

The weather in Machu Picchu can be unpredictable, with rain and fog common throughout the year. Even during the dry season, random weather events might start with some moisture and become heavy rains. It is also important to dress according to the season. Appropriate clothing, such as waterproof jackets and sturdy hiking boots, can make a big difference. 

Be Mindful of The Environment 

The Machu Picchu citadel is an important site of great cultural significance to the locals. Respecting the environment and avoiding littering or damaging the area is an important part of visiting the site. Sometimes travelers who don’t follow the rules can get into trouble. For example, there is a good reason why we ask travelers to bring rain ponchos and not umbrellas during the wet season.

For once, umbrellas are not allowed in Machu Picchu. That is because heavy winds from the Andes can quickly pull an umbrella from your hand and send it flying down to litter the valley. So by following the rules, travelers can be mindful of the environment. 

Organizing A Machu Picchu Walking Tour

Here at Journey Machu Picchu, we provide group-based and private tours and professional bilingual guides.

They can be standalone one-day tours or be part of a complete Peru tour package, including hotels, tours, permits, land transportation, train tickets, guides, meals, etc.

You can also organize a group tour through one of the many agencies in Cusco or Ollantaytambo. However, prices may be higher since you are asking for same-day tours.

Some hotels will set up a tour for your party with a private guide, but that can also be quite pricey since they will contract one of the outside agencies to do the tour.

There is also the option of finding a Machu Picchu guide once you arrive at the complex.

Several guides will be waiting outside the entrance to Machu Picchu, and it is possible to set up a group or private tour with one of them upon your arrival at the ruins.

This method can be more accessible price-wise but also come with other issues. For example, you won’t know if the guide is certified, and you won’t know how big the group will be (unless you pay the guide for the private version).

If you do so, you will likely have to speak to many guides to understand their knowledge of the site and proficiency in English.

You should also know that it’s pretty normal to haggle with these guides for a fair price, typically around $80-USD 100 for a 2-hour tour. It can be more expensive depending on how many people travel with you.

All these routes are acceptable, but there’s no beating a certified, bilingual guide appointed through a Machu Picchu Travel agency. This ensures with 100% certainty that you won’t have any problems while on your tour.

Machu Picchu remains somewhat of a mystery to historians. Quality guides will be sure to make that clear rather than selling you definitive information, but they do make some educated guesses.

While on your tour of these incredible ruins, you will see some of the site’s most fascinating highlights, including the Temple of the Sun, the Temple of the Three Windows, the Temple of the Condor, the Sun Gate, and the Intihuatana rock.

Additional Machu Picchu Walking Tour Hike

Suppose you made your Machu Picchu Reservations with enough time in advance. In that case, many travelers plan to hike Huayna Picchu, the peak overlooking the ruins, which often appears in the backdrop of photos of Machu Picchu.

This additional hike can make the Machu Picchu walking tour a bit more complicated, but the views are well worth the effort.

Machu Picchu is a truly incredible place. If you want to know more about Peru, Cusco, and Machu Picchu Travel, contact us as soon as possible!

Frequently Asked Questions About Machu Picchu Walking Tours