
Cultural tour to Machu Picchu
This tour introduces you to local history and some truly stunning views. On this educational tour, your guide will point out the agricultural, residential, and religious buildings. Because we have so few written records left behind by the Inca, historians have had to make educated guesses about what purpose some of the structures served and much of the site remains shrouded in mystery.
- Duration:
- 4 hrs
- Available Days:
- Every day
- Schedule:
- Any time between Thu Jan 01 1970 06:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) and Thu Jan 01 1970 15:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)
- Inquire for Transportation
- Mobile Ticket Included
- Offered in English, Spanish
This tour begins with the 30-minute bus ride from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu. When you arrive, your 2.5-hour tour begins. The maximum amount of time allowed at the site is 4 hours, so once the tour concludes you’ll have 1.5 hours to explore the site on your own.
Some of the site has undergone careful restoration, to help you imagine what they site would have looked like when it was built in the 15th century. Enchantingly, the outdoor fountains still flow with water from the nearby springs — these fountains flow through narrow channels and over multiple terraces, and provided drinking water to residents. In its heyday, Machu Picchu supported a population of around 500 people.
On the tour, you’ll also stop by several temples and palatial residences. The building called the Royal Palace has a flowering garden. The main temple is marked by rock carvings made to look like surrounding mountains. You’ll also see parts of the site that shaped the lives of the average denizen of Machu Picchu, like agricultural terraces that stand sentry the sides of the mountains, and small buildings that served as granaries and homes for the farmers.
After you have had your fill of the view, you’ll descend down the mountain to the final stop on the tour. Your group will gather for lunch at El Chullpi restaurant, which serves a set lunch menu with vegetarian options. This lunch break offers a chance for you to refuel and mentally unpack the wealth of ruins you’ve observed.
What to Bring
Camera, comfortable walking shoes, long sleeve shirt, hat, and sunglasses.
What's included
Round trip transportation, entrance to Machu Picchu, guided tour, and lunch.
Transportation
Many of our tours and activities offer transportation pick up & drop off options from several locations and destinations. Options vary by tour, see “BOOKING REQUEST” for full details.
Traveler Comments
Excellent overall!!
Victor was great
This was the highlight of our vacation! Victor was our guide and I HIGHLY recommend him to anyone ever visiting Machu Picchu. He was VERY knowledgeable and gave us not only facts but other wonderful information about the ruins and the culture of the Incan people. We had a lot of rain that day and he was great at finding ways to do other things while it rained so we could fully enjoy the tour since we couldn't see Machu Picchu very well in the beginning due to the thick clouds. He took us to the Inca Bridge while it rained which was worth seeing. He was also amazing at suggesting places to take pictures and he took videos of us and really captured our experience there for us to remember our trip. He gave us advice on where to go and what to do so we could stay a little longer after the guided portion of the tour was over. He stayed with us for about 4 hours. We loved our time there and with him!
Similar things to do
Machu Pichu’s vast ruins have a distinctly Inca layout. Scholars have discovered that many of the site’s buildings have astrological significance. With a design inspired by the stars, Machu Picchu has an implacable hold on the imagination of everyone who tours it.
The Andean wedding is the symbolic Andean ceremony for couples those looking to express their love for each other or renew vows.
This second chance is an option so you can see the sunrise in Machu Picchu or visit Inti Punku or Inka Bridge. They are doable by your own.