Luxury Tours

Machu Picchu Tours

Machu Picchu tours are a worthwhile investment, even if you're the type of traveler who is usually averse to guided trips. You might only have one chance in your life to visit the Lost City of the Incas, and you might as well learn as much as possible about this civilization and the history of the archaeological site during one trip. There are many options including Machu Picchu treks, hiring private guides, and hiking the Inca Trail en route to Machu Picchu, but they all have one thing in common: a knowledgeable guide. Bilingual guides can reveal details about Machu Picchu that will help maximize your appreciation of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The jungle location and story of how the remote city of Machu Picchu was discovered-an American professor was led to the overgrown city by a local boy in 1911-might just encourage you to get adventurous during your visit. If that's the case, Machu Picchu treks are the tours that will satisfy your craving for adventure. You will have several options for these tours. Some start 50 miles away in Cusco and include walking the entire Inca Trail with nights of camping in between. Other treks include hiking the final six hours to Machu Picchu, almost mimicking the discovery of this important archaeological site.

However, you don't need to have this much time and devotion (or stamina) to sign up for Machu Picchu tours. The site itself is full of stairs, vantage points, and ancient ruins to explore. Some tours include just the site itself, and these will offer a more focused experience. Many visitors choose to do both-to trek for a day or two to reach the lost city of the Incas, and also to take a more in-depth historical tour once you arrive. If you don't arrive with a tour group, there are other ways to find a local guide. Your hotel can definitely recommend a guide for you, or in the case of the Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge, guides can be provided for guests.

During Machu Picchu tours, you will learn about what archeologists have theorized about the Inca civilization, including the site's construction for the emperor Pachacuti and its mysterious abandonment scarcely a century later. This site overall is physically beautiful with its location in the Andes, but what about details on the individual ruins? Guides will illuminate details on temples and stonework, as well as the three main buildings of Machu Picchu-the Temple of the Sun, the Intihuatana, and the Room of the Three Windows. They will also provide anecdotes on historical context and the Spanish conquerors, and answer any questions you may have. Instead of staring at something and wondering what it means, you will have a knowledgeable guide who can answer all of your questions.

In the past several decades, the number of companies offering Machu Picchu treks has skyrocketed. This means that there are now more options than ever if you want to discover this site. There are now Machu Picchu luxury tours along with more rustic options, and many offer vacation packages with certain hotels too. Budget travelers will be able to compare the cost between companies and find the tour with the best fit. Whether you're visiting Machu Picchu for a hiking adventure or a historical study, there are tour guides who will enhance your trip with every step you take.