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 June 22, 2022 by James Bustamante

Machu Picchu group tours are the simplest and most accessible way to reach the Inca citadel located high in the cloud forest. 

Thousands of people travel to Cusco every day in order to see the incredibly diverse beauty that it has to offer.

These will include breathtaking landscapes, old cathedrals, and ancient Inca ruins. 

All this with the end goal of finally hiking to Machu Picchu to get that perfect shot of the sun rising over the Andes mountain range.

Before committing to a Machu Picchu tour group, there are a few details to go over. 

Machu Picchu Group Tours Itinerary

Before looking up groups heading to Machu Picchu, you will first want to find an itinerary that fits the type of vacation you are searching for. There are quite a few different group itineraries to choose from.

All of these have different destinations within an outlined schedule, different lengths of stay,  myriads of activities in Cusco, and different tours leading to Machu Picchu.  

Below is an excellent example of a 5 day Machu Picchu Travel package which includes the Sacred Valley and a day in Aguas Calientes before heading up to the Inca city.

Machu Picchu 5 Day Special

• Day 1 Arrival to Cusco
• Day 2 Tour of the Sacred Valley
• Day 3 Train to Aguas Calientes
• Day 4 Machu Picchu Guided Tour
• Day 5 Transfer to Cusco Airport

You can find all of our Peru Tour Packages, including Machu Picchu, in the link below.

An important detail to point out is whether you prefer to visit the Inca city on Machu Picchu group tours or as part of a private Machu Picchu tour group.

The latter will have only yourself and your private group along with the guides.

You can take either group or private tours all along treks and trails within this highland region.

What to Consider in a Machu Picchu Group Tour?

One of the most important items to consider when making Machu Picchu reservations for a group tour is pricing. The cost can vary depending on a few factors, such as: 

• The total group size of the group.
• Language requirements (specialized tour guide).
• The time spent in Machu Picchu (1-morning permit or 1-morning permit + 1-afternoon permit).
• Additional hikes (Huayna Picchu or Mount Machu Picchu).
• Sacred Valley, The Rainbow mountain, Cusco city tour, Humantay Lake tour, etc.).

Adding Other Activities to Machu Picchu Group Tours

The group tour to Machu Picchu can include additional destinations and many other activities. So it doesn’t necessarily need to start in Cusco.

Travelers Tip: Some options will have you arriving at Cusco airport to be transported to the Sacred Valley or Ollantaytambo. This method helps with getting past the acclimatization period in a location with a lower elevation.

One of the more popular experiences among our travelers tends to be a Lima to Machu Picchu Tour of 7 days, including a visit to Peru’s capital. Check out the outline below:

Lima to Machu Picchu 7 Day Trip

• Day 1: Arrival in Lima
• Day 2: Lima City Tour
• Day 3: Arrival at Cusco
• Day 4: Sacred Valley Tour
• Day 5: Train to Aguas Calientes town
• Day 6: Machu Picchu Guided Tour
• Day 7: Departure from Cusco

No matter which route you ultimately decide to take, regardless of where your Peru vacation starts or where you choose to end it, a tour to Machu Picchu will, without a doubt, be one of the most memorable attractions along with your Peru adventures.

There are many ways to put together an itinerary that includes the ultimate experience via a Machu Picchu guided tour.

Make a Group Tour to Machu Picchu a Private One

Now, as far as Machu Picchu tours go, it is possible to assemble your private group. Of course, you can always take a private tour.

However, you should consider the extra costs as private tours cost more than group tours, usually by a lot.

So if you have a large group that wants to visit Machu Picchu, you can inquire about forming your own “private group.”

Depending on your size, it could be cheaper if you have a group of friends that’s big enough. 

The good thing about private Machu Picchu group tours is that you will never be stuck waiting for more people outside your group.

The group setting will definitely have a much more focused and personal approach by your guide. 

Private tours also benefit from having their schedule; travelers may choose what times they prefer when they leave, what they want to focus on in Machu Picchu, and any other activities. 

Of course, if you don’t have a large group, you can always join an established Machu Picchu group tour.

Costs drop dramatically when you travel in larger groups with friends and family in addition to everyone else in the group.

Typically, groups of 6 -10 people traveling together can get reasonably significant discounts.  

If you travel alone, you may have to wait for groups to be assembled in Cusco.

Another thing to consider is that many Machu Picchu Travel groups are on predetermined schedules, so you should try to be there on time and ready to go.

In addition to cost, travelers should ask about the quality of the guides and their English-speaking abilities. An informed traveler is a happy traveler.

Whichever you prefer, we here at Journey Machu Picchu offer fully customizable Machu Picchu Group Tours.

Make sure to check up on our blog regularly for more information on Peru Travel.

Frequently Asked Questions: Machu Picchu Group Tours