Machu Picchu Private Tour: Expert Guide & Top Photo Spots

We arranged months in advanced with Hernan the 8 day trip. Every step of the planning he was very responsive and honest. We met him an hour prior Machu Piccu one am and immediately told him my husband was having very strange visual. Issues from the altitude. He was right on it and arranged to take us back to Cusco to a specialized eye clinic to check it out. Luckily it resolved with what we believed some oxygen and time. Herman’s caring was exceptional and meant the world to us. We then continued 4.5 days with him in the Sacred Valley. His knowledge of the history was phenomenal and we highly doubt you could find another guide of this quality. He was always concerned for our safely and comfort. After 5 days we considered him family! He arranged another 3 days in Lake Titicaca area and Puno. The guide he arranged there was also beyond wonderful Juan. Anyone lucky to have Hernan for their guide has found a gem!

We visited the machu pichu with Hernan and it was amazing! He was very patient with my 3 kids who had a lot of questions! He organized and booked everything (train, bus, etc) and it went smoothly. It was stressful to transfer so much money up front. But I can reassure you, it was all legit and went well. I would strongly recommend!

Hernan and the team at Machu Picchu Tour Guides made what could have been a daunting task, organising a two-day Machu Picchu experience from the other side of the world, genuinely easy and smooth from start to finish. Hernan was responsive, clear, and took all the stress out of the planning. Our guide, Roy, was outstanding. His knowledge of the site was matched only by his passion for it, and that enthusiasm was infectious, it turned two days of exploring Machu Picchu into something truly memorable. He also took real care of us, factoring in our ages and physical capabilities, never rushing us, and choosing rest stops wisely along the way. It made the whole experience comfortable as well as memorable. Highly recommend Hernan and Machu Picchu Tour Guides to anyone planning a visit, and Roy specifically if you want a guide who genuinely loves what he does and looks after the people he's guiding. As they say in Quechua, tupananchiskama, until we meet again.

We are a family of 5 including a minimally verbal autistic son and we required a complete bespoke tour of Macchu Picchu over 2 days. Hernan was our guide from Cusco airport to Urubamba taking.us to many sites in the area. Stayed overnight in Urubamba. We then went to Macchu Picchu town and navigated the trains and buses up to the historic site. Stayed in the Macchu picchu town.overnight and did a different route the next day. It was all perfectly planned and the.educational.information was splendid by Hernan as well.as the understanding of our son who.may not.conform.at times to being quiet. Thank you..Highly recommended.

My wife and I recently returned from Cusco, Peru where we completed the 4-day traditional Inca Trail Hike with Hernan Hermoza as our guide. We first came to know Hernan 8 years ago when he toured our family of 7 through the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. Having had such a great prior experience with Hernan, I reached out to him about being our guide for the Inca Trail hike. He was excited about leading us on the trail, and so we ended up booking a private guided tour with Hernan that included 6 porters, and a chef. The entire process from the start to the finish was very well organized. Early on, Hernan provided all of the details regarding the trail itself as well as packing lists, and answers to all of my questions. I booked many months in advance (which you need to do to get the better campsite permits), but we kept in touch periodically, and before I knew it, we were in Cusco and ready to hike. Hernan met with us the day prior to provide us with the duffle bags for our belongings. Air mattresses were provided by his company, and we decided to rent our sleeping bags from him which was much easier than traveling with them. The tent we slept in was a 4-person tent, so plenty of room for the two of us. After each days' hike, we would return back to an afternoon tea with freshly popped popcorn. Meals were expertly prepared and there was always plenty of food on the table. Lunch and dinner would typically start with a delicious soup, and then onto the main dishes. Quite the treatment we had! I had a bit of stomach bug on the trail (which I'd picked up in Cusco), and Hernan was nice enough to carry some of my things along the trail. He's a very caring, compassionate person, and really did everything he could to make sure that I had the food and the medicine that I needed and took great care of me. The chef, too, did such a great job with the meals, and the porters carried so many things without complaint. They even carried a little portable toilet for us! We were truly as comfortable as one could be in the middle of the Peruvian mountains. The Inca Trail Hike itself is a challenging route that requires physical stamina and determination, but it was definitely worth every step. The beauty within nature there is just gorgeous. One of the things I also appreciated about Hernan, was that he is very knowledgeable about the flora and fauna found in the local area and would frequently point our interesting plants and birds that we would come across. Hernan Hermoza is bilingual, and fluent in both English and Spanish, so there are no worries about any communication issues. I have to say that I saw some of the guides that other groups had, and from what I saw, there are many who are young and inexperienced. Hernan truly stands out as a more experienced guide. Truly knowledgeable as well about Inca history. There was no question I threw at him that he could not answer. He made our final day's tour of Machu Picchu memorable and interesting. I highly recommend you choose Hernan Hermoza as your guide in Peru, whether for a day trip to Rainbow Mountain, a trip through the Sacred Valley, or hiking along the Inca Trail. You will not be disappointed. You will leave feeling like you've made a new friend in Hernan.

We spent about a week touring Peru with Hernan and he was truly outstanding. From the very beginning, he made us feel welcomed, cared for, and confident that we were in excellent hands. One of the things we appreciated most was how personalized the experience was. He customized the itinerary around our interests, took us to restaurants that matched our preferences, and made sure every detail was tailored to us which made the trip feel uniquely ours. Hernan handled all of our transportation, which can be challenging to navigate in Peru, and it gave us tremendous peace of mind. Knowing that every detail was taken care of allowed us to relax, be fully present, and enjoy each day without stress. He was always punctual, made sure we arrived everywhere on time, and managed all the logistics seamlessly so we could focus on making memories together. Because of his many years in the business, he knew exactly how to time our visits to popular attractions, often getting us there before the crowds arrived. This thoughtful planning helped us experience many of Peru’s highlights in a more meaningful and enjoyable way. His knowledge, professionalism, and attention to detail made our trip smooth, stress-free, and incredibly rewarding. What stood out most was how genuinely invested Hernan was in ensuring we had an unforgettable experience. His guidance added tremendous value to our trip, helping us see and appreciate Peru in ways we never could have on our own. If you’re looking for a guide who is organized, knowledgeable, reliable, and truly dedicated to his guests, Hernan is an excellent choice. You will feel exceptionally well cared for and can travel with complete confidence knowing you’re in great hands.

My family and I had the most amazing time with Hernan and Isaac. I reached out to Hernan because I was struggling trying to plan my family’s visit to Machu Picchu. Trains, categories of trains, circuits, timing, where to stay. It was so overwhelming! I told him what we wanted to do, what our budget was, and what our limitations might be. He was able to make sure my family did everything that we wanted to do at a pace that was appropriate for us. He took care of everything so that I didn’t have to worry and I was able just to make sure that my family arrived to Cusco. Upon arrival in Cusco, we were immediately greeted and were driven from Cusco to Ollaytantambo . We stayed in a hotel that was recommended, and it worked out beautifully for us. The next morning Hernan and Isaac showed up to take us all around the sacred valley where we were able to visit the Weaver’s in Chinchero, Moray agricultural terraces, and Maras salt pools. Hernan also planned a beautiful place for us to have lunch. He dropped us off that night. He walked me down to the train station to make sure I knew where to go and what train to get on in the morning. He had taken care of our train tickets and once again and made everything easy and we just had to show up. Upon our arrival in Aguas Caliente, he was there waiting and we had the most amazing day ever in Machu Picchu. We were able to see and experience everything that we wanted, and he was so patient and understanding if we needed a rest or wanted to take a million photos. I highly recommend Hernan. He made the trip an absolute joy so that I was able to focus on time with my family and this bucket list trip rather than worrying about the logistics.

Fredy amazing! Very knowledgeable and friendly! Well worth it

We've just returned home to the UK after three fabulous weeks in Peru. We visited Lima, The Amazon Rainforest, Lake Titicaca and Arequipa - but without a doubt, what made our trip extra-special was the eight days we spent in the company of Hernan and Isaac. Whilst with Hernan we visited The Sacred Valley, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero, Moray and Salinas de Maras. I hiked the 'One-day Inca Trail ' to Machu Picchu with Hernan before returning to Machu Picchu the following morning with my wife (and Hernan). I also ascended Vinicunca (Rainbow Mountain) with Hernan. Hernan has a lovely personality. He was always punctual, courteous and extremely enthusiastic about his native country. Hernan knew all the best places to take photos and ensured that we were always well-informed and did not miss a thing. His explanations on various scraps of paper at each of the Inca sites were exceptional - always easy to understand and very easy to follow. Hernan and Isaac knew of all the best places to eat - their recommendations were excellent and really added to our Peruvian experience. I can honestly say that our experience would not have been the same without Hernan. If you are planning a trip to Peru, specifically to Cusco, Machu Picchu and The Sacred Valley (including Rainbow Mountain) - then take all the stress away and simply book with Hernan - you won't be disappointed. We consider ourselves fortunate to have travelled extensively - Hernan is, quite simply THE BEST TOUR GUIDE IN THE WORLD....

I planned my trip to Peru very last minute and only realized too late that tickets to Machu Picchu usually need to be purchased well in advance. I reached out to Hernan in a bit of a panic, and he was incredibly helpful and responsive. He patiently explained the different circuits and walked me through the process of getting last-minute tickets from the Ministry of Culture office in Aguas Calientes. Thanks to his guidance, I was able to secure a ticket just the day before my visit—and even with such short notice, Hernan arranged a guided tour for me with Roberto. Roberto was fantastic—super knowledgeable, passionate, and engaging. He brought the site to life with stories, historical context, and insights that I would have completely missed on my own. If you're going to Machu Picchu—especially if you're navigating a last-minute trip—this team is an absolute lifesaver. Highly recommended!

Our tour guide was great, a lot of interesting information received, and he took great photos of us everywhere. The tour was long enough to see everything, but not tiring, amazing experience

Wanted to thank Hernan and Justino for a wonderful experience. Justino was beyond expectation. He was patient , considerate and pleasure to be with. We had the trip of a lifetime and Justino made it even better. the Cusco tour was fantastic all the way to Highlands to Ollantaytambo. The train ride was beautiful along the river and enjoyed aguas caliente. Thank you again for a fantastic trip of a lifetime.

This is one of the best tour guides I have ever met. And I travel a lot. Hernan truly cares about us, always making sure we are having the best time, meeting our every needs. For example, I told him I could not get up early. He then booked us into a hotel right inside the train station, so we only need to get up at 7 am for our Machupicchu journey. For Rainbow mountains, he booked us ATVs so again saved us two hours of hiking, which was a good choice. As hiking can be taxing at such altitude. I also forgot to give him one of the traveller’s passport, so he had to make calls and go to the stations to book us on the same train, bus and trail pass. So patient, so kind. We owe him much. He also took me to buy the 100 % baby alpaca blanket, and the price is even better than the factory price. He is a world-class professional guide, his van is comfortable, clean and well equipped with oxygen supplies. He is well trained in first aids as well as answer any questions you have about Peru and the attractions in perfect English. I hope to see him again and wish him success and happiness.

Hernan was invaluable, both in helping me plan my 7-day visit to Machu Picchu, Cusco, and the Sacred Valley, and then in organizing his team to make it happen flawlessly. He was always most responsive, professional, and detail oriented, and tailored the tour to my interests. His team of guides and drivers was spot on, always on schedule, and courteous. My Machu Picchu guide was one of the most informative, interesting, and professional guides I have ever had the pleasure to meet. I recommend Hernan without hesitation to anyone thinking about a tour to this part of the world.

We had never been to Peru and were on a limited time frame so we need to organize transportation from Cusco to Aguas Calientes via Ollantaytambo. Hernan was such a big help to us in organizing the trip, arranging the transportation, helping with train tickets, what to do, where to go, where to stay and we are so grateful. It's a little daunting when you are going to a new country and need guidance and Hernan was so helpful and very responsive to all of our questions which we had a lot of. Hernan was not able to be our guide due to an unforseen conflict but he set us up with Justino who was amazing. Not only was he our guide at Machupicchu he helped us with all the drivers and different sights from our drive from Cusco to Ollantaytambo. I would highly recommend using Hernan not only as a guide but as a resource for your trip to Machupicchu.

Hernan is one of a kind!!! We were so delighted with our time with him - the tour of Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley, and Cusco. His knowledge of the Incan Empire, and local customs and traditions, is vast, and he makes every story and explanation interesting. This was my second trip to Peru, and my husband’s first - I learned much more this time around, thanks to Hernan. And I was on a mission to find the perfect set of Torito de Pucara (rooftop bulls), and he made that happen for us! If you visit Peru, whether to tour, hike, or trek, you can’t pick a better companion than Hernan. Hernan, thank you my friend, it was a pleasure to meet you.

Best Machu Picchu guide - don’t miss a trip with Hernan! He grew up hiking the Andes and knows all the history. Hernan took care of every detail. He and his team were excellent. Great hike. Great conversation. Terrific history and knowledge. Service - friendliness - details - Hernan is the best! When Google need to map the trial, they contacted Hernan! You should, too!

I know without a doubt that Hernan was the absolute best tour guide for our trip to Machu Picchu. He is a native of the area and knows so much history and interesting facts about the area. His English is impeccable! He has a very nice easy going nature and is so pleasant to be around. He was our guide for three wonderful days and was always on time to meet us with a smile each morning. He took me to a fantastic local restaurant in Cusco for a delicious local lunch. I would never have found this place on my own. He then suggested the absolute best restaurant for our meal later that night. Hernan is the BEST! I'm already planning my trip to Peru for next year and I'll definitely use this fantastic guide, Hernan, to help me plan my trip and guide me on another wonderful travel experience in Peru.

Hernan was one of the best tour guides I've ever had. He was extremely friendly, attentive, and informative during the entire trip. He made things really easy and enjoyable. I didn't know what to expect before this trip because I've never done hiking or camping anything like this and this blew away my expectations. It is impressive how the way they are able to make this trip work so seamlessly all the while preparing you gourmet meals every meal of the day all a four day hike through mountains! I would absolutely use Hernan again or to anyone looking to do the same experience.!

The company we ended up getting for the tour guide was amazing and very informative. They showed up at our hotel, brought us to a bus station, and got us to Macchupiccu. This ticket is NOT normally accepted though. We had to fight them to accept this printed out ticket. We were told they only accept tickets bought at the Macchupiccu ticket entrance area or via the peru embassy website.

Hernan is simply the best guide ever! He made our trip to Machu Picchu so easy and fun. He is quick and responsive with emails when booking the trip. The van that he uses to pick you up in is spotless and comfortable with great drivers. The porters and the chef were all fabulous. The amount of food we got was almost embarrassing but it was so delicious. The chef was incredible to be able to cook all that on a propane stove. The hike is so beautiful. Hernan paces the walk to your skill level and he is so knowledgeable about the flora and fauna, as well as Peruvian history and the Incas in particular. It's astounding what the Incas were able to do in such a short time. Our nights were spent in a comfortable, roomy tent with thick sleeping pads and warm sleeping bags. I can't say enough about how well organized the trip was. But the warmth and passion that Hernan has for his beautiful is passed along to all the guests. It was an amazing experience. I would go back tomorrow and I use Hernan and his team again!! Thank you!!

I met Hernan as a guide 12 years ago the first time I hiked the Inca Trail. He was a great leader then, and the experience he provides is even better now. I brought a group of 17 hikers and he and his team took care of everyone, fed us amazing food, and accommodated each one of us. I highly recommend hiking this trail at least once in your life and using Hernan and his team as your guides.

Victor was our guide for the day and he was amazing. We toured Machu Picchu and also hiked up Wayna Picchu (group of 3 + guide). Victor has immense knowledge that reflects his 17 years going to the mountain, and also so much passion about the ruins and Incan history. His passion truly enhanced the experience for us, and made us appreciate this Wonder of the World even more. The tour was in English and he explained everything very clearly and thoroughly; I would definitely recommend it! I was worried about the Wayna Picchu hike but Victor was a great guide and made us feel safe. We made it to the top in great time. Lastly, Victor is great at taking pictures! Which is very important at a place so scenic! Thanks for everything Victor.

Hernan and Victor were awesome! The trail was moderately difficult, but the accommodations surpassed my expectations and definitely made it a little easier. Having delicious (and a ton of) food at every meal was great and kept us energized for the hike. I learned a lot about the trail and felt free to ask a million questions. We had a large group and everyone hiked at different speeds, it was nice having 3 guides to hike with each group's speed. I plan to go back and do the trail again (in a few years..) and will DEFINITELY use these guys again!

The Best Private Guide Extraordinaire! We were nervous to go on this trip with Covid, but Hernan assured me it was safe to come, and yes - we felt and were very safe here. I highly recommend coming now and missing the crowds - it is wonderful! Hernan will customize your trip to suit your interests and help with everything you need along the way. We wanted to go off the beaten track and see more of LOCAL life in Peru. Hernan arranged a fantastic set of experiences for us in the Quillabamba region - an amazing lunch with a welcoming LOCAL family and then a tour of their farm. This was such a great experience. On this same leg of the trip we visited an amazing waterfall - had it all to ourselves to swim in and visited a hot spring to soak in. We also toured a coffee plantation with another LOCAL farmer and spent the day harvesting, preparing, roasting, and then drinking fresh coffee and chocolate! Amazing! And of course, Hernan is the best local guide in the region to show you the caves, waterfalls, historic sites, relate the culture today to its roots, and brings a breadth of knowledge about the local flora and fauna. From where to stay to where and what to eat - he’s got all that all! Even with all the Covid requirements to enter the country - it is easy breezy once you arrive. There is no need to retest once you enter the country (despite information I saw beforehand saying that you needed to do this or quarantine) nor to quarantine. The Peruvian people are very diligent about observing masking, distancing, and hygienic aspects of Covid. Don’t wait until the crowds return - come on down now! You may contact Hernan via email (have to write it in parts for it to be listed here) at hernanhermoza77 at @hotmail.com or via WhatsApp at +51 989 562 030

As we cannot travel at present, my daughter booked a 'virtual tour' of Machu Picchu for me with Hernan Hermoza Gamarra yesterday. It was a wonderful experience! Hernan was so friendly and knowledgable, and provided us with a wealth of information about Machu Pichu, well illustrated with photographs, maps and diagrams. He told us about the history and geography of the area, and showed us around the ruins and also showed artefacts found there. He really took a lot of trouble and gave us generously of his time and expertise. Hernan is a local man and normally a tour guide, but due to the pandemic there have been very few tourists, so he put his knowledge to excellent use in taking us on this very enjoyable 'virtual' tour. I thoroughly recommend people to take a 'tour' with Hernan. It made me look forward to the future, when maybe we can ask him to take us there in reality! Thank you Hernan!

I arranged a virtual tour of Machu Picchu for my mums birthday as we are stuck in lockdown and she has always wanted to visit. I am so glad that we booked it and would recommend it even if you aren't in lockdown. Hernan was so brilliant, great communication and flexible approach to the tour, he asked what my mum would want to hear about and tailored the tour accordingly. He was so knowledgeable about the history and the geography and showed us some incredible photos. We all found the talk extremely interesting and got to understand a bit about Hernan's life and where he lives. The ability to sit in our own respective homes in London and get taken completely to a world in Peru was so special. I'd definitely recommend the tour to anyone who wants to learn about Machu Picchu and life in Peru, and to support a small independent business which is totally reliant on tourism. Thanks Hernan!

Hernan exceeded all our expectations. Don’t look any further for the perfect guide in Peru. This trip was for our 30th anniversary. From beginning to end he thoughtfully helped to custom plan a very special experience for us. I told him what we wanted to see and the amount of time we had. He took care of transportation, bought all our entrance tickets in advance, etc. Everything went very smoothly. We especially appreciated his effort to give us authentic local experiences (hikes, food, weaving, lama blessing) and his ability to keep us away from the crowds. Outstanding service, great communication, wonderful tours of Machu Picchu, Cusco and the surrounding areas and exceptional insight to the Incan traditions and culture. We could not be more pleased with our memorable experience. Hernan is more than a local guide, he will be a life long friend. If he doesn’t respond immediately be patient he might be out on the Inca Trail. Hernan Hermoza can be reached at hernanhermoza77@hotmail.com +51 989 562 030 (WhatsApp) Hernan Tour Guides Peru Machpicchu (FaceBook)

We were lucky to have Edyson for two days! He is fantastic. Great English , knowledgeable, great storyteller, patient , has great recommendations, adjusting to your likes and preferences. We really enjoyed our trip there because of him. Highly recommend him as a guide in Peru.

We would not have asked for a better tour guide than Hernan. His attention to detail with our many desires and questions was outstanding. Our time spent there was well planned out as he took care of details we didn’t even know how to ask about. Our experience was rich and wonderful.

We contacted Hernan in March to enquire about his availability to guide us at Machu Picchu in July and although not available himself, he arranged for Roberto to be our Guide. Roberto was waiting at the train steps when we arrived in Aguas Calientes Calientes and was very helpful in taking us through the bus system up to MP. We received very helpful advice from Roberto and he took us on a great walk up to the Inti Punku (Sun Gate) where the views back down the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu were fantastic. We had bought tickets to climb the Montana Machu Picchu but the walk up to Inti Punku was more suitable for our timings and was more than enough! We learned a great decal from Roberto about the Incas, the different theories about the site, and about its history. We would definitely recommend Roberto as a guide and thank you Hernan for arranging this for us.