Entré til Machu Picchu Circuit 2 med guide

We booked a circuit 2 tour three months before our trip. It was our honeymoon and seeing Machu Picchu was meant to be the highlight so we thought this was a safe way to get guaranteed circuit 2 tickets, which we knew was very popular. Just two days before our tour, we got a message from the operator saying there was a “system error” and that they don’t have circuit 2 tickets. The best they can offer us is a tour of the (much less popular) circuit 1 and circuit 3. This was incredibly disappointing and I find it strange that they had several months to discover this error, and just happened to discover it two days before our trip when we were already in Peru and basically had no other options. My hypothesis is that they purposefully advertise “circuit 2” to try and get you to book with them, when they know they don’t have tickets, and then try to switch you over last minute to circuit 1 and circuit 3. But the shady practices didn’t stop. When we actually met with our tour guide she said that the agency had only contracted her to do one circuit even though the messages from the agency explicitly said we would get a tour for BOTH circuits 1 and 3 (to make up for circuit 2). When the tour guide tried to get in contact with the operator, suddenly they were not responsive. So we ended up doing circuit 1 ourselves and only having a tour for circuit 3. I’m guessing they didn’t want to pay the guide extra for both tours even though they were the one to mess up the booking. Our tour itself was fine but from our interaction with our guide, it is clear that this company is a middleman, nothing more. They buy your tickets on your behalf (which we should have done ourselves in retrospect) and they just pair you up with a local tour guide. The guide themselves do not work for the operator. So if you wanted to, you could have as easily bought your own Machu Picchu tickets and then find a tour guide yourself once you get there (there are many tour guides offering their services). So net net if you are looking for circuit 2 tickets, I would NOT recommend this company since it may be a scam. If you are looking for circuit 1 or 3, I guess you can go with this company but you may be better going off with someone more reputable. Another anecdote to illustrate the company’s shadiness. After reluctantly agreeing to booking circuit 1 & 3 for 12PM, the company then tried to pressure us into switching to the 10AM time slot which we declined. But then when we got our tickets, it was for 10AM! When we called this out, the company told us to stick to the 12PM slot but to show a email between them and the ticketing office if we had issues. The email claimed that “we had a disability” so we have to go on the later time slot. For context, my husband and I are both in our 30s in perfect health. Luckily this ended up not being an issue but I hope you can see what business practices this company uses.

Misleading information. Very disorganized. We purchased circuit 2 and was given circuit 1. No one to answer our call. Had to contact Viator to get a response.

Great guide and easy to book! Very thankful, great time! We got to the citadel and back with no issues and it was obvious the guide was very passionate.

Extraordinar views but the guide Richard Papu was the best in thos trip. Comunications, atitudes, informations and pasion impresed us

PeruTrekkers ruined our trip to Peru, we booked a circuito 2 to Machu pichu 3 months before our trip, they confirmed the activity and sent us a “voucher” information to redeem the tickets, 1 day before the activity they sent us an email saying they didn’t have our passes and that wanted to give us a circuito 1 instead. Just for everyone to know Viator is no help at all in a case like this. We had to change all our itinerary when we secure a circuito 2 passes for 2 days later. It sucks that Viator says you can’t cancel your activity because it is no refundable, but in a case like this they just offer you to cancel and refund. I won’t use Viator again, and I say stay away from Peru Trekkers.

I would not recommend this tour company. The tour description stated that Circuit 2 tickets were included, but after booking I found out that they had not actually secured the tickets. Even worse, the company never contacted me to explain the situation. I only learned about the problem because I reached out to them myself. I also tried contacting them through the Viator chat, but I received no response from the tour company. The lack of communication was very disappointing and caused a great deal of unnecessary stress while planning my trip. If your main reason for booking is to visit Machu Picchu on the circuit advertised, be aware that there is no guarantee the company has actually obtained those tickets. I expected much better communication and transparency.

This was one of the most stressful experiences I have ever booked. I booked circuit 2 at 9a, months before the tour date. The tour was immediately confirmed, with the instructions stating when I should be in Aguas Calientes to check in with the guide for a debrief prior to the tour. Days before the tour date I received a message stating that I would not get the tour I requested, that they would try to get me on another tour(and no guarantees!), and I needed to be in Aguas Calientes even earlier. Um, what? I lose 1 night payment on my Ollantaytambo hotel to change the reservation, I needed to book another hotel in Aguas Calientes and change my Perurail ticket. After arriving in Aguas Calientes I was told they got me a ticket on circuit 3 (phew - but not the one I booked), and then the next day told me it was at 6am. I paid a premium (way more than if you just book on the Peru website) for circuit 2 - at the time of booking circuit 3 was available on the Peru website. If I wanted circuit 3, I would have saved the money and booked direct. Days before the booking date I had no option but to acquiesce with what Viator booked, because nothing was available direct. Now - the tour guide I had at Machu Pichu was amazing. He was funny, super knowledgeable and made the tour a lot of fun. And I did really enjoy circuit 3 - it was basically just a walk, nothing strenuous. All in all, it worked out for me and was a great experience. But know, if you book with this company, there is a solid chance that you will not get the tour or timing that you request. My advice is just to book your ticket and guide through the Peru site.

Joel was an amazing guide! He knew so much about all the history of Machu Picchu, as well as all the different buildings we got to walk through as part of Circuit 3. I was so glad I'd chosen to do a guided experience because there aren't signs or anything available at Machu Picchu to give any of that information. Joel also texted me in advance to make sure I had my bus tickets (which I didn't) and help me figure out how to get them. I 100% recommend booking with Local Trekkers! I was by myself, stayed in Machu Picchu village the night before, and did not hike the Inca Trail, just took the bus up on the morning of the tour. Joel spoke amazing English and all his explanations were really thorough. I also speak Spanish and we chose at the beginning to do the tour in a mix of English and Spanish. The only thing I'll note is even though I signed up for Circuit 2 at 8:00am, that ticket is very popular and they weren't able to get it. Instead, Joel got me a ticket for both Circuit 3 (the royal path-- the only ticket where you walk through the houses and structures) and Circuit 1 (which has really great views). We did the tour for Circuit 3 at 6:00am, which I definitely recommend because you're getting to walk through all the structures as you learn about them, and it's much less crowded for that first slot of the day. I did Circuit 1 by myself at 8am, which I actually really enjoyed because it was a little warmer and I got to take my time and just sit taking in the view. All that to say, if you end up with a Circuit 1 and a Circuit 3 ticket instead of a Circuit 2 ticket, it's 100% worth it and you just get to spend more time there since you only get 2 hours per ticket anyway! No regrets and I never would have gotten to walk through all the structures on Circuit 2 anyway.

+1

Ambiguous information regarding ticket withdrawal conditions

Unfortunately due to demand Circuit 2 was sold out, but was given tickets for both Circuit 3 and Circuit 1 (gets to see everything as you would in Circuit 2 anyway). This worked out better, as I got to do two circuits instead of just one. Personally, choosing Circuit 1 & 3 is better even though everyone online says circuit 2 is the one to do. Joel - the tour guide was excellent and very knowledgeable about the Machu Picchu. Note: the tour guide will show you around Circuit 3 and give you an in depth overview of each area of the circuit. Joel was fantastic and very keen on guiding and helping you out with any questions, etc. The tour was very structured and wasn’t rushed at all, even had breaks in between and sat down and taken in the views. Note for circuit 1 you’ll be by yourself but it’s straight forward and just follow the signs until you get the top view point to see the one of the seven wonders of the world. Must do activity if you’re unsure or don’t have the confidence or ability to organise the circuit tickets and bus tickets to get up the entrance point. The tour guide will either meet you at your hotel or meet you by the entrance gate. Note: definitely worth doing the early morning 6am one, you’ll get a better experience seeing before the crowds arrives