Machu Picchu Day Tour from Cusco
The Inca citadel in one full day, by train and with a local guide
fromUS$285
Easy
Adventure Travel
Machu Picchu by Car
Machu Picchu
- Duration
- 2 days
- Physical level
- Moderate
- Max. altitude
- 4,320 m
- Group size
- Small group
- Accommodation
- Hotel in Aguas Calientes
- From
- US$225
Over the Andes and through the cloud forest, two days and one night
Drive over the 4,320 m Abra Málaga pass to Santa Teresa and Hidroeléctrica, walk beside the railway to Aguas Calientes and visit Machu Picchu the next morning.
The most affordable way to Machu Picchu, through several microclimates — from Andean peaks to cloud forest — with the train back to Ollantaytambo.
- The road over the 4,320 m Abra Málaga pass
- Walking beside the railway and the Urubamba river
- The most affordable way to Machu Picchu
The route
← Swipe →© OpenStreetMap
01
Cusco – Hidroeléctrica – Aguas Calientes
Pick-up at 6:00 and drive through Ollantaytambo and over the Abra Málaga pass down to Santa Teresa for lunch.
Overnight: Aguas CalientesLunch, dinner11 km · 1.5 h
Itinerary
Aguas Calientes
Lunch, dinner11 km · 1.5 h4,320 mDay 1: Cusco – Hidroeléctrica – Aguas Calientes
Pick-up at 6:00 and drive through Ollantaytambo and over the Abra Málaga pass down to Santa Teresa for lunch. Continue to Hidroeléctrica and walk 1.5 hours beside the railway and the Urubamba river to Aguas Calientes. Dinner and evening free for the hot springs.
Machu Picchu
Breakfast2.5 h2,430 mDay 2: Machu Picchu – Cusco
Bus up at 7:00 (or hike up if you prefer) and a 2.5-hour guided tour, with free time to explore. Lunch in Aguas Calientes, 16:12 Voyager train to Ollantaytambo and transfer to Cusco, arriving around 20:00.
Customize this journey
Change the pace, upgrade hotels, add days — this itinerary is yours to shape.
What's included
Included
- Tourist transport Cusco – Hidroeléctrica
- 1 night in Aguas Calientes
- Lunch and dinner on day 1, breakfast on day 2
- Bus Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes
- Machu Picchu entrance ticket
- Voyager train Aguas Calientes – Ollantaytambo and transfer to Cusco
- Professional guide in English or Spanish
Not included
- Meals not mentioned
- Aguas Calientes hot springs entrance
- Travel insurance
- Tips and personal expenses
Before you go
Tickets
Machu Picchu tickets are timed and limited. We book them as soon as your dates are confirmed; from May to September they sell out weeks ahead.
Documents
Carry your original passport: it is checked at the citadel entrance and on the train.
Luggage
Trains allow one small bag of up to 5 kg. We keep the rest of your luggage safely at your hotel in Cusco.
Altitude
Machu Picchu is lower than Cusco, but spend at least one day in Cusco or the Sacred Valley before the trip.
What to pack
PassportOriginal, not a copy
Soles in cashFor tips and markets
Personal medicationPlus something for altitude
Reusable bottleStay hydrated at altitude
FAQ
G
We plan a gradual ascent, starting in the lower Sacred Valley. Our guides carry oxygen, monitor how you feel and adjust the pace whenever needed.
As soon as your dates are set. From May to September they sell out weeks ahead; we secure them the moment your trip is confirmed.
No. Prices exclude international flights, but we gladly recommend routes and coordinate your arrival and departure times.
What our travelers say
- ★★★★★
“Fast, honest answers on WhatsApp before we booked and real support during the trip. When a train was delayed, everything was rearranged before we even noticed.”
Laura & James P., United KingdomPeru Essentials in Style - ★★★★★
“Walking the Inca Trail had been on my list for twenty years. The team handled the permits, the porters were incredible and arriving through the Sun Gate was pure emotion.”
Michael K., AustraliaClassic Inca TrailGoogle - ★★★★★
“Travelling with three kids could have been stressful, but the pace was just right. The llama trek and the chocolate workshop were the highlights for our children.”
The Harrison family, United StatesFamily Adventure in the AndesTripadvisor - ★★★★★
“The perfect honeymoon. The Hiram Bingham train, a private sunrise at Machu Picchu and three nights in the Amazon — Giovanni designed something that felt completely ours.”
Emma T., United KingdomRomantic Peru HoneymoonGoogle - ★★★★★
“Our guide on the Salkantay trek knew every plant, every story and exactly when we needed a break. Crossing the pass at sunrise is a memory we will keep forever.”
David & Claire R., CanadaSalkantay Trek to Machu PicchuTripadvisor - ★★★★★
“Every single detail was taken care of, from the airport pick-up in Lima to a quiet table overlooking the Sacred Valley. We never once had to think about logistics — we just enjoyed Peru.”
Sarah M., United StatesPeru Essentials in Style
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