The Machu Picchu day trip from Cusco will start with an early morning departure. We will travel by bus to Ollantaytambo, which is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes away. From there, we will board the Expedition train, operated by PeruRail, for a scenic ride to Aguas Calientes.
During the train journey, we will enjoy panoramic views of the Sacred Valley and Andean landscapes. As we move closer to the town of Aguas Calientes, the terrain will change to lush cloud forests. This trip to Machu Picchu provides comfort as you take in the breathtaking scenery.
Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes, we will take a bus to the entrance of the Inca citadel. The ride up to Machu Picchu will take about 25 minutes. Once at the site, we will explore the ancient structures, including the Temple of the Sun and Machu Picchu Mountain, with a professional guide.
After our guided tour, we will return to Aguas Calientes for some free time to explore the town or enjoy a meal. In the afternoon, we will board the train back to Ollantaytambo, then return to Cusco by bus. This Machu Picchu day trip from Cusco is an unforgettable experience, full of natural beauty and historical wonders.
Your hotel in Cusco
2:50 AM
We are going to begin our exciting day trip to Machu Picchu very early in the morning. At around 2:50 AM, we are going to pick you up from your hotel in Cusco, and our journey will start. After a quick chat to explain the day, we will get on a nice bus that will take us to Ollantaytambo.
It will take about 1 hour and 30 minutes to get there. On the way, we are going to see beautiful mountains, rivers, and the amazing Sacred Valley, which will make us even more excited for the fun day ahead.
When we arrive in Ollantaytambo, we will have some time to get ready for the next part of our trip: the train ride. We will get on the Expedition train at the train station in Ollantaytambo. The train ride will be one of the highlights of the journey and will last about 1 hour and 30 minutes.
On the train, we will enjoy stunning views of the Sacred Valley and the towering Andes Mountains. We will also pass by rivers, fields, and ancient Inca stone walls. As we travel, we are going to learn about the history and significance of the places we see.
By 7:40 AM, we will arrive in Aguas Calientes, also called Machu Picchu Pueblo. This is the small town at the bottom of Machu Picchu, where we will rest and have some breakfast. After breakfast, we will take a short bus ride up the mountain. This bus ride takes about 25 minutes surrounded by the most beautiful views of the valley and Inca city on top of the mountain.
Around 10:00 AM, we will arrive at Machu Picchu. We will start our tour of the ancient city. The tour will last about two hours, and we will walk through the beautiful old buildings and learn about their history. Our guide will explain how the Incas built this city, why it was important, and how they used the place.
We will visit special places like the Main Plaza, the Temple of the Sun, the Intihuatana stone, and the large stone steps the Incas used to grow crops. We will also be able to see the beautiful Machu Picchu Mountain and the valley from the top.
After the tour, we will have some free time to explore Machu Picchu on our own or relax and enjoy the calm surroundings. If you want, you can go back to places that you liked, or you can simply relax and look at the beautiful view.
At 1:30 PM, we will get on the bus again to go back to Aguas Calientes. The bus will take us down the mountain, and we will see the valley below us again. Once we are back in Aguas Calientes, we will have free time to look around the town. You can eat, shop for small gifts, or just relax before we continue our trip.
At around 4:23 PM, we will get back on the train to go back to Ollantaytambo. The train ride will give us another chance to enjoy the beautiful views of the Sacred Valley, but from a different spot. When we reach Ollantaytambo, we will take the bus back to Cusco. The bus ride will take about 1 hour and 30 minutes, and we will arrive back in Cusco by 9:30 PM.
This will be the end of our amazing day trip to Machu Picchu. You will have seen so many new things, learned about an ancient place, and experienced a day full of adventure. This special trip to Machu Picchu will be a memory you will always remember. It is a perfect way to discover this famous place, and it will stay in your heart forever.
The entire trip lasts approximately 14-15 hours, with a full day of sightseeing and travel.
Yes, it is highly recommended to book tickets in advance, especially for the train and Machu Picchu entrance.
Yes, you can buy tickets to climb either of these peaks, but please you need to book them in advance.
Machu Picchu operates in all weather conditions, but we recommend bringing a rain jacket or poncho just in case.
The best time to visit is during the dry season, from April to October. However, the site is open year-round.
This tour involves walking on uneven surfaces, and some steps in Machu Picchu can be steep. It may not be suitable for people with significant mobility issues.
Kindly notify us in advance of any dietary restrictions you may have. The tour does not include meals, but we will recommend some great restaurants for you to enjoy.
An unforgettable experience! The train ride was stunning, and the guide at Machu Picchu was incredible. The views were breathtaking, and we learned so much about the history of the Inca citadel. I highly recommend this tour for anyone visiting Cusco!
The whole trip was seamless. From the hotel pick-up to the train ride and the guided tour, everything was organized perfectly. Machu Picchu is just as amazing as it looks in photos, and the views from the train ride were unforgettable!
