Full-day excursion to Machu Picchu from Cusco

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Overview

What's Included

✓ Included

  • Certified guide
  • Personalized advice and follow-up
  • Bus up to the Citadel of Machu Picchu and back
  • Digital and physical tickets
  • First aid
  • Tickets to Machu Picchu
  • Train ticket according to your preferred category, round trip
  • Round-trip bus tickets from Cusco to Ollantaytambo

✗ Not Included

  • Drinks, snacks and food may be included according to the train category or payment on board.

Itinerary

1
Stop 1
The experience begins early in the morning, when our guests are picked up from their accommodation or at the point agreed upon during prior arrangements. Aboard a modern tourist vehicle, we embark on a journey of approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes to the train station in Ollantaytambo. This route offers a first glimpse into the majesty of the Sacred Valley: cultivated fields that define the landscape, small Andean villages that preserve their traditional essence, and rivers that meander between imposing mountains. Every curve in the road anticipates the deep connection you will experience later with the history and geography of the place.
2
Stop 2
Once in Ollantaytambo, our staff will be waiting to assist you and ensure a smooth check-in process. You will receive instructions on how to board the train to the town of Aguas Calientes, according to the service you have booked. The train journey takes approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes. Along the way, the landscape gradually changes: the mountains narrow, the vegetation thickens, and the river flows steadily along the way. This journey offers a moment of calm and contemplation before reaching one of the world's most iconic destinations: Machu Picchu.
3
Stop 3
Once the train arrives in the town of Aguas Calientes, an accredited representative awaits travelers to welcome them and provide all the necessary information to continue their journey. After the meeting, the group prepares to begin the ascent to Machu Picchu, which is done on a tourist bus along a mountain road. This approximately 25-minute section allows you to enjoy the stunning natural surroundings as you advance toward the entrance to the Inca citadel.
4
Stop 4
Once inside Machu Picchu, a guided tour of approximately three hours begins, carefully designed to offer an enriching experience, adapted to the pace of the group. Along the way, your guide will share valuable insights into the site's most iconic areas, revealing details about ancient engineering, the Andean worldview, and the profound symbolism that permeates each structure. The landscape, history, and silence of the mountains combine to create a unique connection with this ancient legacy. At the end of the tour, participants will head to the boarding point to take the bus back to the town of Aguas Calientes.
5
Stop 5
After visiting Machu Picchu, travelers will have free time in Aguas Calientes to enjoy at their own pace. This time can be spent sampling the local cuisine, relaxing in a café, strolling through the craft market, or simply exploring the surroundings of this picturesque town surrounded by nature and mountains. At the end of this rest period, the group will meet at the train station to board the return train. The return trip to Ollantaytambo takes approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes and offers a last opportunity to contemplate the beauty of the Sacred Valley as dusk falls over the Andean landscape.
6
Stop 6
After completing the Machu Picchu experience and returning by train to Ollantaytambo, passengers are welcomed back to begin the final journey to Cusco. The two-hour road trip offers a tranquil atmosphere, ideal for resting, reminiscing about the day, or simply enjoying the fading scenery as the sun sets. Once in Cusco, travelers are transferred to the prearranged drop-off point, marking the end of an intense and enriching day. More than a tour, it has been a profound encounter with the history, nature, and living essence of the Andes.

Meeting & End Point

📍
Meeting Point
If you are heading on your own, take San Pedro Square as a reference point. From there, continue along Santa Clara Street, continue along San Pedro Street, and eventually reach Hospital Street. Our offices are located at number 142, easily identifiable.
🏁
End Point
If you are heading on your own, take San Pedro Square as a reference point. From there, continue along Santa Clara Street, continue along San Pedro Street, and eventually reach Hospital Street. Our offices are located at number 142, easily identifiable.

Find Hotels in Cusco

Good to Know

  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

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Special Instructions

One day before the tour, travelers must visit the operator's office to pick up their physical tickets: train tickets, Machu Picchu admission, and bus tickets, depending on the package purchased. During this visit, staff will provide a detailed explanation of the itinerary, provide important recommendations, and answer any questions. The office is located at 142 Hospital Street, just steps from San Pedro Square, in downtown Cusco. On the day of the tour, no additional paperwork is required; you just need to bring your original ID or passport. The operations team will accompany and assist passengers at every stage of their journey.

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