About this experience
Join Peru Hikers for an incredible adventure guided by local experts. Your journey will start and end at your hotel, giving you the chance to witness the breathtaking beauty of Machu Picchu – one of the New 7 Wonders of the World – in just one day. Get ready to be wowed by the stunning views during your Observatory Train ride through Cusco.
At a glance
- Duration: 14 hr
Plan your experience
Set aside 14 hr for the experience itself, with additional time to reach your meeting or pickup point.
Before you go
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Local guides to help you plan
Choosing the Right Train to Machu Picchu
PeruRail or IncaRail, Vistadome or Expedition, Ollantaytambo or Poroy. The trade-offs nobody explains until you're already at the station.
Machu Picchu Train From Cusco Guide
Plan the Machu Picchu train from Cusco with clear advice on bimodal routes, entry tickets, train classes, timings, baggage, and booking order.
Machu Picchu Day Trip From Cusco
A Machu Picchu day trip from Cusco is possible, but it requires advance entry tickets, carefully matched transport, and a very early start. Use this practical guide to choose a circuit, build a realistic schedule, compar
What is included
- Round trip Vistadome Observatory train
- Hotel pick up and drop off
- Machu Picchu entrance fee is covered(book 5 month before for the Circuit 2)
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Bus up and down to Machu Picchu
- Only Licensed local guides
Not included
- Food
- Gratuities
Itinerary and highlights
Your day begins with a 4:00 am pickup from your hotel by our private transport, heading straight to the Ollantaytambo train station.
Here, you'll board the 6:10 am Vistadome Observatory Train
After a journey of 1 hour and 45 minutes, you'll arrive at Aguas Calientes town
The train ride takes approximately 1 and 45 minutes, passing through beautiful landscapes of the high Andes and the Cloud Forest. Upon arrival at the final train station, your tour guide will meet you and take you to the bus station for a 30-minute ride to Machu Picchu.
You will arrive at the main gate of Machu Picchu around 10:00 am. Please bring your entry tickets and original passports to present at the gate before exploring Machu Picchu with your Peru Hikers expert guide.
Your tour guide will show you the most important buildings, including the viewpoints, guard house, terraces, temples, palaces, and more.
A two-hour guided tour awaits, filled with historical insights and ample opportunities for capturing the iconic beauty of this ancient wonder.
Following the tour, a bus ride takes you to Aguas Calientes. You'll then catch a train back to Ollantaytambo
Our driver will be ready to take you back to Cusco.
Your adventure concludes with a drop-off at meeting point.
Meeting and pickup information
- Cusco Mainsquare will be the round-trip meeting point.
Languages and tickets
- English — Guide
- Spanish — Guide
- Mobile Only
Tour operator
- Peru Hikers
Accessibility and practical details
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Questions about this experience
How long is this experience?
Which guide languages are listed?
What ticket format is listed?
What ticket age bands are listed?
What is the cancellation policy?
Traveller reviews and photos
Traveller experiences load when you reach this section.
