About this experience
For those who are coming for a ‘blitz’ visit, we offer the one day tour to Machu Picchu. The whole route is done by bus and train, so no walking is needed. Except of course while visiting the ruins themselves!
At a glance
- Duration: 20 hr
Plan your experience
Set aside 20 hr for the experience itself, with additional time to reach your meeting or pickup point.
Before you go
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Local guides to help you plan
Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Guide
Plan the classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu with practical guidance on permits, the Km 82 route, timing, published access rates, and booking decisions.
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 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 train ticket from Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu and back
- Pick-up from Cuzco hotel by bus to the train station of Ollantaytambo and back
- Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu
- Professional, English speaking guide
Not included
- Lunch in Aguas Calientes, starting from $10
- Entrance fees to the hot springs in Aguas Calientes
- Bus up and down from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu (12 USD one way)
Itinerary and highlights
Early in the morning around 4:00 a.m. we will pick you up from your hotel in Cuzco and transfer you on a tourist bus to Ollantaytambo train station, where the train will take you to the station of Aguas Calientes in about 1.5 hours. When we arrive there, we will take the bus for about 30 minutes up to the Inca city of Machu Picchu. After leaving our backpacks (for 5 dollars), we will have free time with beautiful sights on the Machu Picchu ruins. After the free time, we are allowed to enter Machu Picchu itself for a maximum duration of 2 hours, due to new regulations. You can either join a guided tour or visit the town by yourself. During the stay, you can visit important archaeological sites such as the agricultural sector, the main plaza and the Inti Watana.
After 2 hours – at around 1 p.m. – we will take the bus back down to the town of Aguas Calientes. Here we have time to eat something (it is possible to pre-book lunch with us), and visit the little, picturesque town. In the afternoon we will board the train back to Ollantaytambo station, where we are waiting for you with transportation to Cuzco. We will be back in Cuzco around midnight.
Meeting and pickup information
- All passengers are picked up at their ho(s)tel before the start of the tour. The exact time will be told some days before the start of your tour. Make sure to be ready!
Languages and tickets
- English — Guide
- Spanish — Guide
- Mobile Only
Tour operator
- PaRa Travels
Accessibility and practical details
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation policy
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
Questions about this experience
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