Machu Picchu in 1 Day
Full-day guided tour by train from Cusco
The Sacred Valley by train, the Inca citadel with a certified guide and back in Cusco the same night.
300 USD
per person
Full day · train, bus and entrance included
Reference image
Schedule
4:00 AM – 8:30 PM
Format
Full-day guided tour
Train
Expedition or Voyager
Ticket
Circuit 2
The experience
One day, one wonder of the world.
Some places you see in photos long before you ever arrive. Machu Picchu is one of them, and nothing quite prepares you for the moment it finally appears between the mountains, wrapped in cloud forest and silence.
Your day begins before dawn in Cusco. A short drive takes you to Ollantaytambo, where the train follows the Urubamba River through the Sacred Valley, and the landscape shifts from Andean peaks to lush cloud forest as you approach Aguas Calientes.
From the town, the bus climbs the mountainside to the gates of the Inca citadel. With a certified local guide, you'll walk through the Main Plaza, the urban sector and the agricultural terraces, discovering how the Incas built a city in harmony with the mountains around it.
After the visit, there's time for lunch and a stroll through Aguas Calientes before the train and bus take you back to Cusco, with every transfer, ticket and connection already arranged for you.
Everything is organized, so all you have to do is look up and take it in.
Highlights
Why you'll remember it.
01
A wonder of the world
Walk through the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu with a certified local guide.
02
The Sacred Valley by train
Ride along the Urubamba River with views of the Sacred Valley from your window.
03
Everything arranged
Train, bus, entrance ticket and transfers organized from start to finish.
04
Back in Cusco the same day
See Machu Picchu in a single day, with no need to stay overnight in Aguas Calientes.
05
Time in Aguas Calientes
Free time for lunch, a stroll around the square and shopping for handicrafts.
06
Support all day long
Ongoing assistance from hotel pick-up until you're back in Cusco.
Itinerary · Full day
From Cusco to the citadel and back.
Approximate schedule. Train and entry times may vary depending on availability.
Step
01
Hotel pick-up
Board the tourist transport from your hotel in central Cusco to Ollantaytambo station (a 1.5 to 2-hour drive).
- Pick-up from your hotel in central Cusco
- 1.5 to 2 hours to Ollantaytambo
Step
02
Train ride to Aguas Calientes
Board the Expedition or Voyager tourist train (or the panoramic Vistadome / 360° option) at Ollantaytambo station, bound for Aguas Calientes. Enjoy views of the Sacred Valley and the Urubamba River along the way (about 1 hour 45 minutes).
- Expedition or Voyager train
- Sacred Valley and Urubamba River views
Step
03
Arrival and free time
Arrival at Aguas Calientes station (Machu Picchu Pueblo). You'll have a few minutes to meet your guide, use the restrooms or grab a quick breakfast.
- Meet your guide
- Time for a quick breakfast
Step
04
Consettur bus to the citadel
Board the official bus that climbs the mountainside for about 30 minutes to the entrance of the Inca citadel.
- Official Consettur bus
- 30-minute ride up the mountain
Step
05
Guided visit to Machu Picchu
Show your passport and ticket (usually Circuit 2). The guided visit lasts 2 to 2.5 hours and covers the main highlights, such as the Main Plaza, the urban sector and the agricultural terraces.
- Circuit 2 ticket
- Main Plaza and urban sector
- Agricultural terraces
Step
06
Bus back down
Take the return bus from the sanctuary down to the town of Aguas Calientes.
- Return bus to Aguas Calientes
Step
07
Lunch and free time
Lunch at a local restaurant in Aguas Calientes and free time to stroll around the square or shop for handicrafts. Be at the station 40 minutes before your train departs.
- Lunch at a local restaurant (not included)
- Free time in town
- At the station 40 minutes early
Step
08
Return train
Board the tourist train back from Aguas Calientes station to Ollantaytambo station.
- Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
Step
09
Bus transfer back to Cusco
Connect with the tourist transport (bimodal service or the rail company's bus) from Ollantaytambo to the city of Cusco.
- Bimodal service or rail company bus
Step
10
Arrival in Cusco
End of the service, with drop-off at a central point near Cusco's Plaza de Armas.
- Drop-off near the Plaza de Armas
What's included
Everything is arranged for you.
Included
Hotel pick-up.
Full transfers (Cusco – Ollantaytambo – Cusco).
Round-trip tourist train tickets (Expedition or Voyager service).
Bus tickets up and down (Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu).
Official entrance to the Machu Picchu Sanctuary (Circuit 2).
Professional certified local tour guide.
Ongoing assistance.
Not included
Breakfast and lunch.
Tips or personal expenses.
Optional climbs to additional mountains such as Huayna Picchu (extra payment and booking required).
Transportation to or from hotels outside Cusco's historic center.
Before you go
Key tips for your trip.
Bring your original ID
You must carry your original passport or ID card (the same one used for the booking). Otherwise, you won't be allowed to board the train or enter Machu Picchu.
Pack light
Train companies only allow one piece of hand luggage or a small backpack of up to 5 kg. Leave large suitcases in storage at your hotel in Cusco.
Choose your train category
The standard tour includes comfortable categories such as Expedition (PeruRail) or Voyager (IncaRail). For a superior experience with floor-to-ceiling windows, you can request an upgrade to the panoramic Vistadome or 360° trains.
Dress for the weather
You're heading into a high-jungle zone (ceja de selva). Dress in layers, with warm clothes for the early morning and light ones for midday, and always bring a waterproof poncho, sunscreen and insect repellent.
FAQ
What travelers often ask us.
Is the Machu Picchu entrance ticket included?
Yes. The price includes the official entrance to the Machu Picchu Sanctuary, usually Circuit 2, and the guided visit with a certified local guide.
How long is the guided visit?
Between 2 and 2.5 hours inside the citadel, covering the Main Plaza, the urban sector and the agricultural terraces.
What time do we leave and return?
Pick-up is between 4:00 and 4:30 AM, and you'll be back in Cusco between 7:30 and 8:30 PM.
Which train is included?
The Expedition (PeruRail) or Voyager (IncaRail) tourist train. You can request an upgrade to the panoramic Vistadome or 360° trains.
Are meals included?
No. Breakfast and lunch are not included. There's time for a quick breakfast when you arrive in Aguas Calientes and for lunch at a local restaurant after the visit.
Can I climb Huayna Picchu?
It's not included in this tour. Climbs to additional mountains such as Huayna Picchu require an extra payment and a separate booking.
What documents do I need?
Your original passport or ID card, the same one used for the booking. Without it, you can't board the train or enter Machu Picchu.
What does the 300 USD price include?
Hotel pick-up, all transfers between Cusco and Ollantaytambo, round-trip train tickets, the bus up and down, the official Machu Picchu entrance (Circuit 2), a certified local guide and ongoing assistance. Meals, tips and personal expenses are not included.
Gallery
Moments of the journey.
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