Machu Picchu in 2 Days: Train, Aguas Calientes Stay and Guided Visit
from US$ 405 per person
You leave Cusco in the afternoon for Ollantaytambo or Poroy station and ride the train down to Aguas Calientes, the town at the foot of Machu Picchu. You spend the night there, so the next morning you reach the citadel without a pre-dawn start from Cusco.
After breakfast your guide meets you at the hotel, you take the bus up the switchback road and tour Machu Picchu with commentary in English or Spanish: temples, terraces and the logic the Incas used to lay out the llaqta.
Back in town there is a buffet lunch and free time, for example for the hot springs. In the afternoon you take the train back and a transfer drives you to Cusco.
Highlights
- Round-trip train on the Expedition or Inca Rail service, with snacks on board
- One night in Aguas Calientes to reach the citadel without rushing
- Bus up and down and Machu Picchu entry ticket included
- Guided visit in English or Spanish
- Hotel breakfast and buffet lunch in Aguas Calientes
- Transfers between Cusco and the train station both ways
Gallery
- Duration
- 2 days / 1 night
- Schedule
- Departure from Cusco in the afternoon of day 1
- Capacity
- Minimum 2 people (double room)
- Service
- Shared
- Languages
- Spanish and English
Itinerary
Sample itinerary: exact times depend on the assigned train and your Machu Picchu entry slot.
- Day 1
Cusco to Aguas Calientes by train
In the afternoon we pick you up at your Cusco hotel and take you to Ollantaytambo or Poroy station. You ride the Expedition or Inca Rail train to Aguas Calientes. On arrival you walk on your own to your hotel, a few minutes away in this car-free town, and spend the night there.
- Day 2
Machu Picchu and return to Cusco
You have breakfast at the hotel and, at the time set by the guide, you are picked up for the bus to the citadel, where the guided visit starts with the group. You ride back down to Aguas Calientes for a buffet lunch and free time. In the afternoon you take the train to Ollantaytambo or Poroy, where the transfer to Cusco is waiting.
Included
- Pickup at your Cusco hotel and transfer to Ollantaytambo or Poroy station
- Return transfer from Ollantaytambo or Poroy station to Cusco
- Round-trip train on the Expedition or Inca Rail service
- Complimentary snacks and drinks on the train
- Bus up and down between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu
- Machu Picchu citadel entry ticket
- Guided visit with an English- or Spanish-speaking guide
- 1 night of accommodation in Aguas Calientes at a hotel in the chosen category
- Hotel breakfast
- Buffet lunch in Aguas Calientes
- Ongoing assistance throughout the trip
Not included
- Accommodation in Cusco
- Meals not mentioned
- Entrance to the Aguas Calientes hot springs
- Tickets to Huayna Picchu, Machu Picchu Mountain or the museum
Safety
- There is no motor traffic in Aguas Calientes and you get around on foot: bring just a backpack or small bag and leave the rest of your luggage in Cusco.
- Machu Picchu sits lower than Cusco, but the visit involves stairs and uneven ground: wear shoes with good grip and walk at your own pace.
- Weather at the citadel shifts quickly between sun and rain: pack a light rain jacket, sunscreen, a hat and insect repellent.
- Inside the citadel, stay with your guide on the marked circuits; leaving the paths is not allowed.
Important
- Rates are per person for foreign travelers and depend on the hotel category you choose, from 2★/3★ economy to 5★.
- The rate applies to a minimum of 2 people sharing a double or matrimonial room; for 1 person or groups of more than 2, the rate changes.
- If you live in Peru or come from an Andean Community country (Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador), ask for your rate.
- Rates are not valid on public holidays, Holy Week, Peru's national holidays (Fiestas Patrias), New Year, Inti Raymi, some festive days and long weekends.
- Children up to 3 years old travel free and share their parents' bed. Students and children with valid ID get a reduced rate: ask when you book.
- Tours are on a shared basis. Depending on train schedules, there may be a wait at Machu Picchu until passengers from other trains arrive to start the guided visit.
- Services end at Plaza Regocijo, two blocks from Cusco's Main Square. If your hotel is on the way back, the vehicle can drop you at the door.
- To enter Machu Picchu, bring the original passport or ID used to issue your ticket.
- You can add entry to Huayna Picchu, Machu Picchu Mountain or the museum, the Vistadome train or an earlier return train, at extra cost and subject to availability. Extra entrance tickets must be booked together with the package.
- No-shows, cancellations and date changes are charged at 100% of the package.
Frequently asked questions
Does the package include the train to Machu Picchu?
Yes. It includes the round-trip train between Ollantaytambo or Poroy and Aguas Calientes on the Expedition or Inca Rail service, plus transfers to and from Cusco. If you prefer the Vistadome train, you can upgrade at extra cost.
Where do I sleep on this package?
The only night is in Aguas Calientes, at a hotel in the category you choose. Accommodation in Cusco before and after the package is not included.
How much luggage can I bring?
Just enough for one night. There are no motor vehicles in Aguas Calientes and you walk from the station to the hotel, so it is best to leave your large suitcase at your Cusco hotel.
Can I climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain?
Yes, as an add-on at extra cost and subject to availability. Those tickets are booked together with the package because spaces are limited.
Are the Aguas Calientes hot springs included?
No. You can go during your free time on day 2 and pay the entrance on site; towels and swimwear are sold or rented there.