Departure times
- Daily departure: 5:00 AM
- Train times vary by season
Essentials at a glance
- Duration
- 13 h 30 min
- Type
- Private
- Departures
- 05:00
- Pickup
- Hotels in Cusco’s historic center
- Languages
- English & Spanish
- Cancellation
- Free up to 24 hours before
The experience
Why you’ll love this
Leave Cusco before dawn and ride one of South America’s most beautiful railways, following the Urubamba River from the highlands into the cloud forest. From Aguas Calientes, a bus climbs to the sanctuary, where your guide leads you through the terraces, the Sacred Plaza, the Temple of the Three Windows and more. Train, bus and entrance tickets are included.
Important: before you book, message us to confirm Machu Picchu entrance and train availability for your date. If the circuit you want is sold out, we will offer you the circuits available on that same day. Bring your passport: it is required to enter.
- Scenic train ride to Aguas Calientes
- Guided tour of Machu Picchu
- Private guide and private transfers included
- Hotel pickup in Cusco
Step by step
Your route
Hotel pickup
A private transfer picks you up at your hotel at 5:00 AM.
Transfer to the train station
A drive through the Sacred Valley, past mountains, rivers and Andean communities.
Train to Aguas Calientes
One of South America’s most beautiful railways, along the Urubamba River into the cloud forest.
Bus to Machu Picchu
A bus ride from Aguas Calientes up to the entrance of the sanctuary.
Guided tour of Machu Picchu
The main viewpoint, the terraces, the Sacred Plaza, the Temple of the Three Windows, the Main Temple, the Sacred Rock and the urban sectors (the Intihuatana depends on the assigned circuit).
Aguas Calientes
Free time for lunch before the return train to Ollantaytambo.
Transfer back to Cusco
A private transfer from Ollantaytambo station to your hotel.
Everything taken care of
What’s included
- Private transfer: hotel pickup and drop-off
- Private transfer to Ollantaytambo station
- Round-trip train on scheduled service (standard class)
- Round-trip bus to the citadel
- Machu Picchu entrance
- Private guide at the citadel, for your group only
Not included
- Meals and drinks
- Premium train upgrades
- Huayna Picchu ticket
- Tips
Good to know before you go
Plan your day with confidence
Pickup and return
- Hotels in Cusco’s historic center
- Be in your lobby 5–10 minutes early.
- Urubamba or Ollantaytambo? Ask us for a quote.
What to bring
- Your passport (required)
- Comfortable walking shoes
- A small backpack only
- Rain protection and sunscreen
- Insect repellent
- A charged phone or camera
Important information
- Subject to Machu Picchu entrance and train ticket availability. Check with us before you book.
- Visits follow the official entrance circuits.
- Expect stairs and uneven paths inside the site.
- 50% surcharge on Peruvian national holidays.
- Card declined? Ask your bank to enable international online purchases. If it still fails, write to us and we will give you another payment method.
Clear before you confirm
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour. Your group rate is locked in when you book and won’t change if other travelers join your date later. You’ll receive your confirmation email within 15 minutes.
Frequently asked questions
What does the day look like?
About 13 and a half hours, and it starts early: pickup at 5:00 a.m. and transfer to the train station. The train climbs the Urubamba canyon to Aguas Calientes, then the bus up to the citadel and the guided visit. You come back the same way, reaching Cusco at night. It is a long day, but it fits into one, with no overnight in Aguas Calientes.
Are tickets available for my date?
Machu Picchu tickets are limited per day and per circuit, and they sell out months ahead. Message us with your date before you book and we will confirm what is available. If the circuit you wanted is sold out, we will offer you the circuits available on that same day. And if you already bought your tickets, tell us: we may be able to arrange the tour at shorter notice.
Are the train and the guide private?
Your guide at the citadel and all transfers are private, for your group only. The train runs on scheduled service: every operator uses the same scheduled trains to Machu Picchu. If you want a premium train, such as Vistadome or 360°, we quote it separately.
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Ready for this experience?
Book your date online, or message our local team on WhatsApp for help planning your day in Lima.