Machu Picchu Day Trip From Cusco

Machu Picchu 1 Day Trip from Cusco.

The Machu Picchu Full Day Tour by Train is the ideal choice for travelers with limited time who still want to experience the enchantment of one of the world’s most famous landmarks, Machu Picchu. This well-organized and smooth journey includes beautiful panoramic train rides through the Andes and an expert-led tour that brings you closer to the rich culture and history of the Inca civilization.

Your adventure starts with a comfortable hotel pickup from Cusco or the Sacred Valley, followed by a stunning train ride to Aguas Calientes or Machu Picchu Pueblo. From there, a short bus ride takes you to the entrance of Machu Picchu, where a professional guide will take you on a 2.5-hour in-depth tour of the iconic Inca citadel. The guide will share fascinating stories about its history and spiritual importance. After the tour, you’ll have free time to explore, take photos, or enjoy the breathtaking surroundings before returning to your hotel in a comfortable and stress-free manner. To ensure a spot on this popular tour, simply book early through our online platform or by contacting us directly.

Highlights

• Enjoy a well-organized Machu Picchu Day Trip.
• Choose between a small-group or private tour for a more personalized experience.
• Arrive with the correct train schedule and Machu Picchu tickets already arranged.
• Take your time to discover, enjoy, and photograph this Wonder of the World while learning about its hidden history.
• Relax and enjoy the scenic train ride through the Urubamba River Valley.

Why choose our Machu Picchu 1-day tour with Us?

• We handle all ticket purchases, so you don’t have to wait in long lines.
• We’ll pick you up and drop you off at your hotel or Airbnb.
• Booking is easy and quick via our online platform.
• This tour is operated by Magical Peru Expeditions, a 100% local company based in Cusco.
• Our small groups are limited to a maximum of 8 people, making the experience more personal than with larger groups.
• We do not share our Machu Picchu 1-day tour with other companies.
• We are a reliable, punctual, and practical travel company that welcomes both individuals and groups.
• Our tour guides are constantly learning and keep themselves well-informed through a thorough program of ongoing professional development. We genuinely enjoy sharing the unique and wonderful experience of Machu Picchu with our guests.
• We are available 24 hours a day. You can call us at this number anytime.
• We promise our clients that we will not cancel your Machu Picchu day trip because of low numbers or limited participation on the departure day. Also, we never transfer our travelers to other tour companies. This commitment provides our travelers with the confidence and assurance that their travel plans are secure and guaranteed.

ITINERARY TOUR MACHU PICCHU 1 DAY | MACHU PICCHU FULL DAY

Cusco – Machu Picchu train trip – Cusco.

Start your day early and embark on a Machu Picchu day trip, exploring a remarkable example of human culture and natural beauty. Machu Picchu is also one of the New7Wonders of the World and has been recognized as the Best Tourist Attraction by the World Travel Awards (WTA) for several consecutive years.

Our staff will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco at 3:45 am, or at the agreed time. You will then be taken by tourist minibus to Ollantaytambo or Poroy train station. Board your train for an unforgettable journey through the Urubamba River valley, surrounded by towering mountains, until you reach Machu Picchu village (Aguas Calientes). Upon arrival, you will be greeted by one of our hosts and a professional local tour guide who will accompany you on your tour of the Machu Picchu Inca city.

After passing the Machu Picchu checkpoint, head to the lookout point (watchman’s house), from where you can enjoy the stunning panoramic views of Machu Picchu in perfect harmony with nature. Take some great photographs that will capture your experience forever. Then walk through the main highlights of the urban area. After your tour, you’ll take a shuttle bus to Aguas Calientes town and have lunch on your own. Later (at 14:55, 15:20, or 18:20), take your return train to Ollantaytambo or Poroy. Upon arrival, you’ll be met and accompanied by our staff back to Cusco city by tourist minibus.

Included

Hotel pick up: Our guide will meet you at the reception area of your hotel in Cusco. Please avoid waiting outside, as it can be quite cold. The guide will knock on the door of your hotel or Airbnb.

Transportation from Cusco to Ollantaytambo: We will take you in a spacious van from Cusco to the Ollantaytambo train station.

Train ticket from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes: We include a ticket for an Expedition train departing from Ollantaytambo at 5:00 am.

Round-trip bus tickets to Machu Picchu: We include two bus tickets — one from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu and another from Machu Picchu back to Aguas Calientes.

Professional English-speaking tour guide: We carefully select our English-speaking guides, who have graduated from top universities and institutes. Each guide is chosen for their professionalism, dedication, and passion for their work. Their commitment to providing a great experience is clearly shown through their attention to detail and enthusiasm for interacting with our customers.

Guided tour at Machu Picchu: Our knowledgeable guide will accompany you to the most important sites within Machu Picchu. They will give detailed explanations of each Inca site you visit. During the approximately two-hour tour, you will gain valuable insights into the historical and cultural significance of these landmarks, ensuring a comprehensive and enriching experience of this ancient wonder.

Train to Ollantaytambo

Return train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo: We will include an Expedition train ticket departing from Aguas Calientes at either 2:55 pm or 3:20 pm.

Private van from Ollantaytambo to Cusco: After arriving in Ollantaytambo, our driver will meet you and take you back to Cusco in our van.

Oxygen tank: On the way to Ollantaytambo, we will reach up to 3,700 meters, so our van is equipped with an oxygen tank for any emergencies.

Machu Picchu ticket: We provide a ticket for Machu Picchu that includes access to Circuit 2. It is advisable to book in advance to secure access to Circuit 2. If Circuit 2 is unavailable, we will notify you within 24 hours, allowing you to purchase tickets for Circuits 1 and 3 to explore the Machu Picchu citadel fully.

First aid kit: Our guide always has a basic first aid kit ready, allowing us to handle any minor emergencies that may occur during our activities. The kit includes essential items such as bandages, antiseptic wipes, gauze, and medical tape. This helps us address minor injuries and small health issues promptly.

24/7 customer service: We are pleased to inform you that our phone support is available 24/7. You can call us anytime, and our team is always available to assist with any questions or concerns you may have.

Not Included

Meals

Additional Upgrades

• Huayna Picchu Mountain: USD 65
• Machu Picchu Mountain: USD 65

Vistadome

• One Way Vistadome Ticket: USD 35
• Round Trip Vistadome Ticket: USD 70

Recommendations for the day tour to Machu Picchu

• Original passport
• Waterproof jacket/rain poncho
• Warm jacket
• T-shirts
• Comfortable pants
• Sun hat.
• Sun cream (factor 35 or higher)
• Repellent for insects.
• Personal medication
• Camera and camcorder

Important information

• Proof of full-dose COVID vaccinations and double or KN95 masks are required and use a face covering when riding the Service train.
• Train schedules are subject to change subject to availability. Once you’ve made your reservation, we’ll be able to confirm the exact train time.

Questions and Answers

When is the best time to go to Machu Picchu?

Any time of the year is suitable to visit Machu Picchu, but the best time is from June to September to avoid the rain.

Has this tour ever been canceled during the rainy season?

No, we have never canceled this tour because the roads you cross to get to Machu Picchu are safe. During the rainy season, we recommend booking an extra Vistadome train to avoid delays (due to rain) and enjoy the scenery better.

When to book a visit?

The months of June through September are high season. To ensure good train time, it is recommended to book more than a month in advance.

What is the difference between the trains?

Two companies operate the route between Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes (the town of Machu Picchu): Inca Rail and Peru Rail. Their trains are a tourist in nature, as they run at a low speed that allows for sightseeing during the hour-and-a-half journey. They mainly offer 2 types. The standard one is called Expedition or Voyager and the higher one is called 360 or Vistadome. If you would like a more luxurious catalog or to personalize it, contact us.

How long will I be in Machu Picchu?

The visit lasts approximately 4 hours, of which 2 hours are free to explore the area.

What to bring to Machu Picchu on a day excursion?

In addition to what is stated in the “bringing” section, we would like to point out that temperatures vary greatly on the same day and the sun can be intense, so it is important to bring layers of clothing. A raincoat, as well as sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat or cap. A small backpack will be very comfortable to carry everything. We recommend leaving some of your luggage at your accommodation in Cusco (yes, all hotels offer this service) and bringing only what you need for the visit. Also, Machu Picchu has lockers, they have a price of 5 soles.

Is it possible to book the tour, discounting the price of the entrance ticket or train if I have booked them in advance?

Yes, we offer various discounts depending on what you have already booked. If you want to customize your tour, contact us.

Do you offer discounts to students?

Yes, we offer a discount of 20 USD to students under 25. In order to apply the discount, it is important that you send us a picture of your student ID card.

Is it possible to stay a night in accommodation in Aguas Calientes and return to Cuzco the next day?

Yes, to add an extra night in the Aguas Calientes you just have to contact us to offer you personalized help by sending an email to info@magicalperuexpeditions.com

Where does the tour start?

The tour offers accommodation pick-up, so you will be picked up at your accommodation as long as it is located in the historical center of Cuzco. If the street is not accessible for the minibus, the coordinator will accompany you from your accommodation to the pickup point. In case your hotel is not located in the centre the minibus will not be able to deviate so much from its pickup route and you will be offered a pickup point as close as possible to your accommodation.

THINGS TO KNOW

• As per the new rules, you can stay in the Machu Picchu area only 2 hours, but it is almost impossible to enforce this rule unless visitors would have been all the time harassed by guards who would have to ask them over and over again what time they enter (this rule should be more strict).
• When visiting Machu Picchu, you must bring your passport with you, as you will need it to enter the site.
• With the standard entry ticket to Machu Picchu, you will not be allowed back in after you exit, even if you do not spend the full 2 hours allotted with each ticket. A complete guided tour only tends to last between 2 to 3 hours.
• With the Machu Picchu Machu Picchu Mountain ticket, You should hike first to the Mountain and then do the guided tour at Machu Picchu.
• Be careful with selfies and jumping pictures, as these cause most of the accidents in the mountains.
• Training shoes or lightweight walking shoes are highly recommended.
• Strong insect repellent is recommended.
• Machu Picchu is a unique site, and if you want, you can get a pretty unusual stamp on your Passport.

Bathroom

Bad news, there are no bathrooms or food stalls in Machu Picchu. Make sure you use the bathroom before you enter the site. It is right in front of the entrance and costs two soles.

Mistake

If it is cloudy and rainy and you will leave the viewing platform where the most classic photos are taken from and start the tour around Machu Picchu, with the hope to come back when the weather improves, we would like to inform you that this is impossible. Once you are on the trail you only have to move forward and follow the circuit – there are many guards with whistles watching, and you won’t stand a chance.

Food and Water

When it comes to food and water, bring your own. The ticket says that eating inside the site is prohibited, but you can bring a small snack with you, only try not to eat too openly, and it comes without saying that you should not litter. Also, you should bring your water in reusable flasks or canteens, because Machu Picchu tries to fight against single-use plastic bottles.

Prohibited items are not allowed inside Machu Picchu

• Walking sticks unless the person needs to.
• Also prohibited from entering Machu Picchu by drone, trekking pole, tripod or selfie stick. Elderly people can carry a cane, but with a rubber end, not a metal one.
• Professional cameras are not allowed. Licenses for professional cameras cost up to $300, so avoid bringing a pro camera to save money.
• You cannot enter to Machu Picchu with your travel backpack. Only smaller models are allowed so leave your backpack in Aguas Calientes in your Hotel.

Strikes

Strikes and roadblocks are frequent in Peru and can disrupt our Machu Picchu day tours and rail service to and from Machu Picchu. We will do our best that your Machu Picchu private tour by train continues as planned with some changes.

If the strike happens the day of your Machu Picchu 1-day tour, we will take you to Aguas Calientes town the night before your start date. You will visit Machu Picchu normally. After visiting the Inca ruins, you will have to walk another 3 hours from Aguas Calientes to Hydroelectric. Then we will drive 7 hours to Cusco. We will drop you off at your hotel around 11:00 pm.

Option One: Regular Tour

Machu Picchu Day Trip – Shared Tour Price.

Join a group that’s already formed and travel with new friends to explore the Inca capital and the lost city of the Incas. We have trips every day throughout the whole year.

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Option Two: Private Tour

Machu Picchu Day Trip – Private Tour Price.

Machu Picchu Private Day Tour.

This is the perfect choice if you want to travel with your partner, family, or friends and avoid meeting strangers. You can start your tour any day of the year. The cost depends on the number of people travelling together.