Photo gallery
A glimpse of the journey
Tour overview
Machu Picchu 2 Days, thoughtfully organized
Visit Machu Picchu without the rush. You travel by train in the afternoon, sleep at the foot of the mountain, and reach the citadel early the next morning, when the light is soft and the crowds are smaller. Add Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain for the classic view from above.
Our Cusco team checks the services, timings and availability for your dates and sends the options in a written quote.
Journey highlights
What makes this trip special
- Early entry to Machu Picchu after a night in Aguas Calientes
- Optional Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain hike
- Relaxed pace with time for the hot springs
Interactive journey map
The train route to Machu Picchu
This interactive map shows the transfer and train section of this trip. Other visits and overnight stays are described in the itinerary. The line is schematic, not a GPS navigation track.
Ready in Cusco
- 01CuscoHotel pickup
- 02OllantaytamboBoard the tourist train
- 03Machu Picchu PuebloAlso known as Aguas Calientes
- 04Machu Picchu entranceBegin your guided visit
By private carCusco to Ollantaytambo through the Sacred Valley.
By trainOllantaytambo to Machu Picchu Pueblo beside the Urubamba River.
By shuttle busMachu Picchu Pueblo to the sanctuary entrance.
Return journeyReturn connections are confirmed in your quote.
Detailed itinerary
Your journey, step by step
Times and services are indicative. Your final schedule is confirmed in your written quote.
Cusco to Aguas Calientes
Pickup around noon · 2 h drive + 1.5–2 h train · Overnight: hotel in Aguas Calientes (2,040 m) · Meals: none Your private driver picks you up at your Cusco hotel around midday and drives you through the Andean countryside and down into the Sacred Valley to Ollantaytambo station. The train follows the Urubamba River through a narrowing canyon, from open farmland into the cloud forest. In Aguas Calientes you walk to your hotel, and your guide meets you in the evening to hand over your tickets and explain the next morning's plan. The rest of the evening is free: the thermal baths are about 10 minutes away on foot, and the main street is full of restaurants.
Machu Picchu and back to Cusco
Bus from about 6:00 am · 2–2.5 h guided visit · Return to Cusco around 7–9 pm · Meals: breakfast After an early breakfast, you take one of the first buses up the zigzag road to Machu Picchu (25 minutes) and enter at your booked time, when the light is soft and the crowds are still small. Your private guide leads you along your circuit: the classic viewpoint over the citadel, the Temple of the Sun, the Intihuatana stone and the Inca terraces, explaining how and why the Incas built here. With the Huayna Picchu add-on, you climb at 7 or 10 am; with Machu Picchu Mountain, at 7 or 9 am. Afterwards you take the bus down, have lunch in town and board the afternoon train to Ollantaytambo, where your driver takes you back to your Cusco hotel.
What's included
Clear inclusions, no guesswork
Included
- transfers
- round-trip train
- 1 night hotel with breakfast
- round-trip bus
- Machu Picchu ticket
- guide
- 24/7 assistance
Not included
- lunches and dinner
- mountain add-ons
- hot springs entry
- tips
Optional extras
Ways to tailor this trip
- Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain +US$ 75
- Vistadome train +US$ 65
- Vistadome Observatory +US$ 145 (round trip)
- 3★ or 4★ hotel upgrade on request
Optional services are subject to availability. Mention your preferences in the booking form notes; your quote will list the selected extras and final total.
Plan with confidence
Essential trip details
Good to know
Before you travel
Entrance routes
Understanding Machu Picchu circuits
Machu Picchu uses timed tickets and set routes. The circuit available for your trip depends on tickets, trek permits and your itinerary.
Panoramic
Elevated viewpoints and selected mountain routes.
Classic
Classic viewpoints and the urban sector.
Royalty
Lower-sector temples and royal spaces.
Routes depend on official availability. Your quote will identify the proposed ticket route.
Planning guides
Useful reading before you book
What to bring
Pack light for the day
- Original passport
- Overnight backpack (max 8 kg) or carry-on bag (max 12 kg), plus a daypack
- Rain jacket, warm layer for the early morning, sun hat and sunscreen
- Insect repellent, especially from November to March
- Swimsuit and sandals for the hot springs
- Cash in soles for meals and tips
Carry the original passport used to book. Check your confirmed ticket and operator instructions for current baggage and site rules.
Frequently asked questions
Before you book
Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain?
Huayna Picchu is shorter and steeper, with very limited daily spots. The Mountain is longer, less exposed and usually easier to secure.
Is the mountain hike safe for kids?
Huayna Picchu has narrow stairs. We recommend it for ages 12+ with a good head for heights.
Can I see the sunrise over Machu Picchu?
With the first entry slot you arrive early, when the light is soft. In the rainy season the citadel is often covered in mist at dawn.
Can I stay a second night in Aguas Calientes?
Yes. Ask for it in your quote and we adjust the train and hotel.
Which is better for photos, Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain?
Huayna Picchu shows the citadel up close from above. Machu Picchu Mountain gives a wider view of the whole valley.
