Photo gallery
Machu Picchu shore excursion photos
Tour overview
Machu Picchu shore excursion at a glance
Your cruise stops in Lima and Machu Picchu is a flight away. We meet you at the Callao cruise terminal, fly you to Cusco and bring you back to the ship with time to spare. We check the ticket route before payment.
Our Cusco team checks the services, timings and availability for your dates and sends the options in a written quote.
Journey highlights
Highlights of the Machu Picchu shore excursion
- Pickup and drop-off at the Callao cruise terminal
- Return planned around your all-aboard time
- Night in Aguas Calientes and a guided visit of Machu Picchu
- Flights tracked by our team on both days
Detailed itinerary
Machu Picchu shore excursion itinerary: day by day
Times and services are indicative. Your final schedule is confirmed in your written quote.
Itinerary
Pickup and drop-off are at the Callao cruise terminal instead of a Lima hotel.
Day 1 — Lima to Aguas Calientes
We meet you at the Callao cruise terminal and drive you to Lima airport for a morning flight over the Andes to Cusco (about 1 h 20). Our team meets you on arrival and, instead of staying at Cusco's 3,400 m, drives you straight down to the Sacred Valley, which is lower and easier on the body. On the way you stop at a viewpoint over the valley and the snow peaks of the Urubamba range, and you have time for lunch (not included) in Ollantaytambo, an Inca town with its original stone streets and a fortress above it. The afternoon train follows the Urubamba River from farmland into the cloud forest to Aguas Calientes, at the foot of Machu Picchu. Your guide meets you at your hotel in the evening to hand over your tickets and explain the next day's visit.
Day 2 — Machu Picchu and back to Lima
After an early breakfast you take one of the first buses up the zigzag road to Machu Picchu (25 minutes). Your guide leads you along your circuit for 2–2.5 hours, from the classic view over the citadel to its temples, plazas and terraces, explaining how the Incas built it and why it was abandoned. Afterwards you have free time for lunch in town before the afternoon train back to Ollantaytambo. Our driver takes you to Cusco airport for your evening flight to Lima, booked with a safe margin after the train. In Lima our driver takes you back to the Callao cruise terminal, with plenty of time before your all-aboard time.
What's included
What's included in the Machu Picchu shore excursion
Included
- Transfers between the Callao cruise terminal and Lima airport
- transfers in Lima and Cusco
- hotels with breakfast
- trains
- bus
- Machu Picchu ticket and every other entrance fee
- guides
Not included
- Lima–Cusco–Lima flights (fares change daily, so we quote them separately and add them to your final quote)
- international flights
- checked luggage over the airline allowance
- meals not listed
- tips
Plan with confidence
Duration, difficulty and price
Good to know
Good to know before you go
Entrance route
This tour uses the Machu Picchu circuit available for your date, confirmed in your quote. See Machu Picchu circuits explained.
Planning guides
Planning guides
What to bring
What to pack
- Original passport (the one used for your bookings) and student ID if applicable
- Small overnight bag or backpack within the train allowance (8 kg backpack or 12 kg carry-on); main luggage stays at your hotel
- Daypack of about 20 liters for the visits
- Layers: warm jacket for Cusco evenings, light clothes for Machu Picchu
- Rain jacket or poncho (essential from November to March), sun hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
- Comfortable walking shoes with good grip
- Insect repellent and a refillable water bottle
- Cash in soles for meals, small purchases and tips
- Your ship card and the ship's all-aboard time, plus your flight confirmations
Carry the original passport used to book. Check your confirmed ticket and operator instructions for current baggage and site rules.
Frequently asked questions
Machu Picchu shore excursion FAQs
What if my flight back is delayed?
We plan a wide margin and monitor the flight. Choose the 3-day option if your ship stays two nights, for extra peace of mind.
Can the whole cruise group join?
Yes. Groups of up to 16 travel together, and larger groups are split with extra guides.
Can I visit Machu Picchu in one day from my cruise?
No. Your ship must stay at least one night in Callao. Machu Picchu is not possible as a same-day excursion from the port.
Where do you pick us up?
At the Callao cruise terminal, around 4:00 am, for the morning flight from Lima to Cusco. We bring you back to the terminal at the end.
Are the flights included?
No. Lima–Cusco–Lima fares change daily, so we quote them separately and add them to your final quote. We book them with a margin around the ship's all-aboard time.
What if my ship stays two nights?
Then the excursion can be 3 days and 2 nights, with more time in Cusco or the Sacred Valley.
What luggage should I bring?
Only a small bag. The train allows one backpack of up to 8 kg or one carry-on of up to 12 kg, and your main luggage stays on the ship.
Tripadvisor reviews
What travelers say about our team
Reviews of Traveleez Peru SAC, the operator of Machu-Picchu.tours, on our Tripadvisor profile Machu Picchu by Traveleez.
★★★★★
Seamless Last-Minute Machu Picchu Trip!
“The entire process was seamless, and everyone was absolutely wonderful to work with.”
★★★★★
Once in a lifetime experience, curated by kind professionals.
“All this mess of mine was treated with kind understanding, prompt replies, and genuine friendliness.”
★★★★★
Professional attention and impeccable support
“Always responding quickly, clearly, and professionally.”
Translated from Spanish
