Machu Picchu Day Trip from Cusco
About this activity
Highlights
- Explore the ancient Incan citadel of Machu Picchu
- Enjoy scenic train ride through the Sacred Valley
- Learn about Incan history from expert guides
- Capture breathtaking panoramic views of the Andes
- Experience the rich cultural heritage of Peru
Full description
Included / Excluded
- Round-trip transportation from Cusco to Machu Picchu
- Guided tour of Machu Picchu's main attractions
- Train tickets to and from Machu Picchu
- Meals and beverages
Itinerary
Pass by: Cusco Hotel Pickup and Transfer to Train Station Begin your adventure with a pickup from your hotel in Cusco, followed by a transfer to the train station.
Pass by: Train Journey to Aguas Calientes Enjoy a scenic 1.5-hour train ride, where you can choose between various train options, such as the Expedition, Vistadome, Executive Class 360, or Voyager, each offering unique ways to take in the beautiful landscapes. Once you arrive at Aguas Calientes station, board a small bus to begin your journey up the winding road to Machu Picchu.
Discover the awe-inspiring ruins of Machu Picchu, known as the Lost City of the Incas, with its terraces, shrines, steps, and urban areas, while your expert guide walks you through the historic site. There will be time to be alone and fully embrace this magnificent wonder of the world, letting this once in a lifetime experience set in.
Pass by: After your exploration, head back to Aguas Calientes station to board the train for your return trip to Cusco.
Pass by: Relax and enjoy the scenic train journey back to Cusco, where your day concludes with a transfer to your hotel.
Important information
Know before you book
- This tour involves significant walking; ensure you're comfortable with physical activity.
- Train schedules may vary; confirm departure times upon booking.
- Meals are not included; plan accordingly for food during the day.
Know before you go
- Wear comfortable walking shoes suitable for uneven terrain.
- Bring a light jacket or raincoat, as weather conditions can change rapidly.
- Carry a small backpack with essentials like water, snacks, and a camera.
Cancellation policy
0All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
Good to know
- MANDATORY: The Authority of Machu Picchu asks full name, passport number, date of birth, nationality details to issue the admission ticket.
- The admission ticket of Machu Picchu is NOT REFUNDABLE and date changes or amendments are NOT accepted. *If you need to change your visit date, you will need to purchase a new entrance ticket.
- Due to high demand and limited entrances to the citadel, VIPAC will issue your admission ticket on trail 2 as a priority. If it is not available, trail 3 or 1 will be provided, after prior coordination with the passenger before issuance.
- Machu Picchu Admission ticket and train tickets are included in this tour. Our sales team will send them 72 hour after paid.
- Shifts entry by hours from 6 am to 3 pm. Our shared tour considers 9 am, 10 am and 11 am shifts. If the shifts are not available, we will open a new shared tour in the next hour available. Our staff will inform you for acceptance.
- Travelers must arrive to Cusco city at least one day before Machu Picchu day tour. The authority of Machu Picchu do not accept travel date ammends of admission ticket.
- This shared tour could have a waiting time of up to 40 minutes to start the tour, depending on Machu Picchu shift time and train timetable avaliability.
- One day before the company's staff will contact the travelers to send the pick-up time through Viator or Tripadvisor experiences extranet.
- For weather reasons, from January to March, all excursions departs on bimodal service (Bus from Cusco to Ollantaytambo & train from Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu.
- The guided tour inside Machu Picchu takes around 2h 30m following a delimited trail.
- Machu Picchu has two seasons. Rainy season from December to March. Dry season, the rest of the year.
- VIPAC is not responsible for flight cancellations or delays. We recommend arriving in Cusco one day before the scheduled tour date."
- Machu Picchu has implemented new visitor circuits, with three main routes with specific differences to distribute passengers in various areas. These changes are intended to improve the visitor experience and preserve the integrity of the archaeological site. The circuit with route 2 will be given as priority and if it is not available, the options of taking circuit 3B or circuit 1B will be informed so that you can confirm your decision before the tickets are issued.
- Remember that, if you are a Peruvian national, you must have a valid National Identity Document (DNI) in order to be able to issue your ticket to Machu Picchu. In addition, this document must be sent through the corresponding platform and presented on the day of the visit. The system does not allow the issuance of tickets with a passport for Peruvian citizens.
- The option to take the Panoramic Circuit 1 tour from the moment you enter the Citadel of Machu Picchu can be extended for a maximum of 2 hours.
Traveler reviews
An Unforgettable Machu Picchu Tour
Our family of four, including 2 teens, enjoyed a beautiful day exploring Machu Picchu. We received all of our tickets (train, bus, and site entrance) the night before and downloaded them to our phones. Communication from the tour company regarding the itinerary and transportation transfers was detailed so we felt prepared. We were picked up from our hotel and taken to the train station (about a 25-minute shuttle van ride). We booked the Vistadome train and it was absolutely worth it! The large panoramic windows including glass panels in the ceiling allowed us to enjoy the scenic views throughout the ride. The train ride was about 3.5 hours which gave us plenty of time to relax and enjoy the scenery and the onboard entertainment of live music and dancing. Each passenger received a complimentary beverage (coffee, tea, or water) along with a snack box containing a granola bar, healthy chips, chocolate, and candy. Additional snacks and drinks were also available for purchase. Adult passengers each received a small bottle of pisco in a souvenir bag. When we arrived at the Aguas Calientes train station, we were greeted by a transfer guide holding a sign with our name on it. She escorted us to the bus which took about 25 min to reach the Machu Picchu entrance. At the sanctuary, we met our English-speaking guide, Hector, who was knowledgeable and personable. We ended up having a private tour which made the experience more enjoyable. Because we booked our tickets 3 months in advance, we were fortunate to secure Circuit 2 which includes the classic viewpoints and far more access to much of the citadel compared to Circuits 1 and 3. We were able to walk through the ancient ruins, which was an incredible experience. Hector shared fascinating stories about the history, architecture, and significance of Machu Picchu. He also took family photos for us and knew all the best locations for memorable pictures. Our guided tour with Hector lasted about 2 hours. Afterward, we had a couple of hours before our return train which gave us time to enjoy a meal and browse the souvenir shops in the marketplace near the train station. The return trip on the train was similar to the ride there with complimentary snacks and a souvenir. Instead of live music and dancing, the onboard entertainment featured a fun fashion show. By the end of the day, we were exhausted from a 15-hour day from start to finish, but it was absolutely worth it. Visiting one of the new Seven Wonders of the World was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
A good way to visit Machu Picchu
Everything was as expected and as described on this tour. I would recommend booking the VistaDome train. It seems that booking in pairs of two and four will ensure you are seated with people you know. Our guide at the Machu Picchu site was excellent and very passionate about the history and culture of the place.
Be ready to do everything on your own. This tour only drops you at the train station and then you are not their problem.
Overall, the tour of Machu Picchu was excellent, as was our tour guide. The company that the transportation (VIPAC) was booked through was absolutely horrendous. They were supposed to give us our tickets months ago. We didn't get them until the night before. I asked several questions that went unanswered. I tried calling the person who the trip was booked with and they didnt ever bother to answer the phone. The train made us get back onto the car, despite needing to get off at Pornoy, and when I called the company, they basically said not my problem. We had to get a cab on our own dime, which they arranged, but it never should have come to that. The company arranging transportation and providing tickets is marginally competent at best. You don't ask for a live location update on WhatsApp and then ignore your customer.
Highly recommend Viator!...
Highly recommend Viator! Our one day trip to Machu Picchu was phenomenal! An entire team took care of us from beginning to end - providing detailed tour information, staff we could message with questions, transportation, and a guide through the Citadel. Everyone was knowledgeable, professional and super welcoming. Can’t wait for our next Viator adventure in Peru!
My parents and I traveled...
My parents and I traveled by train, and we were provided with clear instructions and guidance throughout the journey since it was a long trip. The train itself was very comfortable, with spacious seating, snacks, beautiful scenic views, and even a live dance performance on board. Upon arriving at Machu Picchu, we had a private guide, which made the experience even better. We were able to ask questions freely, learn in depth about the site, and take plenty of photos without feeling rushed.