Machu Picchu was once the royal retreat of the Inca in Peru and was so well hidden that the Spanish Conquistadores never found its location. It remained undiscovered for centuries until 1911 when Hiram Bingham stumbled across the magnificent site and he believed it to be the city of gold he was searching for. Machu Picchu was declared a UNESCO world heritage site in 1983 and attracts thousands of visitors every day from all over the world. Inca architecture, taking a step back in time through Inca portals and pathways around this impressive archaeological site. You will pass through the stunning Sacred Valley landscapes on an unforgettable train ride to the magnificent Machu Picchu, where history comes alive as you follow in the ancient footsteps of the Incas.
This unique tour visits the most important attraction in Peru, and its signature landmark, Machu Picchu. The tour begins bright and early when we collect you from your Cusco hotel. It is always best to arrive at the archaeological site, as early as possible, to enjoy this visit to the maximum. You will pass through the Sacred Valley of The Incas, to the train station in Ollantaytambo, where you will take the train to the town of Aguas Calientes also known as Machu Picchu Pueblo. On arrival to Aguas Calientes, our experienced guide will take you directly to the Machu Picchu entrance, where you will have a guided visit of this famous Inca citadel called Machu Picchu. Allow your guide to show you the most important temples and monuments inside the archaeological site and absorb the energies of ancient civilizations.
After the tour, the bus will take us back down to Aguas Calientes, where you will have time for lunch before we take our return train to Ollantaytambo. You will arrive back in Cusco in our private car, after an unforgettable day, full of adventure.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Share your travel preferences and a local specialist will confirm availability and prepare the best option for you.
You wake at 4 am in Cusco, when still groggy but eager. A quick ride takes you to the train station where you Buy your ticket, grab a coffee and squeeze into a car crowded with travelers.
The train moves along the river, curves, rocks and small farms. Around 9 am you reach Aguas Calientes, stretch, then hop on a bus climbing up to the Inca City around 8,000 ft. Almost no time to catch your breath before your guide starts pointing out stone steps, farming terraces and a Howler monkey calling out.
You think, is this a sprint or a proper Visit? It hits you: in hours you cover more ground than in days elsewhere. At midday you push on to the Sun Gate trail. Steep switchbacks test your legs, heart pounds, doubt creeps in—should I turn back? But then that view unfolds: the Inca City from above. Intense. You pause.
Snap photos. Rush back for a final stroll through the Temple of the Sun. By 2 pm you’re on the bus down, by 3 pm lunch in town. Train back drags slightly, maybe 2h30 or almost 3 hours. Cusco lights appear. You reach by 6 pm. Exhausted? Yes. Satisfied? Undoubtedly. And you wonder if one day was enough.
Discover what fellow travelers have to say about their journeys through Peru with Yacana Peru.
Recommendations
Arrive at least 24 hours before tour in Cusco for altitude adjustment avoid heavy meals night before
Weather
Mornings cool midday sun strong afternoons chance of rain especially Nov to Mar
Recommended Season
April to October clearer skies though more people in Jun to Aug
How to Dress
Layers work best base layer for sweat mid layer for warmth shell for wind and rain
How to Prepare Physically
Try nearby hikes like Sacsayhuamán trails to test legs and lungs
Local People
Quechua families run small cafés in Aguas Calientes friendly but expect polite greeting
Who Should Join
Fit travelers who can walk 3 to 5 miles and like history without camping
Food on Route
Town offers soups rice chicken potatoes quinoa simple and filling
Pick up around 6 am, so you need to be in lobby by 5:45 am.
Usually about two and a half hours, sometimes closer to three.
Yes if you Buy permit well ahead, often months before.
You get roughly 30 minutes free to wander before lunch.
Absolutely, high season sells out weeks in advance.
Roughly 500 ft of ascent in about one mile, challenging but doable.
Tour runs rain or shine bring poncho or rain jacket.
Only at the entrance so plan your breaks early.
Twelve, younger kids might struggle with pace and altitude.
Yes guides switch between English and Spanish smoothly.
About US$40 for lunch snacks tips souvenirs.
Commonly 10 to 15 percent of tour cost if service was good.
Some cafés offer outlets but spots fill fast bring power bank.
About eight kilometers roughly five miles on site.
There’s a brief coffee and snack break at Aguas Calientes before boarding the bus.
Experience the wonder of Machu Picchu in a single unforgettable day.
Machu Picchu was once the royal retreat of the Inca in Peru and was so well hidden that the Spanish Conquistadores never found its location. It remained undiscovered for centuries until 1911 when Hiram Bingham stumbled across the magnificent site and he believed it to be the city of gold he was searching for. Machu Picchu was declared a UNESCO world heritage site in 1983 and attracts thousands of visitors every day from all over the world. Inca architecture, taking a step back in time through Inca portals and pathways around this impressive archaeological site. You will pass through the stunning Sacred Valley landscapes on an unforgettable train ride to the magnificent Machu Picchu, where history comes alive as you follow in the ancient footsteps of the Incas.
This unique tour visits the most important attraction in Peru, and its signature landmark, Machu Picchu. The tour begins bright and early when we collect you from your Cusco hotel. It is always best to arrive at the archaeological site, as early as possible, to enjoy this visit to the maximum. You will pass through the Sacred Valley of The Incas, to the train station in Ollantaytambo, where you will take the train to the town of Aguas Calientes also known as Machu Picchu Pueblo. On arrival to Aguas Calientes, our experienced guide will take you directly to the Machu Picchu entrance, where you will have a guided visit of this famous Inca citadel called Machu Picchu. Allow your guide to show you the most important temples and monuments inside the archaeological site and absorb the energies of ancient civilizations.
After the tour, the bus will take us back down to Aguas Calientes, where you will have time for lunch before we take our return train to Ollantaytambo. You will arrive back in Cusco in our private car, after an unforgettable day, full of adventure.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Travelers to Peru require a passport valid for at least 6 months from entry. Most nationalities (USA, Canada, EU, UK, Australia, Brazil) do not require a tourist visa for stays up to 90 days. Comprehensive travel insurance covering high altitude is strongly recommended.
Hotel nights feature comfortable 3-star boutique hotels in private en-suite rooms. On mountain treks, we provide premium 4-season Eureka tents (2 persons in a 4-person tent), foam sleeping mattresses, spacious dining tents with tables and chairs, and clean portable toilet facilities.
Your tour begins in Cusco, Peru. We include airport arrival transfer to your hotel. An informative briefing with your professional trekking guide takes place at your Cusco hotel at 6:00 PM the evening before your tour begins.
We had great tours with them! Rosa Guide very good and with a lot of information!
We had an incredible experience with the tours! Everything was very well organized, from the schedules to the support during the trips. The guides were very attentive, helpful, and gave us a lot of interesting...
A wonderful experience, very punctual, capricious, service at all times, no doubt was the best choice, me and my friends felt very safe.
The Yacana was our best choice of trip. Always inquisitive and ready to serve us. Super we indicate!
