Machu Picchu Tour 2 Days

Introduction

Your tour start when You meet your guide in Cusco around ten in the morning then head to Ollantaytambo Train station by van for the first train into the Sacred Valley.

The ride follows the Urubamba River for about 90 minutes, clouds lifting to reveal steep terraces and small farms where locals tend alpaca herds. In Aguas Calientes you check in at a hotel, you can drop your pack, maybe spill a bit of coffee on the lobby floor—oops—and join a briefing on next day’s plan. You wander through narrow streets lined with crafts stalls, wonder if the thermal baths are worth the detour, then turn in early knowing an alarm will call you well before sunrise.

At 4 am you’re on a shuttle weaving up the switchbacks to the Inca City gate. Pre–dawn air bites but anticipation warms you. Your guide leads through main plazas, explains how the Incas carved stone without metal tools, points out water channels still flowing. You push on to the Sun Gate, question if you can handle the steep climb yet you do, gasping for breath as first light unveils that iconic view. Midday train takes you back, chatter full of “did you see that wall” and “can you believe the architecture.” You arrive in Cusco by six, tired, buzzing, certain this two day trip packed more into your memory than a week elsewhere.

Trip Details

Duration: 2 Days / 1 Night
Activities: Culture, Light Hiking, Adventure
Average Group Size: Up to 16
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Accommodation: Hotel in Aguas Calientes
Tour Language: English, Spanish
Hiking Distance: Approximately 4 km / 2.5 mi total
Starts/Ends: Cusco / Cusco
Minimum Altitude: Approximately 2,430 m (7,972 ft)
Maximum Altitude: Approximately 2,430 m (7,972 ft)
Age Recommended: Min 12 Years Old
Is Necessary Acclimatization: Yes
Tickets to entrance: Is Necessary buy in advance

Trip Summary

Day 1

10:00 am pickup at your Cusco hotel meet guide
11:45 am arrive Ollantaytambo station check train tickets
12:55 pm train departs toward Machu Picchu Pueblo
2:30 pm train arrives time to check in hotel
3:00 pm walk to local market or thermal baths
7:00 pm group briefing for next morning plan
8:30 pm dinner on your own in town

Day 2

4:00 am shuttle up to the Inca City gate
5:00 am guided Visit through plazas and temples
7:00 am optional hike to the Sun Gate
8:30 am free time inside the Inca City
10:30 am shuttle back to Machu Picchu Pueblo
11:30 am lunch in town or snack stand
1:00 pm board return train to Ollantaytambo
3:45 pm van transfer back to Cusco hotel
5:30 pm arrive in Cusco end of tour

Why you'll love this tour

You spend a night in Aguas Calientes giving your legs a break after the train ride and before the early shuttle, letting you wake rested, beat the crowds to the Inca City entrance, and still have energy to hike to the Sun Gate without rushing through every stone.
The early pickup around ten in the morning in Cusco means you’ll avoid dawn chill in town, enjoy a scenic train ride through river canyons and mountain passes, and arrive with time to explore local markets and maybe try those hot springs, all without dragging yourself out of bed at four thirty.
Your guide explains Inca stone fitting, farming terraces and spiritual significance in clear English or Spanish, so you grasp how water channels still flow after centuries and how sunrise ceremonies might have felt, not just skim facts but real context that makes meaning stick long after you’re back at home.
Small group sizes up to sixteen let you speak up, ask questions about llama herding or mushroom picking in the cloud forest, and get tips for photos from angles most travelers miss, while hotel stays include breakfast and free wifi so you can share snaps with friends before the big climb.
Optional side hikes like the Inca Bridge or Huayna Picchu climb can be added if you Buy permits ahead, giving you choices to suit your energy levels and interests while staying on the same two day schedule, making it feel both structured and flexible in one package.

Itinerary

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DAY 1 Cusco - Aguas Calientes

We will pass by your Cusco Hotel to pick you up at your preferred time, to drive the 2-hour journey to the Ollantaytambo train station. On arrival, we will board the train for a 1.5-hour journey, and pass through incredible Andean countryside and views that will be difficult to forget in this lifetime. The mountains appear to touch the sky, and the rivers flow through verdant green hills, which are simply breath-taking!

When we arrive at the town of Aguas Calientes, we will take you to your hotel where you will spend the evening. You will have the rest of the day to explore the town, and maybe visit the hot springs after which this town is named.

DAY 2 Machu Picchu - Cusco

After breakfast at your hotel, we will take the bus up to the highlight of the excursion: Machu Picchu. Who in the world has not dreamed about visiting this ancient Inca citadel?

Once you arrive, you will enjoy a 2 hour guided tour through the passageways and staircases of one of the seven wonders of the modern world. Afterwards, you will have another 2 hours to explore the site, or even climb one of the two mountains inside the archaeological complex- Huayna Picchu o Machu Picchu Mountain (ask us about permit availability at the time of booking). The views from the top are mind-blowing!

We will then return by bus to the town of Aguas Calientes, where you will have time to grab something to eat, if you so you wish, or explore the town some more. We will finish this excursion by taking the return train to Ollantaytambo, and from there, we will transfer you back to your Cusco hotel.

IMPORTANT:

IT IS THE TREKKERS’ RESPONSIBILITY to provide us with Passport copies and other Immigration documents required by the authorities of the countries, destinations, or transit countries such as visas, health documents, special permissions for travelling with children, etc. At the time of booking or your trip could be cancelled.
Your Passport should have a minimum of 6 months’ validity from your date of travel. (If the passenger has renewed their Passport since the booking process, you must advise us immediately
to make the necessary changes as we will make all of your ticket reservations with the passport information provided.
Transfers are based on the location of your hotel, so it is vitally important to send us the exact name and address of the hotel at the time of booking.
Any services not used, will not be refunded under any circumstances.

Reviews

5.0 4.9 - 462 TripAdvisor Reviews

Discover what fellow travelers have to say about their journeys through Turkey. From breathtaking landscapes to rich cultural experiences, these reviews highlight the unforgettable moments that make each trip truly special.

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★★★★★ 420
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Oswaldo Luiz C

5.0

A Agencia primou pela qualidade. Tanto nas programações, excelentes guias, qualidade dos transportes, horários e pontualidade.

Ruan N

5.0

A agência Yacana foi perfeita! Organizou nossos passeios no Peru da melhor forma possível, nos deu todo suporte que precisamos, independentemente do horário, nos deu dicas valiosas para os passeios, sugestões, além do acompanhamento de tudo ao longo dos dias....

Sunshine60374635165

5.0

Experiência indescritível! Fomos em 2 casais para o Peru e contratamos absolutamente todos os passeios com a Yacana. Vale Sagrado, Machu Picchu, 7 lagunas, montanha colorida, city tour cusco e islas ballestas e oasis em Lima. Segurança impecável, pontualidade perfeita...

Diego R

5.0

Experiência incrível, passeios todos bem feitos com a Yacana. Guias muitos preparados e prestativos, em especial a Rosa. Recomendo!

Daniele P

5.0

A agência tem um excelente atendimento, faz adaptações e oferece os melhores passeios, além de todo o pós venda que captura os feedbacks de forma atenta e cuidadosa. Recomendo para todos que posso os serviços da Yacana.

Flávia F

5.0

Tivemos ótima experiência com nossos tour! Equipe pontual, muito organizada, guias bem preparados e simpáticos . Empresa de confiança!

Tamara F

5.0

Tivemos uma experiencia maravilhosa com o guia Robert e motorista Hernan no passeio a Wanacancha + Pisac! O Robert é uma simpatia e cheio de cultura - um professor!!! Recomendamos muito!!

Miliani Greco

5.0

Desde o início do atendimento até a execução do que contratamos, foram extremamente atenciosos e pontuais. Não precisávamos nos preocupar com nada, apenas em curtir o Peru e suas belezas.

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Included

Hotel pick up a return transfer to your hotel.
Return train tickets in Expedition Train
1 night’s accommodation in the category of your choice, with breakfast.
Return shuttle bus to Machu Picchu.
Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu.
Professional, bi-lingual guide (English / Spanish) for the guided tour of Machu Picchu.
24 hour assistance

Not Included

Lunch ($25 USD per person.
Drinks
Permit for Wayna Picchu Mountain: ($20 USD per person).
Permit for Machu Picchu Mountain: ($20 USD per person).

What to Bring

Passport – must match your tour booking and show at train station checkpoint
Hiking shoes – lightweight with good traction for slippery stone steps
Daypack – 20 L capacity holds water snacks jacket camera
Water bottle – one liter refillable to stay hydrated at altitude
Rain jacket – packable shell for sudden afternoon showers
Warm layer – fleece or light jacket for pre–dawn shuttle up the hill
Snacks – energy bars nuts or dried fruit for between meals
Sunscreen – SPF 50 for sun exposure on terraces and shuttle ride
Sunglasses – UV protection-like wraparound style avoids dust
Cash – small bills up to US$60 for lunch tips souvenirs permits
Camera or phone – memory cards charged with back up power bank
Hat or cap – brimmed style to block early morning glare

Is this trip right for you?

You’re fine with a ten am pickup in Cusco and a ninety minute train ride, then an overnight in Aguas Calientes so you can rise at four am for the shuttle, which means no camping gear, no multi day treks—just one night in a simple hotel and plenty of time in the Inca City.
You can walk on uneven Inca stone paths for three to five miles over six hours at altitude without losing enthusiasm, and you’re OK testing your legs on the steep half mile up to the Sun Gate, stopping when you need a breather and laughing off the occasional slip on mossy steps.
You value context over buzzwords, want to learn from a guide who describes Inca astronomy and how locals still follow planting rituals, rather than hear generic lines about “ancient mysteries,” so you feel what you Visit not just tick sites off a list.
You travel light with a daypack, a change of clothes, snacks and up to US$60 in small bills for lunch tips and permits, and you don’t need all–inclusive meals every step of the way because you prefer trying local soup stands and bakeries in Aguas Calientes between tours.
You expect basic hotel comforts in town, bring your own sleeping pillow if you must, and accept that the train back may run on Peru time—sometimes a few minutes late—yet you wouldn’t trade that for a rigid schedule that kills the sense of adventure.

Pricing

Updgrades

Private train carriage – US$70 per person each way – gives you dedicated seats, dedicated service, snacks and larger windows for photography without crowds.
Huayna Picchu permit – US$75 extra – must buy two months ahead, adds a steep one hour climb for panoramic shots of the Inca City from above.
Buffet breakfast at Ollantaytambo station – US$12 includes eggs, fruit, coffee and juice for faster start without café lines.
Private guide for return day – US$150 – if you want one on one history chat in town or a side walk to local ruins before lunch.
Dinner package in Aguas Calientes – US$18 set menu – saves time hunting for tables, includes soup, main course and juice so you’re back at hotel early.

Travel Guide

Recommendations
Book at least three months in advance especially if you want Huayna Picchu permit. Arrive in Cusco two days before tour to adjust.

Climate
Mornings cool around 10 °C, midday warms to 20 °C, chance of rain from January to March peaks around 1 pm.

Recommended Season
April to October offers more sun, fewer storms. High season June to August sees more travelers; plan extra lead time.

How to Dress
Layer a moisture wicking shirt under light fleece and rain shell. Swap into shorts or trekking pants before shuttle ride.

How to Prepare Physically
Practice brisk walks on uneven ground carrying a 5 kg pack. Climb stairs or local ruins to test step stamina.

Local People
Quechua guides speak clear English and Spanish, local stall owners in Aguas Calientes often sell fresh trout dishes with friendly banter.

Who Should Join
Travelers who want a no camping experience yet still rise early for that morning magic, families with teens, couples on tight schedules.

Food on Route
Breakfast at hotel includes eggs, oatmeal, fruit. Lunch can be sandwiches or soups at market stalls. Dinner set menus offer chicken curry rice or grilled fish with local vegetables. Portions are filling and priced around US$8 to US$12 per meal.

Faqs

What time does the train depart on day one?

The train leaves Ollantaytambo after a van transfer from Cusco, giving you time to check tickets and buy a snack before boarding.

How long is the train ride?

Expect about 90 minutes on the train from Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu Pueblo, passing river canyons and terraced hillsides.

Is breakfast included on day two?

Yes breakfast at your hotel in Aguas Calientes is included, usually served from 6 am so you can fuel up before the shuttle.

Do I need an Inca City ticket in advance?

You must Buy your Machu Picchu entry ticket at least two weeks ahead, high season may sell out faster so plan early.

Can I climb Huayna Picchu during this tour?

Yes if you arrange the permit at least two months before, spaces are limited to 400 per day and often fill quickly.

How far is the walk inside the Inca City?

You’ll cover about 3 to 4 km on uneven stone paths during the guided tour and extra for the optional Sun Gate hike.

Are shuttle tickets included for the Inca City?

Yes two shuttle rides are included one up in the morning and one back after your guided visit.

What should I wear for the shuttle ride?

Dress in layers with a warm mid layer and a rain shell, shuttle windows open slightly and temperatures drop at 2,430 m.

How much cash do I need?

Carry about US$60 in small bills to cover lunch dinner, tips, souvenirs and any optional entrance fees like Huayna Picchu.

Can children join this tour?

Minimum age is 12 years old; families with younger teens often find the pace manageable but check altitude tolerance first.

What languages do guides speak?

Guides are bilingual in English and Spanish, they break down Inca engineering, customs and legends in simple terms.

Are there restrooms inside Machu Picchu?

Yes toilets are located only near the entrance gate so plan your shuttle timing accordingly to avoid lines.

What happens if the train is late?

Peru rail services can run up to 30 minutes late; guides will adjust the schedule but afternoon plans may shift slightly.

Is Wi-Fi available in Aguas Calientes?

Some hotels and cafés offer Public Wi-Fi; don’t rely on it for heavy uploads, use power bank to preserve battery.

How do I return to my hotel in Cusco?

At 3:45 pm you board the train back to Ollantaytambo then transfer by van to your Cusco hotel arriving around 5:30 pm.

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