Visiting: Cusco · Ollantaytambo · Abra Málaga · Hidroeléctrica · Aguas Calientes · Machu Picchu
Overview
The Machu Picchu 2-Day Tour by Car is the most affordable way to reach the citadel. Instead of the train, you travel overland by comfortable minibus through the Andes to Hidroeléctrica, then walk a flat 11 km along the railway to Aguas Calientes — a beautiful, easy trek through cloud forest at the foot of Machu Picchu.
It's the favourite of budget-conscious travellers who don't mind a longer day in exchange for big savings. You spend the night in Aguas Calientes, visit Machu Picchu with a 2.5-hour guided tour on day two, then walk back to Hidroeléctrica and drive home to Cusco. Comfortable vehicles, professional drivers and your Machu Picchu ticket and guide are all included.
📅 Good to know. This is an active tour with about 11 km of walking each way (mostly flat) and long drive days. The bus up to the citadel is optional (you can walk up too). Machu Picchu uses timed-entry tickets that sell out in high season — book ahead.
Day by Day
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1
Cusco → Hidroeléctrica → walk to Aguas Calientes
Pick-up is at our Machu Picchu Team office in Cusco at 6:30 am for a scenic ~6-hour drive over the Abra Málaga pass to Hidroeléctrica, taking in the changing Andean landscapes along the way. On arrival you stop for a delicious local lunch in Hidroeléctrica before setting off on the afternoon walk.
From Hidroeléctrica you walk a flat, beautiful 11 km (about 3 hours) along the railway through warm, tropical cloud forest to Aguas Calientes, the base town at the foot of Machu Picchu. On arrival we take you to your hotel, where you can freshen up and relax, then enjoy dinner in town and get ready for an exciting day exploring the citadel.
Good to know: The Hidroeléctrica–Aguas Calientes trail is flat and follows the railway, so it's a straightforward, scenic walk in a warm, tropical climate — pack light and comfortable.
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2
Machu Picchu → walk to Hidroeléctrica → Cusco
After breakfast you head up to Machu Picchu. You can walk up — start your ascent around 4:30 am to reach the main entrance by 6:00 am — or take the optional bus, buying a ticket in Aguas Calientes for $12. Whichever you choose, the meeting point is the main entrance at 6:00 am, where your guide leads a 2.5-hour tour through the Inca site, sharing its history and stories, followed by free time to explore the citadel on your own.
After visiting Machu Picchu you begin the return journey, starting the trek from the citadel back to Hidroeléctrica at around 10:00 am — roughly the same 11 km along the railway, taking about 3.5 hours. You reach Hidroeléctrica in time to board the car between 2:00 and 2:30 pm, then drive ~6 hours back to Cusco, arriving in the evening with your 2-day adventure complete.
Good to know: Walking up to the citadel is free but means an early ~4:30 am start; the bus from Aguas Calientes ($12 each way) is the quicker option if you'd rather save your legs for the walk back.
Which Machu Picchu Circuit Will I Visit?
Machu Picchu is visited on fixed circuits, and tickets are sold only by the Peruvian government in limited daily numbers. Your tour includes the standard entrance ticket; we buy the best circuit available for your date, prioritising the classic routes:
- Circuit 2 (Classic) — our first choice: the classic postcard viewpoint plus a complete tour of the citadel, temples and terraces. Book ~4 months ahead in high season, as it sells out first.
- Circuit 1 (Panoramic) — the upper terraces and the classic viewpoint, with the best wide photos, but without entering the urban sector.
- Circuit 3 (Royalty) — the lower part of the citadel and the royal sector; a good alternative when Circuits 1 and 2 are sold out.
- Optional add-ons — Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain can be added for a small supplement (separate ticket and circuit, subject to availability).
Circuits and entry times are set by the government and cannot be changed once issued. We always aim for Circuit 2 first and confirm your exact circuit before travel.
Tour at a Glance
| Duration | 2 days / 1 night |
| Getting there | By car via Hidroeléctrica + railway walk |
| Walking | ~22 km total (≈11 km each way, mostly flat) |
| Difficulty | Moderate — long days, easy terrain |
| Altitude | Machu Picchu 2,430 m (lower than Cusco) |
| Machu Picchu | 2.5 h guided tour (usually Circuit 2) |
| Meals | 1 breakfast · 1 lunch · 1 dinner |
| Group size | Max 16 travelers · daily departures |
What's Included
Tap any item to see the full details.
Included
Not included
Prices — 2026 Season
An all-inclusive group service at our lowest price. The rate depends on your traveller category, as Machu Picchu's official entrance fee is lower for students and children.
| Category | Adult | Student (under 25) | Child (8–17) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group service · by car | $120 | $100 | $100 |
Prices per person, group service. The student rate requires a valid physical university student ID (under 25, PVC card; ISIC not accepted). A $70 deposit per person confirms your booking and secures your Machu Picchu ticket.
Optional Add-ons
- Huayna Picchu Mountain (circuit upgrade)+$20
- Machu Picchu Mountain (circuit upgrade)+$20
- Bus up to Machu Picchu (each way)$12
What to Pack
You'll walk about 11 km each way in warm, humid cloud forest, so pack light and comfortable in a small daypack:
- Always with you: original passport (and physical student ID if you booked the student rate), cash in soles (for the bus, snacks & tips), and your tickets.
- Clothing: light, quick-dry layers, a waterproof jacket or poncho, broken-in walking shoes or sneakers, a sun hat and sunglasses.
- Extras: high-SPF sunscreen, insect repellent, 1–2 L of water, energy snacks, and a camera or phone.
How to Book
Book online or in person at our Cusco office (Portal Nuevo 270, Plaza Regocijo). A $70 deposit per person secures your Machu Picchu ticket and place; the balance is due at least 24 h before the tour. Tickets sell out in high season, so book ahead.
- Check availability for your travel date.
- Choose traveller categories (adult / student / child) and any extras.
- Fill in each traveller's details exactly as in their passport (tickets are nominative).
- Pay the $70 deposit or full amount — you receive confirmation and our team follows up by WhatsApp.
Deposit: a non-refundable, non-transferable $70 deposit per person is used to buy your Machu Picchu ticket immediately.
Ticket: issued by the Peruvian government for a fixed date, time and circuit — non-refundable and non-modifiable.
Balance: due at least 24 h before the tour, payable in cash (soles or USD) at our Cusco office, by card (+3.9%), or online (+2.9%).
Student rate: email a photo of both sides of your PVC university ID to info@machupicchuteam.com when booking; the discount is applied on arrival once verified.
Passport: must be valid 6+ months; update us if you renew before travel. Full terms are confirmed at checkout.
Frequently Asked Questions
Day 1 you drive ~6 hours from Cusco to Hidroeléctrica, then walk about 11 km (flat, ~3 h) along the railway to Aguas Calientes and stay overnight. Day 2 you visit Machu Picchu with a guided tour, walk back to Hidroeléctrica and drive back to Cusco. It's the cheapest way to reach the citadel.
About 11 km each way (≈22 km total) on flat, easy terrain beside the railway, plus the climb up to the citadel if you choose to walk it. It's a moderate tour — the distance and long drive days are the challenge, not the difficulty, and it's at a low, comfortable altitude (around 2,000–2,430 m).
No — to keep the price low, the bus between Aguas Calientes and the citadel is not included. You can buy it locally for about $12 each way, or walk up (around 1.5 hours by stairs) and down for free.
The train to Machu Picchu is the biggest cost of a normal tour. By travelling overland to Hidroeléctrica and walking the last stretch, you skip the train fare — saving a lot in exchange for a longer day and a scenic walk. If you'd rather take the train, see our train-based Machu Picchu tours.
We always request Circuit 2 (the classic route with the postcard viewpoint and a full tour of the citadel). If it's sold out for your date, we book the best available alternative. For Circuit 2 in high season, book around 4 months ahead.
Yes, for a small supplement (about +$20), subject to availability. These are separate mountain circuits with limited daily spots, so book them well in advance. Many travellers add an extra night in Aguas Calientes to enjoy them without rushing.
