Visiting: Cusco · Ollantaytambo · Sacred Valley · Aguas Calientes · Machu Picchu
Overview
The Machu Picchu 2-Day Tour by Train is the relaxed way to visit the citadel. Instead of rushing there and back in one day, you travel by panoramic train to Aguas Calientes, sleep at the foot of the mountain, and head up early the next morning — reaching Machu Picchu for the magical first light, with fewer crowds.
Day one is an easy afternoon journey through the Sacred Valley with time to settle into your hotel in Aguas Calientes. Day two is all about Machu Picchu: an early bus up, a 2.5-hour guided tour of the citadel, and the option to climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain for aerial views, before the comfortable train and private transfer back to Cusco.
📅 Book early. Machu Picchu uses timed-entry tickets on fixed circuits, sold only by the Peruvian government in limited daily numbers. We secure the best available circuit at booking — reserve ahead, especially in high season (May–September).
Day by Day
-
1
Cusco → Ollantaytambo → Aguas Calientes
Your day begins with a 10:00 AM pickup from your Cusco hotel and a scenic 1-hour-45-minute drive through the Sacred Valley to the historic Ollantaytambo train station. At around 12:55 PM you board the panoramic train to Aguas Calientes and settle in for a relaxing ~1.5-hour ride along the Urubamba River, past lush valleys and Andean peaks.
On arrival in Aguas Calientes — the little town at the foot of Machu Picchu — you check in to your hotel and have time to relax and soak up its atmosphere. At around 7:00 PM you meet your guide for a short briefing covering every detail of the next day's visit to the citadel.
Good to know: Use the free afternoon to rest — day 2 starts before dawn to reach Machu Picchu in its best light and with fewer crowds.
-
2
Machu Picchu → Aguas Calientes → Cusco
After an early 5:00 AM breakfast at your hotel, you take the 30-minute bus up to Machu Picchu, where the gates open at 6:00 AM — the best moment for soft light and, weather permitting, sunrise over the citadel. Inside, your guide leads a 2.5-hour tour through its history, architecture, and significance, with time for photos.
Afterward you can climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain for a unique view (separate timed ticket, book well in advance) or explore on your own, then take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes. Later you board the return train at about 2:30 or 2:55 PM for the 1.5-hour ride to Ollantaytambo, where a private car drives you back to your Cusco hotel.
Good to know: Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain need separate timed tickets with limited daily spots — add them when you book, not on the day.
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. When you book, 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 (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 |
| Altitude | Machu Picchu citadel — 2,430 m |
| Getting there | Round-trip panoramic train + bus |
| Difficulty | Easy — walking only, no trekking |
| Machu Picchu | 2.5 h guided tour (usually Circuit 2) |
| Overnight | 1 night hotel in Aguas Calientes |
| Meals | 1 breakfast (lunches & dinners not included) |
| Group size | Max 10 travelers · daily departures |
What's Included
Tap any item to see the full details.
Included
Not included
Prices — 2026 Season
All-inclusive group service with a night in Aguas Calientes. Machu Picchu entrance pricing is set by the government, so the rate depends on your traveller category. Citizens of the CAN Community (Peru, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador) pay a reduced official entrance rate.
| Category | Adult | Student (under 25) | Child (8–17) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular | $310 | $290 | $290 |
| CAN Community | $290 | $270 | $270 |
Prices per person, group service, return by train. The student rate requires a valid physical university student ID (under 25). A $180 deposit per person confirms your booking and secures your Machu Picchu, train and hotel.
Optional Add-ons
- Huayna Picchu Mountain climb$60
- Machu Picchu Mountain climb$60
- Vistadome panoramic train upgrade (return)$40
What to Pack
You'll have a warm afternoon, a cool early morning and changing cloud-forest weather, so pack light layers in a small daypack:
- Always with you: original passport (and physical student ID if you booked the student rate), your tickets (we provide them), and some cash in soles.
- Clothing: light layers, a warm top for the early morning, a waterproof jacket or poncho, comfortable walking shoes, a sun hat and sunglasses.
- Extras: high-SPF sunscreen, insect repellent, a refillable water bottle, snacks, and a camera or phone.
How to Book
Book online or in person at our Cusco office (Portal Nuevo 270, Plaza Regocijo). A $180 deposit per person secures your Machu Picchu, train and hotel; the balance is due at least 24 h before the tour. Because of high demand and limited daily entries, please book at least 30 days in advance (more in high season).
- 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 $180 deposit or full amount — you receive confirmation and our team follows up by WhatsApp.
Deposit: a non-refundable $180 deposit per person is used to buy your Machu Picchu entrance, train and hotel immediately.
Tickets: issued by the Peruvian government and the train company for a fixed date, time and circuit — non-refundable, non-transferable and non-modifiable.
Cancellation: the deposit is non-refundable. If you paid in full and cancel, the balance beyond the deposit is refundable; already-issued tickets remain valid for their original date.
Date changes: possible only if availability exists, and require buying new tickets and a new deposit.
Hotel change: you may request a hotel change up to one day before travel, with advance notice. Full terms are confirmed at checkout.
Frequently Asked Questions
Day 1 you travel by car and panoramic train to Aguas Calientes and stay overnight at the foot of Machu Picchu. Day 2 you go up early for a 2.5-hour guided tour of the citadel, then return by bus, train and private transfer to Cusco. No trekking is involved.
Staying overnight in Aguas Calientes lets you go up for the first entry as the gates open at 6:00 am, when the light is beautiful and there are fewer people. Whether you see a clear sunrise depends on the weather, as mornings can be misty — which is also magical.
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 (Circuit 1 or 3). For Circuit 2 in high season, book around 4 months ahead.
Yes. The tour requires no trekking, so it suits most ages and fitness levels — the overnight makes it even more relaxed. The citadel has stairs and uneven paths, but the guided circuit is walked at a gentle pace. Discounted tickets are available for children (8–17) and students with a valid ID.
At least 30 days ahead, as daily entries and trains sell out. For the classic Circuit 2, or for travel in high season (May–September), we recommend 3–4 months in advance.
The full-day tour does Machu Picchu in a single day from Cusco — efficient but long. This 2-day tour adds a night in Aguas Calientes, so you reach the citadel early and unhurried the next morning, with far less rushing and the best morning light.
