Visiting: Cusco · Ollantaytambo · Abra Málaga · Hidroeléctrica · Aguas Calientes · Machu Picchu
Overview
The Machu Picchu 3-Day Tour by Car is the relaxed version of our most affordable route. 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.
The extra night is what makes this version special: instead of rushing, you spend two nights in Aguas Calientes and give Machu Picchu a whole day of its own. That means a 2.5-hour guided tour with plenty of free time afterwards to climb Huayna Picchu, Machu Picchu Mountain or walk up to the Sun Gate at your own pace, before walking back to Hidroeléctrica and driving home on day three.
📅 Good to know. This is an active tour with about 11 km of walking each way (mostly flat, split over day 1 and day 3) and two 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 at our Cusco office at 6:30 am for a scenic ~6-hour drive over the Abra Málaga pass to Hidroeléctrica, through ever-changing Andean landscapes. On arrival you stop for lunch at a local restaurant before the next leg.
From Hidroeléctrica you walk a flat, beautiful 11 km (about 3 hours) along the railway to Aguas Calientes, the town at the foot of Machu Picchu. Check in to your hotel, freshen up and head out for dinner in town, where your guide meets you to brief the next day's plan.
Good to know: The walk to Aguas Calientes follows the train tracks through lush cloud forest — flat and scenic, a gentle way to end a long travel day.
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2
A full day at Machu Picchu
After breakfast, head up to Machu Picchu your way — walk up (start ~4:30 am, ~1.5 h) or take the optional bus ($12, buy in Aguas Calientes). Either way, meet your guide at the main entrance at 6:00 am sharp for a 2.5-hour guided tour of the Inca citadel and its history.
With a whole day ahead of you, take your time after the tour: add Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, walk up to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku), or simply soak in the views. In the afternoon you return to Aguas Calientes to rest and recharge for your second night.
Good to know: Your guide waits at the entrance at 6:00 am sharp — if you walk up, start around 4:30 am to be there in time.
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3
Aguas Calientes → walk to Hidroeléctrica → Cusco
After breakfast, around 9:30 am you walk the flat 11 km back to Hidroeléctrica (about 3 hours) through the same scenic landscapes, arriving by 2:00 pm. Be sure to keep to the schedule so you reach the station in time for the vehicle.
From Hidroeléctrica you board the car for the ~7-hour drive back to Cusco, arriving around 9:00–10:00 pm with a drop-off at Plaza Regocijo, a lively square in the heart of the city.
Good to know: Stick to the 2:00 pm arrival at Hidroeléctrica — the long drive back depends on leaving on time for a smooth journey to Cusco.
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). With a full day on site, this tour is ideal for them.
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 | 3 days / 2 nights |
| Getting there | By car via Hidroeléctrica + railway walk |
| Walking | ~22 km total (≈11 km each way, mostly flat) |
| Difficulty | Moderate — long drive days, easy terrain |
| Altitude | Machu Picchu 2,430 m (lower than Cusco) |
| Machu Picchu | A full day · 2.5 h guided tour (usually Circuit 2) |
| Meals | 2 breakfasts · 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. 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 | $140 | $120 | $120 |
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 is a full day at Machu Picchu with a guided tour and free time. Day 3 you walk back to Hidroeléctrica and drive back to Cusco. The extra night gives you a relaxed pace and a whole day at the citadel.
About 11 km each way (≈22 km total) on flat, easy terrain beside the railway — but split over day 1 and day 3, so each walking day is lighter than on the 2-day version. Add the climb up to the citadel if you choose to walk it. It's a moderate tour at a low, comfortable altitude (around 2,000–2,430 m); the long drive days are the main effort.
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.
It's the same budget route, but with a second night in Aguas Calientes. On the 2-day tour you visit Machu Picchu, walk back and drive to Cusco all on day two — a long day. On the 3-day tour, Machu Picchu gets a whole day of its own, so you can comfortably add Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain and explore without rushing, then travel back the next day.
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. This 3-day tour is perfect for them, since you have a full, unhurried day at the site.
