Visiting: Cusco · Ollantaytambo · Abra Málaga · Hidroeléctrica · Aguas Calientes · Machu Picchu
Overview
The Machu Picchu by Car & Train 2-Day Tour is the best of both worlds: you reach the citadel the affordable overland way and come home on the comfortable panoramic train. On day one you drive through the Andes to Hidroeléctrica and walk a flat 11 km along the railway to Aguas Calientes; on day two, after Machu Picchu, you simply take the train back — no return walk.
It's the sweet spot between our two cheapest routes and the full train tour: noticeably cheaper than going by train both ways, but with half the walking of the 2-day tour by car and a faster, more relaxed return. You spend the night in Aguas Calientes and visit Machu Picchu with a 2.5-hour guided tour on day two. Comfortable vehicles, the train ticket, your Machu Picchu entrance and a licensed guide are all included.
📅 Good to know. There's one flat 11 km walk on day 1 (about 3 hours); day 2 you return by train, so no walking back. 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
We start at the Machu Picchu Team office in Cusco at 6:30 am for a scenic ~6-hour drive over the Abra Málaga pass down to Hidroeléctrica, watching the high Andes give way to warm cloud forest along the way. On arrival in Hidroeléctrica we stop for a delicious local lunch before setting off on the trek.
From Hidroeléctrica you walk a flat, picturesque 11 km (about 3–3.5 hours) along the railway to Aguas Calientes, the base town of Machu Picchu. On arrival we take you to your hotel, where you can freshen up and relax, before a scrumptious dinner in town and an early night ahead of your big day.
Good to know: The 11 km walk is flat and runs right along the railway, but the weather here is warm, windy and tropical — pack light, quick-dry layers and plenty of water.
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2
Machu Picchu → train → Cusco
After breakfast, choose how you reach the citadel: an invigorating morning hike up (start ~4:30 am, ~1.5 h) or the convenient optional bus ($12, buy in Aguas Calientes). Meet your guide at the entrance at 6:00 am for a comprehensive 2.5-hour guided tour of the Inca ruins, then use the extra free time to explore on your own, climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, or visit the enchanting Sun Gate.
Afterwards you head back down to Aguas Calientes for the scenic journey home. In the afternoon you board the train from Aguas Calientes (≈2:30 pm) to Ollantaytambo (~1.5 h through spectacular Andean landscapes), where our comfortable vehicle drives you the last ~2 hours back to Cusco, dropping you in the city centre with memories to last a lifetime.
Good to know: There's no return walk on day 2 — the panoramic train from Aguas Calientes departs around 2:30 pm, so plan your free time at Machu Picchu around that.
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 | Car + railway walk in · panoramic train back |
| Walking | ~11 km on day 1 only (flat); none on day 2 |
| Difficulty | Easy to moderate — one flat walk, easy return |
| 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. 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 · car in, train back | $199 | $179 | $179 |
Prices per person, group service. The student rate requires a valid physical university student ID (under 25, PVC card; ISIC not accepted). A $140 deposit per person confirms your booking and secures your Machu Picchu ticket and train. Prefer to return overland by car instead of the train? Same dates, $199 per person — just ask us.
Optional Add-ons
- Huayna Picchu Mountain (circuit upgrade)+$20
- Machu Picchu Mountain (circuit upgrade)+$20
- Vistadome panoramic train (return upgrade)+$35
- Bus up to Machu Picchu (each way)$12
What to Pack
You'll walk about 11 km on day 1 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 $140 deposit per person secures your Machu Picchu ticket, train 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 $140 deposit or full amount — you receive confirmation and our team follows up by WhatsApp.
Deposit: a non-refundable, non-transferable $140 deposit per person is used to buy your Machu Picchu ticket and train 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, then return by train to Ollantaytambo and transfer by car to Cusco — so you only walk on day 1.
Both go in by car and walk the 11 km to Aguas Calientes on day 1. The difference is the return: the car tour walks the 11 km back and drives home (cheaper, more walking), while this tour takes the comfortable train back (a bit more, half the walking and a faster, easier return).
Just one flat 11 km walk on day 1 (about 3 hours) beside the railway, plus the climb up to the citadel if you choose to walk it. Day 2 you return by train, so there's no walking back. It's an easy-to-moderate tour 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.
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. You can upgrade the return train to the panoramic Vistadome for about +$35, and add Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain for about +$20 (subject to availability). Book the mountains well in advance, as daily spots are limited.
