Machu Picchu in 2 Days from Cusco Train, a Night in Aguas Calientes and an Early Visit
Sleep at the foot of the citadel and visit Machu Picchu early the next morning, with your own guide. Train, buses, entrance and hotel included — from $425 per person.
Our Machu Picchu 2-day tour is the relaxed way to see the citadel. On day one we drive through the Sacred Valley to Ollantaytambo, with a short visit to the Inca town, and take the afternoon train along the Urubamba River to Aguas Calientes, where you spend the night in a hotel.
On day two you take one of the first buses up to Machu Picchu for a guided visit of about 2.5–3 hours, at the time of day when the light is soft and the site is quieter. If you want, add Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (US $65). In the afternoon the train and a transfer bring you back to Cusco. Transport, trains, buses, entrance, the hotel night and a private guide are included for US $425. Compare options in how to reach Machu Picchu.
2 Days
Duration
2,430 m
Max altitude
Easy
Difficulty
Max 14
Group size
Tour Highlights
No 4:30 AM start
You travel the day before, so you reach Machu Picchu rested and early.
A night in Aguas Calientes
A hotel at the foot of the mountain, with restaurants and hot springs nearby.
Early morning at the citadel
One of the first buses up, when the light is soft and the crowds are smaller.
Your own guide
A private licensed guide for your group inside Machu Picchu.
Ollantaytambo on the way
A short visit to the living Inca town before the train.
Add Huayna Picchu
Climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain for US $65 extra, subject to availability.
Why travel with INKANET
Licensed local operator
Registered with DIRCETUR & MINCETUR. A Cusco team, guiding since 2014.
Guides who live here
Small groups led by local guides who know every trail and every story.
Book with 20%
Secure your date with a deposit and pay the balance in Cusco.
Real people, fast answers
WhatsApp and live chat with our team before and during your trip.
Have you done this tour?
Be the first to review it — your honest experience helps the next traveler decide.
We pick you up from your hotel and drive through the Sacred Valley to Ollantaytambo station, with a stop for photos and a short visit to the living Inca town on the way. In the afternoon you board the scenic train that follows the Urubamba River to Aguas Calientes (about 1h40), the town nestled beneath the citadel. Check in to your hotel, enjoy dinner in town and rest before your early start.
Meals
None (dinner optional)
Stay
Hotel in Aguas Calientes
Difficulty
Easy
DAY 2
Machu Picchu guided tour – return to Cusco
After breakfast you take one of the first buses up to Machu Picchu for a guided tour of about 2.5–3 hours through its temples, plazas and palaces, with time at the classic viewpoint for photos before it fills up. Optional add-ons: Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain. Descend to Aguas Calientes, then take the train and private transfer back to Cusco (arrival in the evening).
Altitude
Machu Picchu 2,430 m
Meals
Breakfast
Return
Train & transfer to Cusco
Good to know: Your original passport is required to enter Machu Picchu and must match your ticket, so we collect each traveler’s passport details when you book.
Inclusions & exclusions
Exactly what is covered in your Machu Picchu 2 Days / 1 Night — and what to budget separately.
What's Included
Comprehensive transportation
Exclusive private guide
Emergency medical supplies (oxygen & first aid)
Hotel pickup & transfer to Ollantaytambo
Scenic train to Aguas Calientes
Shuttle bus to Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu entrance included
Return bus to Aguas Calientes
1 night hotel in Aguas Calientes
Return train to Ollantaytambo
Final transfer to Cusco
Not Included
Tips & gratuities
Meals not specified in the itinerary
Huayna Picchu / Machu Picchu Mountain ($65)
Before you go
A few essentials we recommend to make your Machu Picchu 2 Days / 1 Night as rewarding as possible.
Acclimatize in Cusco first
Spend a day or two in Cusco (3,400 m) before this tour. Hydrate well, eat light, drink coca tea and take it easy. Our guides carry oxygen and a first-aid kit.
Bring your passport
Your original passport is required to enter Machu Picchu and must match your ticket, so we collect each traveler's details when you book.
Best time to go
The dry season runs April to October with clearer skies, ideal for Machu Picchu all year round, with the driest months from May to September.
Sun & weather
Bring sunscreen SPF 50+, a hat, sunglasses and layers. Mornings are cool, midday sun is strong, and a light rain jacket is wise.
Cancellations & weather
You can cancel up to 24 hours before the tour if a verifiable emergency keeps you from joining — an illness, an accident or a cancelled flight, for example, with a document that shows it. If weather or road conditions make the trip unsafe, we will offer you a new date or a full refund. Machu Picchu tickets, train tickets and Inca Trail permits are personal and cannot be refunded once purchased. See our refund policy.
What to pack
Travel light but smart. Here's exactly what we recommend bringing for a comfortable, safe day at altitude.
Essentials
Passport — required for the entrance ticket.
Hiking boots (broken in) — terrain is rocky & uneven.
No group discounts on this tour. Every traveler pays the price shown, whatever the group size. For groups of 5 or more, message us on WhatsApp and we'll help you plan the dates.
Payment & refund highlights
Secure online payment
Pay with Visa, MasterCard, American Express. All transactions SSL-encrypted via Izipay.
Cancellation policy
We accept cancellations up to 24 hours before the tour when a verifiable emergency prevents you from attending. Machu Picchu tickets, train tickets and Inca Trail permits are personal and cannot be refunded once purchased. Refunds go back to your original payment method and are processed by your bank, not by us: any bank fees are applied by the bank, and the money can take up to 30 business days to reach your account. Thank you for your patience. Read the full policy.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the questions we hear most often. More? See the full FAQ page or reach us on WhatsApp.
Transport from your Cusco hotel, the round-trip train, the buses up and down, the entrance ticket, one hotel night in Aguas Calientes, breakfast and a private guide, for US $425.
Two days are more relaxed: you avoid the very early start and visit the citadel fresh in the morning. If you are short on time, see the one-day tour.
Yes, as an optional extra of US $65, subject to availability. Book early, as Huayna Picchu tickets sell out first.
At least 25 days ahead, because train and entrance tickets are issued in each traveller’s name; earlier for June to August.
Your original passport, a small overnight bag (train luggage is limited), a rain jacket, sun protection and insect repellent.
A glimpse of the journey
Machu Picchu 2 Days / 1 Night in pictures
Traveler reviews
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Cusco, Peru
A note from Cusco
Tell us how it really was
We read every review ourselves — and so do the guides who walked with you. Tell us what you loved and what we could have done better. An honest review helps the next traveler far more than a perfect five stars.
— The INKANET ADVENTURE teamCusco, Peru
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