A full-day Machu Picchu tour from Cusco by scenic train to the legendary Inca citadel at 2,430 m — guided visit, round-trip train and bus, entrance ticket and expert local guide, all in one unforgettable day.
Our Machu Picchu Full Day tour from Cusco takes you to the ancient Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, nestled at 2,430 m in the Andes of Peru. Your adventure begins with a scenic train ride gliding through charming Andean villages and the lush green valleys of the Sacred Valley. From Aguas Calientes, a short bus ride delivers you to this iconic World Wonder, wrapped in mystical cloud forest and breathtaking mountain scenery.
Wander through Machu Picchu's terraces, temples and plazas, where stunning views and a deep connection to Inca spirituality await. Your licensed local guide shares vivid stories of its history and cosmic ties, bringing the lost city to life. With an early start from Cusco, small groups of up to 14 and every ticket and transfer handled for you, it's the easiest and most rewarding way to experience the New Seven Wonders of the World in a single day.
Stand before Machu Picchu, the fabled Inca city in the Andes — rich in mystery, history and breathtaking scenery, and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
Temples, Terraces & Sacred Areas
Explore the heart of Inca civilization — wander through finely cut stone temples, agricultural terraces and sacred plazas with your expert guide.
Magnificent Andean Vistas
Savour stunning views of rivers, mountains and cloud-wrapped peaks that make for unforgettable photographs at every turn.
Scenic Train Through the Sacred Valley
Glide along the Urubamba River on one of the world's most beautiful rail journeys, through green valleys and charming Andean villages.
Expert Local Guides
Licensed bilingual guides share the legends, astronomy and engineering of Machu Picchu, plus a genuine cultural touch along the way.
Day-by-day itinerary
A typical full day to Machu Picchu — early start, scenic train through the Sacred Valley, guided citadel tour and return to Cusco by night.
FULL DAY
Full Day · Machu Picchu
04:30 AMDeparture from Cusco. We collect you from your hotel and set off by bus toward the charming town of Ollantaytambo, travelling through the picturesque villages of Chinchero and Urubamba — about 1 hour 45 minutes through the Sacred Valley.
06:30 AMScenic train to Aguas Calientes. In Ollantaytambo we board the train bound for Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo) — a journey of about 1 hour 45 minutes immersed in the mesmerizing landscapes of the Sacred Valley.
09:00 AMBus up to the citadel & guided tour. From Aguas Calientes a short bus ride climbs to the awe-inspiring Inca city of Machu Picchu, where we begin a comprehensive guided tour of about 4 hours — exploring the ruins, temples and terraces and soaking in the rich history of this mystical site.
01:30 PMDescent & lunch. After our exploration we descend back to Aguas Calientes, where a delicious lunch awaits and there is time to relax before the return journey.
03:30 PMReturn train & transfer. We make our way to the station to catch the return train to Ollantaytambo, then board a bus back to Cusco.
09:30 PMArrival in Cusco. We reach your accommodation in Cusco at approximately 9:30 PM, completing an unforgettable full day at Machu Picchu.
Good to know: It is a long but well-paced day. Train and entrance times are fixed by the authorities, so we secure your tickets in advance — which is why this tour must be booked at least 25 days ahead.
Inclusions & exclusions
Exactly what is covered in your Machu Picchu day tour — and what to budget separately.
What's Included
Snack for the journey.
Private guide for your group at Machu Picchu.
Cusco – Ollantaytambo transport (tourist transport via the Sacred Valley).
Bus Aguas Calientes ↔ Machu Picchu citadel, round trip.
Entrance ticket to the Inca city of Machu Picchu.
Return transport Ollantaytambo – Cusco city.
Not Included
Lunch in Aguas Calientes.
Breakfast.
Dinner.
Tips for guide and staff (optional, appreciated).
Before you go
A few essentials we strongly recommend to make your Machu Picchu day the most rewarding possible.
Book early — tickets are limited
Machu Picchu entry and train seats are capped and timed, so this tour must be booked at least 25 days in advance. Good news on altitude: Machu Picchu sits at 2,430 m, lower than Cusco, so it feels easy.
Physical fitness
The hike is rated moderate: 3 hours uphill + 1.5 hours back down. If you can walk steadily for 4–5 hours at home, you'll be fine. Horses are available at the trailhead (~ US $20) if needed.
Best time to go
Dry season: April to October. Skies are clearer, trails firm, colors most vibrant. Avoid the rainy season (Dec–Mar), when colors mute under cloud cover. We run tours year-round but recommend the dry months.
Sun & weather
The Andean sun is intense at 5,000 m. Bring sunscreen SPF 50+, a wide-brim hat, sunglasses, lip balm with SPF, and dress in layers. Pre-dawn is below freezing; midday can hit 18°C in the sun.
Cancellations & weather
This tour includes Machu Picchu tickets / Inca Trail permits, which are purchased under your passport immediately after payment and are non-refundable by the Ministry of Culture. If dangerous weather forces a change from our side, we'll offer a free reschedule or an alternative tour. 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.
Transparent pricing — no hidden fees. The more travelers in your group, the lower the price per person.
Group Type
Group Size
Price / Person
What's Different
Shared Group Most popular
2 – 14 travelers
US $375 / pp
Mixed international group · scenic train · early departure
Private Group ★ Best experience
2 – 6 travelers
US $450 / pp
Your own private guide at the citadel · personalized pace
Family Package
4+ adults & kids
US $356 / pp
5% discount for adolescents & children
Group of 8+
8 or more travelers
From US $338 / pp
Automatic group discount applied at checkout
Group discounts apply automatically. Book 4+ travelers and we'll send a custom quote within 2 hours. Larger groups (10+) qualify for additional savings — message us on WhatsApp.
Payment & refund highlights
Secure online payment
Pay with Visa, MasterCard, American Express. All transactions SSL-encrypted via Izipay.
Non-refundable booking
As soon as your payment is confirmed we immediately purchase your Machu Picchu entrance, Inca Trail permit, train tickets and all services under your name — so this booking is non-refundable. Permits are personal and non-transferable by law. We strongly recommend travel insurance. Full refund policy.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the questions we hear most often. More? See the full FAQ page or reach us on WhatsApp.
Machu Picchu is an ancient Inca city in the Andes Mountains of Peru. It is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Machu Picchu is in the Cusco region of Peru, near the town of Aguas Calientes, set at about 2,430 m above sea level.
The best time is the dry season, May to September, when you are more likely to enjoy clear skies and favourable weather for exploring the site.
Comfortable walking shoes, a hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, water, snacks and your entrance ticket. A rain jacket and layers are also recommended due to changing weather.
Yes — a day trip from Cusco is absolutely possible, though it is a long day. For a more relaxed experience you can stay overnight in Aguas Calientes; INKANET can help you plan the perfect itinerary.
The experience was magical. First of all, we were told all information one night before. Went to our hotel, ensured we were ready for this experience. The next day, we were picked up and dropped off at the train (made sure we were set) and even gave us snacks and drinks for the wonderful train ride. Met with our tour guide as explained and had the magical experience. Fell in love with Machu Picchu. The guide was fully experienced and knowledgeable. Will recommend!
— Irving G. · Nov 2025
★★★★★
If you want the utmost care and attention given to your trip to Machu Picchu, you need to book this tour. It was a magical experience, from beginning to end. It was surreal being there and the Andes are so majestic.
Let me start of with, not all tour packages are the same. Ruben met me the night before at my hotel, and explained all the logistics so I would feel comfortable traveling to Machu Picchu from Cusco the next day. The day of, he met me at my hotel and took me to the train/bus station. He packed me water and snacks and re-reviewed the itinerary with me. Most guides do not do either of these things!
Everything about the trip was beautiful and unique. Machu Picchu was breathtaking, and my guide answered all my questions and was incredibly knowledgable. I'm an archeology nerd so I had a lot of questions. And the views going to and from Machu Picchu are so so beautiful. It was the perfect day. Thank you to Ruben for making it a phenomenal experience.
— Anne · Jan 2025
★★★★★
Ruben fue muy atencioso con todo y Enrique tambien és excelente!!! Me gustó mucho la visita a Macchu Picchu! Gracias!!!
— Juliana · Jun 2024
★★★★★
M. Ruben est consciencieux, il vient à notre rencontre la veille de l’excursion pour nous expliquer les étapes de la journée. Il est patient et calme.
Il s’assure que nous ayons bien compris.
Il partage bien ses connaissances dans un français très correct.
Conseil: la journée débute tôt et le trajet est relativement long. Préparez-vous un petit lunch que vous pourrez manger durant le transport.
— Julie · Mar 2024
★★★★★
Ruben and Gabriel really went to all lengths to make this journey magical
Ask for Gabriel as your guide
He is a kind and informative gentleman!!
— Jane · Dec 2023
★★★★★
The tour was amazing! Enrique was very attentive to my pace and it was a great privet tour! The road from Cusco is challenging but in the ent of the day macho picho was beyond imagination and it is totally worth it!
— Asaf · Sep 2023
★★★★★
This was an entirely magical experience. If you are worried about it, don’t be! It is impeccably planned by Ruben. Ruben will stop by your hotel/Airbnb the night prior to explain everything, which will alleviate your worries. You have to take a bus and train to reach Machu Picchu, but Ruben takes care of all that. After you get off the train, you will meet your guide. Ours was Enrique, who was lovely! Very knowledgeable, friendly, FANTASTIC at taking photos. We have some of the most amazing photos that we will treasure forever. He really knew the best spots and angles for photos.
Everyone really cared about our experience and didn’t rush us a single time. They moved at our pace.
I recommend booking the private tour to really enjoy the experience. It was worth every penny.
— Ashley · Sep 2023
★★★★★
Ruben was so helpful with organizing the trip, and it all went off without a hitch. Not having to worry about the details of it all was so nice! Enrique was a wonderful guide and a great photographer as well! I highly recommend this tour! It was life changing, and I learned so much. Thank you!!
— Madi · Jul 2023
★★★★★
Couldn’t have asked for better. Ruben made everything seamless, from meeting me the evening before to go over details, to picking me up at the precise time he said, greeting me with a bag of snacks, water and juice for the trip.
Enrique was an amazing guide. His thoughtful notes and stories made the trip through Machu Picchu far more special as I was engrossed in the history, mysteries and stories.
Lunch was delicious and very filling at the end and gave a chance to rest and learn more.
Having the day so thoughtfully arranged, every detail thought of and such kind hosts makes this SO worth it. Can’t recommend enough.
— SueEllen · Apr 2023
★★★★★
非常棒的体验，愉快的一天，组织的非常好。推荐！！
— Maggie · Apr 2023
★★★★★
Fue realmente mágico, salimos enamorados del lugar, una experiencia maravillosa y única de esas experiencias que no hubieran sido tan perfectas sino hubiera sido con Enrique como guía.
— Leon · Apr 2023
★★★★★
This experience was amazing. The day is going to be LONG, so prepare to spend the entire day on this journey since Machu Picchu is very isolated in the mountains. The train rides and bus rides were not too long, and everything flowed SEAMLESSLY. I give this experience a 10/10. Ruben and Jose Enrique were the best. Jose Enrique was a super knowledgeable guy who was attentive and really seemed to love his job and his setting, which made the experience 10x better. I highly recommend this trip, go see one of the 7 wonders of the world!
