Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu in One Day The Classic Visit Plus the Most Famous Climb
Climb the steep Inca stairs of Huayna Picchu (2,693 m) for the aerial view over the citadel, then tour Machu Picchu with your guide — from $450 per person.
Huayna Picchu is the steep green peak behind Machu Picchu in every classic photo. This day tour adds its climb to a full guided visit of the citadel: we pick you up at 4:30 AM, drive to Ollantaytambo, take the train to Aguas Calientes and the bus up to the site. On original Inca stairs you climb in about an hour to the small summit at 2,693 m, with the whole citadel spread out below.
Huayna Picchu tickets are limited each day and are the first to sell out, so please book at least 25 days ahead — much earlier for June to August. Round-trip train, buses, the entrance with Huayna Picchu, a private guide and all transfers are included; lunch in Aguas Calientes is at your own cost. You are back in Cusco at around 9:30 PM. Not sure which mountain to choose? Read Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain.
From the summit of Huayna Picchu the citadel lies straight below — the most famous view of Machu Picchu.
Original Inca stairs
A steep climb of about an hour on carved stone steps, with handholds in the steepest parts.
A full guided visit
Your private guide explains the temples, plazas and history of the Inca city.
Tickets secured for you
Entrance with Huayna Picchu, train seats and buses booked in your name.
Back in Cusco the same night
No overnight stay needed: return to your hotel at around 9:30 PM.
Tour at a glance
Duration
Full Day · 17 h
Price
From US $450 per person
Hotel pickup
4:30 AM
Back in Cusco
9:30 PM
Max altitude
2,693 m
Walking
≈2 h Huayna Picchu + citadel visit
Difficulty
Moderate
Drive from Cusco
1 h 45 min + train
Meals
Not included
Entrance fees
Included (Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu)
Group size
Small group, max 14 travelers
Booking
At least 25 days ahead
Book Machu Picchu in advance
Machu Picchu entrance tickets and train seats are issued by the Peruvian authorities in each traveler’s name, so this tour must be booked at least 25 days ahead (earlier for June–August). Short on time? All our other day tours can be booked online up to 5 hours before pickup.
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.
Huayna Picchu climb ticket (Circuit 3, subject to availability).
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 2,693 m, lower than Cusco, so it feels easy.
Physical fitness
Huayna Picchu is moderate to demanding: about 1 hour up and 1 hour down on narrow, steep Inca stairs with exposed sections and a cable handrail. Not recommended if you suffer from vertigo. The rest of the visit is easy.
Best time to go
Machu Picchu is open all year. May to September brings the most sunshine and the biggest crowds; April, October and November are quieter. In the rainy season (December to March) mornings are often misty, which gives the citadel a magical atmosphere.
Sun & weather
Cusco’s sun is strong even on cloudy days. Bring sunscreen SPF 50+, a hat and sunglasses, and carry a light jacket or fleece: mornings are cool and the weather can change quickly, especially from December to March.
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.
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 $428 / pp
5% discount for adolescents & children
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.
It is steep and short: about an hour up on narrow Inca stairs, with exposed sections. It suits fit travellers without a strong fear of heights. Read our Huayna Picchu climb guide.
At least 25 days ahead, and several months for June to August, because Huayna Picchu tickets are limited and issued in your name.
Transfers, round-trip train, buses, the Machu Picchu entrance with Huayna Picchu, a snack and a private guide. Lunch is not included.
We can offer Machu Picchu Mountain, a longer but less exposed climb, or the classic Machu Picchu day tour.
Yes. Bring your original passport; it must match the name and number on your tickets.
A glimpse of the journey
Machu Picchu in pictures
Traveler reviews
Be the first to review this tour
Travelled with us? Your experience helps the next traveler decide — and helps us improve.
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
Prefer Google or Tripadvisor?
Point your phone camera at the code. It takes one minute and helps our small local team enormously.
