Machu Picchu Full Day by Train
Expedition Overview
Experience the magic of Machu Picchu in a single, unforgettable day. This express tour is designed for travelers who are short on time or prefer to avoid the physical strain of multi-day trekking or high-altitude hikes. You will enjoy a spectacular, scenic train ride through the lush Sacred Valley and deep into the Andean cloud forest, following the winding Urubamba River. Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes, you will ascend to the legendary Lost City of the Incas for a comprehensive, professionally guided tour of its most important temples, plazas, and agricultural terraces.
Day by Day Itinerary
Full Day: Cusco – Sacred Valley – Machu Picchu – Cusco
Your day begins early with a pick-up from your Cusco hotel. We transfer you by private vehicle to the train station (either Poroy or Ollantaytambo, depending on availability and season). You will board a comfortable tourist train with large panoramic windows, offering spectacular views of the changing landscapes as you descend into the cloud forest. After a 1.5 to 3-hour train ride, you arrive in the town of Aguas Calientes. Here, your guide will meet you and escort you to the bus station for the 30-minute zigzag ride up the mountain to the gates of Machu Picchu. Once inside, you will enjoy a 2.5-hour guided tour exploring the site's most significant areas, including the Temple of the Sun, the Main Plaza, and the Intihuatana. Afterward, you will take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes, where you have free time to enjoy lunch at a local restaurant or explore the town. In the late afternoon, you board the train back to Ollantaytambo or Poroy, where our transport will be waiting to take you back to your hotel in Cusco, arriving late in the evening. • Estimated Duration: 14-16 hours total • Highest Altitude: 3,400m / 11,154ft (Cusco) • Machu Picchu Altitude: 2,430m / 7,972ft
Guaranteed departure dates, official DIRCETUR entrance permits, and zero intermediary commission fees when you reserve directly with our Cusco headquarters.
✅ What is Included
- ✓Pick-up and drop-off at your hotel in Cusco
- ✓Private transfers from Cusco to the train station (Poroy or Ollantaytambo) and back
- ✓Round-trip train tickets (Expedition or Voyager class, upgrade available)
- ✓Round-trip bus tickets from Aguas Calientes up to Machu Picchu
- ✓Entrance ticket to the Machu Picchu citadel
- ✓Professional bilingual guide for a 2.5-hour tour
✕ Not Included
- —Meals and beverages (plenty of options available in Aguas Calientes)
- —Entrance to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (must be booked far in advance)
- —Tips for the guide and drivers
Need Custom Itineraries or Private Dates?
Speak instantly with our experienced mountaineering coordinators in Cusco for immediate itinerary customization and permit verification.