Machu Picchu Tour Full Day
Dificulty
Easy
Duration
1 Day
Group Size
14 a 19 People
Max Altitude
3,600 m.s.n.m
Description
Machu Picchu Tour Full Day: A Magical Journey to the Sacred City
Embark on a captivating Machu Picchu Tour and uncover the magic of the Inca citadel in a single day filled with history, mystery, and spectacular mountain scenery. This full-day adventure is designed for travelers who want to experience one of the world’s most iconic archaeological sites—without the need for multi-day treks.
Your day begins with a scenic transfer to Ollantaytambo, where you’ll board a panoramic train to Machu Picchu. As you travel along the Urubamba River, you’ll enjoy breathtaking views of lush valleys, snow-capped peaks, and traditional Andean villages. Once in Aguas Calientes, a short and comfortable bus ride takes you up the mountain to the entrance of Machu Picchu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
Accompanied by a professional guide, you’ll explore the most important sectors of the citadel, including the Temple of the Sun, the Main Plaza, the Sacred Rock, and the famous Intihuatana—an ancient solar clock used by the Incas. This guided Machu Picchu experience allows you to appreciate the precision of Inca engineering and understand the spiritual and political importance of the site.
The Machu Picchu Tour Full Day is ideal for families, couples, or solo travelers who want to include this wonder in their Peru bucket list. With round-trip transportation, train tickets, entrance fees, and expert guidance included, it’s the perfect day trip to Machu Picchu from Cusco.
Whether you’re passionate about history, photography, or simply looking for a once-in-a-lifetime experience, this tour offers a seamless and enriching way to discover the Inca ruins of Peru—an unforgettable journey into the heart of the ancient Andean world.
Machu Picchu, one of the New 7 Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is an iconic destination that will captivate you with its splendor and mystical energy.
Are you short on time but don’t want to miss this historic gem? Our full-day train tour is the best option to explore this incredible Inca sanctuary!
We begin the tour early with pickup from your hotel. We will travel through the Sacred Valley of the Incas to the train station in Ollantaytambo. Board a comfortable panoramic train that will take you through breathtaking landscapes to Aguas Calientes.
Enjoy spectacular views of the Urubamba River, mountains, and highland rainforest along the way. From Aguas Calientes, we will take a bus to the majestic Inca Citadel. Admission to Machu Picchu, where our expert guide will guide you through its most amazing corners. Tour the most important areas, such as the Temple of the Sun, the Sacred Plaza, and the Sacred Rock. Learn about its architecture, history, and mysticism. Take your time to capture unforgettable photos of this incredible landscape. We descend to Aguas Calientes and board the train again to Ollantaytambo.
From Ollantaytambo, our private transportation will take you back to Cusco. In the evening, we’ll drop you off near the Plaza de Armas.
This tour is ideal for those short on time but eager to explore one of the most incredible wonders of the world.
Day 1: Cusco | Ollantaytambo Train Station - Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu.
We will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco between 4:00 a.m. and 4:15 a.m. If you’re staying in the Sacred Valley, please inform us in advance so we can coordinate your pickup. A comfortable vehicle will take you on a scenic 1 hour and 45-minute journey through stunning Andean landscapes to Ollantaytambo train station.
Upon arrival, our driver will assist you in boarding the train. You will travel with one of the two train companies operating in Peru — Peru Rail or Inca Rail — departing at 6:10 a.m. or 6:40 a.m. The train ride lasts approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes, offering spectacular views of the Urubamba River and the surrounding mountainous terrain.
Reception in Aguas Calientes: Upon arriving in Aguas Calientes, the gateway to Machu Picchu, our guide will welcome you with a sign bearing your name. After a brief orientation and important instructions, you’ll have 20 to 30 minutes of free time to enjoy a coffee, grab some snacks, or visit the restroom.
Bus ascent to Machu Picchu: We will then board the bus for a 30-minute scenic ascent to the entrance of Machu Picchu. Once at the top, your guide will take you to a strategic viewpoint to admire the breathtaking Inca architecture and take postcard-perfect photos.
Then begins your guided tour through the main sectors of the citadel, which will last approximately 2 hours. During the tour, you’ll explore temples, terraces, and ceremonial areas while learning about the rich history and cosmology of the Inca civilization.
At the end of the tour, you’ll have additional free time to explore, take photos, or simply soak in the magic of the site.
If you’ve pre-booked Huayna Picchu, your guide will direct you to the entrance for this popular hike, which takes approximately 2 hours round trip. This must be reserved in advance and costs $60 USD per person.
Alternatively, you can hike Machu Picchu Mountain, a more challenging route that takes around 3 hours round trip, also with an additional $60 USD fee.
Return to Aguas Calientes: After your visit, descend by bus to Aguas Calientes for lunch (not included). Depending on your train departure time, you may also enjoy some shopping, visit the local museum, or relax in the hot springs.
Return to Cusco: We will take the Expedition train back to Ollantaytambo at 2:55 p.m. or 3:20 p.m., enjoying once again the scenic route along the Urubamba River, including sections with whitewater rapids near Aguas Calientes. Upon arrival in Ollantaytambo, our driver will meet you at the train station and transport you back to your hotel in Cusco, with an estimated arrival time around 7:30 p.m.
📌 Visit details
⏱ Machu Picchu visit duration: 2–3 hours
🥾 Difficulty level: easy
📉 Minimum altitude: 2,040 m / 6,692 ft
📈 Maximum altitude: 3,399 m / 11,152 ft
📍 Machu Picchu site altitude: 2,400 m / 7,874 ft
📈 Huayna Picchu altitude: 2,700 m / 8,858 ft
📈 Machu Picchu Mountain altitude: 3,000 m / 9,842 ft
Incluye
✓ PRE-DEPARTURE INFORMATION MEETING.
- You will meet with your guide a day before the trek at our office or at your hotel for a briefing before your hike. At this time, the meeting will be at 6:00 p.m.
✓ PERMITS AND ENTRANCES.
✓ ENTRY TICKET TO THE MACHU PICCHU ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE.
The entrance ticket to Machu Picchu. There are several circuits to explore the citadel, and we ensure the best available option at the time of your reservation.
- Our first option, if available, is Circuit 2:
Llaqta Machu Picchu / Classic Route 2-A, which takes you to the iconic panoramic viewpoint and allows you to explore around 70% of the citadel.
- If this circuit is not available, we will book Circuit 2-B: Lower Terrace, which also offers the classic viewpoint and access to 60% of Machu Picchu.
To ensure you get one of these circuits, we recommend booking your tour 3 or 4 months in advance. If none of these options are available, we will select an alternative circuit that allows access to specific areas of Machu Picchu. You can find more details about the circuits at the following link tuboleto.cultura.pe.
✓ FIELD STAFF
- Professional guides:
Our official tour guides speak English and Spanish and are professionally trained and certified. We choose them for their experience, responsibility, boundless passion for exploration, and pride in sharing our culture and history. In each experience, they will keep you safe and comfortable so that you can enjoy your time without worries.
✓ TRANSPORTATION.
- You will be picked up from your hotel in the morning and will travel in private transport to the Ollantaytambo train station.
- Round-trip Consettur bus ticket from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu.
- Private transport for the group. Mini Bus from Ollantaytambo to your hotel in Cusco.
✓ TRAIN.
- Train ticket. Travel from Ollantaytambo to Km 104, the starting point of your hike. The departure options are 6:10 a.m. or 6:40 a.m., providing flexibility and comfort.
- Train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo. Normally, the train departs at 2:30 p.m., 2:55 p.m., or 3:20 p.m., depending on availability. You will have time to explore the charming town of Aguas Calientes, enjoy lunch, and relax.
✓ EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT AND REMOTE MEDICAL ASSISTANCE.
- First aid kit:
We carry alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, iodine tincture, germicidal soap, cotton, gauze, bandages, medical adhesive tape, surgical gloves, pain relievers for muscle and stomach pain, and fever reducers. If you take prescription medication, you may bring your own medications.
- Portable oxygen tank.
✓ IMPORTANT:
- Please note that only a medical professional can issue a medical prescription. Our guides DO NOT have the authority to prescribe treatment for clients. During the entire trek, all medications will be administered under your consent and at your own responsibility. If you have a medical prescription, it is recommended that you bring your own medication(s).
No Incluye
- Original ID or passport.
- Sun hat and wool hat for different temperatures.
- Warm clothing (jacket, scarf, gloves, hat).
- Short-sleeved shirt.
- Hiking shoes or waterproof boots for greater comfort; rubber or thick-soled sneakers are an excellent option.
- Rain gear: A good raincoat and rain pants (only for the rainy season).
- Long pants.
- Sunglasses.
- Small backpack for water, snacks, camera, etc.
- 2 liters of water (there are options to purchase along the route).
- Snacks such as apples, cereal bars, candy, and chocolates.
- Personal medical kit.
- Sunscreen.
- Cash in soles for personal expenses.
✓ PRICE PER PERSON:
- $280 USD – Adults.
- $260 USD – Children and students.
To book the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, an initial payment of $140 USD per person is required. The remaining balance can be paid online or at our office in Cusco.
✓ STUDENT DISCOUNT:
- All travelers under 17 years old receive a $30 USD discount. If you are 25 years old or younger at the time of travel, you may qualify for a discount with your student ID. Please email us to receive a discount code.
✓ VALID STUDENT ID FOR THE INCA TRAIL AND MACHU PICCHU:
- To obtain the student discount, travelers must present a valid student ID with the following:
✓ NOTE ON THE ISIC CARD:
- Although the International Student Identity Card (ISIC) is recognized in many countries, it is not accepted by the Peruvian government for student discounts at Machu Picchu. Just as a passport cannot be replaced by any other type of ID for international procedures, a student ID cannot be substituted by an ISIC or any other document for discounts in Peru.
The Peruvian government strictly enforces student accreditation. It is mandatory to present a student ID that meets these criteria to qualify for discounted tickets. Upon arrival at Machu Picchu, you will be required to show your physical student ID. If your ID does not meet the requirements, there is a high risk that you will be denied entry and will have to pay the full entrance fee, subject to availability. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that your student ID complies with Peruvian regulations before booking your trip as a student.
✓ ADD-ONS AND UPGRADES:
Additional services and upgrades you can include in this trip:
- Huayna Picchu Mountain: $60.00 USD.
- Machu Picchu Mountain: $60.00 USD.
- Vistadome Train (Aguas Calientes – Ollantaytambo): $70.00 USD.
✓ PRICE GUARANTEE:
- Once your reservation is confirmed, we guarantee that the price will not increase, regardless of circumstances. Therefore, before booking, please read all the important information about the tour.
✓ HOW TO BOOK:
- Booking a Machu Picchu tour is easy. You can reserve your spot online through our website, where our booking platform will guide you step by step. The tour payment can be made with any credit or debit card, and you can also pay in your local currency for added convenience.
✓ MACHU PICCHU TOUR RESERVATION:
To book the Machu Picchu tour, a non-refundable deposit of $140 USD is required. This deposit secures your spot and allows us to purchase your Machu Picchu and train tickets, which must be booked well in advance.
Our booking platform allows you to pay only the deposit, along with any additional options you select, or you can choose to pay the full tour amount in advance. If you pay only the deposit, the remaining balance can be paid upon your arrival in Cusco, one day before the tour departure.
- Remaining Balance Payment: If you choose to pay only the deposit, the remaining balance must be paid upon your arrival in Cusco, one day before the tour starts. The balance can be paid in Peruvian soles or US dollars, in cash or by card (with a 5% surcharge). You also have the option to pay online on our website (with a 5% fee).
✓ CANCELLATION POLICY:
- Bestreks agency has the following cancellation policies:
Due to the strict regulations set by Machu Picchu National Park, once a reservation is made, the acquired space and permit cannot be canceled. It is also not possible to transfer the permit to another person under a different name. Additionally, permit dates cannot be modified. - If you cannot arrive on the scheduled date, no refunds will be issued. Permits are non-refundable, and Bestreks will purchase the permits as soon as your reservation is confirmed.
- If you cancel 30 or more days in advance, you will lose your deposit, but you will retain the tickets we purchased for you.
- If you cancel 2 to 3 days before your trip, it will be considered a “no-show”, and you will be required to pay 100% of the total cost. You will still have access to the tickets we purchased for you, the guided Machu Picchu tour on your original itinerary date, the train ticket, and the bus ticket.
- Events beyond our control that may disrupt the trip, such as strikes, protests, flight cancellations, weather conditions, or hotel/flight overbooking, are not covered. In such cases, we will suggest alternative arrangements (if available) to make the trip possible. Any additional costs associated with these alternatives will be the responsibility of the traveler.
✓ Recommendations:
- We strongly recommend that you fully understand all booking and cancellation policies before making your payment to ensure your investment is protected and that you have a smooth booking experience for your Machu Picchu excursion.
✓ Informative meeting or briefing:
- All informative meetings and briefings take place the evening before your trip begins at our main office in Cusco (or at your hotel) at 6:00 p.m. These meetings last approximately 30 minutes. If you are unable to attend, you must coordinate another time via email or phone call.
✓ Payment of the remaining balance for the trek (in Cusco):
- If you still have an outstanding balance, you must pay it 1 day before your trek/tour; otherwise, your trip reservation will not be confirmed. If possible, it would be greatly appreciated if you could pay the balance of the trek/tour in cash, either in US dollars or local currency, at our office in Cusco or during the briefing time. You can withdraw money from several ATMs along Avenida Sol (in either US dollars or Peruvian soles). You may also pay by credit/debit card or via IZIPAY, online or in person, but you will need to pay a 5% service fee, charged by our payment gateway (Niubiz) and IZIPAY.
✓ Client pickup:
Please note:
- All pickups take place within the city of Cusco, but we recommend booking a well-located hotel in the historic center. Our guide or staff will confirm the pickup time one day before the tour. Due to traffic conditions, the pickup time may vary between 30 to 45 minutes. Cusco is an ancient city with many narrow, cobbled streets. Some hotels and Airbnbs are located on streets with no vehicle access or on long, steep inclines, making it difficult to transport your luggage. We strongly recommend booking accommodation with easy access.
✓ Health:
- If you have medical restrictions for some or all of the activities detailed in your reservation, please contact your doctor and ask about the risks of participating in these activities.
✓ Weather:
- The weather is, of course, unpredictable. Generally, the dry season in Cusco runs from April to October, but that doesn’t mean it won’t rain in June or that the sun won’t shine in December. So, be prepared. No matter which month you are hiking, make sure to have rain gear, including a waterproof jacket, pants, poncho, and gloves. Many people forget about gloves, but the cold and humidity can make hiking very uncomfortable.
Additionally, prepare for four seasons. Hiking in the Andes involves several microclimates, so you must be ready. Layering is essential, as it allows you to adjust to different temperature changes easily. Bring a warm jacket, as nights can be very cold.
✓ Altitude sickness (soroche) and stomach issues:
For hikers traveling directly to Cusco from sea level, we recommend arriving 2 days before your trek. Two of the most common health issues among tourists in Cusco are altitude sickness (soroche) and stomach issues caused by slow digestion.
- Altitude sickness: Some symptoms include headache and nausea. There are some over-the-counter medications (pills) that help minimize these symptoms, such as Aspirin, Diamox, Soroichi Pill, and Alti Vital. If symptoms persist, the next step is oxygen use. In these circumstances, we have the equipment and staff ready to assist our hikers.
- Stomach issues: It is recommended to drink 3-4 liters of water per day. Your body will need it to stay hydrated. Hot drinks like coca leaf tea are especially recommended. Also, soups, vegetables, and carbohydrates (not fried or heavy foods). Sweets, chocolate, cookies, and fruits are also good options—basically, any easily digestible food. Do not drink alcohol or smoke.
Try to sleep at least 8 hours and avoid excessive physical activity. Keep your body at a comfortable temperature by wearing warm clothing to protect yourself from the cold.
When adapting to high altitude, there is a general rule: eat lightly and drink plenty of fluids.
✓ Medical restrictions:
- Clients must inform their travel agencies of any medical restrictions before the start of their trip. Some examples of medical restrictions include allergies, special diets, any medications the client is currently taking, and health issues.
In the case of severe medical restrictions, we recommend consulting your doctor for approval before participating in the trek. The information you provide us will be very important, as it will help us design a plan to ensure you have a pleasant and worry-free trip.
✓ Lost items:
- Please pay attention to where you leave your belongings and remember to collect everything when leaving our transportation, campsites, or restaurants. You are solely responsible for your belongings during the tour.
The weather in Machu Picchu varies, with temperatures ranging between 12°C and 24°C. It is recommended to wear layered clothing to adapt to temperature changes throughout the day.
These are the mountains surrounding the Inca Citadel.
- Huayna Picchu is located at 2,720 meters above sea level and offers a spectacular view of the archaeological site, as well as several Inca ruins along the way.
- Machu Picchu Mountain stands at 3,082 meters above sea level and serves as another viewpoint of the famous historic sanctuary. However, the hike to its summit is significantly less challenging than that of Huayna Picchu.
To hike either of these mountains, you must purchase an additional entry ticket well in advance. For more information, contact your travel agent.
Machu Picchu is located on the border between the Peruvian high jungle and the Andes, at 2,430 meters above sea level. The temperatures in this region range between 12°C and 24°C, with warm and humid weather during the day and colder temperatures at night.
Machu Picchu’s climate is characterized by two main seasons:
- Dry season: Considered the coldest season of the year. This period begins in May and ends in September. Expect sunny and bright days throughout this season.
- Rainy season: Occurs between December and April, with these being the rainiest months of the year. However, there is a transition period with light rains between October and December.
It is important to note that the weather in this region can change drastically, so we recommend being well-informed and preparing a complete packing list before embarking on your adventure to this wonder.
Yes, it is recommended to book at least 1 month in advance, especially if you want to include entry to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, as tickets are limited.
The most common way to reach Cusco is to take an international flight to Lima (the capital of Peru) and then take a domestic flight to Cusco.
- First, fly from your country of origin to Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima, Peru’s main international airport.
- Once in Lima, take a domestic flight to Cusco. The flight from Lima to Cusco takes approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes. Several airlines offer this route, including LATAM, Sky Airline, and Viva Air.
- If you prefer not to fly, you can take a bus from Lima to Cusco. This road trip takes between 20 and 24 hours. However, flying is recommended for comfort and time efficiency.
If you are traveling from neighboring countries such as Chile, Argentina, Colombia, or Ecuador, you may also find direct flights to Cusco from some major cities, though they are less frequent than flights to Lima.
Any unnecessary luggage should be left in Cusco. Most hotels in Cusco are prepared to store luggage for their guests. If you do not have a place to leave your luggage, you can store it in our offices until the end of your adventure. We will ensure that your belongings are stored safely, so there is no need to worry!
To enter Machu Picchu, you must arrive at the time stated on your ticket and present your passport.
The only restrooms are located at the main entrance of the Machu Picchu citadel. There are no restroom facilities inside the archaeological complex.
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