Machu Picchu By Train – 1 Day
Altitude Max.
2430 m.s.n.m.
Distance
Difficulty
Easy
Season
2026
Machu Picchu By Train - 1 Day
On our Machu Picchu By Train 1-Day, you will spend a day exploring the Inca Citadel of Machu Picchu during this all-inclusive day trip leaving from Cusco. Discover this renowned mountaintop Inca site with a local guide, learning about its construction, history, and what daily life was like for its residents. The trip’s relaxed, non-strenuous pace is a great option for first-time visitors, families, and solo travelers alike.
On our Machu Picchu 1-day tour, you will enjoy a fascinating two-hour guided exploration of the Inca citadel with your private guide, who will lead you through its most iconic sites, including the Temple of the Sun, the Condor Temple, the Sacred Plaza, and the famous sundial. Your journey begins with a scenic train ride to Aguas Calientes, where you will be surrounded by the lush beauty of the Peruvian rainforest. Once inside Machu Picchu, you will have the opportunity to capture stunning photographs from the best vantage points and even encounter resident llamas that freely roam the site, making your experience truly unforgettable.
Why should you take Machu Picchu 1 day tour with us?
- We buy all the tickets so you don’t need to make lines to buy any tickets.
- We will pick you up and drop you off at your hotel or Airbnb.
- It is Easy and fast to book on our booking Platform your Machu Picchu 1 day trip.
- This Machu Picchu 1-day tour is operated by American Trekking, a 100% local tour operator based in Cusco.
- Small groups are of 2 to 8 people maximum. This fact sets us apart from other travel companies that take bigger groups.
- We don’t share the service of the Machu Picchu 1 day trip with other companies.
- We are a practical, punctual, reliable Travel company, welcoming individuals or groups. Check out our reviews on Trip Advisor.
- Our Tour Guides pride themselves on being up-to-date and have a comprehensive program of continuing professional development. We love showing what a fascinating and amazing Machu Picchu is.
- At American Trekking, our guides, and drivers receive their salaries as soon as they finish their job.
- We are available 24 hours available. You can call us any time at this number +51976510080.
- You will go to Machu Picchu with American Trekking tour guide from Cusco. For us, it would be cheaper to hire a guide in Machu Picchu. But they tried to finish the tour as soon as possible to do another tour the same day to make more money. So our guide will spend all the time with you in Macchu Picchu.
- We assure our clients that we will not cancel your Machu Picchu day trip due to low sign-ups or limited participation on the departure date. Additionally, we do not transfer our travelers to other tour operators. This commitment provides our travelers with the confidence and peace of mind that their travel plans are secured and guaranteed.
We offer our Machu Picchu day trip with different pick-up options, ranging from very early to later departures. At the moment, we provide three alternatives. Below, you will find the complete itineraries for each option, with their respective pick-up times
Option A: Pick Up From Cusco At 03:00 am.
We will pick you up at 03:00 am for your Machu Picchu 1 day tours from Cusco, from there our company transport will take you for 1 hour and a half to the village of Ollantaytambo which is located in the Sacred Valley where we’ll take the train to Aguas Calientes town. during the journey, you will see amazing landscapes throughout the journey, Veronica’s snowy peaks as well as fertile green valleys and agricultural platforms along the way. the train journey itself is a lifetime experience.
Following the Urubamba River downstream of the Sacred Valley. you’ll get to Aguas Calientes at 06:40 am, then take the bus up to Machu Picchu for about 30 minutes. At the Machu Picchu checkpoint, we need to show the Passport and Machu Picchu ticket which your guide will be holding. Once you pass the Mapi checkpoint, your guide will take you to the Upper part where you will take a Postcard shot of Machu Picchu. Then you will have 2-hour Machu Picchu guided tour during which you’ll learn about the Inca civilization and visit all the highlights of Machu Picchu. You will visit, the Sun temple, the temple of 3 windows, the Incas house, Main Plaza, Wayrana, Sacred Rock, etc.
After visiting the citadel you’ll catch the bus down to Aguas Calientes where you will have some free time to find a place for lunch and explore this beautiful town of Agua Calientes then you will board the train at 02:55 pm back to Ollantaytambo, then go on by private van to Cusco. We will drop you off at 07:00 pm at your hotel.
Option B: Pick Up From Cusco At 06:00 am.
At 6:00 a.m., our driver will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco for a private transfer to Ollantaytambo, a journey of about 1 hour and 30 minutes through the scenic Sacred Valley. Upon arrival around 8:00 a.m., we will board the 8:29 a.m. train to Aguas Calientes. This 1 hour and 30-minute ride follows the Urubamba River, passing through villages, lush landscapes, and deep canyons.
At approximately 10:00 a.m., we will reach Aguas Calientes and take the bus to Machu Picchu, arriving at the entrance around 11:00 a.m. After ticket control, we will go to the upper part to take the classic picture of Machu Picchu and you will enjoy a 2-hour guided tour of the most important temples and structures, including the Temple of the Sun, the Temple of the Three Windows, the Sacred Rock, and the Intihuatana, while learning about Inca history, astronomy, and engineering.
Following the visit, we will return by bus to Aguas Calientes for lunch which is not included, before boarding the 4:43 p.m. train back to Ollantaytambo. From there, a private vehicle will take you to Cusco, with an estimated hotel arrival around 8:00 p.m., concluding an unforgettable day.
Note: If you choose Option B, there will not be enough time to hike Huayna Picchu. Therefore, please do not add the Huayna Picchu Mountain hike to your booking, as it cannot be included with this option.
Option C: Pick Up From Cusco At 8:00 am.
At 8:00 am, our team will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco for a private transfer to Ollantaytambo. The 1.5-hour drive offers beautiful views of the Sacred Valley’s landscapes and villages. Around 9:30 am, you will have some free time before boarding the 10:30 am train to Aguas Calientes. This scenic journey, lasting about 1.5 hours, passes through rivers, valleys, and cloud-covered mountains.
At 12:00 pm, we arrive in Aguas Calientes and take the bus to Machu Picchu, entering the site around 1:00 pm. Once we pass checkpoing, our professional guide will lead to the upper part of Machu Picchu to take the Classic postcard picture then a 2-hour tour, visiting highlights such as the Intihuatana, Temple of the Sun, Inca House, Main Plaza, and Wayrana. Afternoon visits are generally less crowded, with stable weather and softer sunlight.
Afterward, we return to Aguas Calientes for lunch and free time to explore or relax. At 6:20 pm, we board the train back to Ollantaytambo, followed by a private transfer to Cusco, arriving at your hotel around 10:00 pm—ending a memorable day filled with history, culture, and breathtaking scenery.
Note: If you choose Option C, there will not be sufficient time to hike Huayna Picchu. Therefore, please do not add the Huayna Picchu Mountain hike as an additional tour at the time of booking.
Included
- Hotel pick up: Our guide will meet you at the reception area of your hotel in Cusco. Please avoid waiting outside, as it can be quite cold. The guide will knock on the door of your hotel or Airbnb and will be identifiable by a red jacket featuring the American Trekking logo.
- Transportation Cusco to Ollantaytambo: Our spacious van will transport you from Cusco to the Ollantaytambo train station.
- Train Ticket from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes: We include Expeditions trains that depart from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes.
- Round trip bus ticket to Machu Pichu: We include 2 bus tickets, one from from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu and the return ticket from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes.
- Professional English Speaking Tour Guide. We carefully select our English-speaking guides who have graduated from prestigious universities and institutes. Each guide is chosen for their professionalism, dedication, and passion for their work. Their commitment to providing an excellent experience is evident in their attention to detail and their sincere enthusiasm for engaging with our customers.
- Guided tour at Machu Picchu. Our knowledgeable guide will accompany you to the most significant sites within Machu Picchu, providing detailed explanations of each Inca location you visit. Throughout the approximately two-hour guided tour, you will gain valuable insights into the historical and cultural importance of these iconic landmarks, ensuring a comprehensive and enriching experience of this ancient marvel.
- Return Train Ticket from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo: We will include an Expeditions train ticket departing from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo.
- Private van from Ollantaytambo to Cusco: After arriving in Ollantaytambo, our driver will meet you and transport you to Cusco in our van.
- Machu Picchu Ticket: We provide a ticket for Machu Picchu that includes Circuit 2. It is advisable to book in advance to secure access to Circuit 2. If Circuit 2 is unavailable, we will notify you within 24 hours, allowing you to purchase tickets for Circuits 1 and 3 to fully explore the Machu Picchu citadel.
- Tank of oxigen: on the way to Ollantaytambo we will get until 3700 meters on the van so our van is equiped with a tank of oxigen for any emergecies.
- Fist aid kid: Our guide is always equipped with a basic first aid kit to address any emergencies that may arise during our activities. This kit includes essential supplies such as adhesive bandages, antiseptic wipes, gauze pads, and medical tape, ensuring that we are prepared for minor injuries and ailments.
- 24/7 customer service: We are pleased to inform you that our telephone service is available 24 hours a day. You can reach out to us at any time, and our dedicated team is always ready to assist you with your inquiries and concerns.
- Hotel Drop-Off: Upon your return to Cusco, we will provide direct transportation back to your hotel.
Not Included
- Meals
THINGS TO KNOW
- When visiting Machu Picchu, you must bring your passport with you as you will need it to enter the site.
- With the standard entry ticket to Machu Picchu, you will not be allowed back in after you exit, even if you do not spend the full 2 hours allotted with each ticket.
- Machu Picchu entrance tickets are subject to availability; It is highly advisable to secure reservations for this tour at least two months in advance, as the daily allocation of Machu Picchu tickets is 5600 per day.
- The Machu Picchu tickets, including those for Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain, are non-refundable, non-transferable, and cannot be rescheduled. This policy aligns with the regulations set forth by the Peruvian Ministry of Culture.
- Be careful with selfie-and-jumping pictures, as these cause most of the accidents in the mountains.
- Training shoes or lightweight walking shoes are highly recommended do this Machu Picchu day trip.
- The Machu Picchu day tour from Cusco does not allow you to Climb Machu Picchu Mountain due to the limited time.
- The one day Machu Picchu tour does not allow you to witness the sunrise at Machu Picchu because the earliest you get to Machu Picchu is 8 am.
- Strong insect repellent is recommended because there are many mosquitoes.
- Machu Picchu is a unique site, and if you want, you can get a pretty unusual stamp on your Passport.
- This one day trip to Machu Picchu is ideal for couples, families, friends, and children.
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level.
- This full-day Machu Picchu tour stands out as the optimal choice for travelers with limited time.
- You have to arrive in Cusco City at least one day prior to your Machu Picchu day tour.
- Your guided tour inside Machu Picchu will take around 2h 30m.
- This Machu Picchu tour will have a maximum of 08 participants
Bathroom
Bad news, there are no bathrooms or food stalls in Machu Picchu. Make sure you use the bathroom before you enter the site. It is right in front of the entrance and costs two soles.
Food and Water
When it comes to food and water, bring your own. The ticket says that eating inside the site is prohibited, but you can bring a small snack with you, only try not to eat too openly, and it goes without saying that you should not litter. Also, you should bring your water in reusable flasks or canteens, because Machu Picchu tries to fight against single-use plastic bottles.
Prohibited objects inside Machu Picchu
- Walking sticks are not allowed unless the person needs them.
- It is not allowed to enter Machu Picchu with drones, tripods, or selfie sticks as well. Older people can carry a cane, but with a rubber tip, not a metal one.
- Professional cameras are not allowed. Permits for professional cameras are over $300 so avoid bringing a professional-looking camera in to save some money.
- You cannot enter Machu Picchu with your travel backpack. Only smaller models are allowed so leave your backpack in Aguas Calientes in your Hotel.
Strikes
Strikes and roadblocks are frequent in Peru and can disrupt our Machu Picchu day tours and rail service to and from Machu Picchu. We will do our best that your Machu Picchu full day tour by train continues as planned with some changes.
If the strike happens the day of your Machu Picchu 1-day tour, we will take you to Aguas Calientes town the night before your start date. You will visit Machu Picchu normally, After visiting the Inca Ruins, you will need to hike extra 3 hours from Aguas Calientes to Hydroelectric. Then we will drive 7 hours to Cusco. We will drop you off at your hotel around 11:00 pm.
We buy the Circuit 2 ticket for our Machu Picchu tour from Cusco, so you will visit with our guide the upper and lower part of Machu Picchu. This circuit is recommended because you will visit the whole of Inca City.
If you are planning to visit Machu Picchu during the dry season, from May to August, it is strongly recommended to book your tour at least four to five months in advance to ensure access to Circuit 2. For the shoulder months—April, September, October, and November—reserving your tickets three to four months ahead is advisable. Even during the low season, from December through March, it is still wise to secure your tickets at least two months in advance, as Circuit 2 can sell out quickly regardless of the time of year.
In order to book your Machu Picchu by train 1-day tour with us, you need to click on the BOOK NOW bottom above, then choose the day of your departure, then fill out all the personal information, then the last step is the payment which you can do with credit card or debit card. Please send us only the deposit, the outstanding balance is payable in Cusco one day before at our office.
Unfortunately, it is not possible to change your departure date. The only way to modify your departure is by purchasing a new Machu Picchu ticket, and we will also need to pay a penalty fee to change the train ticket. The total additional cost to reschedule your Machu Picchu excursion is $100 per person. Before proceeding with the change, we must first check the availability for the new Machu Picchu entry date.
Unfortunately, when Circuit 2 tickets for Machu Picchu are sold out on the official website, we are unable to obtain them, as all tickets are purchased directly through the official Peruvian government platform.
As an alternative, we will purchase two tickets: Circuit 3 (Route 3B) and Circuit 1 (Route 1B). You will first visit Circuit 3 with our guide for approximately two hours, then exit and re-enter Machu Picchu to visit Circuit 1 independently for one hour, with clear instructions provided by our guide.
This combination allows you to see both the lower and upper sections of the citadel, including the main temples and iconic viewpoints. An additional fee of USD 45 applies for the extra ticket.
Yes, we can still arrange your trip to Machu Picchu. When tickets for a preferred date are sold out through the official government platform, we are able to secure permits for the Short Inca Trail. These permits include entrance to Machu Picchu and allow access via Circuit 3, Route 3B.
Please note that this alternative option is more expensive, as the Short Inca Trail permit already includes the Machu Picchu entrance ticket. This ticket provides access only to the lower part of the archaeological site, which means it does not allow entry to the upper viewpoints and therefore does not include the classic panoramic view of Machu Picchu.
Choosing this option involves an additional fee of USD 75. Despite these limitations, it remains a reliable solution for travelers who wish to visit Machu Picchu when standard entrance tickets are no longer available for their preferred date.
The best time to visit Machu Picchu is the shoulder months, April, May, September, October, and November. The chances of rain are few during these months, and the temperature is pleasant as it is away from the cold winter nights of the peak season. During these months, there will be fewer crowds too.
Yes! You must bring your original passport and it is very important that it should be the same passport you sent us to reserve your Machu Picchu ticket. Your passport will be checked at the Machu Picchu checkpoint when you board the train.
Trail-tested essentials for your adventure.
- Original passport: You must bring your original passport, and it must be the same one you used to make your booking.
- Student card: Only if you booked the tour as a student.
- Daypack: (15 – 25 L): lightweight and easy to carry during the tour. Large backpacks are not allowed inside Machu Picchu.
- Light layers: start with a breathable T-shirt and bring a long-sleeved shirt.
- Fleece: In Winter the weather is cold in the morning and afternoon.
- Comfortable pants: avoid jeans; quick-drying fabrics are best.
- Hat or Cap: Keeps your head shaded from the strong Andean sun.
- Sunglasses: Protects your eyes from high-altitude UV rays.
- Comfortable walking shoes: the trails within Machu Picchu are uneven and include stone steps.
- Reusable water bottle (1 liter or more): staying hydrated is key.
- Snacks: energy bars, trail mix, or nuts for a quick energy boost.
- High SPF sunscreen and lip balm: UV rays are strong even on cloudy days.
- Small personal first aid kit: band-aids, pain relievers, or altitude sickness pills, if needed. Any personal medication you may need during the day.
- Camera or smartphone: to capture the incredible views of the Machu Picchu citadel.
- Plastic or zip-lock bags: to protect electronic devices and documents from the rain especially in rainy seaon from december to March.
- Long-Sleeve Shirts: Great for sun protection and cooler moments.
- Portable Charger (External Battery): You might run out of battery during the trip, so it is always best to be prepared.
- Rain Jacket: The weather in the mountains can change quickly. Even during the dry season, unexpected showers may occur.
- Rain Poncho: Recommended especially for the rainy season (November to March). You can easily buy one in Cusco, where many shops and local vendors sell them.
- Insect Repellent: Mosquitos are present year-round in Machu Picchu, with higher activity from August to December.
- Fleece Jacket: If you book the 3:00 a.m. schedule, you will need a warm jacket, especially during winter (June to August).
- Fleece Beanie: Particularly useful in winter and for early departures such as 3:00 a.m., when temperatures are lower.
- Cash in Peruvian Soles: Small expenses such as bathrooms, snacks, or tips usually require cash. For example, a passport stamp costs S/5, and the toilet fee is S/2.
