MACHU PICCHU WITH EXPEDITION TRAIN 2 DAYS – 1 NIGHT
Experience Machu Picchu at a relaxed pace on a 2-day journey from Cusco, traveling through the Sacred Valley aboard the Expedition train. Spend the night in Aguas Calientes, giving you time to explore the town and rest before your visit to the famous... read complete
Itinerary
Day 1 — Cusco / Ollantaytambo / Aguas Calientes
- 12:00 pm: Time to begin your Machu Picchu adventure! Pick-up from your hotel in Cusco and private transportation to Ollantaytambo, traveling through the Sacred Valley.
- 3:00 pm: Arrive at the Ollantaytambo train station, allowing time to check in and prepare for your journey to Machu Picchu.
- 3:37 pm: Board the Expedition train toward Machu Picchu Pueblo, enjoying the scenic journey through the Sacred Valley along the Vilcanota River.
- 5:02 pm: Arrive in Machu Picchu Pueblo (Aguas Calientes), where your hotel representative or guide will meet you and assist you with the short transfer to your hotel.
- 5:30 pm: Check in at your hotel and settle in before enjoying the rest of the afternoon at your own pace.
- 6:00 pm: Free time to explore Aguas Calientes, visit the local market, walk around town or relax at the nearby hot springs.
- 7:00 pm: Meet with your professional guide at your hotel for a briefing about the following day’s visit to Machu Picchu. Your guide will explain the schedule, entrance arrangements and what to expect during the visit.
- Evening: Free time to enjoy dinner and rest before your visit to Machu Picchu the following morning.
Distance: approx. 110 km / 68 mi by road and train | Difficulty: Easy | Highest point: Aguas Calientes, 2,040 m / 6,693 ft | Meals: Not included | Accommodation: Hotel in Aguas Calientes
Day 2 — Aguas Calientes / Machu Picchu / Ollantaytambo / Cusco
- 5:00 am: Wake up early and prepare for the most important day of the trip. Have breakfast and walk to the bus station for the first buses to Machu Picchu.
- 6:00 am (approx.): Take the Consettur bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu, climbing through the cloud forest toward the citadel.
- 6:30 am: Enter Machu Picchu and meet your professional guide for a guided tour of approximately two hours, exploring the main temples, plazas, terraces and ceremonial areas of the Inca citadel.
- 8:30 am: After the guided tour, enjoy some free time to take photos and appreciate the surrounding mountains before leaving the archaeological site.
- 10:00 am: Take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes and return to town.
- 11:00 am: Free time in Aguas Calientes for lunch and to explore the town before your afternoon train.
- Afternoon: Board the Expedition train from Aguas Calientes toward Ollantaytambo according to your assigned departure time.
- Evening: Arrive in Ollantaytambo and meet your private transportation for the return journey to Cusco.
- 8:30 pm (approx.): Arrive back at your hotel in Cusco, marking the end of your Machu Picchu with Expedition Train experience.
Distance: approx. 6 km / 3.7 mi of walking | Difficulty: Easy to Moderate | Highest point: Machu Picchu, 2,430 m / 7,972 ft | Meals: Breakfast
Inclusions
What’s Included
Transportation
- Hotel pick-up in Cusco and private transportation to the Ollantaytambo train station.
- Round-trip Expedition train tickets between Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes.
- Round-trip bus tickets between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu.
- Private transportation from Ollantaytambo back to your hotel in Cusco.
Accommodation
- 1 night in a hotel in Aguas Calientes.
Guiding
- Professional bilingual guide (English/Spanish) for the Machu Picchu visit.
- Briefing with your guide in Aguas Calientes before your Machu Picchu visit.
Permits & Entrance Fees
- Machu Picchu entrance ticket.
What’s Not Included
- Meals and drinks — no meals are included, giving you the flexibility to choose where and what you would like to eat.
- Huayna Picchu / Machu Picchu Mountain tickets — bookable as an optional add-on, subject to availability, at an extra cost.
- Tips for your guide, driver and other staff — always appreciated, entirely at your discretion.
- Travel insurance — recommended, but arranged independently.
- Personal expenses — souvenirs, snacks, bottled water, hot springs, and other purchases in Aguas Calientes.
- Optional upgrades — Vistadome or Vistadome Observatory train upgrades are available at an additional cost.
FAQS
How difficult is the Machu Picchu with Expedition Train 2-Day Tour?
It’s an easy to moderate experience. There is no long-distance trekking, but you’ll walk around Machu Picchu on uneven terrain, stairs and archaeological paths.
Why is this tour 2 days instead of 1?
The 2-day itinerary gives you a more relaxed experience than a same-day trip from Cusco. You travel to Aguas Calientes on Day 1, stay overnight, and visit Machu Picchu early on Day 2 without having to rush back to Cusco the same evening.
What train do I take to Machu Picchu?
You’ll travel aboard the Expedition train between Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes. The journey takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours and follows the Sacred Valley and the Urubamba River toward the cloud forest.
Where do I stay on the first night?
You’ll spend one night in a hotel in Aguas Calientes, the town located at the base of Machu Picchu. The evening is free for you to explore the town, visit the hot springs or simply rest before your visit to Machu Picchu.
When do I visit Machu Picchu?
You’ll visit Machu Picchu early on Day 2. After taking the bus from Aguas Calientes, your professional guide will lead you through the citadel for approximately two hours.
How do I get from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu?
You’ll take the official Consettur bus from Aguas Calientes to the entrance of Machu Picchu. The ride takes approximately 30 minutes.
What circuit of Machu Picchu is included?
The standard Machu Picchu entrance is included, with the specific circuit confirmed according to the ticket assigned at the time of booking. Circuit 2 is commonly used for the classic guided visit.
Can I visit Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain?
These are optional add-ons and require separate tickets. They are subject to availability, so they should be requested when making your reservation.
What should I bring on the Machu Picchu tour?
- Original passport (it has to be the same one you used to book your trip)
- A small backpack
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Sun hat
- Sunscreen
- Rain jacket or poncho
- Personal medication
- Water bottle
- Cash for meals and personal expenses
Are meals included?
No. Meals and drinks are not included, giving you the flexibility to choose your own restaurants in Aguas Calientes.
Can I visit the hot springs in Aguas Calientes?
Yes. You’ll have free time on Day 1, so you can visit the hot springs, explore the town, visit the local museum or simply relax before your Machu Picchu visit.
Can I do this tour if I have just arrived in Cusco?
Yes. The tour does not involve strenuous hiking, although Cusco and the Sacred Valley are at high altitude. Taking it easy, staying hydrated and allowing some time to acclimatize is recommended.
Can children join the Machu Picchu with Expedition Train tour?
Yes. The tour is suitable for most ages. However, Machu Picchu involves walking on uneven terrain and stairs, so very young children or travelers with mobility limitations may need additional assistance.
Can I do the Machu Picchu tour without a guide?
You can visit Machu Picchu independently, but a professional guide is recommended to understand the history, architecture and significance of the citadel. This tour includes a professional bilingual guide for your visit.
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