Machu Picchu Full Day
The Inca citadel in a single day, leaving Cusco by panoramic train through the Urubamba canyon.
- Duration
- 1 day (approx. 16 h)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Maximum altitude
- 2,430 m
- Group size
- Maximum 16 people
- Departures
- Daily departures
- Acclimatisation needed
- 1 day in Cusco
- Best season
- April to October (dry season)
A single-day visit to the citadel, departing from and returning to Cusco the same day. The route combines road transport to the railway station, the train through the Urubamba canyon and the shuttle bus up from Aguas Calientes.
Entry operates with a limited daily capacity and predefined circuits with an assigned time slot: you cannot move freely around the site or change circuit once inside. Booking ahead therefore determines the availability of your date and time.
Departure is before dawn because the journey is long and train times are fixed. This means reaching the citadel during the morning, with better light and ahead of the midday peak.
For travellers with an extra day, there is a two-day option with a night in Aguas Calientes, which reduces fatigue and increases time at the site.
Itinerary
04:30
Pickup in Cusco
We collect you from your hotel and drive through the Sacred Valley to the train station.
07:00
Train to Aguas Calientes
About an hour and a half following the Urubamba river, with panoramic windows.
2,040 m above sea level
09:30
Up to the citadel
A 25-minute bus ride up the switchbacks to the Machu Picchu entrance.
2,430 m above sea level
10:00
Guided visit
Around two hours along your assigned circuit, covering the main plaza, the Temple of the Sun and the agricultural terraces.
14:30
Return
Back down to Aguas Calientes, free time for lunch, and the return train. Arrival in Cusco around 21:30.
What's included
- Hotel pickup in Cusco
- Tourist transport to the train station
- Round-trip train in tourist service
- Round-trip bus Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu
- Machu Picchu entrance ticket
- Professional guide in English or Spanish
Not included
- Lunch and drinks
- Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain tickets (booked separately)
- Tips
What to bring
- Your original passport — it is required to enter
- Sunscreen and a hat
- Rain poncho between November and March
- Water and snacks
- Some cash in soles for small expenses
Frequently asked questions
Can I do this without acclimatising first?
Yes, and it is actually one of the gentler options: Machu Picchu sits at 2,430 m, almost a thousand metres lower than Cusco. Even so, we recommend arriving in the city a day earlier.
Is it physically demanding?
Not really. You walk for about two hours over uneven ground and stone steps, at a relaxed pace. No prior training needed.
Which train do you use, and is it worth upgrading?
The base price uses PeruRail Expedition, tourist class, which is comfortable and does the job. Vistadome adds roof windows and an onboard snack for roughly USD 60 to 100 more. If this is your only train journey of the trip, many people find it worth it; if you are doing several legs, it makes less difference.
How long does the shuttle bus take?
The ride itself is 25 minutes, but in high season the Consettur bus queue can reach 45 minutes. That is already built into the tour timings, which is why we leave with margin and never cut it fine for the return train.
Why do you ask for my passport?
Entry control checks that the name on your ticket matches your document. Without your original passport you will not be allowed in, no exceptions.
When not to go: January and February — heavy rain and possible train disruptions