Machu Picchu Tour: Scenic Train from Cusco

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Cusco

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Embark on an immersive day trip from Cusco to Machu Picchu. Experience the magic of Inca history, explore hidden corners, and enjoy panoramic views of the Andes.

Duration: 16 hours

Cancellation: 24 hours

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Highlights

Cusco - Early Morning Pick-Up and Scenic Transfer to Ollantaytambo
Begin your Machu Picchu adventure with a 4:30 AM hotel pick-up in Cusco. Travel in comfort in a modern, air-conditioned van on a picturesque 1.5-hour drive to Ollantaytambo, where your train to Machu Picchu awaits.
Along the journey, catch the first glimpses of the Sacred Valley as…

Cusco - Early Morning Pick-Up and Scenic Transfer to Ollantaytambo

Begin your Machu Picchu adventure with a 4:30 AM hotel pick-up in Cusco. Travel in comfort in a modern, air-conditioned van on a picturesque 1.5-hour drive to Ollantaytambo, where your train to Machu Picchu awaits.

Along the journey, catch the first glimpses of the Sacred Valley as it awakens, with your guide offering tips for the day ahead. Please be ready 20 minutes before departure to ensure a smooth and timely start to your unforgettable journey.

Ollantaytambo - Scenic Train Ride to Aguas Calientes

Board your scenic train to Aguas Calientes (also known as Machu Picchu Town) between 6:40 AM and 7:20 AM. Sit back and relax as you take in breathtaking views of the Sacred Valley, passing towering mountains, lush valleys, and rushing rivers along the way—a perfect preview of the adventure ahead.

To ensure seamless boarding, kindly arrive at the train station at least half an hour before departure.

Hot Springs (Aguas Calientes) - Arrival in Aguas Calientes & Bus to Machu Picchu

Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Town), the team will greet you and assist with directions before you board the shuttle bus for a scenic 30-minute ride up to Machu Picchu’s entrance.

With your expert guide, explore the legendary Inca citadel, discovering its ancient temples, terraces, and hidden corners while learning the incredible history and mysteries behind this Wonder of the World.

After your guided tour, return to Aguas Calientes, where you’ll have about an hour of free time to enjoy lunch at a local restaurant (meal not included), explore the village, or simply relax before your train back to Ollantaytambo.

Santuario Historico de Machu Picchu - A Guided Tour of Machu Picchu and the Scenic Return to Cusco

Upon arrival at Machu Picchu, board the shuttle bus for a 30-minute ride up the winding road to the Inca citadel, where your expert guide will lead a fascinating two-hour walking tour. Explore the ancient stairways, ceremonial temples, and intricate stonework, all while enjoying breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding Andes.

After the guided visit, enjoy some free time to capture photos or simply soak in the awe-inspiring atmosphere. Finally, relax and enjoy the scenic train and vehicle journey back to Cusco, wrapping up an unforgettable day at one of the world’s greatest wonders.

What's Included

Round-trip train to Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu guided tour
Machu Picchu entry ticket & circuit (based on availability)
Bus to Machu Picchu citadel
Hotel pick-up and drop-off

What's Not Included

Gratuities
Meals

Additional Information

Machu Picchu Full-Day Tour by Train from Cusco—Small Group
Pressed for time but eager to explore Machu Picchu? This small-group tour offers a convenient way to visit this iconic Wonder of the World in just one day, with all arrangements taken care of for you.
Benefit from hotel pick-up in Cusco, enjoy a picturesque train journey to Aguas Calientes, and…

Location

Plaza Kusipata

We chose this square that is very close to the Plaza de Armas of Cusco because it is located very close to the surrounding hotels and close to each other.

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings

4.7

(156 Ratings)

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M2636ndthomase

Jul 13, 2026

Perfect for curious children - I traveled with two children, and the itinerary worked out perfectly for us. I would happily recommend the exact same arrangement to others. We were in contact with the tour operator beforehand; they met us at our hotel in Cusco the day before departure to provide necessary information, answer all our questions, and offer helpful tips. The driver met us at the hotel in the morning and drove us to the train station for Aguas Calientes, explaining what would happen next. Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes, we were met by a new guide (holding a sign with our names) who escorted us to the bus queue. He notified our Machu Picchu tour guide which bus we were on, so Jorge was there to welcome us when we arrived. Jorge guided just our group through two circuits, providing an exemplary introduction to the history, fauna, and culture. It worked out well that he accompanied us on the bus back down to Aguas Calientes, where we were spending the night (I recommend this over returning to Cusco the same day). There, he showed us our hotel, recommended safe places to try local cuisine, and explained how to get to the thermal baths. The next morning, we took the train back and were picked up at the station by our driver. He provided commentary along the way and stopped at several points of interest. He dropped us off safely at Cusco’s main square and gave us tips on what to see before our flight out of the city. For those prone to altitude sickness, I would consider not staying overnight in Cusco itself, but rather near the departure train station or in the town where the train arrives (Aguas Calientes), as both are located at significantly lower altitudes.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Rancy

Jun 30, 2026

Best Tour w Jorge! - My husband and I had the best Circuit 3 tour w Jorge. We learned so much about the history of Machu Picchu and the surrounding area. Highly recommend!!

Review provided by Tripadvisor

S7817cosd

Jun 13, 2026

Great tour with Jorge - Thank you Jorge, you really added the wow factor to our tour of Macchu picchu, it was incredible. He picked us up from our hotel and made getting on the bus very easy. His English is great and he is a very good story teller. He took great photos for us too.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

496cherylz

May 31, 2026

Machu Picchu tour - Great guide for Machu Picchu! Jorge was very knowledgeable and explained the Inca culture. They helped facilitate getting a ticket for Machu Picchu. The only negative is that we had to buy our bus ticket that was supposed to be included but they refunded us the cost so it was no problem. Everything else was easy.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Verdell_h

May 26, 2026

THE BEST tour company - Look no further. Don't hesitate. We booked last minute and doubted we would be able to get tickets. I don’t know how they pulled it off but they worked out the majority of the logistics for us as well as securing tickets. They worked magic and reassured us the whole way. It turned out to be a picture perfect tour with no hiccups. I tip my hat to this crew as what they did wasn't easy I know.

Review provided by Viator

Katherine_l

Apr 29, 2026

Journey to macchu picchu - It is a long journey! So be prepared for that. But Dennis did an amazing job at communication and making sure we were taken care of every step of the way. They definitely have a great team that communicates to make sure someone meets you each step of the way. For us, a driver took us two hours out from airport to the train station, and someone else took us 2 hours from the train station to our hotel for the night! So I would recommend having cash handy to tip since they definitely handle everything for you. (they don’t ask, but I am sure they appreciate it!). I even had trouble acclimating, as expected, as soon as we landed in Cusco. Our driver was kind enough to stop and let me use the restroom, and find water. He also offered me agua de Florida, which did help. When we got to Macchu Picchu, our guide Andre was incredible! He was so informative, both spiritually and factually. The spirit part made us feel closer to the place, it made us feel the energy and vibrations! I would highly recommend booking them!

Review provided by Viator

632karend

Apr 26, 2026

They made it right! Recommend - Dennis with Cosmo Expedition was great at making sure we had a great experience at Machu Picchu after a hiccup in our reservation. Dario provided a great experience visiting local homes, Moray and Maras salt mines. The train ride to Águas Callientes was so enjoyable. Alfredo was an excellent tour guide for our visit to Machu Picchu. The whole team provided a very good experience.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

275artim

Apr 23, 2026

Highly recommend! - Excellent tour! It was so informative and the picture spots were stunning! Highly recommend!

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Ki798

Apr 23, 2026

Exellent Machu Picchu - Since I didn't have a ticket, I was guided from Machu Picchu village to the ticket office. I chose the 1-B course because I heard the views were great. The views were indeed amazing, and it was the perfect course for taking pictures. They also bought me the bus ticket. Jorge picked me up from my hotel in the morning and gave me a fantastic tour. He taught me everything about the history and environment, translating everything into Japanese on his smartphone. It was the best tour of my life.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Umang_g

Jun 24, 2026

Do not book with them!!! - First off the guy was asking me to change my travel date a day before my planned travel date. Then he booked the wrong slot for the entry to Machu Picchu due to which I had to waste 2 hours being humiliated by the officers there. The tour guide wasn’t friendly

Review provided by Viator

Check Availability

From $399

up to 9 guests

1 - Adult