Machu Picchu by Train Tour 2D

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Simply enter your details in the enquiry form to start personalising your experience or if you have any questions about booking this tour.

Duration: 2 days / 1 night
Availability : Every Day.
Depart: Cusco
Destination: Machu Picchu
Min Age : 8
Max People : 12

About the Machu Picchu by Train Tour 2D

Two ways to see Machu Picchu by train! This is a great way to see a little bit of the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu for those who are short of time.

Why visit Machu Picchu by train?

Machu Picchu is one of the world’s most well known archaeological sites. “Machu Picchu” is a compound Quechua word that means “old peak” or “old mountain”. The famous mountain that faces Machu Picchu, the one that appears in most of the classic views of the site, is Huayna Picchu, which means “young peak”. Don’t miss out on an epic Peruvian adventure and visit Machu Picchu by train!

>> Read more about how to plan a trip to Machu Picchu you won’t forget 

See Full Description

Option A – Adventure! 

If you know you want to hike Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, or if visiting Machu Picchu at dawn would be your dream-come-true, this option is for you! You’ll begin your Machu Picchu by train tour by travelling through the Sacred Valley, stopping to visit the quaint weaving village of Chinchero and the ruins of Ollantaytambo on your way to the train station.

From here, travel to Machu Picchu by train through gorgeous, changing vistas until reaching Aguas Calientes where you’ll spend the night. The next morning, wake up early in order to visit Machu Picchu by the early morning light, with the option to do a Machu Picchu hike. Then, take an afternoon train back to Ollantaytambo, arriving in Cusco by private transport in the early evening.

The downside to this option is that you’ll be sharing your Machu Picchu by train tour with a thousand other people…

Option B – Taking it slow. 

This Machu Picchu by train itinerary goes against the grain as we take you on a circuit that runs opposite to what most agencies do – meaning you get to avoid the largest crowds and enjoy more quality time visiting the iconic highlights of Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley.

We travel by car to Ollantaytambo to catch an early train to Aguas Calientes, arriving in time for lunch. We enter Machu Picchu in the afternoon, when the majority of the crowds have dispersed giving us the chance to enjoy this impressive site in relative quiet.

After an overnight in Aguas Calientes, we head back to Ollantaytambo for a late morning visit to the ruins above this quaint city. On our way back to Cusco from there, we stop in the renowned weaving village of Chinchero. 

The downside to this Machu Picchu by train option is that you cannot do either of the Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain hikes, as these are only available in the morning.

Price

Prices are per person in USD, based on group size. We do not have fixed-date group departures. If you do not want to book a private trek, please see our Trekkers Wanted page for a list of open departures within your dates.

2 people

$1085

3 people

$935

4-6 people

$819

7+ people

$785
WHY BOOK WITH US?

High quality personalized experience

Unique, off-the-beaten track routes

Experienced staff

Verified sustainability practices

$20 of every trek donated to Threads of Peru

Important Details About the Machu Picchu by Train Tour 2D

What is Included?

Additional inclusions

  • Pre-trek briefing
  • Transfers as required
  • Partial Boleto Turistico
  • Entry fee to Machu Picchu

Transport

  • Vistadome train to Aguas Calientes from Ollantaytambo
  • Expedition return train to Ollantaytambo
  • Private transportation between Cusco and Ollantaytambo
  • Bus up and down to Machu Picchu

Meals

  • Dinner in Aguas Calientes
  • Lunch at Machu Picchu
  • Box lunch on Day 1 (Option A) or Day 2 (Option B)

Trekking Team

  • English/Spanish speaking guide

Accommodation

  • 1 night accommodation in Aguas Calientes in a Standard hotel. This is a 3-star hotel with breakfast included and private bathroom. You can also upgrade to a higher quality hotel.

What is Not Included?

Meals

  • Breakfast on the first morning.
  • Dinner on the last night.

Other

Optional Extras & Upgrades

We offer you the opportunity to personalize your trip and make your experience more comfortable through our Optional Extras and Upgrades. All options are available during the reservation process; please ask your sales consultant for more information.

Important!

    • When calculating the cost of renting equipment, calculate using the length of the entire trip, not just the number of trekking days.
    • Please be careful with rented equipment! You are responsible for the cost of replacement if something is damaged or broken.
    • Any upgrades or trip extensions must be requested at time of booking.

What to Pack

On this trip, you will need to bring very little other than what your personal preferences dictate. For our comprehensive recommendations on what to pack during an Andean trek, see What To Bring. For more great suggestions, check out our blog about How to Prepare for a Trek in Peru.

Available Discounts

  • 5% off a day tour listed price when you also book a 3-day or longer trek operated by Apus Peru
  • Youth 12-17: 5% off. A valid passport must be presented upon booking.
  • Children 5-11 years: 15% off. A valid passport must be presented upon booking.
  • Children 0-4 years: 75% off. A valid passport must be presented upon booking. Children under 4 will not count towards the total number of guests in a group, but will be charged 25% of the per person price based on final group size. For example, a group of 4 adults and one child under 4: adults will be charged the full price per person based on a group size of 4 and the child will be charged 25% of the per person price for a group of 4. Children under 3 will not be considered to occupy a seat on any train or bus, and instead must ride on a parent’s lap. Car seats, cribs and other baby needs may not be included and must be discussed in advance. For more information about travelling with infants and toddlers, please see this blog as well as the Age Requirements section of our Booking Conditions.

Remember that scans of the children’s passports need to accompany the booking in order to be eligible for the discount.

Trekkers Wanted

Want to join a trek? Ready to confirm a departure date of your own, but interested in having others join you? Then Trekkers Wanted is for you! Our innovative Trekkers Wanted system matches people up who are interested in hiking the same trek, bringing costs down and multiplying the fun for everyone! Read More about Trekkers Wanted, post your trek or search for confirmed departures!

Important Info

  • The times cited in this Machu Picchu by train itinerary are approximate. The program is subject to change, due to weather or other unexpected circumstances.
  • Note that the option to hike Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain is only available if you choose Option A for your Machu Picchu by train tour. These hikes require separate permits and must be reserved at the time of booking.

Ready to Book?

  • Does this Machu Picchu by train tour sound like just what you were looking for? If you’re ready to book or just want to find out a bit more information, fill out the Inquiry Form in the top right-hand corner of this page to get the ball rolling. You’ll be connected with one of our amazing sales people who will be able to turn your dream of hiking in the Andes into a reality. For more information on the entire booking process, please see our How To Book page.
  • Travel insurance is a must! World Nomads offers travel insurance for adventure activities.

Machu Picchu by Train Tour 2D Itinerary

Option A - Adventure!

Day 1Cusco - Chinchero - Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes

After getting picked up at your Cusco hotel around 8am, we head to the Sacred Valley. Our first stop is Chinchero, a small village famous for its ancient weaving tradition. After a short visit, we continue to Ollantaytambo where we can have a tour of its interesting ruins followed by some free time to explore this lovely living Inca village, with its cobblestone streets and stone buildings. Do a little shopping, wander or enjoy coffee and a treat at one of the town’s cute cafes. 

In the afternoon we will take the train to Aguas Calientes, a stunning 1.5h journey through the magnificent Vilcanota Canyon. Arriving at Aguas Calientes, we will check into our accommodations. Time permitting, you can explore this village to do some souvenir shopping or check out the town’s namesake hot springs! We will have dinner together before tucking in for an early night, in preparation for tomorrow’s pre-dawn start.

Day 2Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Cusco

Rise and shine! After our pre-dawn wake-up call we take one of the first buses up to Machu Picchu in order to appreciate this World Heritage Site and one of the Modern Wonders of the World in the early morning light. Your visit to Machu Picchu includes a 2-3h guided walking tour of the historic citadel.

If you’re feeling adventurous you may wish to hike Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain, but take note: this requires an extra permit, and they can sell out well in advance! Be sure to tell us at booking if you would like to add one of these hikes. For more tips on what to see, check out our Visiting Machu Picchu page.

After visiting Machu Picchu, you can take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes (or walk down!). From there, our Machu Picchu by train tour ends with a return trip to Cusco. In the afternoon, we take the the Expedition (tourist class) train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo, where we will be met by our driver who will transfer you directly back to your hotel in Cusco. Total travel time is about 4 hours from Aguas Calientes to Cusco.

If you’d like to hike Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, let us know at the time of booking as it requires a separate permit.

Option B - Taking it Slow.

Day 1Cusco - Machu Picchu - Aguas Calientes

We start our Machu Picchu by train journey early, driving from Cusco to Ollantaytambo in time to catch a morning train to Aguas Calientes. We will head up to Machu Picchu by bus in order to appreciate this World Heritage Site and one of the Modern Wonders of the World in the relative quiet of the afternoon.  With the largest crowds gone, you will have an exclusive chance to tour Machu Picchu with your guide in a more relaxed atmosphere. After lunch just outside the gates, enter the site where your guide will give you a 2-3h walking tour of the historic citadel.

After visiting Machu Picchu, you can take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes (or walk down!). We’ll have dinner together before spending the night in our Standard hotel.

Day 2Aguas Calientes - Ollantaytambo - Chinchero - Cusco

Leaving Aguas Calientes early, we travel by train to Ollantaytambo, arriving in the late morning. This is the best time of day to visit the ruins that overlook this quaint living Incan town. You may have some free time to explore this lovely village, with its cobblestone streets and stone buildings. Do a little shopping, wander or enjoy coffee and a treat at one of the town’s cute cafes. 

From here, we continue on to Chinchero, a small village famous for its ancient weaving tradition. You will have a chance to explore Chinchero’s beautiful church and one of its many weaving centres. We then continue our journey back to Cusco where you will be dropped off at your hotel, thus concluding your Machu Picchu by train tour.

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4 Reviews
Sort By:RatingDate

Faieqah Z.

Group Traveller

I want to come back! Peru is so beautiful; country, people and culture. Will want to book (our guide) Mario again; friendly and warm person.

16 September, 2023

Alexandra P.

Couple Traveller

Adding Huayna Picchu was a fantastic decision! From Sarah being an excellent travel agent to Boneth as the guide, no complaints.

14 September, 2022

Jarod H.

Couple Traveller

The hike up Huayna Picchu was phenomenal. Both challenging and rewarding in completion. I have never traveled with a guide before, but Boneth will forever be the standard! She was phenomenal, welcoming, comfortable to travel with, and SO knowledgeable.

14 September, 2022

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