Tour To Machupicchu 2 Days by Train

Machu Picchu is the main event, but this two-day trip makes the journey part of it: you ride a tourist train from Ollantaytambo through mountain scenery to Aguas Calientes, then make an early start for the citadel. The tour also advertises a Sun Gate visit, a welcome extra for anyone hoping to see more than the main ruins.

I like two practical things here: Cusco-to-Cusco transport and train tickets are arranged, and the overnight stay includes dinner and breakfast. That takes several moving parts off your plate, especially when you are trying to coordinate a train, a room, and a timed entrance.

The main caution is that the entrance ticket depends on advance availability, despite being part of the package. There is also conflicting information about whether an on-site guide is included on every departure, so confirm the exact ticket circuit, guide arrangement, and Sun Gate access before paying.

Key points

• A two-day trip, not a day trip: Leave Cusco at 9:00 am, sleep in Aguas Calientes, and return to Cusco around 9:30 to 10:00 pm on Day 2.
• Train travel begins in Ollantaytambo: Road transport takes you there from Cusco, then the train carries you to Aguas Calientes.
• The Machu Picchu morning starts early: The stated wake-up time is 4:00 am, followed by an approximately 40-minute walk uphill.
• Meals are limited but useful: Dinner on Day 1 and breakfast are included. Other meals are yours to arrange.
• The lodging is a hostel: Expect a practical overnight stop, not a promise of a quiet or luxurious hotel room.
• Plan well ahead: Machu Picchu entrance arrangements depend on availability, and the operator advises booking about two months in advance.

A two-day route from Cusco to the citadel

At $399 per person, this is a bundled trip for people who want the major logistics handled in one purchase. The package includes Cusco pickup, road transport to and from Ollantaytambo, round-trip train travel, one hostel night, Machu Picchu entrance arrangements, a professional guide, dinner, breakfast, and taxes.

That list has real value. Machu Picchu requires coordination between transport, train schedules, lodging, and entry. Having those pieces arranged can save you time and reduce the chance of missing a connection. Still, the price is not all-inclusive: you need to budget for the bus between Aguas Calientes and the ruins if you do not walk, plus lunches and some other meals.

The tour is capped at 15 people. That is small enough to be more manageable than a large coach group, though it does not guarantee every part of the trip will feel private. Private transport is listed, but the trip operates with a group limit, so ask how the road transfers work for your departure.

Day 1: Cusco to Ollantaytambo by road

Pickup is scheduled for 9:00 am at your Cusco hotel. From there, the trip heads toward Ollantaytambo, where you board the tourist train to Aguas Calientes. The first day is described as taking about five hours, though the exact timing will depend on the train departure and transfer schedule.

The road and rail journey is part of the appeal. The route gives you views of Andean peaks, including snow-capped mountains, as well as Inca ruins associated with the classic Inca Trail. The train is not just a practical link to Machu Picchu; it gives you a chance to watch the terrain change as you approach the town below the citadel.

At Aguas Calientes station, someone is meant to meet you and take you to your accommodation. This handoff matters more than it might sound. Aguas Calientes is a compact town, but arriving in an unfamiliar place and having to locate your lodging can be stressful, especially if the pickup is unclear. Before departure, ask for the contact name, meeting point, and what to do if you cannot find the person waiting.

One night in Aguas Calientes

The package includes one night in a hostel, with dinner and breakfast. The overview describes a hotel, but the inclusion details specify a hostel, so set your expectations accordingly. It is a convenient place to sleep before an early start, not a reason to book this trip for comfort or special hotel amenities.

A previous stay on this tour was described as noisy, with sound carrying between rooms. That is worth weighing if you are a light sleeper. You will be getting up at 4:00 am, so bring earplugs if you use them and keep your expectations modest. The accommodation’s main job is to put you near the entrance route for the morning.

Dinner is planned for around 6:00 pm with the group. Afterward, you have free time to explore Aguas Calientes or visit its hot spring. The hot spring is an option, not an included activity, and the tour information does not provide details about its cost or operating hours. Since the next morning starts early, consider whether a late soak and a full night’s rest are equally appealing.

There has been confusion around dinner arrangements on some departures, including uncertainty about who would meet the group and how the meal worked. Ask the coordinator to confirm the restaurant, meeting time, and whether you should expect a set meal or choose from a menu. A prompt message after booking and access to a coordinator can be useful, but clear instructions are still worth getting in writing.

Day 2: The early walk to Machu Picchu

The schedule calls for a 4:00 am start. The described route from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu is an uphill walk of about 40 minutes. That makes this a physically active morning before you begin exploring the ruins. If you would rather avoid the climb, the bus up and down is not included, so you will need to pay for it separately.

The early departure is intended to get you to the site for sunrise. But sunrise views depend on conditions, and the time you reach the entrance may vary. The itinerary says the guide will meet the group at the entrance, while a past departure encountered confusion about the pickup and ticket arrangements. Confirm the exact meeting point and whether your guide is waiting at the gate or joining you elsewhere.

The tour advertises a Sun Gate visit, but the detailed schedule does not explain the route, access conditions, or how much time is allotted there. Machu Picchu entrance tickets are arranged around specific circuits and entry rules, so ask which circuit your ticket covers and whether it includes the Sun Gate. Do not assume every ticket provides the same route or that you can add the gate once inside.

A guided visit, then time on your own

The guided portion is listed as roughly two hours. A professional guide can help make sense of what you are seeing, rather than leaving you to move through the citadel without context. One guide associated with this experience is Jorge, who has been praised for his explanations and help with photos. Names and staffing can change, so treat that as a useful point of reference, not a guarantee that he will lead your visit.

There is a discrepancy worth sorting out before booking: the package includes a professional guide, but one account of the trip described a setup where tickets were purchased on the visitor’s behalf and no guide led the visit. Ask plainly whether your particular departure includes a guide inside Machu Picchu, how long the guided portion lasts, and what happens after it ends.

After the guided visit, the schedule allows time to explore independently. It says you can stay at the citadel as long as you want, but you still need to follow the entry rules for your ticket and make your train departure. Get your train time and the latest recommended return time before setting off on your own. The tour information does not give a specific train departure, and missing it would put the rest of the return journey at risk.

Back to Cusco by train and road

After your visit, you return to Aguas Calientes, collect your backpack, and take the train to Ollantaytambo. The final leg is by road to San Francisco Square in Cusco. Arrival is estimated between 9:30 and 10:00 pm, with the exact time depending on train availability.

This is a long day, about 14 hours according to the schedule. You will have an early start, hours at the ruins, a train ride, and a late arrival in Cusco. Avoid booking a tight onward connection or an important evening plan for that night. The tour ends in the city, but the late return may still leave you with the final trip back to your hotel.

What $399 buys, and what it does not

For $399, the strongest value is the coordination: road transfers, round-trip train tickets, a night in Aguas Calientes, meals, and the Machu Picchu entrance arrangement are bundled together. If you want someone to organize the chain of travel, that can be worth more than the apparent savings of arranging each piece separately.

You are not paying for every expense. The bus between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu is excluded, as are lunch on both days and dinner on the second day. Breakfast on the first day is also not included. Add those costs to your budget, and decide whether you plan to walk uphill or pay for the bus.

The tour is recommended by 95% of its bookers and has a 4.9 rating from 64 reviews, but the important point for your decision is the range of experiences possible. Some departures have been praised for thoughtful coordination, helpful staff, a memorable train ride, and an excellent guided visit. Others have involved missed pickups, unclear dinner plans, or uncertainty about entrance tickets and guide service. The trip can work very well, but the details need confirming.

Booking roughly 33 days ahead is the average, but the operator says Machu Picchu entrance booking should be made about two months ahead. Confirmation is sent within 48 hours and remains subject to availability. Since the tour is non-refundable and cannot be changed, do not treat the ticket as secured until you have written confirmation of your entry date, circuit, and guide arrangement.

Who should book this trip?

I would consider this tour if you want a two-day Cusco-to-Machu Picchu plan with transport, train, a bed, and some meals bundled together. It suits you best if you can handle an early start, a long second day, hostel-style accommodation, and a bit of uncertainty that you will actively resolve with the coordinator.

If you are comfortable organizing trains and entrance tickets yourself, compare the total cost before booking. A package saves planning, but it does not remove the need to check the important details. If you book, get the Machu Picchu ticket and circuit confirmed, verify that a guide will be with you inside the site, and ask precisely how to meet your pickup and dinner contacts.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

It lasts two days. Day 1 is listed at about five hours, and Day 2 at about 14 hours, with a Cusco arrival estimated between 9:30 and 10:00 pm.

What time does the tour start?

Pickup from your hotel in Cusco is scheduled for 9:00 am on Day 1.

How do I travel from Cusco to Aguas Calientes?

The tour provides road transport from Cusco to Ollantaytambo, then a tourist train to Aguas Calientes.

Is the Machu Picchu entrance fee included?

The package includes Machu Picchu entrance arrangements, subject to availability. The operator advises booking about two months in advance and says to contact them for options if booking later.

Is a guide included at Machu Picchu?

A professional guide is listed as included, and the itinerary describes a guided visit of about two hours. Confirm with the operator that your specific departure includes a guide inside the site.

Is the Sun Gate included?

The tour highlights a Sun Gate visit, but the detailed schedule does not explain the route or ticket access. Confirm that your entrance circuit includes it before booking.

Where do I stay overnight?

You stay one night in Aguas Calientes. The inclusion details call the accommodation a hostel.

Which meals are included?

Dinner on Day 1 and breakfast are included. Breakfast and lunch on Day 1, lunch on Day 2, and dinner on Day 2 are not included.

Is the bus between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu included?

No. The bus up and down is excluded. The itinerary describes walking to Machu Picchu, with an uphill walk of about 40 minutes.

How large is the group?

The maximum group size is 15 people.