15 Aguas Calientes Tours to Plan Your Trip Around

1.Machu Picchu guided tour with tickets

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 72 reviews · 3 hours · from $155Our pick

From Aguas Calientes, meet your guide at your hotel or the train station, ride the 25-minute bus to Machu Picchu, and tour the citadel for three hours. Admission and bus tickets are included. Guides such as Ericson, Julio and Fred have led visitors through the terraces, sundial, Condor Temple and other key sites. Lunch and train travel are not included.

“Eric was excellent! He was patient and explained everything in circuit 2 in a way that made it so interesting! He was flexible and took care of us very well. We had awesome weather thanks to “Pachamama” (Mother Nature) as Eric explained. Thankyou Eric!”

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2.Machu Picchu 2 days

★★★★★★★★★★3.6 · 29 reviews · 1 - 3 days · from $360

Choose a one-day rail trip, a two-day visit with a night in Machu Picchu Town, or a three-day Cusco and Sacred Valley package. Expect early starts, a guided visit to Machu Picchu, and English- or Spanish-speaking support. Check the route and extra costs carefully: the itineraries and inclusions need clarification before you book.

“It is a highly recommended tour on return train trips since the trip is safer. They gave me tickets to see Machupicchu and a very good guide knows a lot about Inka history. I highly recommend it.”

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3.Machu Picchu Day Trip with Train + Entrance ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 17 reviews · from $333

Travel from central Cusco to Ollantaytambo, then take a scenic train to Aguas Calientes and a bus up to Machu Picchu. A certified guide leads a two-hour visit before you return the same way. The package includes transport, train, buses, and admission; lunch is extra. Guide Freddy has been praised for his explanations and photo help, though assignments can vary.

“I would like to pay gratitude to Freddy who provided me and my friend a very in-depth explanation of the spots at Machu Picchu. He also took good photos for us and took good care of me and my friend throughout the trip. I highly recommend this tour for everybody who would opt for going to Machu Picchu”

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4.Rainbow Mountain tour and Machu Picchu tour by train

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 13 reviews · 2 days · from $370

Spend two early-start days exploring Vinicunca at 5,020 meters and Machu Picchu with a guide. The tour includes Cusco hotel pickup, mountain transport and meals, train and bus tickets, site admission, and English or Spanish guiding. Guides Caesar and Louis have been named by past participants, though your guide may differ.

“Agency met us the day before tours to explain logistics & deliver all tickets we needed for a stress free trip! I would highly recommend this two day tour! Rainbow mountain hike w/ Caesar was challenging but an amazing experience! A 4am start, but can sleep in the van to breakfast. After 2 hrs you arrive at the start of the 3.25 mile round trip hike. It’s not steep, but still a moderate hike ending at 16,400ft. People on our tour got altitude sickness & recommend acclimating in Cusco beforehand. Guide had everything to help us hike, but you can pay for a horse or bike ride up. Plenty of…”

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5.One-Day Round Trip to Machu Picchu by Train

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 10 reviews · from $350

Travel from Cusco to Ollantaytambo by road, then take an Expedition or Voyager train to Aguas Calientes and a bus up to Machu Picchu. A guide leads a roughly three-hour visit, with time afterward for photos. The small group is limited to 10. Carlos Sinfuentes is one guide associated with the tour, though assignments may vary.

“Amazing day, perfect weather and tour guide was excellent”

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6.Machu Picchu Entry Ticket and Bus from Aguas Calientes

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 8 reviews · 1 day · from $119

Hola Cusco arranges general entry to Machu Picchu and an air-conditioned round-trip bus from Aguas Calientes. You’ll ride about 30 minutes each way, then explore the citadel on your own for roughly two to two and a half hours. No guide is included, so check your entry time and bring your passport.

“I don’t recommend this service. All they provide is purchasing your Machu Picchu entrance and your bus tickets but don’t provide any physical services. For this you are charged double the price that it would cost to do yourself. I only purchased this service as I thought my date was sold out, but the tickets for my date had not been released yet. Additionally the communication was a bit poor and we only got our bus tickets late in the evening before we were going up.”

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7.4 Days Inca Jungle Adventure to Machu Picchu

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 7 reviews · 4 days · from $439

This four-day small-group route pairs a high Andes bike descent with cloud forest hiking, optional rafting and zip-lining, Cocalmayo hot springs, and a guided Machu Picchu visit. You travel with an English- or Spanish-speaking guide, sleep three nights in hostels, and choose a return route to Cusco. Past guides Andy and Carlitos earned praise for their energy and care.

“C'etait super avec un guide vraiment à l'écoute et top, les activités etaient incroyables et l'histoire avec m'a vraiment passionné.”

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8.Machupicchu tour by tourist train in 2 days

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 7 reviews · 2 days · from $345

This two-day trip pairs a scenic train ride from Ollantaytambo with a guided visit to Machu Picchu’s key sites. You get an afternoon in Aguas Calientes, a group capped at 12, and transport, train tickets, buses, and entry included. Ruth and Richard have handled past trips, though your guide may differ.

“Achei guia pouco organizado com relaçao ao tempo do evento >Ficamos quase 4 horas no local em função de flexibilidade com relação ao tempo em cada local do percurso >Muito tempo num local para tirar fotografias e depois correndo no final .Conteúdo excelente e de qualidade .Acabou provocando estresse em perder onibus e trem do retorno.Entrada também no onibus desorganizada com relaçao ao pessoal que controlava acesso ao onibus .Discussao com vários funcionarios que so pareciam preocupados em explicar que estavamos erradas e não eles que tinham acenado para que corressemos e pegassemos um onibus que depois nos disseram nao ser o nosso.Enfim ,serviço caro e estressante.Acho que buscaria outra…”

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9.Train Ride and Guided Tour of Machu Picchu

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews · 1 day · from $412Top rated

Travel from your Cusco hotel by private vehicle and train to Aguas Calientes, then take a bus uphill to Machu Picchu for a private guided visit. The route includes the Temple of the Sun and Temple of the Moon, plus free time. Choose the Vistadome option for an Andean snack and drink on the way there, and music and entertainment on the return.

“It was well organised. Tickets and info provided the previous evening as we were expected to get to Machu Picchu by ourselves - which was easy enough. Didn’t have enough time to explore any of it on our own sadly. The queue to get back to Aguas Calientes was massive so couldn’t really have lunch or else we’d miss our schedule train departure. Thankfully our guide worked his magic to get us to the front of the queue faster.”

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10.Chinchero, Maras, Moray & Machu Picchu 2 days

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 5 reviews · from $680

This two-day small-group trip from Cusco pairs Chinchero’s market and colonial church with Moray’s circular terraces, Maras salt ponds, and Ollantaytambo before an overnight stay in Aguas Calientes. You reach Machu Picchu early for a guided visit. Guides on past departures have included Nathalie, Adolfo, and Efrain.

“the company took great care of us. Nathalie, our guide is very passionate and has a huge knowledge. We enjoyed a lot our tour and the pace was perfect, not rushed but still we were able to see so many incredible places.”

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11.Inca Trail 2 days to Machu Picchu

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · 2 days · from $600

This two-day private tour pairs the Inca Trail hike from Kilometer 104 with a guided Machu Picchu visit. You walk past Chachabamba and Wiñayhuayna, reach the Sun Gate for your first citadel view, then sleep in Aguas Calientes. Guides including José and Steven have been praised for their care and flexibility; hotel standards may be more modest than the price suggests.

“Our hike guide Steven is awesome! He made sure we’re all okay & kept us motivated to finish the Machu Picchu hike! The hotel we stayed at Agua Caliente is not a 3 star that we are expecting. We paid $500+ per person to stay at least in a decent hotel. That was a big disappointment!”

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12.Lunch at Cafe Inkaterra Restaurant

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 5 reviews · 2 hours · from $23Best value

After Machu Picchu, make your own way to Café Inkaterra in Aguas Calientes for a two-hour lunch beneath an Ese’Eja palm-thatched roof, overlooking the Vilcanota River. Your meal includes a starter, main course, dessert, water, and hot drinks. Choose from dishes that blend Andean and contemporary cooking, with vegetarian and vegan options available.

“Sensacional!!! Lugar lindo, atendimento perfeito e rápido, pratos saborosíssimos . Apenas as bebidas são carinhas mas faz parte pelo nível do lugar. Me surpreendi! Além da praticidade de estar praticamente dentro da estação do trem . Eu recomendo!”

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13.Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 5 Days with Sky Lodge Domes

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · 5 days · from $680

This five-day small-group trek pairs a demanding crossing of Salkantay Pass with Humantay Lake, Llactapata ruins, and a guided visit to Machu Picchu. You get bilingual guiding, meals, mule support for up to 7 kilos of personal luggage, three nights in Sky Lodge Domes, and one hotel night. Guides on past departures have included Fernando and Nildo.

“Le trek du Salkantay au Pérou était une expérience incroyable. Les paysages étaient grandioses, variés et à couper le souffle -entre montagnes enneigées, vallées verdoyantes et le superbe lac Humantay, vraiment magnifique. L’organisation était globalement très bonne. En cas de mal d’altitude, il y a toujours la possibilité de monter à cheval (payant), ce qui est rassurant pour les moments les plus difficiles. Le cuisinier nous a préparé d’excellents repas tout au long du trek : variés, savoureux, et bienvenus après une longue journée de marche. Le guide était également très professionnel, sympathique et attentif à chacun. Le seul petit bémol : la seconde nuit, où l’hébergement n’était pas à…”

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14.Inka Jungle trek to Machu Picchu 3 D/ 2 N

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 4 reviews · 3 days · from $410

Cycle down from Abra Málaga, walk through jungle terrain to Aguas Calientes, then visit Machu Picchu with an English- or Spanish-speaking guide. The three-day, two-night trip includes meals, lodging, cycling gear, admission and return transport. Ziplining and rafting are listed as included, but confirm how they fit your dates.

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15.Machu Picchu 2 Days / 1 Night (By Bus)

★★★★★★★★★★3.7 · 4 reviews · 2 days · from $170

This two-day trip with Exploor Trip E.R.L. takes you from Cusco over Abra de Malaga at 4,316 meters, down through Santa Maria and Santa Teresa, and on foot to Aguas Calientes. After a night in a hotel, you climb to Machu Picchu for a guided visit. English- and Spanish-speaking guides lead groups of up to 15.

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