There are many ways to get to the ancient Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, but definitely by car and then by train is the most fun. There are three different train options at different schedules: the tourist trains, the panoramic trains, and the luxurious train. Nevertheless, if you want to visit the citadel in one day you must start early.
- Full-day tour
- Dialy departures
- Group excursion
- Tourist transportation
- Train tickets
- Entrance tickets
- Professional guide
Itinerary
The pick up time depends on the type of train you have please find below the options. After picking you up from your hotel we drive towards the train station, and from there we drive towards Ollantaytambo for about two hours, then we travel by train for about one and a half hours heading to Machu Picchu village, also called Aguas Calientes.
Guided tour in Machu Picchu
Once in Aguas Calientes village we take a shuttle bus for 40 minutes to the mountain-top where lies the ancient Inca citadel of Machu Picchu. We have a guided tour for about 2 and a half with one of our experts, visiting The Intihuatana astronomic stone, The Guardian House, the Main Temple, the Royal Tomb, the Temple of the Sun, the Temple of the Three Windows. After the tour you take the shuttle bus back to the village for lunch.
Optional lunch at Tinkuy Belmond restaurant, located next to Machu Picchu.
After lunch you must be ready at the train station 30 minutes before the train departure. The train will take you to Ollantaytambo train station, and from there the rail company includes the transport to Cusco City. We will pick you up from Cusco’s station. End
Discover and explore the Inca’s land and feel Peru’s magic with us!
The Tourist Trains
Expedition train to Machu Picchu:
- Pick up from hotel: 04.30 am
- Bus to Ollantaytambo : 05.10 am
- Train to Aguas Calientes: 07.45 am
- Arrival: 09.15 am
- Guided tour: 10.15 am
Way back to Cusco City:
- Train departure: 04.22 pm to Ollantaytambo
- Bus departure: 06.20 pm to Cusco city
- Arrival to the station: 08.30 pm
- Pick up and transfer to hotel
Voyager train to Machu Picchu:
- Pick up from hotel: 03.50 am
- Bus to Ollantaytambo: 04.20 am
- Train to Aguas Calientes: 06.40 am
- Arrival: 08.01 am
- Guided tour: 09 am to 11 pm
Way back to Cusco City:
- Train departure: 02.30 pm to Ollantaytambo
- Bus departure: 04.00 pm to Cusco city
- Arrival to the station: 06.30 pm
- Pick up and transfer to hotel.
The tourist trains are comfortable and perfect to travel to Aguas Calientes town. There are two services available, the Expedition train from Perurail, and the Voyager from Incarail. Both services are good and share similar timetables.
The Panoramic Trains
Vistadome train to Machu Picchu:
- Bus to Ollantaytambo : 05.40 am
- Train to Aguas Calientes: 08.15 am
- Arrival: 09.54 am
- Guided tour: 10.45 am
Way back to Cusco:
- Train departure: 04.22 pm to Ollantaytambo train station.
- Bus departure: 06.20 pm to Cusco city.
- Arrival to the station: 08.30 pm
- Pick up and transfer to hotel
360° train to Machu Picchu:
- Pick up from hotel: 04.10 am
- Bus to Ollantaytambo: 04.50 am
- Train to Aguas Calientes: 07.20 am
- Arrival: 08.48 am
- Guided tour: 10 am to 12 pm
Way back to Cusco:
- Train departure: 04.12 pm to Ollantaytambo train station.
- Bus departure: 05.30 pm to Cusco city.
- Arrival to the station: 08.20 pm
- Pick up and transfer to hotel.
The panoramic trains are perfect to watch the Sacred Valley while traveling to Machu Picchu. There are two services available, the Vistadome from Perurail, and the 360° from Incarail. Both services share similar timetables.
The Luxury Train
Those looking for an exclusive and luxurious experience in Peru need look no further. The Hiram Bingham has the best service onboard enjoying a scenic train ride. It has a lounge car, dinner car, observatory car to have fund and enjoy.
Included:
- Pick-up from the hotel and transfer to the train station and vice versa
- Train tickets roundtrip in the luxury train Hiran Bingham
- Lounge car, dinner car, observatory car. The bar car is the perfect place to enjoy a cocktail accompanied by live Peruvian music
- Meals on board: brunch, tea time, dinner, and spirits
- Guided tour in small groups, or please request a private guide
- Roundtrip transfer from Aguas Calientes to the mountain-top where Machu Picchu is located
- Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu Inca citadel
Tour description
08.20 am Transfer to Poroy train station
09.05 am Train departure to Aguas Calientes
12.24 pm Arrival. Transfer to Machu Picchu, located at the mountain-top
01.10 pm Around this time we have the guided tour with a professional tour guide
03.30 pm Around this time we finish the guided tour and enjoy a pleasant tea time at Belmond Tinkuy restaurant
05.00 pm About this time you’ll be transfer back to Aguas Calientes
05.50 pm Train back to Poroy train station
09.16 pm Arrival, transfer to hotel in Cusco city
10.00 pm Arrival to your hotel
The Hiram Bingham has the best service onboard enjoying a scenic train ride. It has a lounge car, dinner car, observatory car to have fund and enjoy. The tour guide is included with the train ticket, and it is shared (12 people max). Let us know if you need a private guide.
Machu Picchu Inca citadel:
Machu Picchu, an ancient Incan city in Peru, rests high in the Andes Mountains. It was built in the 15th century, during the reign of the Inca emperor Pachacuti, and rediscovered in 1911 by Hiram Bingham. It is renowned for its advanced dry-stone construction with structures seamlessly fitted together without the use of mortar. It has extensive agricultural terraces, which demonstrate sophisticated engineering techniques for water management. Machu Picchu is notable for its astronomical alignments, particularly the Intihuatana stone, which functioned as a solar clock or calendar. Today it is known as one on the seven wonders of the world.
