Unforgettable Machu Picchu One Day Tour by Observatory Train

Begin your unforgettable Machu Picchu Day Trip By Observatory Train with an early morning pick-up from your hotel in Cusco or the Sacred Valley. Enjoy a scenic two-hour drive through the Sacred Valley of the Incas, with stunning views of the Urubamba mountain range, until you arrive at the Ollantaytambo train station.

Here, you will board the famous Observatory Train, one of the most incredible rail journeys in the world. This 1 hour 45 minute ride will take you to the charming town of Aguas Calientes, the gateway to Machu Picchu. Along the way, you’ll admire breathtaking landscapes: ancient Inca farming terraces, vibrant local communities, and the Urubamba River flowing beside you as the train winds through the valley.

Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes, a short shuttle bus will bring you to the iconic citadel of Machu Picchu. With your professional English-speaking guide, enjoy a 2–3 hour guided tour of the most important temples, terraces, and ceremonial sites. Afterwards, you’ll have time to explore at your own pace and feel the magic of this New Wonder of the World.

After the visit, return by shuttle to Aguas Calientes, where you’ll have free time for lunch before boarding the Observatory Train back to Ollantaytambo. Your private driver will be waiting to take you back to Cusco, completing this Machu Picchu One Day Tour – a full-day experience you will never forget.

Note: Machu Picchu entrance tickets are limited. We recommend booking your Machu Picchu Full Day Tour from Cusco at least 2 months in advance.

Discover Machu Picchu in Comfort and Style

Our Machu Picchu By Observatory Train – Full Day Tour is designed to give you a seamless, all-inclusive experience from start to finish. With private transfers, first-class train service, and a professional guide by your side, you can focus on enjoying one of the world’s greatest wonders while we take care of every detail.

Included in Your Tour:

• Personalized pick-up from your hotel in Cusco or the Sacred Valley
• Comfortable private van transfer from Cusco to Ollantaytambo
• Round-trip journey on the Vistadome Observatory Train
• Shuttle bus service to and from Machu Picchu
• Entrance ticket to the Machu Picchu Sanctuary
• Exquisite lunch at the Sanctuary Lodge Hotel (next to Machu Picchu)
• Professional private tour guide accompanying you from hotel to hotel
• Drop-off at your hotel at the end of the tour

Not Included:

• Breakfast
• Travel insurance
• Additional meals or services not mentioned above

Important to Know Before You Book:

• You may choose to upgrade to luxury trains for an enhanced experience or downgrade to alternative train services depending on your preference and budget.

Travel Information – Tunqui Expeditions

At Tunqui Expeditions, we want to make your trip to Peru as memorable and carefree as possible. This section answers the most common questions about traveling with us. Please read the following carefully—it will help you prepare for your Machu Picchu One Day Trip From Cusco or any of our other tours.

If you have a question that isn’t answered here, simply contact us—we’ll be happy to assist you.

Can I store my luggage at your office?

Yes. During your trip, your main luggage can be safely stored at our office (arranged during your pre-departure briefing or via email) or at your hotel, free of charge.

Any equipment not needed for your trek or day tour can be stored at your hotel. Nearly all hotels in Cusco offer this service. For valuables, we strongly recommend using the hotel safe and requesting an itemized receipt—this is often required by insurance companies in the rare event of theft. For extra peace of mind, you can also place credit cards or documents inside a sealed, signed envelope.

Pick-up of Guests

• All pickups are within Cusco City. For convenience, we recommend booking a hotel in the historic center of Cusco.
• Our staff will confirm the exact pickup time the day before your Machu Picchu One Day Tour.
• Pickup times may vary between 30–45 minutes due to traffic conditions.
• Keep in mind that Cusco has many narrow cobblestone streets and steep slopes. Some hotels and Airbnbs do not have vehicle access. For this reason, we advise choosing accommodation with good access for pickups.

Return to Cusco

The return from Machu Picchu involves several steps, but don’t worry—we take care of everything for you.

1. Bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes (25 minutes). Boarding is on a first-come basis.
2. Train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo (1 hour 45 minutes). Your guide will provide your tickets and boarding details. Please be at the platform at least 30 minutes before departure.
3. Private transport from Ollantaytambo to Cusco (1 hour 30 minutes). Our representative, easily identified by Tunqui Expeditions clothing, will be waiting to escort you.
4. Drop-off at your hotel in Cusco (or as close as possible if located on a restricted street).

Group Tours

Our group tours bring together travelers of all ages and fitness levels. Please remember:

• Each participant can walk at their own pace.
• Sometimes, groups may request changes to the tour, but the guide will decide whether modifications are possible after consulting with everyone.

Strikes and Demonstrations

Strikes and protests are common in Peru and may affect transportation. Roads can be blocked, and train services may be interrupted. In such cases:

• We will do everything possible to continue your Machu Picchu Day Trip as planned, even if it requires adjustments such as leaving earlier than scheduled.
• If cancellations are unavoidable, our operations team will coordinate with you directly.
• Your safety is our top priority, and decisions will always be made to protect it.

Lost Objects

Please keep track of your belongings at all times. Remember to collect your items when leaving our vehicles, restaurants, or other facilities. Tunqui Expeditions is not responsible for lost personal items during your tour.

Packing List for Your Machu Picchu By Observatory Train

Remember to check this list before packing your bags to ensure you don’t forget anything important. Traveling light and prepared will make your journey more comfortable. Have a wonderful trip with Tunqui Expeditions!

Essentials

• Valid passport (mandatory for entry to Machu Picchu).
• Extra money in soles (for snacks, souvenirs, or personal expenses).
• Personal medication (if required).
• Reusable water bottle or CamelBak.
• High SPF sunblock (factor 70+ recommended).

Clothing

• Light footwear or sandals for relaxing.
• Comfortable walking shoes or trainers for the tour.
• Warm jacket for cool mornings and evenings.
• Waterproof jacket and/or rain poncho (essential in rainy season).
• Sun hat to protect your face and neck.
• Wool hat or beanie for cold weather.
• Sunglasses with UV protection.

Equipment

• Medium trekking backpack (15–25 liters) for daily essentials.

Recommended

• Camera and charger (to capture every unforgettable moment).

The “Machu Picchu By The 360 Observatory Train” can leave any day of the week, the whole year.

Group Price: US$ 450.00 per person

This small-group journey is guaranteed to operate with just two guests.

Notice that PayPal charges a fee of 7%, which we ask the client to cover since it’s due to the use of its service. This tax is just for online deposits so that you will pay the remaining in cash (the briefing day in Cusco) without charges.

Price Guarantee

Once your booking has been confirmed, we guarantee the price won’t increase, whatever the circumstances. So please, before booking, ensure you’ve read all our important tour information.

Student Discount

US$20.00 off

Student discounts apply to anyone 17 years old or younger. To receive the discount, we require a copy or clear photo of the passport at the time of booking. It must be valid and not expire within the travel dates. Please send it to

Cancellation Policy

Non-refundable

• The cancellation policy is up to 07 days before the travel date to cancel without penalty. Otherwise, a 100% penalty applies. The refund excludes the value of the entrance to the Machu Picchu Citadel as MINCUL does not allow changes or refunds.
• The rescheduling policy is up to 07 days before the travel date. When rescheduling, you will need to purchase the entrance ticket to the Machu Picchu Citadel again as MINCUL does not allow changes or refunds. If you need to reschedule, we recommend doing so at least 1 month in advance as tickets to the Citadel tend to sell out quickly.
• Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.

Additional Info

• Not Specialized infant seats are available
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Our tour start and finish in Cusco. People who want to starts in the Sacred Valley must to add extra payment.