Discover the Magic of Machu Picchu: One Day Trip From Cusco by Train

Your unforgettable adventure begins early in the morning, around 4:30 a.m., when Tunqui Expeditions will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco and drive you to Ollantaytambo. From here, you’ll board the Voyager Train to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo). This breathtaking train ride takes you through the stunning Andean mountains, past glaciers, fertile valleys, and Inca agricultural terraces, before entering the mysterious Amazonian cloud forest.

Train Journey to Aguas Calientes

At 6:30 a.m., your Machu Picchu One Day Trip From Cusco continues with a scenic 1.5-hour train ride from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes. Sit back and enjoy the spectacular landscapes—the perfect way to start your day!

Upon arrival at Machu Picchu Pueblo, our team will be waiting to welcome you. You’ll have a moment to organize only the essentials for your visit to the citadel before beginning your ascent.

Bus Transfer to Machu Picchu

Around 30–40 minutes later, accompanied by your guide, you’ll walk through Aguas Calientes and head to the bus station. From here, a Consettur bus will take you on a 30–40 minute journey up the winding road to the Machu Picchu entrance. Expect a short waiting time of 35–45 minutes before boarding.

Guided Tour of Machu Picchu

At approximately 10:00 a.m., you’ll finally enter the legendary citadel. Over the course of 2.5 hours, your expert guide will lead you through the most important temples, palaces, and plazas of Machu Picchu. This is the highlight of your Machu Picchu One Day Tour, as you uncover fascinating stories, legends, and secrets of the Inca civilization while surrounded by breathtaking mountain views.

Return to Aguas Calientes

After exploring Machu Picchu, you’ll take the Consettur bus back to Aguas Calientes around 12:10 p.m. The journey takes about 30 minutes, and you’ll arrive at approximately 12:40 p.m.

Lunch & Free Time

Enjoy 1.5 hours of free time for lunch at one of the recommended local restaurants. You’ll also have a chance to explore Machu Picchu Pueblo before boarding your return train.

Return Train Journey & Transfer to Cusco

At 2:45 p.m., board the Voyager Train for the journey back to Ollantaytambo, arriving around 5:00 p.m. From there, our private transport will take you back to Cusco, with an estimated arrival at your hotel around 7:30 p.m.

After this Machu Picchu One Day Trip From Cusco, you’ll return with unforgettable memories, incredible photos, and the rhythm of the Andes still beating in your heart.

What’s Included?

At Tunqui Expeditions, we handle all the logistics so you can focus on enjoying your Machu Picchu One Day Trip From Cusco. Below is what’s covered in this tour package:

• Pre-Departure Briefing at our office or your hotel in Cusco.
• Hotel Pick-up & Drop-off service in Cusco.
• Round-trip tourist transport from Cusco to Ollantaytambo.
• Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu Archaeological Site (Circuit 2).
• Round-trip train tickets from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes (Voyager o  Expedition Train).
• Round-trip bus tickets from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu (Consettur).
• Professional, bilingual tour guide (English/Spanish).
• 24/7 customer support – our team is available any time by phone.
• First aid/medical kit – guides are trained for basic emergencies.
• Snack, bottled water, and a reusable cloth snack bag.

What’s Not Included?

To help you plan better, please note that the following are not included in the package:

• Meals in Cusco and Aguas Calientes.
• Entrance tickets to Huayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Mountain.
• Travel insurance.
• Tips for guides and staff.
• Additional expenses or delays outside our control (e.g., weather, strikes, or train disruptions).

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 One Day Trip From Cusco

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 One Day Trip From” can leave any day of the week, the whole year.

Precing

Group Price: US$ 310.00 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.