2 Day Machu Picchu Train Adventure from Cusco

Recommended by 94% of travelers

Cusco, Peru

2 days (approx.)
Pickup offered
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

Maximize your experience of the incredible Inca citadel of Machu Picchu with this 2-day tour from Cusco that allows you to enter the UNESCO World Heritage site as soon as it opens. You'll travel from Cusco to Ollantaytambo by minibus, then by train to Aguas Calientes where you'll spend the night in preparation for an early-morning guided tour of Machu Picchu.

Discover the UNESCO World Heritage site of Machu Picchu
Small-group tour (maximum 15): A more intimate experience
Learn about the significance of Machu Picchu from your guide
Overnight accommodations and breakfast in Aguas Calientes included

What's Included

Breakfast
Transportation from Cusco to the Ollantaytambo train station (one way)
Train ticket from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes
1-night hotel accommodation in Aguas Calientes (basic category)
Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu (standard circuit)
Professional, licensed guide in Machu Picchu
Bus ticket (Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes)
Return train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
Assistance during the tour

Lunch and dinner not mentioned in the itinerary
Personal expenses

Meeting and Pickup

You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Pickup details

Hotel pick-up is available for travelers staying in Plaza de Armas, San Blas, Avenida El Sol, and nearby areas. Please be ready in the hotel lobby 10 minutes before the scheduled pick-up time.

Meeting point

Plaza de Armas
Cusco 08000, Peru

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Operating hours
.4:00 am

Itinerary

Day 1

Cusco - Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes

1 Stop

Aguas Calientes

12 hours • Admission Ticket Free

Accommodation: Overnight in Aguas Calientes

Meals: Not included

Day 2

Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Cusco

1 Stop

Machu Picchu

4 hours • Admission Ticket Free

Accommodation: Not included

Meals: Breakfast

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking, unless booked within 4 hours of travel. In this case confirmation will be received as soon as possible, subject to availability
Not wheelchair accessible
Not recommended for pregnant travelers

No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Most travelers can participate
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers

Supplied by

Cancellation Policy

This experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Reviews

4.8

based on 31 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

You're On Your Own!

Ranger_B, Jul 2025

Let me be clear, I booked this experience on short notice, on the order of weeks instead of months ahead. If you aren't planning months ahead and are planning to do it the way I did, this is what awaits you: The only things that went smoothly with this experience were the ones outside of the control of Encuentros Peru Adventure. Getting picked up from my hotel, getting on the bus to the train, and taking the Inca Rail Train to Aguas Calientes was incredibly easy and intuitive. Once in Aguas Calientes, all of the planning I did with the company and the assurances they gave me fell apart. No one came to meet me at the train station as agreed upon. After multiple phone calls I was simply instructed to walk to the Ministry of Culture and a representative would meet me there. While waiting in line at the ministry a young man arrived, but he only spoke Spanish (not the English speaking assistance I had booked) and simply told me to continue waiting in line before leaving. When I successfully guessed my way through the process of taking a number at the ministry I was then left adrift in town because at no point did anyone tell me the name of the hotel I was staying at. It was only in the process of insulting my intelligence via WhatsApp that the Spanish-speaking representative from earlier inadvertently mentioned the name of a hotel and I was able to assume that's where I was meant to stay. Eventually, the time arrived where I was to return to the ministry and actually buy my ticket for the following day. A third representative of the company said they would be in touch with instructions on how to do that, but they too never got back to me. The nightmare gets worse as a fourth and final person showed up to meet me at the ministry. This person spoke English, gave me the cash I needed to buy the ticket, but couldnt (wouldnt?) accompany me into the ministry and I was left to my own devices inside the building yet again. By some miracle I was able to buy my ticket, thankful that at least that saga was over. The morning of my tour my guide was punctual, personable, knowledgeable and helpful. He likely has no connection with Encuentros Peru Adventure which is why it went so smoothly. All in all unless youre booking several months in advance, look elsewhere, this company has no ability to plan or successfully carry out any amount of logistics.

Response from Host, Jul 2025

Thank you for booking your tour with us and for taking the time to share your comments. We’d like to clarify a few important points to avoid any misunderstandings: • Before confirming your tour, we contacted you to explain the details, including the entrance fees to Machu Picchu. As discussed, we had to purchase the tickets directly on your behalf — and we did so successfully. • As explained prior to the tour, waiting in line was necessary, not just for you, but for many travelers. This is a common part of the experience during high season, and many clients understood this and were happy with the service. • You did not make any extra payment for the entrance ticket. In fact, our staff provided you with the money to cover the entrance to Machu Picchu. However, you mentioned not receiving it — which surprises us. • Although most guided visits to Machu Picchu are done in groups, we provided you with a private guide to ensure a more personalized and enjoyable experience. • From Cusco, we arranged private transportation from your hotel to the bus station, as part of our commitment to comfort and quality service. • We understand that waiting in lines can be frustrating. However, we must clarify that we do not agree with your description of the service. The many positive comments and recommendations from our clients reflect our dedication and effort to provide an exceptional experience. We sincerely thank you for your visit and for choosing Encuentros Peru Adventure. We are always working to improve, and your feedback helps us continue that effort. Warm regards, Encuentros Peru Adventure

Cares for from start to finish!

Lea_G, Jun 2025

Felt very cared for from start to finish-they explained everything carefully, were always available for questions, made sure I knew when to meet and accompanied me. It could not have been better!

Response from Host, Sep 2025

Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re so happy to hear that you felt well cared for throughout your entire experience. Clear communication and personal attention are very important to us, and it means a lot to know that everything went smoothly for you. We’re truly grateful for your feedback it couldn’t make us happier to know we met your expectations!

This tour is a great way...

Frans_V, Apr 2025

This tour is a great way to see Machupicchu! Although online there were no tickets available, the guides helped me to get tickets for route 2 in Aguas Calientes. This required me to stay an additional night because the tickets for the next day were sold out quickly because of Semana Santa. This additional night was all provided by the agency, and they were very helpful in changing the train tickets back to Cusco. During the Machupicchu visit, the guides were very knowledgeable and talked me through the history. Be prepared to be somewhat flexible with this tour in busy periods. Overall it was a great experience!

Response from Host, Sep 2025

Thank you so much for sharing your experience! We’re really happy to hear that everything worked out and that you got to visit Machu Picchu, even during the busy Semana Santa period. Route 2 is an incredible way to experience the site, and we’re glad we could assist with the extra night and train changes to make it all possible. Your flexibility made a big difference, and we truly appreciate your understanding. It’s also great to know that you enjoyed the historical insights during your visit. Thanks again for trusting us we’re so glad it turned into a memorable adventure!

Fantastic experience

Christine_V, Mar 2025

The tour guide was fantastic. He was a great communicator and made sure we understood what was happening every step of the way. He was patient and took his time walking us through the site and gave us fun and interesting history. I would absolutely recommend you do this trip.

Response from Host, Sep 2025

Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re thrilled to hear that your tour guide made the experience clear, enjoyable, and enriching with fun and interesting history. It means a lot to know you felt well taken care of every step of the way. Thank you for recommending the trip we’re so glad it was a memorable one for you!

Know what you are buying.... this was good, but not as expected.

Fiona_R, Feb 2025

This was a well-organised experience in the end, but there are ways it could be improved, especially for older people who are not travelling with full-time internet connection. It was possibly a matter of difference between our expectation and the reality of what this involved that caused a little concern initially. We were expecting to be on some sort of tour with a guide, but instead we were picked up from our hotel by a non-English speaking lady who gave us an envelope of tickets for the bus and train, and took us to the bus station, Eventually when we realised the reality of this experience, we relaxed and enjoyed the two days, but we were disappointed to not have any commentary about the amazing Sacred Valley across which we travelled on a private bus, but with no interaction from the driver or accompanying lady. The only communication on the bus trip was to tell us we had 8 minutes for a toilet stop, yet we were looking down over beautiful Sacred Valley scenery. This was a disappointing section of the two days. The other disappointment was the accommodation. We thought we were being accommodated in 3 star hostel/hotel, but at the hostel it suggested it was only 2 star rated. No one was there to meet us from the train, and all we had was a What'sApp message in Spanish that we could not read. Fortunately the people of Aguias Calientes were friendly and a local made a phone call and we finally found our "meet and greet" fellow who raced us off to sub-par accommodation with paper thin walls, only a cold water tap in the bathroom sink, curtains that didn't cover the windows, so the lights from the stairwell shone on and off all night as noisy people came and went. Trying to sleep while listening to the neighbours completing their ablutions was not very pleasant! We didn't expect first class hotel, but there has to be somewhere better than this for accommodation. The guide for Machu Picchu was fantastic, and overall we thoroughly enjoyed our two days, but people need to know that they are on their own.... this is not a group activity. If you understand that from the outset, then there are no problems - it is well organised, and you successfully complete the trip of a lifetime. Perhaps we were at fault for thinking we were going to be "taken" on this journey - the note in the advertising that talked of a maximum of 15 people led us to believe we would be going with others. Effectively we were given what the advertising said - travel by bus and train, and a guided tour of Machu Picchu which was excellent. It also said we would get breakfast, but that consisted of a brown paper bag of a roll, banana, drink and some dry biscuits handed to us at 6.00 am as we headed for the bus - which we then had to carry through the tour of the site because you can't eat it once you enter Machu Picchu, nor on the bus. Despite some minor disappointments, we are not sorry to have had this experience... but there are ways it could have been improved with better communication and understanding of the challenges faced by those who are not as tech savvy as others, and who are not connected to wifi 24/7. Our "contact" Jose, obviously tried his best to ensure we were happy, and offered to take us out for a meal. A pleasant fellow when we finally met him at the hotel. We were happy to do this on our own - we are not necessarily group oriented travellers, but it would have been good to know this before we started.

Response from Host, Sep 2025

Thank you so much for your detailed and thoughtful feedback. We truly appreciate you taking the time to share both the positives and the areas where we can improve. We’re glad to hear you enjoyed the Machu Picchu guided tour and that Jose did his best to assist you during your trip. However, we sincerely apologize for the communication challenges and accommodation issues you experienced, as well as the lack of commentary during your bus journey through the Sacred Valley. Your comments about clear expectations and better support for travelers without constant internet access are very important, and we will work on improving these aspects to ensure a smoother and more comfortable experience for all our guests. Thank you again for your honesty and understanding. We hope to have the opportunity to provide you with an even better experience in the future.

Planing made the trip

Terance_G, Mar 2020

The tour was pretty awesome. Luis met us the day before to go over the travel plans from Cusco to Machu Picchu and what to expect. Unfortunately, his driver had an accident on his way to pick us up for the hour long car ride. Fortunately, we were able to find a taxi to get us to the meeting point on time. Luis made sure to correct the issue as soon as possible, even exceeding expectations. When we made it to MP the next day, the two of us had a private tour given by Luis. His Knowledge of the area, history, and customs are good. His English is very good. Youll be hard pressed to find another tour guide like Luis.