Machu Picchu, the lost city of Incas is an unmissable place to visit on your trip to Peru. We have curated this post to give you an overview of what a One day trip to Machu Picchu looks like.
This Machu Picchu trip itinerary would help you in planning a trip to the lost city of Incas and have an unforgettable experience.
The crew of the tour company picks you up from your hotel in Cusco City and transfers to the bus terminal of Inca Rail.
The private bus leaves at 4:50 or 8.30 am Cusco to Ollantaytambo which lasts around one hour with thirty minutes; where you can have extra time to sleep and you arrive at Ollantaytambo station at 06:30 or 10:45 am.
The type of train to is a voyager class or expedition train that has comfortable seats; windows and snacks are included. You can upgrade to Vistadome train at a prior notice to experience the best of the Machu Picchu trip.
Note: you only need to follow the group of travellers who are traveling with you along the route to Aguas Calientes; where the train track ends.
The ground crew of Inca Rail will give extra information or you can ask them when is necessary.
Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu Train
The Voyager train departs Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu Pueblo at 07:22 or 11:15 am and arrives approximately around 08:40 am or 12:41 pm to Machu Picchu Pueblo, where the tour guide awaits the group to give the guided tour in Machu Picchu city.
Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu citadel
Bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu. After meeting your tourist guide, the guide will travel with you the last stretch of thirty minutes to arrive in the city of your DREAM; Machu Picchu.
Machu Picchu Guided Tour and Hike
The walking tour in Machu Picchu takes around two hour with thirty minutes approximately, where the local guide shows visitors the most important temples and sectors of the citadel.
On this walking tour you will explore the longest circuit of the citadel; in order to see all of Machu Picchu ruins.
After the half day tour, you will have some time to explore the citadel. You can hike to the Sun Gate. It has no entrance fee and is the point through which those on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu enter the lost city of the Incas.
Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes.
Once you finish the walking tour of Machu Picchu, you need to get back to Machu Picchu town for lunch or to have something before boarding the train towards Ollantaytambo train station.
Most Machu Picchu visitors have lunch in Aguas Calientes town after exploring one of the seven wonders of the world. You deserve it!
Things to do in Machu Picchu Pueblo or Aguas Calientes.
Whether; you have extra time after visiting Machu Picchu, you have the following options to walk around the Village.
- Explore the traditional streets of the town and Plaza de Armas.
- Enjoy the unique hot springs of Machu Picchu
- Visit the Museum of Machu Picchu
The afternoon is yours! Please control your time. On the other hand, you could lose your journey back home.
Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo Train
The train ride from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo runs along the banks of Urubamba river through the Sacred valley of the Incas. This 2 hour train ride is considered one of the most incredible short routes that shows you the magnificent Cusco to Machu Picchu tour.
The train leaves Aguas calientes town at 16:12 or 19:00 pm (you need to be 30 minutes in advance which means at 15.42 or 18:30 pm); then you will arrive at Ollantaytambo town at 18:00 or 20:41 pm.
At 18:30 or 21:15 pm the bus departs from Ollantaytambo to Cusco and you will return to Cusco around 20:00 or 11:15 pm
Note: Machu Picchu day trip from Cusco finishes on the bus station of Inca Rail which is located only two blocks of the main square.
Machu Picchu Virtual Tours
Machu Picchu Ticket
Who provides Machu Picchu tickets? Your tour guide is going to provide you the ticket of Machu Picchu or will send you a file of your entrance tickets to your cellphones. Therefore; you have to show them before boarding the train and before entering the citadel.
What to pack?
- Passport is very important. You won’t be able to enter the citadel without one.
- Water: take at least 2 litres of water because buying water in Aguas Calientes is more expensive than Cusco
- Rain Poncho or rain jacket
- Snacks
- Hat
- Sunscreen
- Mosquito repellent
- Small day pack
- Masks; you must use them while you travel to Machu Picchu – Peruvian government Policy due to the Pandemic.
- Face shield; the same very important while you do the Machu Picchu day trip from Cusco
To avoid Machu Picchu altitude sickness, Happy Gringo Tours highly recommends reading this article.