Tour To Machupicchu 2 Days by Train

Machu Picchu is the star here, but the real appeal is having the hard pieces arranged for you: transport from Cusco to Aguas Calientes, train tickets, entrance, lodging, and a guided visit. You leave Cusco at 9:00 a.m., ride through the Andes, sleep near the ruins, and face the citadel early the next morning.

I like the small maximum group of 15 and the useful end-to-end plan. I also like the train ride from Ollantaytambo, where snowy peaks and Inca ruins fill the windows. The main caution is simple: ticket availability matters, and communication or meet-ups have not always been smooth.

Key points at a glance

• A 4:00 a.m. start gets you moving before sunrise, followed by an uphill walk of about 40 minutes to Machu Picchu.
• The train runs from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes, with return transport back to Cusco included.
• Your two-hour Machu Picchu tour is meant to explain the site, although the guide arrangement should be confirmed carefully before departure.
• Aguas Calientes lodging, dinner, and breakfast are included, but the hostel can be basic and noisy.
• The $399 price saves planning time, yet independent booking may cost less if you are comfortable arranging tickets yourself.
• The bus to Machu Picchu is not included, so you walk up and down from Aguas Calientes.

What the $399 Machu Picchu package really covers

At $399 per person, this is a convenience package rather than a luxury trip. You pay for private transport between Cusco and Ollantaytambo, a round-trip train ticket, one night in Aguas Calientes, dinner, breakfast, the Machu Picchu entrance, and a guide.

That bundle can be useful because Machu Picchu visits require several moving parts. You need the right entrance, a train at the right time, transport between Cusco and the train station, lodging near the ruins, and a plan for getting back. Here, those pieces are grouped into one two-day trip.

The value depends on how much planning you want to do yourself. If you are happy comparing trains, arranging a hotel, checking entrance availability, and organizing transfers, you might find a lower total price independently. If you prefer one contact and one coordinated booking, $399 can be reasonable.

The important catch is the entrance ticket. The package says Machu Picchu entrance booking works best when arranged two months in advance. If you book later, you are asked to contact the provider because other options may be available. Confirmation is issued within 48 hours and remains subject to availability.

That is not a minor detail. A Machu Picchu trip can be difficult to replace at the last minute. I would ask for written confirmation of the entrance date, train times, hotel, meeting points, and guide arrangements before treating the trip as fixed.

Day one: Cusco to Ollantaytambo and the train to Aguas Calientes

Pickup begins at 9:00 a.m. from your hotel in Cusco. The route heads toward Ollantaytambo, the train departure point, with views of Andean peaks, snowy summits, valleys, and Inca remains connected with the classic Inca Trail.

The road transfer is more than a simple connection. It gives you a first look at the region outside Cusco and shows why Ollantaytambo is such a common starting point for Machu Picchu trips. The day is long, but it is not packed with formal sightseeing stops.

At Ollantaytambo, you board the tourist train to Aguas Calientes. The train ride is one of the more enjoyable parts of the plan. You can watch the mountains change as the route follows the river corridor toward the town below Machu Picchu.

Train schedules shape the whole trip, so you should not assume that every departure leaves at the same hour. The return to Cusco is expected around 9:30 to 10:00 p.m. on day two, depending on train availability. That makes this a full outing, not a relaxed overnight escape.

When you reach Aguas Calientes, someone is supposed to meet you at the station and take you to the accommodation. This is a point I would confirm in advance. One account describes a missed station pickup, which can be unsettling when you have never been to the town.

Aguas Calientes is compact, so finding your way around may be possible, but that is not the same as having a clear arrival plan. Ask for the name of the accommodation, the name or phone number of the person meeting you, and what to do if the meeting does not happen.

Dinner is planned for around 6:00 p.m. with the group. Breakfast is included the next morning, while lunch on the first day and lunch and dinner on the final day are not included. Bring money for those meals and do not expect the included dinner to cover every food choice or special drink.

After dinner, you have free time in Aguas Calientes. You can walk around town or visit the hot springs at your own expense. The hot springs are an optional way to fill the evening, but remember that your wake-up call is around 4:00 a.m. A short stroll and an early night may serve you better.

The Aguas Calientes stay: useful, but not polished

The overnight stay is described as a hostel or hotel, so I would not book this expecting a quiet boutique room. The accommodation is mainly a practical base near the ruins and train station.

Noise may be an issue. One account describes thin walls and difficulty resting. That matters because the next morning begins before dawn. If sleep is important to you, ask in advance whether a quieter room is possible and bring earplugs.

On the positive side, the stay removes the need to catch a late train back to Cusco after your first Machu Picchu visit. You are already in Aguas Calientes, close to the morning departure point, and your dinner and breakfast are arranged.

The group dinner has also required patience. The person expected to meet the group did not always arrive as planned, and a partner business handled the meal instead on one occasion. That does not mean your dinner will go badly, but it does mean you should ask how the restaurant arrangement works before sitting down.

The provider’s staff can be helpful between scheduled activities. Carlos and Nixon are named as contacts who have assisted with trip coordination, including luggage arrangements. Still, a helpful message contact is not a replacement for clear in-person instructions, so keep your own booking details accessible.

Day two: the early walk to Machu Picchu

The second day starts at about 4:00 a.m. The plan calls for walking from Aguas Calientes toward the entrance, with an uphill section taking about 40 minutes.

This is the biggest physical demand of the trip. You do not need to hike the Inca Trail, but you do need to walk uphill in the dark or early morning. Wear shoes with good grip, carry water, and keep your daypack light.

The package does not include the bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu. Everyone walks up and down. That keeps the cost lower, but it also makes the early start more demanding. If you are not comfortable with the walk, ask before booking what alternatives are available, because the supplied details do not include a bus option.

The goal is to reach the entrance for sunrise and begin the Machu Picchu visit early. The highlights describe a Sun Gate visit, while the detailed schedule focuses on walking to the citadel and seeing sunrise. Confirm the exact route and access included with your ticket, since Machu Picchu entrance circuits are controlled and can change.

A guide is scheduled to meet you at the entrance. The guided portion lasts about two hours and is intended to explain the main ruins, layout, and purpose of the site. A good guide adds real value here, since the stone walls and terraces are impressive but not always self-explanatory.

Jorge is named as a particularly strong guide associated with this experience. He has been praised for explaining the site clearly and helping with photographs. You should not assume he will be assigned to your group, but you can ask whether he is available for your date.

There is an important contradiction to clear up before departure. The package says a professional guide is included, yet one account described receiving tickets without a guide. Ask directly: Will a guide meet the group at the entrance, what language will the tour use, and how long will the guided portion last?

After the guided visit, you have time to explore on your own. The schedule says you can stay at Machu Picchu as long as permitted by your entrance arrangements, then walk back to Aguas Calientes to collect your backpack.

Do not treat that free time as unlimited. Entrance rules and assigned circuits can restrict movement, and your return train is fixed. Get the exact train departure, the latest time to leave Machu Picchu, and the location where you must collect your belongings.

The return to Cusco is long and tightly timed

After collecting your backpack in Aguas Calientes, you board the train back to Ollantaytambo. From there, a bus takes you to San Francisco Square in Cusco.

The stated arrival time is around 9:30 to 10:00 p.m. This is a late return after a 4:00 a.m. start, a morning walk, several hours at Machu Picchu, and the train ride. I would avoid scheduling an early flight or demanding activity the next morning.

The final day includes neither lunch nor dinner, so carry food or plan to buy something during the journey. The package does not specify meal stops, and train and road schedules can leave you with limited time.

The return drop-off is San Francisco Square rather than necessarily your hotel. Confirm this before you leave Cusco, especially if you have luggage, an evening reservation, or a hotel outside the central area.

Where the organization works well, and where it may not

The strongest feature is coordination. You have a Cusco pickup, private road transport, train tickets, accommodation, meals, entrance arrangements, and a guide included in one plan. For a first visit to Peru, that can take away a lot of worry.

The provider also offers a contact point for questions at any hour. Carlos and Nixon have been praised for getting in touch soon after booking and helping organize other plans. That early communication is useful, particularly when you need to understand your train and entrance details.

The weak point is consistency. There have been problems with last-minute cancellation after entrance tickets could not be obtained, along with confusing messages about whether other tours were operating. Since the trip is non-refundable and cannot be changed after booking, you need firm confirmation before paying.

The station pickup and dinner handoffs also need clearer instructions. A small town may be easy to navigate once you know where to go, but an unfamiliar arrival at night is not the time to guess.

I would save every message, request the provider’s emergency contact, and ask for a written day-by-day schedule. Those simple steps do not fix a poor arrangement, but they make gaps easier to spot before you leave Cusco.

Who should book this two-day train trip

This tour suits you if you want Machu Picchu without planning every train, transfer, meal, and entrance detail yourself. It is also a good fit if you prefer a small group and want a guide for the main visit rather than wandering through the ruins alone.

It works best for someone comfortable with an early start, a 40-minute uphill walk, basic accommodation, and a late return to Cusco. You need enough stamina for a very full second day.

It may not suit you if you want a quiet hotel, flexible train times, guaranteed luxury, or a slow visit. It is also a poor choice if you cannot walk from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu, since the bus is not included and the plan says everyone walks.

The published rating is 4.9 from 64 ratings, with 95 percent recommending the experience. The positive pattern is clear: staff support, helpful contacts, luggage assistance, enjoyable train scenery, and strong guiding when the guide is present.

The less positive pattern is just as useful: unclear handoffs, basic lodging, and uncertainty around tickets or guide assignments. I would focus less on the headline rating and more on getting those details confirmed for your own date.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if you value convenience and want a compact, two-day route from Cusco with the major transport pieces arranged. At $399, it can be fair value for the time saved, particularly if you want help with entrance tickets and do not want to organize a separate hotel and train plan.

Before booking, confirm the Machu Picchu entrance, exact train times, accommodation name, guide inclusion, station pickup, dinner instructions, and return drop-off. If those answers are clear and you are happy to walk uphill before sunrise, this is a practical way to reach the ruins.

If the provider cannot confirm the ticket and guide in writing, pause. The non-refundable terms make uncertainty expensive.

FAQ

How long is the Machu Picchu train tour?

The experience lasts approximately two days. Day one runs from the 9:00 a.m. Cusco pickup to the overnight stay in Aguas Calientes. Day two starts around 4:00 a.m. and may end in Cusco around 9:30 to 10:00 p.m.

Where does pickup begin?

Pickup begins at 9:00 a.m. from your hotel in Cusco.

Is transportation from Cusco to Ollantaytambo included?

Yes. Transportation between Cusco and Ollantaytambo is included in both directions.

Is the train ticket included?

Yes. A round-trip tourist train between Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes is included.

Is the Machu Picchu entrance fee included?

Yes, the entrance is included when the booking can be made. The information advises booking about two months ahead and contacting the provider for other options if tickets are not available.

Is a Machu Picchu guide included?

A professional guide is listed as included, with about two hours of guided touring planned. Confirm the guide meeting point and assignment before departure because the guide arrangement has not always been clear.

Is the bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu included?

No. The bus up and down is not included, and the plan says everyone walks between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu.

Are meals included?

Dinner on the first evening and breakfast are included. Breakfast and lunch on the first day, plus lunch and dinner on the final day, are not included.

How large is the group?

The maximum group size is 15 people.