Tour To Machupicchu 2 Days by Train

Machu Picchu is the main event, but the real appeal of this two-day trip is the easy train-and-hotel setup. You leave Cusco at 9:00 a.m., ride through the Andes to Aguas Calientes, sleep near the ruins, then make the early climb to the citadel instead of trying to squeeze everything into one frantic day. I like the included train, entrance arrangements, dinner, and breakfast. I also like having a local contact available before and during the trip, with Carlos and Nixon singled out for helpful planning.

The main catch is the very early start and long return day. You may be walking uphill for about 40 minutes before sunrise, then returning to Cusco around 9:30 or 10:00 p.m. The bus between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu is not included, so you walk both ways unless you arrange and pay for the bus yourself. Also confirm your entrance ticket well ahead of time, since availability can affect the booking.

Key points

• Aguas Calientes overnight: You arrive by train, stay one night, and have dinner with the group around 6:00 p.m.
• Sunrise-style arrival: The group leaves at about 4:00 a.m. and walks roughly 40 minutes to Machu Picchu.
• Two-hour guided visit: A guide meets you at the entrance, then you have time to explore on your own.
• Scenic train route: The journey from Ollantaytambo follows dramatic Andean scenery and views of Inca sites.
• Nearly all transport arranged: Cusco transfers, Ollantaytambo transport, and round-trip train travel are included.
• Small group size: The maximum is 15 people, though the actual guide and pickup arrangements should be confirmed.

The basic deal: $399 for two packed days

At $399 per person, this tour is priced as a convenience package rather than a bare-bones ticket bundle. It covers pickup in Cusco, transport to Ollantaytambo, the round-trip train, one night in Aguas Calientes, dinner, breakfast, Machu Picchu entrance arrangements, a professional guide, and the return trip to Cusco.

That saves you from coordinating several moving parts in a place where train schedules and entry times matter. You are not simply buying a train ticket. You are paying to have a local operator connect the road transfers, rail journey, hotel, dinner, entrance, and guided visit.

Still, I would compare the price with booking those pieces yourself before committing. One important detail is missing from the apparent all-inclusive feel: the bus between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu is not included. The plan is to walk up and down, and the climb takes about 40 minutes in the morning. You also need to buy your own lunch on the first day and lunch and dinner on the final day.

The accommodation is described as a hostel night, not a luxury hotel stay. That matters. One guest found the room noisy enough to make sleep difficult, so you should set your expectations at simple, functional lodging close to the action.

Day one: Cusco to Aguas Calientes by road and rail

Pickup begins at 9:00 a.m. from your Cusco hotel. The first part of the ride takes you toward Ollantaytambo, where you board the tourist train to Aguas Calientes. The full first-day transfer takes about five hours, though train schedules can affect the exact pace.

The road and rail combination is practical. Ollantaytambo is the departure point for many Machu Picchu trains, and starting there avoids taking the train all the way from Cusco. During the train ride, you can watch the Andean scenery change around you, with high mountains, snow-capped peaks, and Inca remains connected to the classic Inca Trail.

I like this part because the train is not just a transfer. It gives you a calmer way to reach the Urubamba Valley after the road portion of the day. Keep your camera handy, but do not expect a narrated sightseeing ride. The focus is on getting you to Aguas Calientes while letting the scenery provide the entertainment.

At the Aguas Calientes station, someone is supposed to meet you and take you to the hotel. That handoff is worth confirming in advance. The town is small, but arriving in an unfamiliar place with luggage and no clear contact can be stressful, especially if the person meeting you is not easy to identify.

Dinner is planned for around 6:00 p.m. with the group. Afterward, you have free time to walk around town or visit the hot springs. The free time is welcome, but do not overdo it. You have a 4:00 a.m. start the next morning, and the hot springs are best treated as a short break rather than a late-night outing.

Breakfast is included with the overnight stay. The written details are a little inconsistent about meals, since one section says breakfast and dinner are included while another excludes breakfast on the first day. Ask exactly what is provided, and which morning the breakfast applies to, before departure.

Aguas Calientes: useful base, simple overnight

Aguas Calientes is the gateway town below Machu Picchu. You are not staying there for a polished resort experience. You are staying because it puts you near the entrance route and lets you avoid a same-day train ride from Cusco before the ruins visit.

That overnight makes the second morning possible. You can wake in town, walk toward Machu Picchu, and begin the climb before much of the day has passed. If you tried to visit from Cusco in one day, the schedule would be tighter and your time at the ruins could feel more pressured.

The accommodation is basic. One particularly positive account praised the staff for holding bags and sending them on to a later hotel, which is the sort of local help that can make a complicated trip easier. At the same time, the room may not be quiet. Pack earplugs if you sleep lightly, and do not book this tour expecting a restful boutique-hotel night.

Dinner arrangements also deserve a clear question before you arrive. The meal is included, but the meeting process can be confusing if a local partner, rather than the person you were expecting, takes you to the restaurant. Ask where dinner is, who will meet you, and what the meal includes.

Day two: the 4:00 a.m. walk to Machu Picchu

The second day starts around 4:00 a.m. The plan is to walk uphill from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu, a climb of about 40 minutes. You will likely be doing this in darkness or low light, so bring a small flashlight or use a phone light, wear shoes with a good grip, and keep your day bag light.

This is the tour’s biggest physical demand. The climb is not a multi-day trek, but it comes after a full transfer day and before a long visit among the ruins. If hills are difficult for you, ask about the bus option before booking. The bus is not included, and the advertised plan has everyone walking.

The reason for leaving so early is clear: you want to reach the entrance for the first part of the morning and catch the light over the citadel. The tour description also highlights a Sun Gate visit. Confirm the precise route and ticket category, since access within Machu Picchu can be controlled by timed circuits and specific entrance rules.

A guide meets you at the entrance. The guided visit lasts about two hours and is intended to explain the buildings, layout, and purpose of the ancient site. A strong guide adds real value here. Without one, you can see the stonework and terraces but miss the meaning behind what you are seeing.

Jorge received especially strong praise for his guiding and for helping with photographs. Your assigned guide may differ, but it is useful to know what to expect from a good visit: clear explanations, help with the route, and practical assistance at the entrance rather than simply being handed a ticket.

After the guided portion, you have time to explore independently. The exact amount of free time depends on your entry conditions and the day’s schedule, so do not assume you can wander without limits. Follow the route and time instructions given by your guide and ticket.

The return: walking, train, bus, and a late Cusco arrival

After Machu Picchu, you walk back down to Aguas Calientes to collect your backpack. Then you take the train to Ollantaytambo and continue by bus to San Francisco Square in Cusco.

This is a long day, listed at about 14 hours. The return to Cusco is expected around 9:30 to 10:00 p.m., but the exact time depends on train availability. You will want food and water for the return, since lunch and dinner on this final day are not included.

The late arrival is not a minor detail. If you have an early flight the next morning, think carefully before booking. A late Cusco arrival can work well if you are staying another night, but it leaves little room for delays, an evening meal, or proper rest.

The transport chain is otherwise sensible: train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo, then road transport to Cusco. You should keep your ticket, bag, phone, and meeting details close at every transfer point. The tour is designed to manage the route, but you still need to pay attention when changing from train to vehicle.

What the local support adds, and where it can fail

The strongest part of this arrangement is having someone to contact throughout the trip. After booking, the coordinator may set up a video call to review the plan, and support is available by message at any hour. That is useful when you need to confirm a pickup, find the correct train, or clarify dinner.

The staff members Carlos and Nixon were praised for getting in touch before departure and helping organize additional tours. That kind of early contact is exactly what I want from a local operator. It gives you a chance to confirm the entrance date, train time, hotel, pickup point, and return arrangements before you are standing in a crowded station.

But do not confuse remote support with a guide escorting you at every stage. One account found that there was no guide accompanying the whole trip, only ticket and transport coordination. A pickup at the Aguas Calientes station also failed once, leaving the person to find the relevant office independently.

For an experienced independent visitor, that may be manageable. For a first visit to Peru, it can be unsettling. Save the operator’s phone number, ask for the exact name of each meeting point, and request a photo or description of the person meeting you when possible.

The guide, group size, and pace

The maximum group size is 15 people. That is small enough to make a two-hour explanation more personal than a large coach outing, though the actual group may be smaller or different on your date.

The included guide is one of the better reasons to choose this package. Machu Picchu rewards context. The stones, terraces, temples, and mountain setting are impressive on their own, but a guide can help you understand how the site fits together and keep the group moving through the entrance rules.

You should also be ready for a group pace. The early walk, entry time, guided circuit, and train departure all have fixed limits. This is not the right choice if you want to linger without watching the clock or change your plans at the last minute.

The tour is considered suitable for most people, but that does not remove the physical demands. You walk uphill to the ruins, walk back down, spend much of the day on your feet, and return to Cusco late. If you need a slower pace, ask the operator what alternatives are available before paying.

Booking timing and the ticket question

Machu Picchu entry is the part to handle first. The tour says entrance booking is available when reserved about two months ahead, with other options possible if you contact the operator. Confirmation is issued within 48 hours, subject to availability.

That wording means you should not treat the payment as an instant guarantee of your preferred entrance. Send your intended date as early as possible, and ask which circuit, time slot, and Sun Gate access are included. The tour advertises a Sun Gate visit, but the exact ticket conditions should be written clearly before you finalize plans.

The cancellation terms are strict: the experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed after booking. Because train seats, lodging, and entry tickets are tied to specific dates, do not book until your Cusco schedule is firm.

Who should choose this two-day plan?

I would choose this tour if you want a straightforward Machu Picchu package and do not want to arrange each train, transfer, hotel, and entrance separately. It suits you especially well if you value a local contact, want one night close to the ruins, and can handle the 4:00 a.m. start and late return.

It is also a good fit for a first visit when you want a guide at the citadel but still want some time alone afterward. The combination of a two-hour guided visit and independent time gives you structure without taking over the entire morning.

I would hesitate if you need quiet lodging, dislike fixed schedules, or want a leisurely visit. You should also look elsewhere, or ask about alternatives, if walking uphill and downhill is a concern. Since the bus is not included, that point must be settled before you pay.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if convenience is worth more to you than absolute control. The $399 price includes the costly and complicated pieces, and the overnight in Aguas Calientes makes the visit less rushed than a single-day trip from Cusco.

Before booking, confirm five things in writing: your Machu Picchu entrance date and circuit, the exact Sun Gate plan, the hotel name, the dinner and breakfast arrangements, and the train times. Also ask about the bus option if you do not want to walk.

My final view is favorable but practical. Mega Expeditions appears strongest when its staff stay in close contact, and the train, guide, meals, and transport create good value for a short visit. The weak points are communication at handoffs, basic lodging, ticket availability, and an exhausting schedule. If you prepare for those limits, this can be a smart way to reach Machu Picchu without spending your whole trip managing transport details.

FAQ

How long is the Machu Picchu tour?

The experience lasts about two days. The first day takes roughly five hours from Cusco toward Aguas Calientes, and the second day lasts about 14 hours, including the Machu Picchu visit and return to Cusco.

What time does pickup begin in Cusco?

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

Is the train included?

Yes. Round-trip tourist train travel between Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes is included, along with transportation between Cusco and Ollantaytambo.

Is the Machu Picchu entrance included?

Yes, the entrance is included when booked about two months in advance, subject to availability. Contact the operator for other options if you are booking later.

Is the bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu included?

No. The bus up and down is not included. The planned route has you walking between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu.

Are meals included?

One dinner, breakfast, and the hostel night are included. Lunch on the first day, lunch and dinner on the final day, and some breakfast details should be confirmed because the meal information is not fully consistent.