The 2-Day Machu Picchu by Train Tour is designed for travelers who want to experience Machu Picchu at a more relaxed pace, enjoy the spectacular landscapes, and avoid the rush of a one-day trip. From Cusco, we journey through the Sacred Valley of the Incas, following the course of the Urubamba River (Willkamayu), a major tributary of the Amazon that originates in the Andes of Cusco. Along the train journey, admire traditional Andean villages, towering mountains, agricultural fields, and the dramatic transition from the high Andes to the cloud forest.
Unlike the Machu Picchu Full Day from Cusco, this program allows you to spend a night in Machu Picchu Pueblo (Aguas Calientes), making the tour a much more comfortable and relaxed experience. By staying just minutes from the citadel, we can visit Machu Picchu early, making better use of the morning and enjoying the tour without having to make a long transfer back the same day. After the visit, we will have time for lunch and to return by train to Ollantaytambo, continuing afterward to Cusco, arriving approximately between 5:00 and 6:00 p.m.
At the agreed time, we will pick you up directly from your accommodation and transfer you to the Poroy train station. The train departs at 7:25 a.m. toward the charming town of Aguas Calientes, located at the foot of the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, on a scenic 4-hour journey along one of the most beautiful railway routes in the world, enjoying views of the Andes and the cloud forest. Upon arrival, your expert guide will welcome you and accompany you to your hotel — since Aguas Calientes is a pedestrian town, all routes are done on foot.
Around 1:30 p.m., you will enjoy a delicious lunch at one of the town's best restaurants, followed by free time to explore cafés, artisan shops, and the well-known hot springs.
Meals: Lunch in Aguas Calientes(Machu Picchu Town) | Lodging: Hotel in Aguas Calientes
After a nourishing breakfast, you will board the bus to the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, enjoying a 25-minute ascent with spectacular views along the way. Your expert guide will lead you on an approximately 2-hour guided tour through the most iconic sectors of the citadel, including temples, plazas, residences, and agricultural terraces, while revealing the history and mysteries of this legendary Inca sanctuary, which remained largely unknown to the outside world until its “rediscovery” in 1911 by Hiram Bingham. Optional: if booked in advance, you may hike Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain for breathtaking panoramic views.
After the visit, you will return by bus to Aguas Calientes, where you will have time for lunch at a local restaurant (not included), explore artisan shops, or relax once more in the thermal baths. In the afternoon, you will board the train to Ollantaytambo, where our private transportation will be waiting to take you back to your accommodation in Cusco.
Meals: Breakfast | Lodging: Hotel in Cusco not included