2-Day Machu Picchu Tour from Cusco: Train & Overnight Stay

The train ride through the Sacred Valley is part of the experience, not just the commute.

A 2-day guided tour from Cusco to Machu Picchu with overnight stay in Aguas Calientes. You travel by train through the Sacred Valley, spend a night in town, then take a guided 2–3 hour tour of the Inca citadel before returning to Cusco by train and road. The tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off, all transport, one night accommodation, entrance ticket, and a guide in English or Spanish. The Ministry of Culture assigns your circuit based on availability.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Train to Aguas Calientes and free time

• Hotel pick-up in Cusco
• Transfer to train station
• Scenic train journey through Sacred Valley
• Arrival and hotel check-in in Aguas Calientes
• Explore town or visit artisan market
• Optional hot springs visit
• Evening briefing for next day

Day 2: Machu Picchu tour and return to Cusco

• Breakfast at hotel
• Shuttle bus to Machu Picchu
• 2–3 hour guided Machu Picchu tour
• Photo stops at viewpoints
• Optional free time at Machu Picchu
• Return train to Ollantaytambo or Poroy
• Transfer back to Cusco hotel

The experience

The day starts with hotel pickup in Cusco and a transfer to the train station at Poroy or Ollantaytambo. The scenic train journey follows the Urubamba River through the Sacred Valley to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo), arriving in the afternoon. You check into your 3-star hotel and have free time to walk the town, visit the artisan market, or relax before your guide meets you in the evening to brief you on the next day's visit.

On day two, after breakfast, you take the shuttle bus up to Machu Picchu with mountain views along the way. Your guide leads a 2–3 hour tour of the citadel, explaining Inca history, architecture and the spiritual significance of the site, with time for photos at the main viewpoints. The circuit you walk depends on what the Peruvian Ministry of Culture assigns at the time of booking: Circuit 2 is most requested, though Circuits 1 and 3 are also offered. After the tour, you may have free time to explore further or return to town for lunch before boarding the afternoon train back to Ollantaytambo or Poroy, then a final transfer to your Cusco hotel.

Train schedules and entry times are subject to availability, so booking at least three months ahead improves your chances of getting your preferred circuit. You'll need to send clear passport photos to the operator right after booking, as the Ministry of Culture requires them to purchase your entrance tickets. The overnight stay means you arrive fresh for the citadel rather than exhausted from a same-day climb.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Cusco.
• round-trip train tickets from Cusco through the Sacred Valley to Aguas Calientes and back.
• one night in a 3-star hotel in Aguas Calientes with breakfast.
• shuttle bus from town up to Machu Picchu.
• entrance ticket to Machu Picchu assigned by the Ministry of Culture.
• a 2–3 hour guided tour in English or Spanish.
• and return transport to your Cusco hotel.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00 and 14:00

AgesAdult (17 to 69 years) · Senior (70 to 78 years) · Youth (12 to 15 years) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (1 to 2 years)

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Moderate physical levelInfant seats availableNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Peru Hikers

Is this one for you?Two days gives you time to travel without rushing and to arrive at Machu Picchu with energy rather than fatigue from a same-day climb. The overnight in Aguas Calientes is built into the price, so you're not adding a hotel search to your planning. Book at least three months ahead if you want the best chance of your preferred circuit assignment.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 15 years); Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (1 to 2 years).

How much of Machu Picchu do you actually see on the guided tour?

The guided portion lasts 2–3 hours depending on which circuit the Ministry of Culture assigns. Your guide explains the history and architecture while you visit the main viewpoints and follow the official regulations for each circuit. After the guided tour, you may have additional free time to explore on your own, depending on your ticket type.

What's included in the overnight stay in Aguas Calientes?

You stay one night in a 3-star hotel in Aguas Calientes with breakfast included the next morning. The evening before your citadel visit, your guide meets you at the hotel to prepare you for the day ahead. Dinner and other meals are on your own, though the town has many local restaurants.

Do you have time to explore Aguas Calientes, or is it just a place to sleep?

You have free time in the afternoon and evening of day one to walk around town at your own pace. The local artisan market is worth a visit, and the hot springs are optional (entrance fee separate). This gives you a real sense of the place rather than a rushed overnight stop.

What happens if I can't get Circuit 2 at Machu Picchu?

The Ministry of Culture assigns your circuit based on availability when you book. Circuit 2 is the most popular, but Circuits 1 and 3 are also excellent and offer different perspectives of the citadel. Booking at least three months in advance gives you the best chance of your preferred option.

How do you get from Cusco to the train station on day one?

Hotel pickup is included. You're collected from your Cusco hotel at the scheduled time and transferred to either Poroy or Ollantaytambo station, depending on availability and season. The same applies on day two when you return: the train brings you back to Ollantaytambo or Poroy, then transport takes you back to your Cusco hotel.