Cusco: Machu Picchu 2-Day Hike & Minivan with Sunrise
Two days, one minivan, and the hike that gets you there
You get picked up from your Cusco hotel, travel by minivan through the Andes to Hidroelectrica, then hike through jungle to Aguas Calientes where you spend the night. On day two, you wake before dawn to hike to Machu Picchu, watch the sunrise over the ruins, take a guided tour, then explore on your own before heading back to Cusco. Transport, meals, accommodation, entrance fee, and a bilingual guide are all included. You just need to book your tickets at least three months ahead.
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Step-by-step itinerary
Day 1: Travel to Aguas Calientes by minivan and hike
- Pick up at hotel in Cusco at 7:00am
- Stop 15 minutes in Ollantaytambo
- Stop for photos at Abra Malaga
- Arrive at Hidroelectrica for lunch
- Hike 2.5 hours to Aguas Calientes
- Check in at lodge in Aguas Calientes
- Dinner with group at 6:00pm
- Free time to explore town or hot springs
Day 2: Visit Machu Picchu and return to Cusco
- Wake up at 4:00am
- Trek 40 minutes to Machu Picchu entrance
- Guided tour of Machu Picchu for 2 hours
- Free time to explore Machu Picchu
- Descend to Aguas Calientes at 11:00am
- Lunch in Aguas Calientes
- Bus from Hidroelectrica to San Francisco Plaza
- Arrive in Cusco around 9:30pm to 10:00pm
The experience
"So we're leaving at seven in the morning?" That's the first thing most people ask, and yeah: the pickup from your Cusco hotel happens early. The minivan collects you and a small group, then heads toward Ollantaytambo with a quick 15-minute stop to grab snacks or look around. After that, you climb toward Abra Malaga at 4,316 meters, where the air gets thin and the view of Veronica's snow peaks stops you mid-conversation. Then down to Hidroelectrica, where lunch happens before the real part starts.
The hike from Hidroelectrica to Aguas Calientes takes about two and a half hours through jungle that doesn't feel like a tourist trail. Your legs know it's downhill, but the humidity and the altitude you've just come from make it feel longer than the clock says. You arrive at the town around late afternoon, check into your hostel (private room if you're a couple, shared if you're solo), and have the evening free. Some people soak in the hot springs. Others just walk the main street and eat something that isn't from a minivan cooler. Dinner with the group happens around six.
Day two starts at four in the morning. Not a typo. You walk up to Machu Picchu in the dark, and the guide meets you at the entrance just as the sun hits the stone. That 40-minute ascent in the half-light is the part people still talk about months later. After sunrise, the bilingual guide (Spanish and English) walks you through the ruins for about two hours (the Temple of the Sun, the agricultural terraces, the precision of the stonework), and then you're loose to wander on your own. Most people head back down to Aguas Calientes by eleven to grab lunch before the minivan takes you back through Hidroelectrica and up the mountain road to Cusco, arriving around nine-thirty or ten at night.
The one thing to know: Machu Picchu tickets are controlled by the Peruvian government and they run out. Book three months ahead if you can. If you're booking closer than that, contact the operator. They have workarounds, but it might mean an extra day in Aguas Calientes while they sort the tickets in person. It's not ideal, but it's how the system works.
What’s included
- Your two days include hotel pickup in Cusco at 7:00 am, minivan transport through the Andes to Hidroelectrica with stops at Ollantaytambo and Abra Malaga, lunch at Hidroelectrica, a two-and-a-half-hour hike through jungle to Aguas Calientes, one night in a hostel with private or shared room, dinner and breakfast, early morning hike to Machu Picchu, sunrise viewing, a two-hour guided tour of the ruins with a bilingual guide, free time to explore on your own, and the return minivan journey to Cusco. Machu Picchu entrance ticket is included if booked three months in advance.
- otherwise, contact the operator for alternative arrangements.
Before you book
Prices and times updated yesterday
Operated by Mega Expeditions
Is this one for you?This tour works well if you want to see Machu Picchu without arranging separate transport, tickets, and accommodation: the minivan and guide handle the logistics, and the small group size keeps things manageable over two intense days.
Traveler reviews
Top questions
What languages is the guide in?
Live guide in English and Spanish.
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Youth (10 to 17 years). Under 10: they can't be included in the booking.
What time does the tour start from Cusco?
Hotel pickup is at 7:00 am on day one.
How long is the hike from Hidroelectrica to Aguas Calientes?
Approximately two hours and thirty minutes, mostly downhill through jungle terrain.
Do I need to be very fit for this tour?
The hike is moderate. The main challenge is the altitude on day one (reaching 4,316 meters) and the early morning on day two, not the distance or technical difficulty.
What's included in the price?
Minivan transport from Cusco, lunch on day one, dinner and breakfast, one night in a hostel, Machu Picchu entrance ticket, and a bilingual guide (Spanish-English) for the ruins tour.
When do I need to book to guarantee a Machu Picchu ticket?
Book at least three months in advance. Last-minute bookings may require an extra day in Aguas Calientes while tickets are arranged in person.
What time is sunrise at Machu Picchu?
You start hiking at 4:00 am to reach the entrance before sunrise. The exact time varies by season, but the guide times it so you're in position when the sun hits the ruins.
Is there free time to explore Machu Picchu on my own?
Yes. After the guided tour (about two hours), you have the rest of the day to explore at your own pace before heading back down to Aguas Calientes.
What time do we return to Cusco?
The minivan arrives back at Cusco between 9:30 pm and 10:00 pm on day two.
What's the accommodation like in Aguas Calientes?
A hostel with private rooms for couples and shared rooms for solo travelers. Includes hot shower and wifi in a quiet area.
Is this tour suitable for people with health concerns?
The tour is not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health or pregnant travelers, due to the altitude and hiking involved.
Cusco: Machu Picchu 2-Day Hike & Minivan with Sunrise
2d · EN · ES · at your hotel
from US$ 203 per person
4.69155 reviewsVerified traveler reviews via our booking provider