Machu Picchu Private Tour from Cusco & Ollantaytambo Train

The train climbs into cloud forest for 1 hour 45 minutes, then you're standing at the gates of Machu Picchu

You get hotel pickup in the dark, a 90-minute drive to the train station, a scenic train ride into the cloud forest, a 2.5-hour private guided tour of Machu Picchu with an expert English-speaking guide, free exploration time afterward, lunch with appetizer and main course, and the train and car ride back to Cusco. The whole day is structured around train availability and your chosen service level, so confirm your passport details and hotel location when you book.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Cusco Historic Centerpass by
2. Ollantaytambo Ruinspass by
3. Machu Picchu3h · entry included

Full day Machu Picchu private tour

• Pick up from hotel early morning
• Drive to Ollantaytambo train station
• Take train to Aguas Calientes
• Meet representative and transfer to bus station
• Bus to Machu Picchu entrance
• Private guided tour of Machu Picchu
• Free time to explore Machu Picchu
• Bus back to Aguas Calientes
• Lunch at local restaurant
• Train back to Ollantaytambo or Poroy
• Transfer back to Cusco hotel

The experience

The day starts before dawn: pickup between 4:30 and 6:30 am from your Cusco hotel, depending on which train you book (Expedition, Voyager, or Vistadome). A private car takes you 90 minutes to Ollantaytambo, the old stone town where the train station sits. The ride itself is worth watching: the Sacred Valley opens up as you climb, and the light changes the whole landscape. Your guide meets you there, and then the real journey begins.

The train pulls out of Ollantaytambo and spends the next 1 hour 45 minutes winding through cloud forest, past rivers and terraced slopes, until you drop into Aguas Calientes: the town at the base. A shuttle bus takes you up the switchbacks for another 30 minutes to the main entrance. Once you arrive, your guide is waiting. The private Machu Picchu tour runs 2.5 hours, moving through the main structures and plazas with someone who knows the Inca history and can answer the questions that actually matter. After that, you have free time to wander the site on your own, following the circuit at your own pace: no one rushing you.

You take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes and eat lunch at the restaurant (appetizer and main course included), then board the train back to Ollantaytambo or Poroy depending on availability. That's another 1 hour 45 minutes or 3 hours 30 minutes. A driver from the tour company meets you at the station and drives you back to Cusco, arriving between 5:30 and 9:30 pm. The whole day is private, which means the pace is yours and the guide adjusts to what you want to see. Circuit 2 is the standard route, though if it's booked out, you'll get Circuit 1 or 3 instead: all of them cover the essential sites.

One thing to know: passport details for every traveler are required before the tour is confirmed, and a minimum of 2 people per booking applies. The train schedule and entrance ticket availability sometimes shift the pickup time, so if you book more than a week ahead, the company will let you know if the timing changes. It's worth confirming your hotel location too: some areas in Cusco don't allow vehicle access, and they'll arrange pickup from a nearby spot if needed.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Cusco (or nearby if vehicle access is restricted), a private car transfer to Ollantaytambo Train Station, round-trip tourist train tickets from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes, the shuttle bus up and down to Machu Picchu, entrance ticket to Machu Picchu (Circuit 2 or alternative circuit if needed), a 2.5-hour private guided tour with an English- or Spanish-speaking guide, free exploration time at the site, and lunch with appetizer and main course at a local restaurant before the train ride back.

Options for this experience

4 options

Up to 10 per booking · Guide in English, Spanish or PortugueseAvailable from 13 Nov · 03:00 and 04:00

Up to 10 per booking · Guide in English, Spanish or PortugueseAvailable from 13 Nov · 04:00

Up to 10 per booking · Guide in English, Spanish or PortugueseAvailable from 13 Nov · 06:00

Up to 12 per booking · Guide in English, Spanish or PortugueseAvailable from 13 Nov · 08:00

You pick the guide language when booking. Options with the same name differ in details you'll see when you pick a date.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 03:00, 04:00, 06:00 and 08:00

AgesAdult (6 to 75 years) · Under 6: can't be included in the booking

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for heart conditionsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Kantu Peru Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see Machu Picchu without arranging trains, tickets, and timing yourself: the private guide and fixed itinerary handle all the logistics, and the 2.5-hour tour plus free time gives you both structure and breathing room to absorb the site.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

What time does the tour start?

Hotel pickup is between 4:30 and 6:30 am, depending on which train service you book (Expedition, Voyager, or Vistadome) and availability.

How long is the guided tour at Machu Picchu?

The guided portion lasts approximately 2.5 hours. After that, you have free time to explore the site on your own.

What's included in the tour?

Hotel pickup and drop-off, private transfer to Ollantaytambo, round-trip train tickets, shuttle bus up and down the mountain, entrance ticket to Machu Picchu (Circuit 2 or alternative if unavailable), the 2.5-hour private guided tour, and lunch with appetizer and main course.

How long is the train ride?

1 hour 45 minutes from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes, and the same on the return journey.

What if Circuit 2 tickets aren't available?

If Circuit 2 is sold out, you'll be offered Circuit 1 or Circuit 3 instead, both of which cover the main Machu Picchu sites.

What time do you return to Cusco?

Arrival is typically between 5:30 and 9:30 pm, depending on the train option and return station (Ollantaytambo or Poroy).

Is this tour suitable for people with health concerns?

It's suitable for all fitness levels, though it's not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health due to the altitude and walking involved.

What do I need to bring?

Your passport (details are required for entry to Machu Picchu). Bring water, sun protection, and layers: the weather changes as you climb.

Is there a minimum group size?

Yes, a minimum of 2 people per booking is required.

Can I choose which train service?

You can request Expedition, Voyager, or Vistadome, but availability varies, especially from May to September. The company will book the best option available for your date.