Tour To Machupicchu 2 Days by Train

Machu Picchu is the star here, but the 4:00 am start and uphill walk shape the whole trip. You travel from Cusco to Ollantaytambo, ride the train to Aguas Calientes, sleep one night, then head up to the citadel for sunrise, a two-hour tour, and time on your own.

I like that the package handles the awkward pieces: train tickets, entrance arrangements, Cusco transfers, dinner, and breakfast. I also like the small group size of up to 15 people, plus the chance to enjoy the scenery along the train route rather than rush through Machu Picchu in a single day.

The weak point is coordination. One booking received smooth help from Carlos and Nixon, while another had trouble finding the station pickup, dinner contact, and even the guide. The hostel can also be noisy, and the package is non-refundable, so you should confirm every detail before paying.

Key points to know before booking

• The 4:00 am start is real: You walk uphill for about 40 minutes to reach Machu Picchu.
• The train begins at Ollantaytambo: A private transfer takes you there from Cusco, then you ride to Aguas Calientes.
• Sun Gate is part of the advertised plan: Confirm the exact entry route and ticket details before departure.
• The package includes the main costs: Train, entrance arrangements, Cusco transport, lodging, dinner, breakfast, guide, fees, and taxes.
• The Machu Picchu shuttle bus is not included: You walk up and down instead.
• Plan for a long second day: You may not return to Cusco until about 9:30 or 10:00 pm.

What the $399 price really covers

At $399 per person, this is not simply a train ride with a ticket added on. You are paying for a two-day chain of transport from Cusco to Aguas Calientes and back, one night of lodging, dinner, breakfast, Machu Picchu admission arrangements, a professional guide, and taxes.

That can be useful in Peru, where separate train schedules, entrance times, transfers, and hotel arrangements take work to line up. You also get a contact point before and during the trip. Carlos and Nixon were praised for reaching out quickly and arranging a video call, and one traveler had luggage held and sent to a hotel.

Still, compare the price with booking the train, entry, room, meals, and transfers yourself. The package does not include first-day breakfast or lunch, lunch and dinner on the final day, or the bus between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu. Since you walk the uphill route, you should budget with that in mind rather than assume the price covers every part of the journey.

The biggest value comes from reducing the number of decisions you must make. The biggest risk is that you are trusting the operator to obtain the entrance slot and coordinate several handoffs. Confirmation is promised within 48 hours, but availability matters, particularly for Machu Picchu admission.

Day one: Cusco to Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes

Pickup begins at 9:00 am from your Cusco hotel. The first drive takes you toward Ollantaytambo, where you board the tourist train to Aguas Calientes. The total first-day travel time is listed at about five hours, though the exact length depends on the transfer and train schedule.

The ride gives you a pleasant change of pace after time in Cusco. You pass Andean scenery, snow-capped peaks, and Inca ruins associated with the classic Inca Trail. Keep your camera ready, but do not expect a sightseeing train with a full program of stops. The scenery is the point.

At Ollantaytambo, the tour shifts from road transport to rail. You should keep your important items with you and pay attention to the handoff between the vehicle and the train. On arrival in Aguas Calientes, someone is supposed to meet you at the station and take you to the lodging.

That station meeting is one detail worth confirming in writing. A small-town station may feel easy to navigate once you know where to go, but arriving in an unfamiliar town without a clear contact can be stressful, especially if your phone connection is poor.

The accommodation is described as a hostel night, although the package also calls it a hotel. Set your expectations accordingly. One room was reported to be noisy enough to make sleep difficult, which matters because the next morning begins at 4:00 am. Ask for the exact property name and room arrangement before departure if a quiet night is important to you.

Dinner with the group is planned for about 6:00 pm. Afterward, you have free time to walk around Aguas Calientes or visit the hot springs. The town is useful mainly as a base for Machu Picchu, but this evening gives you a little breathing room after the train ride.

Your first-day meals are not fully covered. Breakfast and lunch are excluded on day one, so eat before pickup or plan to buy food along the way. Dinner is included that evening, and breakfast is included before the Machu Picchu visit.

The 4:00 am walk to Machu Picchu

Day two starts early enough to test your enthusiasm. You leave around 4:00 am and walk uphill for roughly 40 minutes toward the Machu Picchu entrance. The plan is to reach the ruins for sunrise, though the actual conditions will depend on the entry time and weather.

This is the central tradeoff of the package. Walking saves you the extra cost of the shuttle bus, but it also means beginning the day with a steep climb. You need a reasonable level of fitness, comfortable shoes, water, and a willingness to start before dawn.

The package does not include the bus up and down from Aguas Calientes. Everyone walks according to the supplied details, so do not assume you can simply change your mind at the entrance without paying separately.

At the entrance, a professional guide meets the group. The guided portion lasts about two hours and covers the main ruins and their history. Jorge received especially strong praise for his explanations and for helping with photographs. The quality of a Machu Picchu visit depends heavily on the guide, so having a named guide associated with a positive experience is encouraging, though guide assignments can vary.

The advertised highlight is a Sun Gate visit. Confirm how this fits your entry route before you go, because Machu Picchu tickets are tied to specific circuits and times. The information supplied here promises the Sun Gate but does not give a separate duration or route description.

After the guided portion, you have time to explore independently. The schedule says you can stay as long as you wish, but your train departure sets the practical limit. Pay attention to the guide’s instructions and keep your ticket, passport, water, and small personal items secure.

Returning to Cusco by train and bus

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

This return is long. The second day is listed at about 14 hours, with arrival in Cusco around 9:30 to 10:00 pm. The final time varies with train availability, so avoid booking an early flight or an important evening appointment that night.

The return setup is practical but tiring. You get a full visit to Machu Picchu without paying for a second hotel night, yet you pay for it with an early start and a late return. I would treat the following morning as a rest period rather than schedule another major Cusco outing.

Luggage handling can be a real advantage. One booking included help holding bags and sending them to a hotel, but that service is not clearly listed as a standard inclusion for every booking. Ask directly before relying on it.

How well the coordination works

This tour uses several moving parts: hotel pickup in Cusco, a road transfer to Ollantaytambo, a train, station reception in Aguas Calientes, lodging, dinner, an early walk, a Machu Picchu guide, another train, and a final bus.

That structure explains both the appeal and the occasional confusion. When the contacts communicate well, you can focus on the scenery and the ruins. When a station pickup or dinner contact fails to appear, you may have to solve a problem yourself in an unfamiliar place.

The package information says the group can contain up to 15 people. That is small enough for a guide to manage without feeling like a large coach tour. It also means the group will move on a shared timetable, so your free time is limited by the train and entrance arrangements.

The most serious concern is admission confirmation. The booking information says Machu Picchu entry should be arranged about two months in advance and advises contacting the provider for other options if that timing is not possible. Do not treat the $399 payment as proof that your preferred entry has been secured until you receive confirmation.

The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed after booking. That makes double-checking dates, passport details, train times, hotel pickup, and the exact Machu Picchu circuit especially important.

Who will like this two-day plan

I would choose this tour if you want Machu Picchu handled as one package and do not want to arrange every ticket yourself. It suits you if you have limited time in Peru, can manage the uphill walk, and are comfortable with a very long second day.

It also works well if you value a guide and organized transfers more than a flexible schedule. The two-hour explanation at the ruins gives the visit structure, while the later free time lets you look around without being beside the guide every minute.

I would hesitate if you need a quiet hotel, dislike early mornings, or want control over every train and entry time. I would also hesitate if your plans cannot tolerate a late return to Cusco or if a missed handoff would cause serious worry.

The package is less suitable for anyone expecting a luxury hotel or a fully escorted, hands-held service from start to finish. The lodging may be basic, and you should be prepared to message the operator or ask locally if a contact is not where expected.

My verdict on the Machu Picchu train tour

Book this tour if convenience matters, your dates are firm, and you confirm the entrance ticket, train schedule, hotel, station pickup, guide, and walking route before payment. At $399, the package can be fair value because it combines the costly train, entry arrangements, transport, lodging, meals, and guiding.

Skip it if you want a relaxed Machu Picchu visit or if you can confidently arrange the same pieces yourself. The early climb, basic lodging, missing bus fare, and late return are not minor details.

My practical call: this is a useful time-saving package with an excellent core plan, but it needs careful confirmation. Get every handoff in writing, pack for a long day, and arrive ready to walk.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts approximately two days. The first day is listed at about five hours, and the second day at about 14 hours.

What time does pickup begin in Cusco?

Pickup from your Cusco hotel begins at 9:00 am.

Where do I board the train?

You travel by road from Cusco to Ollantaytambo, then board the tourist train there for Aguas Calientes.

Is the train included?

Yes. Round-trip train transportation between Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu town is included.

Is Machu Picchu admission included?

Machu Picchu entrance arrangements are included when booked about two months in advance. If that timing is not possible, you should contact the provider about available alternatives.

Is a guide included at Machu Picchu?

Yes. A professional guide is included, with the guided visit lasting about two hours.

Does the tour include the bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu?

No. The bus up and down is not included. The supplied plan has you walk the route, with the uphill section taking about 40 minutes.

What meals are included?

Dinner on the first evening and breakfast are included. Breakfast and lunch on the first day, plus lunch and dinner on the final day, are not included.

Where do I stay overnight?

You spend one night in Aguas Calientes in hostel-style lodging. The supplied information also refers to it as a hotel.

How many people can join the group?

The group can include a maximum of 15 people.

Can I cancel for a refund?

No. The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason after booking.