Tour Machu Picchu by train Full day

Itinerary for the Temple of the Sun Machu Picchu Tour

Important: The itinerary will depend on the availability of entry times for Machu Picchu and the selected train categories.

04:00 – 12:00: At Bus Station – Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes

By having booked the tour with Guru Explorers, we will make the arrangements to buy the train tickets and the entrance tickets to Machu Picchu, taking into consideration your needs and appropriate, as far as possible, to the availability of services.

The starting time of the tour depends on the coordination that takes place and the availability of tickets by the time the trip is booked. On this shared tour, there’s a bus service from the train company who will take you to the train station round way (in the morning and afternoon when you come back from the tour).

From the city of Cusco, the departure usually occurs between 03:45 and 04:30. The passenger is picked up from their hotel in central Cusco and taken to the Cusco station to board the shared bus to the train station. The bus journey to the Ollantaytambo train station takes approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes, depending on traffic. If the group is in the town of Ollantaytambo, we can assist in organizing transport to the train station if needed.

The scenic train journey lasts approximately 1.5 hours until you arrive in Aguas Calientes. At the train station, a Guru Explorers representative will be waiting for you to give you instructions on how to board the tourist bus to Machu Picchu and show you the meeting point for the shared tour experience.

From there, you will head to the bus boarding area, where you will need to join the line to board the bus that goes up to the entrance of Machu Picchu.

Upon arrival at the entrance area, you will meet our specialized guide either at the entrance or at a previously arranged meeting point.

With your guide, you will explore the highlights of Circuit 2, including fountains, temples, stairways, and remarkable architectural spaces within this extraordinary archaeological complex, and much more. The guided tour lasts approximately 2 to 2.5 hours, during which your guide will share the history and fascinating insights of Machu Picchu. You will also have time to take some of the best photographs of the site.

13:00 – 19:00: Free Time – Return to Cusco

After enjoying the guided visit, you will say goodbye to your guide and then board the shuttle bus back down to the town of Aguas Calientes.

Depending on your Machu Picchu entry time, you may have lunch either before or after visiting the ruins.

Afterward, you will take the train from Aguas Calientes back to Ollantaytambo. Upon arrival, you will board a shared transfer to Cusco’s main station, where our private vehicle will be waiting to take you to your hotel. One day prior to your return, we will send you an explanatory video to help you navigate the process smoothly.

If you prefer, you may request a private and direct transfer from the Ollantaytambo train station to your hotel in Cusco for an additional cost.

Note: 

Availability

The itinerary for your Temple of the Sun Machu Picchu trip may vary depending on the availability of train tickets and Machu Picchu entry tickets. We recommend planning ahead and booking in advance, especially during peak season (May – October) or on holiday dates.

Shared guided tours inside Machu Picchu are available in Spanish for entry times between 6:00 am and 3:00 pm. English is available only for the 8:00 am and 11:00 am entry times.

Private guided tours at Machu Picchu ruins are available as an upgrade option at any time.

Please note that guide services, whether shared or private, are provided exclusively inside the Machu Picchu archaeological site.

Train ticket

In some cases, the best available train times may depart from San Pedro or Poroy train stations.

Train category upgrades are available at an extra cost.

Price of the Machu Picchu Tour includes:

• Briefing one day before the tour.
• Shared transportation from your accommodation in the historic center of Cusco or Ollantaytambo to the Ollantaytambo Train Station. Sometimes, access to your chosen accommodation is limited due to the narrow streets of the city; if this is the case, the guide will suggest a nearby pick-up point.
• Round-trip train ticket Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes Category Expedition or round-trip train ticket Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes Category Voyager. (Round-trip train tickets must be from the same company and category. You can request an upgrade in category from our advisors.)
• Round-trip bus ticket Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu.
• Entrance ticket to the Machu Picchu Archaeological Center. Circuit 2
• Shared tour with a professional guide in English and/or Spanish at Machu Picchu (for Portuguese or other languages, please check availability).  The guiding service takes place at the Archaeological Site of Machu Picchu on the included circuit.
• Shared transportation from Ollantaytambo Station to Cusco Station (you can request an upgrade to private transportation from Ollantaytambo Station to your accommodation in the historic center of Cusco through our advisors).
• Private transportation from Cusco Station to your accommodation in the historic center of Cusco.

Price of the Machu Picchu Tour excludes:

• Transfer from hotels outside the city of Cusco
• Tips for the guide.
• Beverages.
• Breakfast, lunch, dinner or other food not specified in the itinerary.
• Entrance ticket to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (can add on the purchase process).
• Guide assistance during transfers, on the train, or in the town of Aguas Calientes is not included. The guiding service is provided exclusively inside the Machu Picchu ruins, along the selected main circuit. If you would like to add a guide for any additional hikes, you may request this at the time of booking.

Extra (recommended)

• Private transfer (car or SUV, depending on the number of passengers) from Cusco to Ollantaytambo, round trip: 114 USD total per vehicle (up to 3 passengers).

What to Bring to the Machu Picchu Tour?

• Consider that Machu Picchu and Aguas Calientes are above (2,000 masl / 6,561 ft); its climate varies according to the time it is visited.
• It is recommended to choose: comfortable shoes, light clothing, hat, gloves, sunglasses, sunscreen, water, rain gear (especially in November – April).
• Repellent against insects (important in Machu Picchu)
• Passport or DNI.
• Travel insurance.
• Cash (local currency). In Peru, there is usually a small fee to use public restrooms. We recommend carrying some coins or small cash for these situations.

What considerations you should have when taking the Machu Picchu Tour:

What does it mean that the tour is shared?

• It means that you can share the tour with a group of tourists from different nationalities and ages, both from Guru Explorers and other operators. It’s an excellent opportunity to connect with travelers from various parts of the world! If you prefer a tour where you do not share with others, please request the Private Tour option.
• In the shared tour option, the duration of the tour may vary depending on the pace of the group members, therefore, we provide an approximate schedule.

Other Considerations:

• The train schedule and access to Machu Picchu, may vary, depending on availability. We recommend making reservations as far in advance as possible.
• By regulation of the train company, it is not allowed to carry backpacks, suitcases or large bags. The only thing allowed are small bags or backpacks up to 7-8 kg.
• For the transfer from Cusco, you should consider that sometimes, access is limited by the narrow streets of the city; If this is the case, the guide will suggest a nearby pick-up point.
• Childs must be accompanied by an adult.
• The return time may also fluctuate depending on traffic in the area.; therefore, we provide an approximate schedule.
• Due to environmental, climatic or other factors, beyond our control, the trip itinerary may vary. If so, it will be notified promptly.
• Guru Explorers value ​​your time and strive to respect the tour schedule; however they may vary for reasons beyond our control (weather, natural disasters, field conditions, among other demonstrable reasons). We will do our best to offer efficient options and solutions for your enjoyment.
• Remember that, since these are outdoor activities, the natural features of the landscape may vary depending on weather conditions and the natural daylight. Each visit is an authentic experience, where nature reveals itself in unique and unrepeatable ways.

Not allowed:

• Pets.
• Smoking.
• Large suitcases or bags.

Not recommended for:

• People in wheelchairs

According to Peruvian regulations, foreign tourists may be exempt from the local tax IGV (VAT). As a formal and registered travel agency, we are required to submit to the local authorities a copy of the document you used to enter the country, as well as your date of entry.

For this reason, a few days before your arrival, we will contact you to request a photo of that document and ask you to let us know the date you entered Peru. If we do not receive this information, we will be required to add the 18% corresponding to the IGV tax.

Thank you for your cooperation!

Cancellation Policies

• More than 15 days: The penalty is 130 USD.
• Between 7 and 15 days: The penalty is 180 USD.
• Less than 7 days: The penalty is 100% of the total.

Date changes

• More than 15 days: The penalty is 80 USD.

• Between 7 and 15 days: The penalty is 100 USD.

• Less than 7 days: The penalty is 100% of the total.

• There will be no refund in case of delayed flights, train delays, bad weather, or other external factors.

Force Majeure Policy

• Guru Explorers values your time and strives to adhere to the itinerary. However, the itinerary may be affected by force majeure events such as weather, rain, natural disasters, protests, roadblocks, or other circumstances beyond our control. In such cases, no refunds or compensations will be issued, as these are unforeseen and unavoidable situations. Nonetheless, we will do everything possible to offer alternatives and efficient solutions for your enjoyment. Any additional costs arising from changes or alternative activities will be the responsibility of the client and not of Guru Explorers.