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 exciting train journey takes about 1.5 hours until you reach the tourist town of Aguas Calientes, where a Guru representative will be waiting for you at the train station entrance to give you instructions on how to board the bus to the Machu Picchu ruins.

Once the time comes, you will line up at the Aguas Calientes bus station to board the tourist transport that will take you to the entrance gate of Machu Picchu.

Once in Machu Picchu, you will meet the tour guide in charge of the visit.

You will have the opportunity to explore the best of Circuit 2, including fountains, temples, stairways, and architectural spaces of this enigmatic archaeological complex — and much more!

The tour guide will explain the history and all the interesting facts about Machu Picchu during a tour that lasts approximately 2.5 hours, where you will also have time to take the best photos.

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

After connecting with the natural, mythological, and architectural magic of Machu Picchu, the return journey begins to the tourist town of Aguas Calientes, where you will have free time to have lunch until the time of your return train to Ollantaytambo.

After this train journey, you will board shared transport to the central station in Cusco, where our private transport will be waiting to take you to your hotel. The day before, we will share an explanatory video to help you navigate quickly. If you prefer, you can request private and direct transport 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 can only be in English or Spanish for Machu Picchu hours from 7 am to 12 pm (English), and 7 am to 2 pm (Spanish).

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

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 accompaniment in places not mentioned, on the train, or outside the Archaeological Site of Machu Picchu.

Extra (recommended)

• Private transportation for up to 3 people (car) from Cusco City to Ollantaytambo (round way) : 90 USD 
  • Hotel pick up and drop off

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).

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.