One Day Tour to Machu Picchu From Cusco, Peru

Now declared one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, it’s no secret that Machu Picchu is the most popular tourist attraction in Peru.

*This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you choose to make a purchase through the link. Thank you for your support – we hope you have a great trip!

Baring that in mind, it’s really important that you book your trip as soon as you have a date picked to travel to Machu Picchu, as there is a limited number of visitors that may enter each day. Tours typically sell out about three months in advance, so don’t procrastinate booking this tour as it’s not a destination you want to miss while in Peru!

How to Get From Cusco to Machu Picchu

The journey to Machu Picchu from Cusco is a bit of a haul, which is why it’s popular to book your excursion through a travel agency. First you will take a shuttle, car, or bus (depending on the size of your group) from Cusco to the train station located in Ollantaytambo. This drive lasts approximately two hours with no stops.

Once in Ollantaytambo, you’ll make your way to the PeruRail station and await your train. There are relatively nice public bathrooms at this station, so it’s a good place to make a stop before boarding. There are, however, bathrooms available for use on the train itself as well.

This train ride is more than just a means of transportation though. Snacks and drinks are available on a food trolley. Seats are assigned by ticket, offering a great opportunity to make friends with fellow travelers. And most importantly – the massive windows provide a beautiful view of the Peruvian countryside on your way to Machu Picchu. You’ll even be able to see segments of the Inca Trail and Urubamba River!

The train will disembark at Machu Picchu Pueblo, located at the base of the mountain that provides access to Machu Picchu. Here you will need a ticket to board a long bus that will drive you along the zig-zagging path up the mountain. The road feels a bit narrow for the large buses, so if you prefer not to peer over the cliff edges, try to grab an aisle seat instead of a window seat.

Walking Tour of Machu Picchu

The visitor’s entrance is located at the top of the mountain. This is where you will need to present your entrance ticket, passport, and proof of vaccination.

And then – Machu Picchu! The iconic mountain is immediately visible upon entrance. Along with your group, you’ll begin an ascent up to the main viewpoint.

Fortunately climbing up these steps is the most strenuous part of the entire tour, and only takes about 5 minutes – so the hard part is over fast. Remember that Machu Picchu sits about 2400 meters (~8000 feet) above sea level, so any level of exercise may feel more difficult than what you would expect if your body isn’t acclimated.

The first stop on your tour will be at a grassy plateau that overlooks all of Machu Picchu. This vantage point is where you’ll be able to take in the iconic Incan city on a mountain. Your tour guide will begin to delve into its history, and also allow you to walk around and take as many photos as you want.

When you’re done at the first overlook, you’ll begin the walk down into the ruins. There is an established rock path to follow with mild steps along the way.

Fun fact! You’ll get to have some face time with a lot of llamas if you’re interested! The one below seemed to take a liking to both me & the camera. Llamas and alpacas are actually not naturally found in this hard-to-access, impressive terrain, but a handful moved in as Machu Picchu became an increasingly popular tourist destination.

A Short History of Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu is an ancient Incan city built atop a massif where the Andes mountain range meets the Amazon Basin. Though it’s original purpose is undocumented, it is thought that it served as a sanctuary & escape for Incan families to visit in the 15th-16th centuries. Your tour guide will delve into the city’s history at several stops throughout the tour.

This impressive feat of both engineering and architecture appears to have been built with naturally cut rock. The terraces and remaining structures within Machu Picchu indicate that the Incas had dedicated residential, prayer, and farming areas around the citadel. This insight into Incan culture, along with its magnificent beauty, now classifies Machu Picchu as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Shown below, the dozens of grass-covered terraces found throughout the ruins exemplify how the Incans maximized the space available to them for agriculture. They also just look awesome & are incredibly impressive.

Located at a junction of the Andes and the Amazon, Machu Picchu is surrounded by a plethora of microclimates, steep peaks, and diverse species of plants & animals. While Machu Picchu itself is stunning, don’t forget to take in the great depths of these surrounding valleys & mountains as well.

Machu Picchu Pueblo

After your walking tour of Machu Picchu concludes, a bus will return you back down the mountain to Machu Picchu Pueblo. Depending on the train schedule, you’ll likely have some time to explore this small but bustling town before starting your return trip to Cusco. There are ample restaurants and souvenir shops to stop in during your visit.

Then you’ll board your train & make your way back to Cusco! It’s a pretty full day trip all in all, but not one you can miss.

Let us know what your favorite part of the trip was in the comments below!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the elevation of Machu Picchu? Machu Picchu is situated 2400 meters (or about 8000 feet) above seal level.
2. Can you do a day trip from Cusco to Machu Picchu? Yes. I believe this is actually the most common approach of visiting Machu Picchu as Cusco serves as a tourist base for many activities. A typical one day trip from Cusco to Machu Picchu is outlined in this guide.

More Like This

Liked this post? Save it for later!