You only have a weekend, or 48 hours, in Cusco. Is that enough time? Yes, it is!
The secret is flawless planning that combines the fastest trains with smart acclimatization. This is the Tari Tours express strategy for seeing the essentials and taking home that iconic photo.
Day 1: a quick look at Cusco, then on to Machu Picchu Pueblo
The first day is for active acclimatization and for getting you to sleep near the citadel before the big visit.
- Morning: active acclimatization. A half-day Cusco City Tour. It’s the perfect activity for your arrival day: in 4 hours you see the historic center and the main sites (Sacsayhuamán, Qorikancha) without overdoing it. It helps you acclimatize without wasting time.
- Afternoon: the strategic jump. Instead of having dinner in Cusco, our transportation takes you straight to Ollantaytambo (Sacred Valley).
- Evening: your base. You take the train from Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu Pueblo (Aguas Calientes). Sleeping there means you’re ready to go up to the citadel first thing, ahead of most of the visitors who arrive by train from Cusco.
Day 2: sunrise at Machu Picchu and a fast trip back
The most important day, organized to get the most out of it with the fewest crowds.
- Sunrise: the golden photo. Get up very early (4:30 a.m.), take the first bus to the citadel and be among the first to enter. You’ll watch the morning mist lift over the ruins, a sight like no other.
- Morning: the history. Take the guided tour of the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu on Circuit 2, which covers the main temples and the classic view (the option we recommend).
- Midday: heading home. After the visit, go down to Aguas Calientes, have lunch and take the train back to Ollantaytambo. From there, our transportation takes you back to Cusco in time for your flight home.
Logistics tips for 48 hours
- Pack smart. Take just a carry-on backpack to Aguas Calientes and leave your big suitcase at your hotel in Cusco.
- Trains. Always choose the tourist trains (Vistadome or 360°), which have panoramic windows and make the ride part of the experience.
- Acclimatization. Drink plenty of coca tea and water. A successful day 2 depends on an easy day 1.
Machu Picchu fits in a weekend
Don’t let a short schedule hold your trip back. At Tari Tours, we handle the logistics and safety so you can make the most of every hour.
Only have 2 days in Cusco?
We’re a local agency in Cusco, registered with MINCETUR since 2003, with English-speaking guides. Ask about our Cusco Express package (2 days), which follows this itinerary: we handle the logistics so you can make the most of every hour.