Tour from Cusco
Machu Picchu Full Day
On this tour you visit one of the wonders of the world, right here in Cusco: the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu. The full day starts with pickup at your hotel at 3:40 a.m. and ends back in Cusco around 10 p.m.
- We assist you in English on WhatsApp
- English-speaking guides
- Local agency in Cusco since 2003, registered with MINCETUR
We pick you up at your hotel in Cusco at 3:30 a.m.
Explanations in English or Spanish throughout the tour
Temple of the Sun, Intihuatana, Temple of the Three Windows and the Mausoleum
We confirm your booking in under 2 hours
A full day from Cusco to the Machu Picchu citadel
The Machu Picchu Full Day is a one-day tour from Cusco to the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1983, run by Tari Tours. The day starts with pickup at your lodging at 3:30 a.m.: you travel by road to Ollantaytambo station, continue on a tourist train to Aguas Calientes and ride the Consettur bus up to the citadel. There you tour the llaqta (the Inca citadel) with a licensed professional guide, then have free time to take photos and explore on your own. You are back in Cusco around 10 p.m. Transportation, train, bus and the official entrance ticket are included, from US$ 375 per person. If you prefer a more relaxed pace, see the 2-day version by car or combine the trip with the Sacred Valley with Connection to Machu Picchu.
Tourist train through the valley
You ride a tourist train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes, following the Urubamba River between mountains and valleys.
Guided tour of the llaqta
With a licensed guide, you see the Temple of the Sun, the Intihuatana, the Temple of the Three Windows and the mausoleum.
Free time for photos
After the guided tour, you have time on your own to explore and photograph the sectors you like most.
All sorted in a single day
Transfers, train, Consettur bus and the official entrance ticket are already included: you just choose your date.
Itinerary
Your day, step by step: from Cusco to Machu Picchu and back
- 3:30 a.m. · Pickup at your lodging in Cusco.
We pick you up at your hotel in central Cusco and drive toward the Sacred Valley. - 3:40 a.m. · Tour start and transfer to Ollantaytambo.
Drive from Cusco to the Ollantaytambo train station. - Tourist train to Aguas Calientes.
Scenic ride along the Urubamba River to Machu Picchu town. - Consettur bus to the citadel.
Ride up from Aguas Calientes to the entrance of the Machu Picchu llaqta. - Guided tour of Machu Picchu.
Tour with a licensed professional guide through the Temple of the Sun, the Intihuatana, the Temple of the Three Windows and the mausoleum, among other sectors. - Free time at the sanctuary and in Aguas Calientes.
Time on your own to take photos, explore the sectors that interest you most and see the town's main square. - Around 10 p.m. · Return to Cusco.
Train back to Ollantaytambo and road transfer to your lodging in Cusco.
What's included in your Machu Picchu Full Day?
No surprises and no fine print: here is exactly what the service covers and what you will pay separately on the day of the tour.
1 day (approx. 18 hours)
2,430 m (7,970 ft) above sea level (llaqta)
Pickup at 3:30 a.m. · Return at 10 p.m.
English or Spanish
Included
- Round-trip road transfers: Cusco – Ollantaytambo – Cusco
- Round-trip tourist train tickets (subject to availability and the service chosen)
- Consettur bus tickets up and down between Aguas Calientes and the citadel
- Official entrance ticket to the Machu Picchu llaqta
- Licensed professional guide (English-speaking guides) and first-aid kit
Not included
- Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner (there are options in Aguas Calientes)
- Hikes up Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (separate ticket, limited spots)
- Tips
- Shopping and personal expenses
Important note: the train and the Machu Picchu entrance ticket have limited spots and are sold by time slot, so it pays to book ahead; the train service is subject to availability on your chosen date. On the day of the tour, bring your original passport, because it is required to enter the llaqta. To check availability and prices for your date, message us on WhatsApp at +51 984 672 979 and we will help you with no obligation.
Frequently asked questions
Here we answer the most common questions so you can book with peace of mind.
What is the Machu Picchu Full Day and how does the tour work?
It is a full-day tour from Cusco to the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, run by Tari Tours. It includes the Cusco – Ollantaytambo road transfer, the tourist train to Aguas Calientes, the Consettur bus to the citadel, the official entrance ticket to the llaqta, a licensed professional guide and the return to Cusco on the same day.
How long does the Machu Picchu Full Day take and what time does it start?
It takes a full day: pickup at your lodging in Cusco is at 3:30 a.m., the tour starts at 3:40 a.m. and you are back in Cusco around 10 p.m. In total it is about 18 hours, including transfers, train and the visit to the sanctuary.
How do you get to Machu Picchu on this tour?
In three stages. First, a road transfer from Cusco to Ollantaytambo station in the Sacred Valley. Then the tourist train to Aguas Calientes, following the Urubamba River. Finally, the Consettur bus, which climbs from Aguas Calientes to the citadel entrance. You return the same way.
Which places do you visit inside the Machu Picchu llaqta?
The guided tour inside the llaqta includes sectors such as the Temple of the Sun, the Intihuatana, the Temple of the Three Windows and the mausoleum, among others. When the guide finishes, you have free time to explore and take photos on your own, and to see the main square of Aguas Calientes before heading back.
What is included in the price and what do I pay separately?
Included: road transfers Cusco – Ollantaytambo – Cusco, round-trip train tickets (subject to availability and the service chosen), Consettur bus tickets up and down, the official entrance ticket to the llaqta, a licensed professional guide and a first-aid kit. Not included: meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner), hikes up Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, tips and personal shopping. Official ticket prices and availability are published by the Ministry of Culture on the official Machu Picchu ticket website.
How difficult is the tour?
The transportation is comfortable, but the day is long. Inside the llaqta you walk for 1 to 2 hours on stone paths with stairs and slopes, at about 2,430 m above sea level. What tires you is the length of the day more than the altitude: Machu Picchu sits almost 1,000 meters lower than Cusco, so breathing is easier. No trekking experience is needed.
Who is the Machu Picchu Full Day best for?
It is the best option if you have only a few days in Cusco and want to see Machu Picchu without spending the night in Aguas Calientes. It works well for travelers who can handle a long day and for those who are already acclimatized. If you prefer a slower pace, consider the 2-day version by car or the Sacred Valley with Connection to Machu Picchu. Before your trip to Machu Picchu, the Cusco City Tour helps you acclimatize and understand the Inca context.
What should I bring and which documents do I need?
Bring your original passport, which is required to enter the llaqta (or your DNI if you are Peruvian). Also: layered clothing, a light rain jacket, comfortable shoes with good grip, a cap, sunscreen, insect repellent, water and some cash in soles for meals and souvenirs. Large backpacks, tripods and drones are not allowed inside the sanctuary.
How do booking and payment work?
The train and the entrance ticket have limited spots per time slot, so it pays to book ahead. You can start your booking online on this page or message us on WhatsApp at +51 984 672 979 to confirm availability and the price for your date. The published price is from US$ 375 per person and the train service is subject to availability.
What happens if the weather affects the visit?
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Ready to book or have a question?
Talk to one of our travel advisors in English. We reply Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Peru time, GMT-5).