Treks and routes to Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu by Car (2 Days)
The road route to Machu Picchu via Hidroeléctrica: Abra Málaga, Santa Teresa and a three-hour walk along the railway tracks. Includes your Machu Picchu entrance ticket, a guide and three meals.
- We assist you in English on WhatsApp
- English-speaking guides
- Local agency in Cusco since 2003, registered with MINCETUR
Pickup at your hotel in Cusco between 6:00 and 6:30 a.m.
Explanations in English or Spanish along the entire route
Abra Málaga, Santa María and Santa Teresa, Hidroeléctrica and Aguas Calientes, and Machu Picchu
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Machu Picchu by road: the Hidroeléctrica route in two days
Machu Picchu by car is the road alternative to the train and the most budget-friendly way to reach the sanctuary. On day one, you cross the Sacred Valley to Abra Málaga, at 4,316 m (14,160 ft), and descend through the high jungle to Santa María (1,250 m / 4,100 ft) and Santa Teresa, with lunch before reaching Hidroeléctrica.
From there, it’s about a 3-hour walk along the railway tracks to Aguas Calientes, a flat stretch surrounded by greenery that is part of the charm of this route. You spend the night in town and, the next morning, walk up from 5 a.m. to reach the citadel at sunrise, with a two-hour guided tour. Circuits and schedules are published by the Ministry of Culture.
It costs US$ 235 per person and includes transport Cusco – Hidroeléctrica – Cusco, your Machu Picchu entrance ticket, a bilingual guide and three meals. If you’d rather go by train without long walks, choose the 2-day Sumac Llacta package; and if you want to arrive on foot along the original trail, the Short Inca Trail.
Abra Málaga at 4,316 m
The highest point of the route, with one of the best views of Peru's geography before the descent into the high jungle.
3-hour walk to Aguas Calientes
The walk from Hidroeléctrica, along the railway tracks through high-jungle vegetation, is part of the charm of this route.
Sunrise at Machu Picchu
A walk up starting at 5 a.m., about an hour and a half, to reach the citadel at sunrise, before the two-hour guided tour.
The most budget-friendly option
Because it swaps the train for road transport, it's the most affordable way to get to Machu Picchu, with three meals included.
Itinerary
Your 2-day program, step by step: from Cusco to Machu Picchu by road
Day 1 · Cusco – Abra Málaga – Santa Teresa – Hidroeléctrica – Aguas Calientes
- 6:00–6:30 a.m. · Pickup at your hotel in CuscoWe leave by van for Ollantaytambo, through the landscapes of the Sacred Valley.
- Breakfast stopA break along the way to recharge before taking the road to Abra Málaga.
- Abra Málaga (4,316 m)The climb to the highest point of the route, with one of the best views of Peru's geography.
- Descent to Santa María (1,250 m)Down through the jungle, with a short break to recharge.
- Santa Teresa · Lunch (≈1:30 p.m.)We continue to the point before Hidroeléctrica and have lunch at a local restaurant.
- Walk to Aguas Calientes (≈3 hours)On foot from Hidroeléctrica to Machu Picchu Pueblo, where we have dinner and rest.
Day 2 · Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Hidroeléctrica – Cusco
- Breakfast in Aguas CalientesWe get up early to make the most of the first hours at the citadel.
- 5 a.m. · Walk up to Machu PicchuAbout an hour and a half on foot to the citadel, arriving with the sunrise.
- 2-hour guided tourA tour with your guide through the lanes and passageways of the lost city of the Incas.
- 10:30 a.m. · Descent to Aguas CalientesWalk down to the town, or take the bus if you prefer (not included).
- Return to CuscoBack to Hidroeléctrica and a bus ride to Cusco, arriving around 9:30 p.m.
What's included in your Machu Picchu by Car (2 Days)?
No surprises and no fine print: this is exactly what the service covers and what you will pay separately on the day of the tour.
2 days
2,900 m (9,510 ft); Abra Málaga: 4,316 m
Daily departure; the tour starts at 6 a.m. on day one
English or Spanish
Included
- Tourist transport Cusco – Hidroeléctrica – Cusco
- Machu Picchu Historic Sanctuary entrance ticket
- Professional bilingual guide (we have English-speaking guides)
- 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner and first aid kit
Not included
- Machu Picchu Mountain and Wayna Picchu tickets
- Bus up and/or down at Machu Picchu
- Train tickets (optional) and hot springs entrance
- Meals not mentioned, personal expenses and tips
Note: the bus up to and down from the citadel is not included: the program plans for walking up and down, but you can buy a bus ticket on the same day if you prefer. Wayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain tickets are optional and have limited spots. Before buying this tour, please contact us.
Frequently asked questions
Here are the answers to the most common questions, so you can book with complete peace of mind.
Do I need to acclimatize before Machu Picchu by Car?
The route crosses Abra Málaga at 4,316 m, but only briefly and inside the vehicle, and then descends to much lower areas. Ideally, spend at least one day in Cusco beforehand, especially since the program includes several hours of walking.
How difficult is the tour?
Moderate. On day one you walk about 3 hours on flat ground from Hidroeléctrica to Aguas Calientes; on day two, an hour and a half uphill on foot to the citadel. It isn’t technical, but it takes steady effort and proper footwear.
Which tickets do I need to buy separately?
Your Machu Picchu ticket is already included. You pay separately for the bus up or down if you decide not to walk, the optional Wayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain tickets, the hot springs, and train tickets if you choose that option for the return.
What time does it start and how long does it last?
On day one, we pick you up at your hotel in Cusco between 6:00 and 6:30 a.m. The program lasts 2 days, and you get back to Cusco around 9:30 p.m. on day two.
What should I bring?
A small backpack, hiking shoes, light clothes for the jungle and a warm layer for the altitude, a rain poncho, insect repellent, a headlamp for the predawn climb, a hat or cap, sunscreen, water and snacks, cash and, without exception, your original passport to enter Machu Picchu.
How do booking and payment work?
Before you buy, please contact us to confirm availability, since Machu Picchu tickets are issued in your name and have limited spots per time slot. Then we confirm each traveler’s details and the exact pickup point with you.
What if bad weather affects the departure?
The route runs all year. In the rainy season, the road to Hidroeléctrica can have delays and the trail gets more slippery, so a rain poncho is essential. If there’s a problem on the road, we agree with you on the best possible alternative.
How much does Machu Picchu by Car cost?
The price is US$ 235 per person. It includes tourist transport Cusco – Hidroeléctrica – Cusco, the Machu Picchu Historic Sanctuary entrance ticket, a professional bilingual guide, 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner and a first aid kit. It does not include the bus up to and down from the sanctuary, optional train tickets or Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain tickets.
Why is it cheaper than going by train?
Because it replaces the Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes train, the most expensive part of the trip, with road transport to Hidroeléctrica plus a flat walk of about 3 hours along the tracks. In return, the day is much longer and you have to walk; if time matters more to you than price, the train is the right choice.
Do I have to walk up to the citadel?
The program plans for walking up and down: you leave Aguas Calientes at 5 a.m., and the climb takes about an hour and a half up the stairs. If you’d rather not walk, you can buy a bus ticket in town on the same day; it’s not included in the price.
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).