Machu Picchu Tour 2027 (2 Days / 1 Night)

Our Machu Picchu tour 2 days leaves Cusco early for the train station in Ollantaytambo or Poroy, spends the afternoon and night in Aguas Calientes and visits the citadel with a guide the next morning, at a calmer pace than a day trip. Train, bus, entrance, hotel and breakfast on Day 2 are included, from US$350 per person.

It is the most relaxed way to see Machu Picchu: no trekking, a scenic train ride through the Sacred Valley and a night in a tourist-class hotel at the foot of the mountain. We travel in groups of 8 to 12 people with a professional guide in English, Spanish or Portuguese.

Where is Machu Picchu and how do you get there from Cusco?

Machu Picchu is in the Cusco region, above the Urubamba River valley, and the usual way in is by train. From Cusco we take you by private transport to Ollantaytambo or Poroy station, depending on availability, and continue by train (tourist or Vistadome class, depending on your option) to Aguas Calientes. From town, a bus climbs to the citadel entrance in about 25 minutes.

Machu Picchu altitude

The citadel sits at 7,970 ft (2,430 m) above sea level, roughly 3,300 ft (1,000 m) lower than Cusco, which is at around 11,150 ft (3,400 m). Altitude sickness is less common here, although we still recommend spending at least one day in Cusco before the tour. Read our tips on preventing altitude sickness in Peru.

Machu Picchu tour 2 days: itinerary at a glance

What will you see at Machu Picchu?

The guided tour covers the main highlights of the citadel, such as the Temple of the Sun, the Main Plaza, the Intihuatana and the agricultural terraces, while our guide explains how the Incas lived and built. Then you have free time: in total you spend about 4 to 5 hours at Machu Picchu. If you want to climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, it must be booked in advance at an extra cost.

Is it hard? Who is this tour for?

It is rated easy and designed for travelers who do not want to trek: families, older adults with normal mobility or anyone who prefers an unhurried visit. Inside the citadel there are stone stairs and uneven paths, so we recommend comfortable shoes with good grip.

Best time to visit Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu is open all year. From April to October, the dry season, you get more clear days, and June to August is high season, so book further ahead. From November to March it rains more often, but the landscape is at its greenest: pack a poncho or a waterproof jacket.

Machu Picchu in 2 days, a day trip or the Short Inca Trail?

If you only have one day, the Machu Picchu day trip makes the same round trip by train, leaving before dawn and returning at night. If you would like to hike, the Short Inca Trail also overnights in Aguas Calientes but reaches Machu Picchu on foot through the Sun Gate, and for a four-day adventure there is the Classic Inca Trail.

To plan your trip, read our guide: How to Get to Machu Picchu: Train, Bus, Hidroeléctrica and Hiking.

To plan your trip, read our guide: Peru Itinerary 2027: 7 to 10 Days with Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca and Arequipa.

To plan your trip, read our guide: Huayna Picchu 2027: Tickets, the Climb, Circuits and Tips.

To plan your trip, read our guide: Machu Picchu Weather 2027: Month by Month, Rainy Season and What to Pack.

To plan your trip, read our guide: Train to Machu Picchu 2027: PeruRail vs Inca Rail, Stations and Tips.

To plan your trip, read our guide: Machu Picchu History 2027: Who Built It, Its Temples and the 1911 Rediscovery.

Book with a local agency in Cusco

We are a Cusco-based agency and we arrange your trains, hotel, entrance ticket and guide. Book through the form on this page or contact us with your travel dates; we can also quote higher hotel categories.