1-Day Peru with Friends: Machu Picchu Day Trip

A day of shared adventures for your crew: Machu Picchu by panoramic train.

  Trip With Friends — Shared Adventures, Lasting Memories

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Route Overview

Trip Map

Route map of the Machu Picchu day trip: Cusco, Ollantaytambo, Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu

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Route map of the Machu Picchu day trip: Cusco, Ollantaytambo, Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu - enlarged

One Day in Cusco for Friends: Machu Picchu Day Trip

This one-day tour from Cusco is a perfect outing for your group of friends. A driver picks you up at your Cusco hotel for the drive to Ollantaytambo and a panoramic train, Expedition, The Voyager or Vistadome, to Aguas Calientes. Explore Machu Picchu with a guide, enjoy lunch and ride the train back to Cusco in the evening. We handle the logistics so you can focus on the fun.

Build Your Trip: Flights & Hotel in Cusco

This tour starts with a pick-up at your hotel in Cusco. We can arrange everything around it, so your trip is organized in one booking and you arrive with time to acclimatize.

  • Round-trip flights Lima – Cusco – Lima with a leading Peruvian airline
  • Airport transfers and nights in a luxury or boutique hotel in Cusco
  • Extra tours: the Sacred Valley, Rainbow Mountain or a night in Aguas Calientes
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At a Glance

Itinerary Summary

Your day tour at a glance, from Cusco to Machu Picchu and back. Tap the day to see the details.

  1. Day 1Machu Picchu Revealed: Guided Discovery by Expedition, The Voyager or Vistadome TrainBack to your Cusco hotel
In Detail

Detailed Itinerary

Every day of your trip, with where you'll spend the night.

Guided tour of the Machu Picchu citadel Day 1

Machu Picchu Revealed: Guided Discovery by Expedition, The Voyager or Vistadome Train

An unforgettable full day at Machu Picchu. Your private driver picks you up at your hotel in Cusco before dawn and takes you through the Sacred Valley to Ollantaytambo, where you board your panoramic train: Expedition or The Voyager with Inca Rail, or the Vistadome with PeruRail, with large windows framing the Urubamba River and the snow-capped Andes. In Aguas Calientes, a shuttle bus climbs to the citadel for a private guided tour of the Main Plaza, the Temple of the Sun, the Intihuatana stone and the agricultural terraces. After lunch, ride the train back and your driver returns you to your hotel in Cusco in the evening.

Good to Know

  • Duration: the guided tour lasts approx. 2–2.5 hours.
  • Bus: the shuttle between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu takes approx. 25 minutes each way.
  • Tickets & circuits: entry tickets are sold for a specific time slot and circuit, and the route inside the citadel depends on the circuit booked. Re-entry is not permitted.
  • Passport: you must carry the original passport used to book your ticket.
  • Huayna Picchu & Machu Picchu Mountain: these hikes require a separate ticket and must be booked in advance.
  • What to bring: sunscreen, a hat, insect repellent, a rain jacket and water. Large backpacks, walking sticks without rubber tips, and food are not allowed inside the site.
Panoramic train Return to your hotel in Cusco · End of services
Know Before You Go

What's Included

A transparent breakdown of what's covered in your package and what isn't.

Included

  • Private pick-up and drop-off at your hotel in Cusco
  • Private transfer Cusco – Ollantaytambo
  • Round-trip panoramic train (Expedition, The Voyager or Vistadome)
  • Round-trip shuttle bus Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu
  • Machu Picchu entrance ticket
  • Private professional guide at Machu Picchu
  • Lunch in Aguas Calientes
  • 24/7 assistance during your tour

Not Included

  • Flights Lima – Cusco – Lima and hotel nights in Cusco (available on request)
  • Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
  • Tips for guides and drivers
  • Travel insurance
Secure Booking

Tour Package Rates

Per person based on double / twin room accommodation. Choose your preferred service level.

Essential ★★

Comfortable stays, essential services
$2275Estimated Total
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Comfort ★★★

Standard premium service, upgraded hotels
$2699Estimated Total
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Deluxe ★★★★★

Top-tier luxury hotels & private experiences
$4150Estimated Total
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1-Day Peru with Friends: Machu Picchu Day Trip: FAQ

What is included in this day tour?

It includes hotel pick-up and drop-off in Cusco, the private transfer to Ollantaytambo, a round-trip panoramic train, the shuttle bus, your Machu Picchu entrance ticket, a private guide and lunch.

Can we add activities for our group of friends?

Yes. We can add a pisco tasting, a cooking class or a night out in Cusco to complete the day.

Can you include flights and a hotel in Cusco?

Yes. We can book your round-trip flights Lima – Cusco – Lima, airport transfers and nights in a luxury or boutique hotel in Cusco, so everything is organized in one quote. Mention it in the request form.

When is the best time for this day tour?

April to November, the dry season, offers the clearest views of Machu Picchu.

Do I need to acclimatize in Cusco first?

Machu Picchu (approx. 2,430 m) is lower than Cusco (approx. 3,400 m), so the tour itself is gentle on the body. We recommend at least one night in Cusco before the tour to adapt to the altitude.

How much does this day tour cost?

The price depends on the train class you choose and the number of travelers. The Rates tab shows the current price per person; flights and hotels in Cusco are quoted separately on request.

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