Hey there! This one-day trip packs in a scenic train ride along the Vilcanota River Canyon. Starting from Cusco, you’ll head to Ollantaytambo, catch the Expedition Train, and roll through lush jungle landscapes toward Aguas Calientes. From there, a quick shuttle ride takes you straight to Machu Picchu—the iconic Inca citadel and UNESCO site. You’ll explore its ancient ruins, split into farming, housing, and religious areas, and soak in views you won’t find anywhere else.
Group Size: Up to 8 people
Max Altitude: 2,700 meters
Service Type: Group tour
Transport: Bus + Train
Difficulty: Easy
Duration: 1 Day
Let’s go! We’ll grab you from your Cusco hotel super early—4:00 AM—then drive 2 hours to Ollantaytambo’s train station. Pro tip: If you’re staying in Ollantaytambo, we’ll pick you up around 5:20 AM instead. The Expedition Train departs at 6:10 AM, winding through the narrow Vilcanota Canyon. Keep your eyes peeled! The cliffs are covered in thick jungle, and you might spot Inca terraces still used by locals today.
By 7:30 AM, you’ll arrive in Aguas Calientes. Your guide meets you at the station, and you’ll have 10–15 minutes to grab snacks (try the empanadas!) before hopping on the shuttle to Machu Picchu. Trust me, your first glimpse of the ruins will blow your mind. The guided tour lasts 2 hours, covering key spots like the Temple of the Sun and the agricultural terraces. Afterward, you’ll have free time to wander or snap photos.
Around noon, head back to Aguas Calientes for lunch (not included—budget 10–15 USD). If time allows, check out the market or hot springs (entrance fee: $4 USD). Your return train to Ollantaytambo leaves between 3:20 PM and 6:20 PM. The ride back follows the Urubamba River—look up! You might see the ruins of Wiñay Wayna clinging to the cliffs. Once in Ollantaytambo, a driver takes you back to Cusco. Expect to reach your hotel between 7:00 PM and 10:00 PM, depending on your train time.
Important notes:
ABOUT THE EXPEDITION TRAIN
This no-frills train has comfy seats (groups of four face each other), overhead backpack racks, big windows, AC/heat, and upbeat Andean tunes. Snacks and drinks are sold onboard. The ride starts/ends in Ollantaytambo, with private van transfers to/from Cusco.
SCHEDULE SNEAK PEEK
✅ Hotel pickup in Cusco
✅ Expedition Train tickets (round-trip)
✅ Shuttle bus Aguas Calientes ↔ Machu Picchu
✅ Machu Picchu entry ticket (Circuit 2A or 2B)
✅ English-speaking guide (small group, max 8 people)
✅ Return transport to Cusco
❌ Meals (lunch in Aguas Calientes)
❌ Huayna Picchu hike (not possible)
❌ Tips for guides
Additional Services
Note: Machu Picchu is a highly popular destination with limited availability. Book early to secure your spot. If you don’t, you may need to hire a private guide or adjust your schedule.
This full-day tour offers a seamless and enriching experience of Machu Picchu. Prepare well, and you’ll leave with memories to last a lifetime!
To qualify for the student discount on Inca Trail Permits, travelers must meet the following requirements:
Student IDs will not be accepted for the discount under the following conditions:
This information is crucial for travelers seeking to benefit from discounted permits for the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu.
“ITAN Adventure” is a 100% Peruvian-owned tour operator based in Cusco, with extensive experience in hiking, adventure tours, and customized travel packages. As a completely local company, we’re dedicated to providing travelers with authentic, high-quality experiences.
Our vision as a local company is to deliver personalized travel and hiking journeys, managed exclusively by experienced local professionals, with a strong focus on HIGH-QUALITY and PERSONALIZED SERVICE.
We are proud of our reputation as a travel agency that upholds RESPONSIBLE and SUSTAINABLE practices benefiting both the environment and local communities.
We treat our team like family and ensure they receive fair wages. We are incredibly proud of each member of our team! Their dedication makes it possible for us to provide the top-notch service that our many travelers appreciate.
At “ITAN Adventure,” we understand that our reputation and the feedback from our travelers are essential for gaining the trust of future adventurers. You can check out honest reviews from our guests on TripAdvisor, Facebook, and Google to see why we’re a reliable choice for creating your Peruvian adventure.
To ensure a more personalized experience at “ITAN Adventure,” we keep our group sizes to a maximum of 8 travelers. This approach allows us to offer a tailored experience, unlike companies that operate with larger groups.
Our guides are our pride. They’re highly knowledgeable and professional, fluent in English, and deeply passionate about Inca culture and history. Each guide is committed to ongoing personal and professional development, allowing them to share accurate insights and fascinating theories about Andean heritage. They are friendly, athletic, and well-educated, with backgrounds in Archaeology, Tourism, Botany, History, or Anthropology.
Hiking with “ITAN Adventure” ensures a fulfilling experience. Our porters are here to make your journey comfortable and memorable. They carry your equipment, prepare meals, set up camps, and attend to your needs so you can relax and enjoy the adventure. Along the way, you’ll connect with local people, explore stunning sites, and discover historic Inca villages.
We provide our porters with essential equipment at no cost: jackets, sun hats, warm hats, shirts, pants, hiking boots, comfortable bags, canteens, back support belts, sleeping bags, mattresses, and travel insurance. Our porters come from remote communities, and by hiring them, we help improve their economic conditions and support their children’s education. We treat our porters like family!
Our team—guides, cooks, porters, muleteers—and our equipment make “ITAN Adventure” stand out from the competition. During our hikes, we provide:
“ITAN Adventure” is committed to giving back to isolated communities. We support social projects and prioritize hiring local staff.
We are proud to support local communities not only by providing employment but also by offering assistance to their families. This holistic approach benefits our employees from the Peruvian Andes and their loved ones, strengthening our connection to the local heritage.
PRICE: $367 USD per person
Tour runs daily with a minimum of 2 people.
ADITIONAL
