Tour To Machupicchu 2 Days by Train

Machu Picchu is the star here, but the early morning climb is what shapes the whole experience. You leave your Cusco hotel at 9:00 am, sleep in Aguas Calientes, then rise around 4:00 am for the walk up to the citadel and a sunrise visit. I like the scenic train ride from Ollantaytambo and the fact that transport, entrance arrangements, dinner, breakfast, and the return trip are bundled together. The drawback is the long second day, which can run until 9:30 or 10:00 pm, plus a few reports of missed pickups and unclear arrangements.

I also like the small maximum group of 15 people and the chance to have free time inside Machu Picchu after the guided portion. Guide Jorge has been singled out for his explanations and help with photographs, while Carlos and Nixon from Mega Expeditions have been praised for staying in touch and helping with bags. Still, ticket availability matters, so booking about two months ahead is wise.

Key Points to Know Before Booking

• A 4:00 am start gets you to Machu Picchu early: The walk from Aguas Calientes to the entrance takes about 40 minutes.
• The train runs from Ollantaytambo: You travel by tourist train in both directions, with bus transport between Cusco and Ollantaytambo.
• Your Machu Picchu tour is guided for about two hours: You then have time to explore on your own.
• The $399 price covers many moving parts: Transport, entrance arrangements, train tickets, one night, dinner, breakfast, guide, fees, and taxes are included.
• You must walk to the citadel: The bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu is not included, and the tour says the group walks both ways.
• Communication is important: Some bookings have received quick, helpful support, while others have faced confusion at the train station and dinner.

The Big Picture: Two Days, One Long Push

This is a practical way to reach Machu Picchu if you want someone else to coordinate the main pieces. For $399 per person, Mega Expeditions combines Cusco pickup, private ground transport to Ollantaytambo, round-trip train travel, one night in Aguas Calientes, meals, entrance arrangements, a guide, and the return to central Cusco.

That bundle has real value. Machu Picchu tickets and train seats can be difficult to arrange around a tight schedule, and an error in one part can spoil the whole visit. Here, you are not left to connect every bus, train, hotel, and entrance on your own.

But this is not a leisurely two-day escape. Day one takes about five hours, while day two is listed at roughly 14 hours. You will spend much of the second day walking, waiting, touring, and riding back to Cusco. I would treat this as an efficient Machu Picchu mission, not a restful overnight outing.

The average booking lead time is 33 days, but the tour information specifically warns that Machu Picchu entrance arrangements are best made two months ahead. That is important. Your booking confirmation is subject to availability within 48 hours, and the tour says other entrance options may be needed if a standard booking cannot be secured.

Day One: Cusco to Ollantaytambo by Road

Pickup is scheduled for 9:00 am at your hotel in Cusco. From there, private transport takes you toward Ollantaytambo, the train departure point for this Machu Picchu trip.

The road portion gives you a look at the high Andean scenery, including snowcapped mountains and Inca remains connected with the classic Inca Trail. The trip is not just a transfer from point A to point B. You get a moving introduction to the region before reaching the railway.

The exact length of the road transfer is not stated, so do not plan a tight independent activity around the morning. Your train schedule controls the day, and the operator handles the timing. Pack water and something to eat because breakfast and lunch on the first day are not included.

This is also the point where the value of organized transport becomes clear. You do not need to find a taxi to Ollantaytambo or work out how to link it with your train ticket. The tradeoff is less freedom than traveling independently, since your departure time and vehicle arrangements are set by the group.

The Train Ride Through the Andes

At Ollantaytambo, you board a tourist train to Aguas Calientes, the town below Machu Picchu. The ride is one of the most appealing parts of the plan. You pass mountain scenery and Inca remains, and the train gives you a comfortable break after the road journey.

The package includes round-trip train travel between Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu town. That removes one of the most expensive and important pieces of the trip from your to-do list, but you should still confirm your exact train times once the booking is accepted.

Train availability affects the return to Cusco. The expected arrival is around 9:30 to 10:00 pm on day two, but that can change depending on the train schedule. I would not book a late-night flight or a nonrefundable event in Cusco immediately after this tour.

Aguas Calientes: Dinner, Free Time, and a Short Night

When you arrive at Aguas Calientes station, a representative is meant to meet you and take you to the accommodation. The package describes this as a hostel night, while the overview calls it a hotel night. That difference matters if you expect a private, quiet hotel room, so ask exactly what type of room is included before paying.

Dinner is scheduled for about 6:00 pm with the group. Breakfast is included for the next morning. Lunch on day one is not included, and lunch and dinner on the final day are also your responsibility.

After dinner, you have free time to walk around Aguas Calientes or visit the town’s hot springs. The town is useful mainly as a base for Machu Picchu, but this pause gives you a chance to get your bearings before the early start.

Do not count on a long night of sleep. The group plans to get up at about 4:00 am, and one booking reported a noisy hostel where sound carried easily between rooms. A light sleeper should bring earplugs and confirm the accommodation standard in advance.

There is also a practical communication issue. One booking had trouble finding the person assigned to meet at the station, and another had confusing dinner instructions. The town is small and safe, but arriving after a train ride without clear directions can be stressful, especially if you have never been there. Keep the local contact number handy and ask for the accommodation name, dinner location, and meeting instructions before leaving Cusco.

The 4:00 am Walk to Machu Picchu

Day two begins early. The stated plan is to walk from Aguas Calientes up to Machu Picchu, a climb of about 40 minutes. The bus is not included, and the tour says everyone walks up and down.

That walk is a major part of the experience. It saves the bus fare, but it also adds effort before a full day of touring. You need comfortable shoes, a headlamp or phone light, water, and only a small day bag. Your larger backpack can remain at the accommodation, and one especially helpful arrangement from Mega Expeditions was holding bags and sending them on to a later hotel.

The goal is an early arrival and a chance to see the citadel around sunrise. Sunrise conditions are never guaranteed, since cloud and mountain weather can change quickly. Still, reaching the entrance early helps you begin before the day becomes even more demanding.

The tour summary includes a Sun Gate visit. The detailed schedule focuses on the walk to the Machu Picchu entrance and early viewing of the ruins, so I would confirm exactly which route and circuit your ticket provides. Machu Picchu access is controlled by ticket type and entry rules, and the specific route matters.

Two Hours With a Guide, Then Time on Your Own

At the entrance, your guide leads a tour of about two hours. This is valuable because Machu Picchu can look like a beautiful collection of stone walls without an explanation of how the buildings fit together.

Guide Jorge receives especially warm praise for his clear explanations and for helping with photographs. That does not guarantee he will lead every departure, but you can ask Mega Expeditions who your guide will be before the trip. The included guide is one of the stronger reasons to choose this package over buying transport and tickets alone.

After the guided visit, you have time to explore on your own. The wording says you can stay as long as you want, but your actual time is limited by the entry rules and the train booked for your return. Ask for the precise meeting and train schedule so you do not mistake free time inside the site for unlimited time.

This split works well. You get context first, then a chance to look again at the places that interest you. If you prefer a fully guided visit with constant commentary, this may feel too independent after two hours. If you like to pause for photographs or simply sit and take in the stonework, the free time is a welcome touch.

Returning to Cusco by Train and Bus

After Machu Picchu, you walk back down to Aguas Calientes, collect your backpack, and board the train to Ollantaytambo. The return train is included, followed by organized transport back toward Cusco.

The final arrival is expected at San Francisco Square around 9:30 to 10:00 pm. That makes day two a serious endurance test. You will have started before dawn, walked uphill, toured the citadel, walked down, taken a train, and completed the road transfer back to the city.

I would keep the evening after the tour free. You may be tired, and the arrival time depends on train availability. If you have mobility concerns or do not want to walk the steep path, ask about the bus before booking. The listed price does not include the bus up or down.

What the $399 Price Really Buys

At $399, this tour is not simply a train ticket and a Machu Picchu entrance. The price includes:

• Hotel pickup in Cusco
• Private transport between Cusco and Ollantaytambo
• Round-trip tourist train travel
• One night in Aguas Calientes
• Dinner and breakfast
• Machu Picchu entrance arrangements
• A professional guide
• Fees and taxes

You still pay for food not listed above, including breakfast and lunch on the first day, plus lunch and dinner on the final day. The bus between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu is also extra.

For a first visit, the package can be worth the premium because the operator handles the links between road, rail, accommodation, and entry. I would compare the cost against buying a train, entrance, hotel, and transfers separately, but do not compare only the cheapest ticket prices. The value is in reducing the number of connections you must manage.

The weak point is that the accommodation and on-the-ground handoffs may not feel as polished as the price suggests. One booking praised the personal support and bag handling, while another found the station pickup and dinner meeting unclear. Those details do not erase the value of the package, but they do make pre-trip communication important.

Group Size and Communication

The maximum group size is 15. That is small enough for a guide to keep track of the group, though the experience is still shared rather than private.

Communication appears to be one of the best parts of the service when it works well. Carlos and Nixon from Mega Expeditions were praised for contacting people before the trip, arranging a video call shortly after booking, answering questions, and helping with bags. The tour also provides 24-hour messaging support according to one booking.

At the same time, the service has had serious reliability complaints. One booking was canceled at the last minute because Machu Picchu tickets could not be obtained, despite the package having been sold with entrance included. Another booking received confusing information about a separate Sacred Valley tour. These are not small annoyances when you have already arranged flights, hotels, and train connections.

Because the cancellation policy is strict and the experience is nonrefundable, I would not assume that a booking is final until you receive confirmation of the entrance arrangement, train schedule, pickup time, accommodation, and dinner details. Get those points in writing.

Who Will Like This Two-Day Machu Picchu Plan

I think this suits you if you have limited time in Cusco and want the main logistics handled for you. It also works for someone who values an included guide, wants an overnight in Aguas Calientes, and is comfortable with an early start and a long return day.

It is a good match for active visitors who can walk uphill for about 40 minutes and back down. Most people can participate, but the schedule is physically demanding even without a separate mountain hike.

I would think twice if you need a quiet hotel, dislike uncertain meeting arrangements, or want flexibility with your train and return time. Independent planners may save money, especially if they can secure the tickets and rail seats themselves. The package earns its price by reducing planning work, not by providing a slow or luxurious visit.

Should You Book It?

Book this tour if you want a tightly arranged Machu Picchu visit from Cusco and you value having transport, train tickets, entrance arrangements, meals, and a guide in one purchase. The scenic train, small group, free time inside the citadel, and strong reports about Jorge, Carlos, and Nixon are meaningful advantages.

Before you commit, confirm the Machu Picchu ticket, Sun Gate access, guide name, exact train times, accommodation type, station pickup, dinner location, and whether the 40-minute walk is the only access plan. If Mega Expeditions gives clear answers and your dates are confirmed, $399 can be fair value. If the answers remain vague, the strict no-refund policy makes this a risky choice.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts two days. Day one is listed at about five hours, and day two takes about 14 hours, with arrival back in Cusco around 9:30 to 10:00 pm.

What time does pickup begin in Cusco?

Pickup from your Cusco hotel begins at 9:00 am.

Is the Machu Picchu entrance included?

Yes, the package includes the Machu Picchu entrance arrangement. Booking about two months ahead is recommended, and confirmation remains subject to availability.

Is a guide included at Machu Picchu?

Yes, a professional guide is included for an approximately two-hour guided visit. Guide Jorge has been specifically praised for his explanations and help with photographs, but you should confirm your assigned guide.

Is the bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu included?

No. The bus up and down is not included. The stated plan is for everyone to walk, with the uphill section taking about 40 minutes.

What meals are included?

Dinner on the first evening and breakfast are included. Breakfast and lunch on the first day, along with lunch and dinner on the final day, are not included.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 15 people.