A guided tour from Cusco is the easiest way to see Machu Picchu as a day-trip, though most travellers make it a two-day with an overnight in Aguas Calientes. From Cusco (3,400 m) the standard route is: car or shuttle 90 minutes to Ollantaytambo, train 90 minutes down the Urubamba to Aguas Calientes, Consettur bus 30 minutes up the mountain, three hours at the citadel, same route back.
Peruways runs this as a full-day with hotel pickup around 5 a.m., or as a two-day with an overnight in Aguas Calientes that lets you catch the first entry wave at 6 a.m. For travellers with more time, the four-day Inca Trail (Km 82 to the Sun Gate) and the five-day Salkantay Trek are the walking alternatives — both need to be booked months ahead for June–August dates.
Our guides are Ministry of Culture-accredited and work in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian and Portuguese. Visit Peruways to compare day-trip and multi-day options and book your Machu Picchu date.
