Machu Picchu Day Trip from Cusco: Full-Day Guided Tour

Highlights

Inclusions

Itinerary

1. At 4:30 a.m., we will pick you up from your hotel and transfer you by van to the Ollantaytambo train station for 1 hour and 30 minutes, where you will board the train to Machu Picchu. (You need to be ready 20 minutes before the van departs).

   Passes by

2. We will travel by train to Machu Picchu town or Aguas Calientes (the village has two names) between 06:40 am and 7:20 a.m. and enjoy the landscapes surrounding the entrance. (We need to be there 30 minutes before the train departs).

   30 min

3. Upon arrival in Machu Picchu town, our transfer will wait for us to get directions, and then we will take the bus to the Inca citadel. At the end of the excursion in this place, we can also enjoy lunch in a local restaurant. Note 1: once we arrive at the village, we take the bus for 30 minutes to the citadel. Note 2: After visiting Machu Picchu's citadel, you return to Aguas Calientes town, where you have one hour extra to enjoy lunch.

   1 h

4. On arrival at Machu Picchu, you'll board a bus to the citadel for 30 minutes and a two-hour walking tour that explores ancient stairways, delicate carvings, and spectacular views. Afterward, enjoy some independent time to snap pictures or relax, finishing the day with the beautiful return journey to Cusco.

   3 hAdmission included

Cancellation

All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.

Reviews

Ratings come from 753 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.

Showing reviews written in English.

• 5A Last-Minute Machu Picchu Miracle!

  When we suddenly had an unexpected window to take some time off work, we desperately wanted to visit Machu Picchu. We knew it was notoriously difficult to secure tickets at the last minute, and after reading horror stories about other tour companies totally ghosting people for their 4 AM pickups, we were nervous about booking. Happy Gringo Tours stepped up and absolutely made it happen. They took all the stress off our shoulders by handling every single piece of the logistics seamlessly, and they were incredibly punctual when it mattered most—no early-morning no-shows here! A massive shoutout to our guide, Ruben. He was so friendly and deeply knowledgeable, and may I add, he is a pretty good photographer—definitely a hidden talent! He helped us capture the experience perfectly. Wishing everybody at Happy Gringo Tours the absolute best. If you want a reliable, stress-free, and unforgettable experience, look no further!

  Z6700KPguillermoaSeptember 2026via Tripadvisor

• 5A Day to Remember

  Our guide, Ruben, with Happy Gringo Tours, was incredible. He was extremely knowledgeable about Machu Picchu, taking great care into explaining the details of this sacred place. We took Route 2A and had the opportunity to see many parts of citadel. We never felt rushed and always had time for questions and photos. After a long day of travel and seeing the citadel, Ruben made a reservation for us at a wonderful restaurant in Aguas Calientes. It’s details like this that make experiences memorable. If you can request Ruben for your tour, we highly recommend him!

  W4148PDrichardmSeptember 2026via Tripadvisor

• 5An Unforgettable Day at Machu Picchu with Happy Gringo Tours

  I had an absolutely wonderful experience booking my day trip to Machu Picchu with Happy Gringo Tours. From beginning to end, everything was incredibly well organized and completely streamlined. The day started with a smooth pickup from my hotel, followed by a comfortable bus ride to Ollantaytambo, where I boarded the train to Aguas Calientes. The train ride was absolutely beautiful, with breathtaking views of the mountains and surrounding scenery. The experience was made even more special by the music and traditional dancing on the train—it was such a fun and memorable part of the journey. When I arrived in Aguas Calientes, I was met by a friendly representative who guided me through the next steps and made the transition to the bus up to Machu Picchu completely effortless. I visited Circuit 3 – Machu Picchu Realeza, and this was truly the highlight of my trip. When I arrived, I met my guide, Mauro, and he made the experience unforgettable. Mauro was incredibly kind, knowledgeable, and passionate about the history and culture of the Incas. His stories and explanations brought Machu Picchu to life and gave me a much deeper appreciation for this incredible place. It was raining during my visit, but Mauro never let the weather dampen the experience. He was patient, helpful, and made sure I had plenty of opportunities to take some amazing pictures despite the rain. What impressed me most was how well everything was coordinated throughout the entire day. I never felt lost or had to worry about transportation or logistics. At the end of the day, Mauro even made sure I safely made my way back to my hotel. A huge thank you to Happy Gringo Tours and especially to Mauro for making my Machu Picchu experience so special. Everything was handled with such professionalism and care, from the hotel pickup to the train, Aguas Calientes, Machu Picchu, and safely back to my hotel. I highly recommend Happy Gringo Tours to anyone planning a visit to Machu Picchu. The organization, service, and personal attention were exceptional, and I will always remember this incredible experience!

  V5910JQpaolaaSeptember 2026via Tripadvisor

• 5Wow

  Great experience and a memory for life. I had a great English speaking guide for the group I was in and have no complaints. Well, be prepared for a bumpy ride in the van from Cusco to the train but who can change the road/street/aswalt-work..

  johnfredrikfSeptember 2026via Tripadvisor

• 5Happy Gringo Tours lived up to their name!

  Couldn't have asked for a much better experience, particularly when booking somewhat last minute, ie. less than 2 weeks out. Happy Gringo Tours has been able to secure these last minute openings when other operators were unable to. There was some uncertainty around the meetup specifics after each train arrival (both there and back), but a little patience and trusting the process goes a long way. Would highly recommend, particularly if trying to book inside of the Machu Picchu online sales sold-out window.

  Q9363MRjeffhAugust 2026via Tripadvisor

• 5An amazing experience made simple

  Machu Picchu was an incredible experience that was made even better from our amazing guide Mauro. He gave amazing insight into the history of Machu Picchu but also his personal stories growing up in Peru and the surrounding areas. I would definitely book again when I come back for Wuayna Picchu

  vpr_wareAugust 2026via Tripadvisor

Know before you go

How it compares in Cusco

• Its from-price is 377% above the median of the 1358 day trips we list in Cusco.
• Its length is typical for the group.
• By number of reviews it ranks 8 of 1358.

About Cusco

Cusco, the old Inca capital high in the Peruvian Andes, blends massive stone walls with colonial churches and is the gateway to Machu Picchu.

The Plaza de Armas is the heart of the city, framed by the cathedral and the Jesuit church of La Compañía. Inca stonework survives throughout the centre, most famously at the Qorikancha, the sun temple on which the Spanish built a monastery, and in the twelve-angled stone on Hatun Rumiyoc street. San Blas, the artisans' quarter, climbs steeply with workshops and cafés.

Top-ranked sights in Cusco: Aguas Calientes, Machu Picchu, Ollantaytambo Ruins.

See all 4460 experiences in Cusco