This trip gets you to Machu Picchu by driving through the mountains and walking the last stretch through the jungle. You’ll leave Cusco by van, head over the Malaga Pass, and reach the hydroelectric station. From there, you walk with the group along the train tracks for about three hours to reach the town. It is a direct and active way to see the landscape, ending with a guided tour of the ruins the next morning. It is a good choice if you want a social trip and prefer to keep things simple and moving.
Your trip begins around 6:00 AM. You’ll meet the van at the main square in Cusco or a nearby spot, which we will share with you one day before departure. The drive takes you up through the mountains and over the Málaga Pass before descending into the lush high jungle. You will arrive at Hydroelectric for an included lunch. From there, you will walk with the group along the train tracks to reach Aguas Calientes. There is no guide for this part of the journey; you simply follow the tracks for about 3 hours, keeping the Vilcanota River by your side and passing underneath the peaks of Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu. Once in town, you will check into your accommodation—a shared hostal room with 4 to 6 beds. We will send you the specific name of the hostal one day before the trip starts. You will end the day with an included dinner at a local restaurant.
Duration: Full day
Start time: 6:00 AM
Starting altitude: 3,400 meters (Cusco)
Departure point: Cusco Main Square or nearby
Arrival point: Aguas Calientes (2,040 meters)
Walking time: 3 hours
Driving time: 6 to 7 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Group size: Up to 20 people in the van
After an early breakfast at the hostal, you begin the ascent. You will walk the stone steps from Aguas Calientes up to the Machu Picchu entrance, a climb that takes about 1.5 hours. If you prefer to save your energy, the bus to the entrance is available as an add-on. At the sanctuary, there will be a guided tour for Circuit 2 at the 6:00 AM or 7:00 AM time slots. If your ticket is for a different circuit, the guide is an add-on for $60 extra. After the tour, you walk back down the stairs to Aguas Calientes and walk with the group back along the tracks to Hydroelectric. You need to be at Hydroelectric by 2:00 PM to meet your transport. You will arrive back in Cusco between 9:00 PM and 10:00 PM.
Duration: Full day
Start time: Early morning (approx. 4:30 AM for the walk)
Return time: 9:00 PM – 10:00 PM (arrival in Cusco)
Site altitude: 2,430 meters (Machu Picchu)
Departure point: Aguas Calientes
Arrival point: Cusco
Walking time: 1.5 hours up / 1 hour down / 3 hours to Hydroelectric
Driving time: 6 to 7 hours
Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging
Group size: 10 to 15 people for Machu Picchu tour / Up to 20 people in the van
Transport: Round-trip van Cusco – Hydroelectric – Cusco
Meals: 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner, 1 Breakfast
Accommodation: Shared hostal (4 to 6 beds)
Entry Ticket: Machu Picchu Sanctuary
Guided Tour: Circuit 2 (6:00 AM or 7:00 AM)
Briefing: Final details 1 day before departure
Bus: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes
Extra Guide: For circuits other than Circuit 2 ($60)
Meals: Day 2 Lunch and Dinner
Others: Water and snacks
Insurance: Personal travel insurance
Original passport (required for the train and entry to Machu Picchu)
Machu Picchu entrance
Cash in Peruvian soles for meals and small purchases in Aguas Calientes
Small backpack
Reusable water bottle
Power bank for your phone
Light jacket or fleece
Rain jacket or poncho (recommended during the rainy season)
Comfortable long pants
Walking shoes or sneakers with good grip
Hat or cap
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Snacks (optional)
Insect repellent
1. Is the walk from Hydroelectric to Aguas Calientes difficult?
No, it is a flat 10-kilometer walk along the train tracks that takes about 3 hours. It is considered easy to moderate.
2. What happens if I don’t want to walk to the Machu Picchu entrance?
You can buy a bus ticket in Aguas Calientes to take you from the town to the entrance. This is an optional add-on.
3. Is there a guide for the walk from Hydroelectric?
No, there is no guide for the walk along the tracks. You will walk with the group and simply follow the train line to town.
4. What time do I need to be back at Hydroelectric on Day 2?
You must be at the Hydroelectric station by 2:00 PM to meet your transport back to Cusco.
5. How many people will be in the van?
The van has a capacity for up to 20 people for the drive from Cusco.
6. What is the group size for the Machu Picchu tour?
The guided tour inside the sanctuary is conducted in groups of 10 to 15 people.
7. Is the guide included for all circuits?
The guide is only included for Circuit 2 (6:00 AM or 7:00 AM). If you have a ticket for a different circuit, you must pay a $60 add-on for a guide, or you can choose to explore the circuit on your own for free.
8. What if I have a ticket for Circuit 1 or 3?
If your ticket is not for Circuit 2, the included group guide will not be available to you. You can either pay the $60 add-on for a specific guide or enter the circuit without a guide.
9. Is lunch included on the second day?
No, lunch on Day 2 is not included. Most people eat in Aguas Calientes or bring snacks for the walk back to Hydroelectric.
10. What kind of accommodation is provided?
It is a shared hostal room with 4 to 6 beds. You will receive the name of the hostal the day before you leave.
11. Do I need to bring my own water?
Yes, you should bring your own water and snacks for the trek. These are not included in the package.
12. What time will I get back to Cusco on Day 2? Y
ou can expect to arrive at the Cusco main square or a nearby drop-off point between 9:00 PM and 10:00 PM.
$ 135.00
Your trip begins around 6:00 AM. You’ll meet the van at the main square in Cusco or a nearby spot, which we will share with you one day before departure. The drive takes you up through the mountains and over the Málaga Pass before descending into the lush high jungle. You will arrive at Hydroelectric for an included lunch. From there, you will walk with the group along the train tracks to reach Aguas Calientes. There is no guide for this part of the journey; you simply follow the tracks for about 3 hours, keeping the Vilcanota River by your side and passing underneath the peaks of Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu. Once in town, you will check into your accommodation—a shared hostal room with 4 to 6 beds. We will send you the specific name of the hostal one day before the trip starts. You will end the day with an included dinner at a local restaurant.
Duration: Full day
Start time: 6:00 AM
Starting altitude: 3,400 meters (Cusco)
Departure point: Cusco Main Square or nearby
Arrival point: Aguas Calientes (2,040 meters)
Walking time: 3 hours
Driving time: 6 to 7 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Group size: Up to 20 people in the van
After an early breakfast at the hostal, you begin the ascent. You will walk the stone steps from Aguas Calientes up to the Machu Picchu entrance, a climb that takes about 1.5 hours. If you prefer to save your energy, the bus to the entrance is available as an add-on. At the sanctuary, there will be a guided tour for Circuit 2 at the 6:00 AM or 7:00 AM time slots. If your ticket is for a different circuit, the guide is an add-on for $60 extra. After the tour, you walk back down the stairs to Aguas Calientes and walk with the group back along the tracks to Hydroelectric. You need to be at Hydroelectric by 2:00 PM to meet your transport. You will arrive back in Cusco between 9:00 PM and 10:00 PM.
Duration: Full day
Start time: Early morning (approx. 4:30 AM for the walk)
Return time: 9:00 PM – 10:00 PM (arrival in Cusco)
Site altitude: 2,430 meters (Machu Picchu)
Departure point: Aguas Calientes
Arrival point: Cusco
Walking time: 1.5 hours up / 1 hour down / 3 hours to Hydroelectric
Driving time: 6 to 7 hours
Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging
Group size: 10 to 15 people for Machu Picchu tour / Up to 20 people in the van
Transport: Round-trip van Cusco – Hydroelectric – Cusco
Meals: 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner, 1 Breakfast
Accommodation: Shared hostal (4 to 6 beds)
Entry Ticket: Machu Picchu Sanctuary
Guided Tour: Circuit 2 (6:00 AM or 7:00 AM)
Briefing: Final details 1 day before departure
Bus: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes
Extra Guide: For circuits other than Circuit 2 ($60)
Meals: Day 2 Lunch and Dinner
Others: Water and snacks
Insurance: Personal travel insurance
Original passport (required for the train and entry to Machu Picchu)
Machu Picchu entrance
Cash in Peruvian soles for meals and small purchases in Aguas Calientes
Small backpack
Reusable water bottle
Power bank for your phone
Light jacket or fleece
Rain jacket or poncho (recommended during the rainy season)
Comfortable long pants
Walking shoes or sneakers with good grip
Hat or cap
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Snacks (optional)
Insect repellent
1. Is the walk from Hydroelectric to Aguas Calientes difficult?
No, it is a flat 10-kilometer walk along the train tracks that takes about 3 hours. It is considered easy to moderate.
2. What happens if I don’t want to walk to the Machu Picchu entrance?
You can buy a bus ticket in Aguas Calientes to take you from the town to the entrance. This is an optional add-on.
3. Is there a guide for the walk from Hydroelectric?
No, there is no guide for the walk along the tracks. You will walk with the group and simply follow the train line to town.
4. What time do I need to be back at Hydroelectric on Day 2?
You must be at the Hydroelectric station by 2:00 PM to meet your transport back to Cusco.
5. How many people will be in the van?
The van has a capacity for up to 20 people for the drive from Cusco.
6. What is the group size for the Machu Picchu tour?
The guided tour inside the sanctuary is conducted in groups of 10 to 15 people.
7. Is the guide included for all circuits?
The guide is only included for Circuit 2 (6:00 AM or 7:00 AM). If you have a ticket for a different circuit, you must pay a $60 add-on for a guide, or you can choose to explore the circuit on your own for free.
8. What if I have a ticket for Circuit 1 or 3?
If your ticket is not for Circuit 2, the included group guide will not be available to you. You can either pay the $60 add-on for a specific guide or enter the circuit without a guide.
9. Is lunch included on the second day?
No, lunch on Day 2 is not included. Most people eat in Aguas Calientes or bring snacks for the walk back to Hydroelectric.
10. What kind of accommodation is provided?
It is a shared hostal room with 4 to 6 beds. You will receive the name of the hostal the day before you leave.
11. Do I need to bring my own water?
Yes, you should bring your own water and snacks for the trek. These are not included in the package.
12. What time will I get back to Cusco on Day 2? Y
ou can expect to arrive at the Cusco main square or a nearby drop-off point between 9:00 PM and 10:00 PM.
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