Machu Picchu Day Trip
Explore Machu Picchu on a day trip from Cusco or the Sacred Valley.
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Archaeologists believe that Machu Picchu was built as a palace for the Incan emperor Pachacuti in the 15th century. They abandoned it after roughly a century, during the Spanish conquest. It then remained virtually unknown until 1911, when American historian Hiram Bingham made Machu Picchu’s existence public. In 1983, it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and since then it has captured the imagination and awe of the millions of people who travel to experience its magic.
While in Peru, it’s imperative to make sure you make time for a day trip to Machu Picchu. With extra time choose a two day trip with the Sacred Valley tours included! When you book a Machu Picchu day trip with Haku Expeditions, you will get a tour that includes Machu Picchu entrance tickets, round trip Machu Picchu train tickets (including a one way trip on the panoramic Vistadome train) and a privately guided two hour Machu Picchu tour* with a local guide. We also provide assistance determining which timetable works best for you, along with which options you might want to choose such as a two hour guided tour vs a full day guided tour. Our adventure specialist will also help you determine if you should choose the additional hikes such as Machu Picchu Mountain or Huayna Picchu. We are happy to work with you either by phone or email in determining the perfect Machu Picchu day trip package.
*Choose an additional hike to Machu Picchu Mountain or Huayna Picchu instead of the 2 hour Machu Picchu guided tour with no additional charge.
We know how hard planning a Machu Picchu day trip can be and we know all the ins and outs of the system. Get in touch now to start planning the Machu Picchu vacation of your dreams!
Day by Day
Arrive at the Peru rail train station 1/2 hour before deaparture. Once aboard you’ll ride one of the most scenic train routes in the world on the Machu Picchu train. This unforgettable journey will take you to Machu Picchu Pueblo, also known as Aguas Calientes, where your private local guide will be waiting to meet you. If you have purchased our bus ticket add-on then you will take the bus up to the ancient citadel to begin your two hour private Machu Picchu tour. If you do not take the bus then you will begin your hike up to the sanctuary. This hike takes between 1.5-3 hours depending on your physical abilities. (Note that this hike up is only possible if you have an afternoon ticket and took an early train or if you choose another option such as arrival from the Sacred Valley or sleeping in Machu Picchu Pueblo the night before.)
Once you have arrived at Machu Picchu you will begin the journey around the ancient city. Your local guide will explain to you the marvels and legends this place holds. Once you have finished your tour you will either hike down to Machu Picchu Pueblo or take the bus down, followed by your train back to Cusco or the Sacred Valley. A private taxi will pick you up if you have taken the train back to Cusco and take you to your hotel.
Things to note about this trip:
Urubamba: At a prearranged hour we’ll pick you up with a private taxi from your hotel in Urubamba and shuttle you to the Ollantaytambo train station.
Ollantaytambo: You will walk to the train station as this town is very small and does not require a taxi. The walk is about 10-20 minutes from anywhere in Ollantaytambo and mototaxis that cost about 3 soles are abundant.
Once you arrive at the train station you’ll ride one of the most scenic train routes in the world on the Machu Picchu train. You will arrive at Machu Picchu Pueblo where you’ll be met by your private local guide, who will explain how to get to Machu Picchu and where to meet. If you have purchased our bus ticket add-on then you will take the bus up to the ancient citadel to begin your two hour private Machu Picchu tour. If you do not plan to take the bus then you will begin your hike up to the sanctuary. This hike takes between 1.5-3 hours depending on your physical abilities.
Upon arrival at Machu Picchu you will begin the scenic journey around the ancient city. Your local guide will explain to you the marvels and legends this place holds. Once you have finished your tour you will either hike down to Machu Picchu Pueblo or take the bus down.
You will then take a train back to the Sacred Valley or Cusco where our private taxi will pick you up and take you to your hotel. If you are staying in Ollantaytambo you can walk back to your hotel after you have arrived.
Things to note about this trip:
Sunrise at Machu Picchu is absolutely beautiful and worth the effort! Today you will wake early and leave your hotel by 4:30 am for your hike to the sanctuary. Last night you will have met with your local guide or his assistant to explain when and where you will meet for your Machu Picchu tour. On arrival at Machu Picchu you will either meet your guide for your tour of the sanctuary or begin your hike* to Machu Picchu mountain or Huayna Picchu. After the hike you can explore the sanctuary or if you have elected to take a privately guided tour you can now enjoy a few moments on a terrace or relax for a while before your departure. Once done in Machu Picchu you will either take the additional add-on bus ride down or hike back down. Now you can retrieve your luggage from your hotel and take the beautiful Machu Picchu train back to Cusco or the Sacred Valley.
*You can choose the Machu Picchu Mountain or Huayna Picchu hike instead of the private guide with no change to the cost
Things to note about this trip:
General Information
Whats the price of the Machu Picchu day trip? And what’s included?
Price is $365 per adult and $325 per child
Included:
Not included:
Peru’s currency is called the Nuevo Sol. You’ll be able to exchange US currency for the Sol easily in Cusco. The exchange rate often fluctuates between 3.7 – 4 sol per US dollar.
We recommend you bring cash. Peru is still a cash society. Most people don’t have bank accounts as Peruvian banks charge up to $15 per month just to have the account open. So, services like Venmo, Pay-Pal, and Apple Pay aren’t used here. Most local stores, taxis, and local restaurants are cash only.
ATMS charge around $8 to take out $60-200. Banks only allow a small withdrawal daily. Thus, it’s probably a good idea to withdraw a good sum of cash before you come to Peru unless you have a bank that returns the ATM fees. You can also try the app called ATM hero and do a little research before you come to decide if an ATM card or cash is best for you.
The USD, EURO, CAD cash you bring should be non-ripped bills. Small rips or bills that are written on are not accepted for exchange.
Seeing as Peru is a cash society and it is difficult to withdraw large amounts of cash, we require your balance be brought in cash.
TIPPING: Local restaurants generally do not require a tip, however, leaving a few soles is a nice gesture. Tourist restaurants are generally a 10% tip.
Tipping your guide in Peru is generally 10-15% of the price you paid for the tour. Drivers are generally the same amount in soles. (If you tip a guide 200 USD the driver would get often 200 soles) Tips should always be based on performance and are never obligatory.
Each person is required to have a specific travel/trip insurance outside of your credit card or regular medical insurance.
You should get comprehensive coverage with trip interruption/cancellation and with personal liability. Mention all activities that you will be involved in such as mountain biking, hiking at high altitude and whatever other activities you may have planned.
We do not provide refunds. If you should get hurt or sick not only will travel insurance cover your medical expenses it will also cover the lost portion of the trip. Make sure you have trip interruption or trip cancellation included! South America is famous for people striking and shutting down all activities. If you miss your Machu Picchu trip, Galapagos or any other side trip, or even your flight due to strikes the insurance will cover the loss or additional costs that are incurred.
Check out our blog on travel insurance and why it is a must for any South America Vacation!
All international flights require a layover. Most layovers will be through Lima, Peru or Bogota, Colombia. In the case of flying through Lima most flights will arrive late at night in Lima and flights to Cusco will fly out in the morning. Many people get arrivals at 3-4 am and flights out around 5-6 am.
Your options for layovers in Lima, Peru.
Things to note when arriving in Lima:
As you can see there is a lot that you must do on arrival to Lima. You will need a bare minimum of two hours (if you have only carry-on luggage) in between flights.
Machu Picchu requires a lot of hiking and tends to be a tiring day for most folks. There are many stairs and visiting the main sanctuary without anything additional (such as hiking to the Sun Gate, the Inca Bridge, Machu Picchu Mountain or Huayna Picchu) requires at least 3 hours of hiking up and down many stairs.
If you are not physically fit then we suggest that you begin a routine of walking, hiking or climbing stairs. To give you an example, most people who are physically fit can hike up the Inca stairs to Machu Picchu in 1.5-2 hours. I have had multiple people tell me it took them 4 hours just to get to the citadel. We think it is worth beginning a routine before you come to be in shape for the many Inca stairs to come.
Another thing to note is that Machu Picchu is located at 2430 m/7970 ft above sea level. The elevation makes hiking a bit harder even for those who are fit.
Reviews
I can’t recommend Haku expeditions enough. I recently took a solo trip to Peru. Like most people, my main goal was to go to Machu Picchu. Other than that, I really had no idea what else to do in Cusco. Bill and Nic from Haku showed me everything Cusco and its surrounding area had to offer. Some of the activities they arranged for me included horse back riding above Cusco’s hills, ATVing throughout the Sacred Valley, zip lining, bike riding and an hiking the Salkantay trail to Machu Picchu. Bill and Nic have done all of these activities themselves to assure that they are of the highest quality. And they are. They go through great lengths to make sure that your trip to Peru is a memorable one. Highly recommend Haku expeditions if you plan to visit Peru.
We are a family with kids ages 15, 12, and 9. Haku Expeditions created an unforgettable trip of a lifetime for us that far exceeded our expectations. Our bucket list trip included ATV, zip line, hiking, and biking excursions that appealed to all of the age ranges in our family. They handled all the details and planning for the Machu Picchu adventure as well - which was unbelievable to say the least! They know the answers to questions that we didn't even know to ask (regarding permits, tickets, guides, schedules, etc...). They handle it all (travel, accommodations, ticketing, activities) so you can enjoy your adventure without hassles, setbacks, or surprises. Cannot say enough about how happy we are to have worked with this awesome company of experienced, passionate, and well connected adventure liaisons! They are the real deal! Thank you Haku Expeditions for helping make our family's dream of visiting Peru and Machu Picchu a reality that far exceeded everything we had hoped for. Amazing!!!
These Machu Picchu tickets and Machu Picchu train tickets are perfect for those that have a very tight schedule or a pre-planned Peru vacation. If you have only one day to get to the crown jewel of Peru this Machu Picchu day trip package is for you.
Our Machu Picchu Day Trip package is ideal for you if:
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Whats the price of the Machu Picchu day trip? And what’s included?
Price is $365 per adult and $325 per child
Included:
Not included:
Our Cross Country MTB tours take you from one spectacular destination to the next. On these, you’ll cycle literally across whichever country you’re visiting. For instance, check out our Andes to the Amazon tour, where you travel from Cusco to the Peruvian Amazon.
Our current XC vacations are made up of long-distance rides on backcountry roads. If you are looking for XC singletrack, get in touch with us, and we’ll set up a one-of-a-kind MTB tour suited to your needs.
How we define XC: Anywhere from old logging or fire roads to rolling singletrack, Cross Country trails are generally long distances with both ascents and descents. While trails may be somewhat technical with rock gardens and tight switchbacks, they generally do not have intense steep rock gardens like those you might find in DH or Enduro racing.
An XC bike is often lighter with a slacker head tube angle for better climbing ability and tends to not have a dropper post although the trend is changing. Usually it will be a hardtail or a full suspension bike with a smaller amount of suspension — 100-130mm.
Most XC riders do not wear pads such as elbow or knee pads and wear a half-shell helmet.
Our MTB expeditions are multi-day trips that involve camping, hiking and/or local home stays in the mountains with cooks and porters. At the moment Haku Expeditions offers one complete mountain expedition and also two packages that combine an MTB vacation with a smaller expedition nestled in it.
The front travel for DH bikes is usually somewhere around 200mm with the rear measuring slightly less. Because they generally aren’t pedalled uphill, these bikes are rugged and heavy and usually have less gears. DH riders wear full-face helmets, goggles, and body armor.
At the moment we do not offer a 100% DH trip. Contact us and we can make a custom trip for you! Below, you’ll find our Enduro MTB tours listed that are mostly all downhill and can be done either with a DH bike or an Enduro bike.
How we define DH: DH riding – or Downhill riding — is regarded as an intense, extreme kind of cycling, made for advanced riders who love to navigate roots and rocks and huge drops with furious downhill speed. It requires a stellar sense of balance and technique and a bike with slacker geometry.
The front travel for DH bikes is usually somewhere around 200mm with the rear measuring slightly less. Because they generally aren’t pedalled uphill, these bikes are rugged and heavy and usually have less gears. DH riders wear full-face helmets, goggles, and body armor.
Our Enduro/All-Mountain MTB tours are by far our most popular trips to date. While some of them focus more on descent like Ecuador and Peru, others include plenty of pedaling such as those in Colombia and Nepal.
How we define Enduro/All Mountain: Enduro mountain biking, also known as All-Mountain biking, emphasizes technical ability. If you’re looking for a more adventurous ride, this is the kind of ride for you; usually, an Enduro/All-Mountain trail will involve adrenaline-pumping downhill mountain biking along with sustained climbs.
Enduro riders need bikes that can take burly drops and rugged technical obstacles efficiently while still being light enough to climb with; they almost always use full-suspension bikes with wide tires and longer rear and front suspension travel. Dropper post is a necessity and standard. The front suspension can be anywhere from 140mm to 170mm. Full-face enduro helmets and body amour are a must for Enduro racing.
1 – The Haku Christmas Drive, which includes yearly clothing giveaways, shoe drives, and a public hot chocolate panettone lunch.
2 – School supply giveaway for children of the High Andes.
3 – Bringing bread and fruit to kids living at elevations where none is available.
4 – Facilitating connections between local organic farmers and local restaurants.
5 – Affordable MTB classes for locals taught by professional coaches.
6 – Sustained commitment to hiring out locals to work as drivers, office workers, etc., allowing a great amount of flexibility for family commitments, and paying them fair, livable wages.
7 – Donating 1% of all profits to help educate children in a technical field such as carpentry.
8 – Helping young adults begin a small business working in their technical field or purchasing products from them to help them get started after high school.
1 – Getting your heart rate up isn’t really your thing, and you rarely (if ever) exercise. Your idea of a perfect vacation is total relaxation: sitting on a beach, sipping a mojito, and just generally vegging out.
2 – You don’t necessarily work out regularly but you aren’t averse to the idea of doing something active. Although you don’t exercise that often, you don’t necessarily consider yourself out of shape.
3 – You exercise one to two times a week but do not have a normal schedule that keeps you biking or doing other activities weekly. You don’t go to the gym or train for any specific sports but you lead a relatively active lifestyle by biking, hiking, skiing, or whatever it may be. For biking: climbs and long descents give you some trouble and you tend to get tired after about 2-3 hours on the bike.
4 – You exercise 3-4 times a week and enjoy physical activities such as biking, hiking, skiing. You are active. For biking: you enjoy climbs that are are moderately long and being on a bike for 3-5 hours in one day doesn’t get you too tired or fatigued.
5 – You exercise at least 4 times a week and are an avid athlete that is consistently in good shape. You’re more or less game for any kind of adventure. For biking: you’re comfortable with being on your bike for 5-7 hours a day.
6 – You live and die for exercise, sweat, and suffering. You only want to climb higher, go farther, and prove how much of an animal you are. Steep climbs, long descents and big days are something you are looking to do more of and you can’t wait for your next adventure.
Beginner:
You’ve been riding a mountain bike for a couple of years or less and you’re most comfortable on smooth single-track and wider, forgiving doubletrack. You like rides with scenic views; you like both ascending and descending on well-maintained, safe trails. You’re looking for an active but relaxing mountain bike vacation; you’re not into jumps, drops, super steep trails, rock gardens, roots or taking big risks on your bike.
Intermediate:
You’ve got two plus years of experience mountain biking on single-track trails under your belt; you’ve gotten pretty confident behind the handlebars and are beginning to expand your mountain bike abilities. You like riding most types of terrain, and you’re comfortable both climbing and descending on single-track trails with smaller technical features such as rocky sections, small drops, and small steep sections. You aren’t trying to walk on most of the trail and are looking to take small risks with things like speed, jumps, rock gardens, and stair sets to improve your skills as a mountain biker.
Intermediate Tech:
You’ve got three plus years of riding on singletrack trails of all sorts with features such as rock gardens, steep sections, rolls and drops, roots, and small jumps. You are confident on the bike in most situations. You’re constantly looking to improve your riding skills and enjoy riding for extended periods of time climbing and descending in terrain of all sorts.
Advanced:
Ten plus years of experience riding single-track, freerides and biking of all sorts. You live for steeps, jumps, rock gardens, techy trails, long descents, big ascents and discovering new terrain. Mountain biking is one of your passions and you are ready and confident to do what you love in a new and challenging place. You can handle anything we throw at you — jumps, rock gardens, steps, technical descents, tough ascents, etc. Biking is a central part of your life. For you, the bigger the challenge, the more excited you get.
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Nicole helped me make fairly last minute adjustments to a trip that was already partly planned, and the parts of my trip that she organized were the very best parts of my whole time in Peru. I didn’t really know specifically what I wanted to set up, and she really understood the kind of experience I wanted and helped me make it happen, including a great hike to Huchuy Quosco. She was also unbelievably helpful and available when it came to logistics like changing train tickets, organizing a guide and a hike at Machu Picchu, and contacting the guide for our Huchuy Quosco Hike when we needed to scale it back a bit due to my boyfriend’s gimpy knees. The guides she set up were fantastic. I could not have done it without her, no exaggeration, and in addition to being extremely competent and responsive, she was lovely and funny and great. I just got back from my trip, and now all I want is to go back to get her help planning some more serious hiking and trekking, and also maybe just to hang out with her