Machu Picchu by bus from Cusco is the most affordable option to visit the Lost City of the Incas from Cusco. The base camp for Machu Picchu, Aguas Calientes, is located deep in the jungle. It is isolated and lacks direct roads connecting it to other cities. There are two ways to get to Aguas Calientes from Cusco, by train or on foot.
On this two-day Machu Picchu by bus from Cusco tour, we will drive you from Cusco to Hidroeléctrica, along the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Then, at Hidroeléctrica, we will embark on a three-hour walk along the train tracks to Machu Picchu Pueblo. This route offers breathtaking views of stunning landscapes. It is the same route taken by the renowned American professor Hiram Bingham III, who rediscovered Machu Picchu.
If you’re traveling on a budget and want to experience the best of your trip to Machu Picchu, this is the best option. Without splurging on a luxurious train journey, you’ll have the chance to immerse yourself in the serenity of nature. You’ll also get the opportunity to meet and interact with many locals who call these remote areas home.
By choosing this Machu Picchu by bus from Cusco trip, you will not only be saving money, but you will also be contributing to the wellbeing of the communities living in the remote areas of the region.
We will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco between 03:40 and 04:00 in the morning and head to the Ollantaytambo train station, the departure point for Machu Picchu Pueblo (formerly Aguas Calientes).
The train journey ahead is a very special route, as it travels through one of the most spectacular railways in the world. You will cross unforgettable landscapes, which you will be able to admire better thanks to the train’s glass ceiling. After an hour and a half, you will arrive in Machu Picchu Pueblo.
Once in Machu Picchu Pueblo, our guide will meet you and assist with your bus transfer to the entrance of the Machu Picchu citadel.
In Machu Picchu, you’ll enjoy a guided tour of approximately two and a half hours, visiting the Guardian’s House, the Temple of the Sun, the Three Windows, the Intihuatana, the Acllahuasi, the Temple of the Condor, and the water fountains. After the tour, you will have the option to hike Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain if you’ve booked in advance. Then, we’ll take the bus back to Machu Picchu Pueblo.
Before returning by train to Ollantaytambo, you will have five hours of free time to eat and explore Machu Picchu Pueblo. At the agreed time, we’ll meet at the train station and start the journey back to Ollantaytambo. There, our representative will meet you and organize your bus transfer back to Cusco.
At the end of the tour, the bus will drop you off three blocks from Cusco’s Plaza de Armas.
Between 6:00 and 7:00 AM, we will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco and travel by minibus to the Hidroeléctrica sector. During the approximately 5-6 hour journey, you will enjoy the stunning landscapes of the Sacred Valley of the Incas and cross the Abra Málaga pass (3,256 m – 10,682 ft), ascending to 4,316 meters above sea level, where you will have one of the best views of the Peruvian geography.
After a descent through the jungle, we will arrive at Santa María (1,250 m) and then Santa Teresa, where we will make a brief stop to rest at a local restaurant around 1:30 PM.
With our hunger satisfied, we will begin a 3-hour walk along the train tracks to Machu Picchu Pueblo (Aguas Calientes). There, you will stay in basic accommodation with a private bathroom. If desired, you can visit the hot springs in Aguas Calientes to relax. In the evening, our guide will meet you in the hotel lobby to provide details about the next day’s itinerary. Dinner will be served at a local restaurant.
We will wake up early for breakfast around 4:00 AM. After breakfast, we will begin the ascent to Machu Picchu. This hike, which takes about an hour and a half, follows a section of the Inca Trail up to the entrance of the citadel. If you prefer to avoid the hike, you can take a bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu, a 25-minute ride costing USD 12 each way.
Upon arrival at the entrance to Machu Picchu, our guide will assist you with the entry process. It is important to have your original passport and entrance ticket ready for access to the citadel. Once inside, you will enjoy a guided tour of approximately two and a half hours, during which you will visit the main areas of Machu Picchu and learn more about its history and architecture.
After the guided tour, you will have free time to explore. If you have booked a hike to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, inform our guide so they can direct you to the corresponding entrance. Alternatively, you may opt for a hike to Inti Punku (Sun Gate), a viewpoint that offers a spectacular view of Machu Picchu and is the entry point for those hiking the Inca Trail. This round-trip hike takes approximately two hours.
At the scheduled time, you will return on foot to Aguas Calientes and then continue to Hidroeléctrica. Our van departs from Hidroeléctrica at 3:00 PM, and the return to Cusco is scheduled for around 10:00 PM, where you will be dropped off near the Plaza de Armas.
It is recommended that the traveler book at least 3 months in advance to enjoy route 2 of Machu Picchu, which allows for 2 and a half hours to explore Machu Picchu, visit the agricultural sector (where you can take one of the best photos), and take the classic postcard photo from the Guardian’s House. Additionally, by booking in advance, we can reserve your train ticket with a better schedule and view.
Identification documents are required to enter Machu Picchu.
| Category | Type | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Peruvian Traveler | Adult | $90 |
| Child (3-8 years old) | $70 | |
| Student (9-17 years old) | $80 | |
| Foreign Traveler | Adult | $125 |
| Child (3-8 years old) | $105 | |
| Student (9-17 years old) | $105 |
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