Overview
The Machu Picchu Full Day Tour from Cusco begins early, with an overland transfer to Ollantaytambo, the gateway town of the Sacred Valley and the starting point for the train ride into the mountains. From there, the train winds along the Urubamba River toward Aguas Calientes, the small town that sits at the foot of Machu Picchu.
In Aguas Calientes, also known as Machu Picchu Pueblo, a short bus ride climbs the switchbacks up to the citadel itself. A professional guide leads the group through a two and a half hour tour of the ruins, covering the main temples, terraces and architectural highlights that made Machu Picchu one of the most studied Inca sites in Peru.
After the guided portion, travelers are free to explore at their own pace. Some choose to linger among the structures, others head for the Sun Gate, the original Inca entrance to the citadel along the old Inca Trail, offering a different angle over the ruins and the valley below. The site closes at 5:30 pm, so timing the return is part of planning the day.
The Machu Picchu Full Day Tour from Cusco wraps up with the journey back: bus down to Aguas Calientes, train to Ollantaytambo, and a final overland transfer that returns travelers to Cusco, closing out a long but rewarding day in the Andes.
What to Bring for Your Machu Picchu Full Day Tour from Cusco?
Packing smart matters on a Machu Picchu full day tour from Cusco, since the day moves through several climates: cool mornings in Ollantaytambo, the warm, humid air of Aguas Calientes, and unpredictable weather up at the ruins themselves. A few essentials will keep you comfortable from the early train departure to the late-night return to Cusco.
- Original passport (a photocopy is not accepted for entry to Machu Picchu)
- Printed or digital Machu Picchu entrance ticket
- Comfortable walking shoes with good grip
- Light rain jacket or poncho (weather changes quickly, even in dry season)
- Sunhat or cap
- Sunscreen and sunglasses
- Insect repellent (Aguas Calientes sits at lower altitude with more mosquitoes)
- Reusable water bottle
- Small daypack
- Cash in soles for lunch, snacks, or the hot springs in Aguas Calientes
- Light layers, since temperatures drop again once the sun sets
- Camera or phone with extra battery