Machu Picchu 2 Day Tour from Cusco

Machu Picchu is a 15th-century Inca citadel built around 1450 under Emperor Pachacuti, located 2,430 m (7,972 ft) above sea level in the Cusco region of Peru. It is famous for its precision dry-stone architecture, agricultural terraces, and panoramic views over the Urubamba canyon. Hiram Bingham brought it to international attention in 1911, and UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site in 1983. Today it is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and Peru’s most visited destination, accessed only by train from Ollantaytambo, by the Inca Trail, or via Hidroeléctrica.

Our 2 Day Machu Picchu Tour uses Circuit 2 – Classic Route (Ruta 2), the most complete itinerary available to general visitors. This route includes the iconic postcard photo from the upper terrace, the Temple of the Sun, the Sacred Plaza, the Intihuatana stone, and the Sacred Rock. Since 2024 Machu Picchu has been divided into three official circuits — Panoramic (1), Classic (2), and Royalty (3) — each with one-way paths. Choosing the wrong circuit means missing key sectors of the citadel, which is why we book Circuit 2 by default. If you prefer the Panoramic or Royalty circuit, let us know at the time of reservation.

For 2026 the official entrance fees set by Peru’s Ministry of Culture (Resolution Nº 000284-2025-MC) are: S/152 (~USD 40) for foreign adults on standard circuits (Panoramic, Classic, Royalty), and S/200 (~USD 53) for circuits that include Huayna Picchu Mountain, Machu Picchu Mountain, or the Great Cavern route. Starting May 1, 2026, SERNANP added a mandatory conservation fee of S/11 for foreign adults (S/5 for nationals and foreign minors), bringing the total to roughly S/163 / USD 48. Children under 3 enter free year-round. All of these official tickets are included in the price of our 2 Day Tour, so you do not pay them separately.

The dry season (May to September) offers the most reliable weather, with sunny days, clear views, and minimal rain. June, July, and August are peak months — book at least 3 months ahead. April and October are excellent shoulder months: greener landscapes, fewer crowds, and stable weather. The rainy season (November to March) brings frequent afternoon showers but also dramatic clouds, lower prices, and a more peaceful citadel; February is the wettest month and the Inca Trail closes for maintenance. Average daytime temperatures in Machu Picchu range from 17 °C to 24 °C year-round, dropping to 8–12 °C overnight in Cusco. We operate the tour every day except Christmas Day.

Yes — if your schedule allows it. The Full Day Tour requires a 3:30 AM departure from Cusco, a long round-trip train ride, and only about 2.5 hours at the citadel before you must catch the return train. The 2 Day Tour spreads the journey over two days, includes a relaxed Sacred Valley visit on Day 1 (Pisac, Ollantaytambo), an overnight in Aguas Calientes, and an early-morning entrance to Machu Picchu before the day-trippers arrive. You get better light for photography, a fuller guided tour, and zero travel fatigue. We recommend the 2 Day Tour for first-time visitors and anyone over 50.

The price includes: private hotel pickup and drop-off in Cusco; private transport through the Sacred Valley; partial Boleto Turístico for Pisac and Ollantaytambo; buffet lunch on Day 1; round-trip Inca Rail Voyager train tickets (outbound 16:36, inbound 14:30); official Machu Picchu entrance ticket on Circuit 2 with the new SERNANP fee already covered; round-trip Consettur shuttle bus between Aguas Calientes and the citadel; a private 2-hour guided tour at Machu Picchu with a certified English-speaking guide; and all local taxes. Hotels in Aguas Calientes, breakfast on Day 2, optional mountain hikes (Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain), and tips are not included.

Bring your original passport (the same one used to book the ticket — it is checked at every checkpoint), a small day backpack under 5 kg for the train, comfortable hiking shoes with good grip (the citadel stones are slippery), light layers including a warm fleece for cool mornings, a waterproof jacket or poncho (essential from November to April), high-SPF sunscreen, insect repellent, sunglasses and a wide-brim hat, a reusable water bottle, personal medication, and around 200–300 soles in cash for tips, meals on Day 2, and souvenirs. Leave drones, large tripods, and rigid-tip trekking poles at the hotel — they are not allowed inside Machu Picchu.

Your private guided tour at Machu Picchu lasts 2 hours, which is the regulation-mandated maximum time visitors can stay on Circuit 2 once the route officially begins. During those two hours your certified guide explains the history, astronomy, and architectural meaning of each main sector. After the guided portion ends you must exit the citadel — Machu Picchu is now strictly one-way and no re-entry is permitted on the same ticket. If you want extra time inside, you can purchase a second-entry ticket in advance (additional USD 75 per person); ask us before your trip and we will arrange it.

Yes. Since the citadel reform, every visitor must enter accompanied by an officially certified tour guide, with a maximum ratio of 16 visitors per guide. Independent entry is no longer permitted. Our 2 Day Tour always includes a private certified English-speaking guide who studied at a top Peruvian university, which means you also avoid the common problem of sharing a large group guide with 15 strangers. We can also arrange Spanish, French, German, Italian, or Portuguese-speaking guides on request.

No. Each Machu Picchu ticket is single-use, and once you exit through the controlled checkpoint you cannot return on the same ticket. If you want to visit twice in the same day — for example to combine the citadel tour with a mountain hike — you need to buy two separate entries on two different circuits. Our team can arrange this for you in advance; we recommend it for photographers and history enthusiasts who feel two hours is too short. The cost of a second entry is approximately USD 75 per person on top of the standard tour price.

There are four ways: (1) By train from Cusco (Poroy/Wanchaq) or Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes, then a 25-minute Consettur shuttle bus — this is the route our 2 Day Tour uses. (2) By Hidroeléctrica, a 6-hour drive via Santa Maria and Santa Teresa followed by a 2.5-hour walk along the railway — cheaper but exhausting. (3) By the classic 4-day Inca Trail, the iconic permit-only trek that enters through the Sun Gate. (4) By alternative treks such as Salkantay (5 days), Lares (4 days), Inca Jungle (4 days), or Choquequirao. Our 2 Day Tour by train is the most comfortable option for travelers who want to see the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu without trekking.

The only official channel is the Ministry of Culture website tuboleto.cultura.pe. Physical sales counters operate in Cusco (Casa Garcilaso, Calle Garcilaso s/n) and in Aguas Calientes (Pachacutec Av., Cultural Center), but in 2026 most tickets are sold online and physical offices often show “sold out” days in advance for high season. When you book the 2 Day Tour with Kondor Path Tours, we secure your ticket on the date and circuit of your choice as soon as your deposit is confirmed — you do not need to handle the official platform yourself.

In 2026 Machu Picchu allows a maximum of 5,600 visitors per day in high season (January–November and December 30–31) and 4,500 per day in low season, distributed across 10 sub-circuits with specific entry time slots. Huayna Picchu permits are capped at 400 per day (200 at 07:00–08:00 and 200 at 10:00–11:00). This means that during June, July, August, and Peruvian holidays, tickets routinely sell out 4–8 weeks in advance. We strongly recommend booking the 2 Day Tour at least 6 to 12 weeks ahead; for Huayna Picchu permits, 3 to 4 months ahead.

Your ticket has a fixed entry-time slot printed on it. You may enter up to 30 minutes after that time in low season and 45 minutes in high season. After that grace period the system blocks entry and refunds are not granted, unless force majeure is officially documented. Because our 2 Day Tour books the 08:00 AM slot, we ask guests to be ready at the Aguas Calientes bus stop by 06:30 AM, giving comfortable margin for the 25-minute bus ride and the checkpoint queue.

Both Inca Rail and PeruRail enforce a strict luggage limit of 5 kg (11 lb) or one carry-on bag plus a small handbag per passenger on board the train. Suitcases and large backpacks must be left behind. We coordinate free luggage storage at your hotel in Cusco or in Ollantaytambo — your bags will be safe and waiting when you return. Pack only essentials for one night in Aguas Calientes (change of clothes, toiletries, rain gear, camera, passport, and a warm layer).

Yes, but it must be requested at the time of booking and is subject to permit availability. Huayna Picchu releases only 400 daily permits in two morning shifts (07:00–08:00 and 10:00–11:00), and these sell out 3 to 4 months ahead in high season. The hike takes approximately 2 to 3 hours round-trip with steep stone steps and exposed sections, and is not recommended for travelers with vertigo. Extra cost: USD 95 per person, including the Huayna Picchu ticket plus a slightly longer guided experience.

Huayna Picchu is the iconic sharp peak behind the citadel in the postcard photo. It is shorter (2 to 3 hours), steeper, more dramatic, with narrow stone steps and exposed cliffs — best for the adrenaline view. Machu Picchu Mountain is the larger summit opposite Huayna Picchu, with a 3-hour ascent on a wider, less vertiginous path. It is higher (3,082 m) and offers a sweeping panoramic view of the entire valley including the citadel and Huayna Picchu together. We generally recommend Machu Picchu Mountain for travelers who want the views but not the exposure of Huayna Picchu.

Yes. Children under 3 enter Machu Picchu free year-round. Foreign children aged 3 to 17 and full-time university students with a valid ISIC card receive a discount of approximately USD 20 on the entrance fee. Citizens of Peru, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Venezuela pay the promotional Andean Community rate of S/64 general / S/32 reduced. Train operators also offer a 20% discount for children aged 3 to 11. Send us a copy of the relevant ID at booking and we will apply every discount you qualify for.

Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo) has options for every budget. For comfort within walking distance of the train station we recommend El MaPi by Inkaterra (modern boutique), Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel (riverside luxury, fine dining), and Tierra Viva Machu Picchu (excellent mid-range). On a tighter budget try Hotel Ferre Machu Picchu or Andina Luxury Hotel. For an iconic experience, the Belmond Sanctuary Lodge is the only hotel at the citadel gate itself. We can book your hotel directly as an add-on to the 2 Day Tour and arrange transfers from the train station.

The tour operates rain or shine — Machu Picchu rarely fully closes. From November to April expect short, intense afternoon showers; mornings are usually clearer, which is exactly when we visit. Bring a waterproof jacket or rain poncho and waterproof cover for your backpack and camera. Cloud-forest mist can actually make the citadel more atmospheric and is great for photography. In the very rare event the railway is suspended due to landslides or strikes, we coordinate alternate routes via Hidroeléctrica or arrange a full refund of the unused portion.

We recommend bringing 200 to 350 Peruvian soles (USD 55 to 95) in cash per person for the two days. Breakdown: lunch and dinner on Day 2 outside the package (~S/80), water and snacks (~S/30), souvenirs at Pisac and Aguas Calientes markets (~S/100), tips for the guide and driver (suggested 10% of tour price, in USD or soles), restroom fees at the citadel (S/2), and an emergency reserve. ATMs exist in Aguas Calientes but charge high fees and sometimes run out — withdraw cash in Cusco before departure.

The natural thermal baths (Baños Termales) are located at the upper end of Pachacutec Avenue, about a 15- to 20-minute uphill walk from the main square of Aguas Calientes. They are open daily from 05:00 to 20:30, with an entrance fee of approximately S/20 (USD 5.50). The water is naturally heated to 38–46 °C and contains iron, calcium, and sulfur. Bring a towel, sandals, and swimwear; lockers are available. Many travelers visit after returning from Machu Picchu on Day 2 — but check the time, as the train back to Cusco departs in the afternoon.

Bookings cancelled 30 or more days before departure receive a refund of 80% of the deposit (the remaining 20% covers non-refundable train tickets and entrance permits already issued in your name). Cancellations made 15 to 29 days before departure receive 50%. Cancellations within 14 days are non-refundable but the booking can be rescheduled within 12 months at no extra cost (subject to availability and any price difference). We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance — we can suggest World Nomads or comparable providers. Full terms are on our Terms and Conditions page.