Spend a full-day exploring the iconic ruins of Machu Picchu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that has been astonishing explorers and travelers for years.

Machu Picchu with Good Life Expeditions

To make the most of the day, your adventure will begin at 3:30am, with a bus ride from Cusco to the Ollantaytambo train station. From here your train will depart for a 1.5 hour ride through dramatic landscapes of jagged mountains and cloud forests, all alongside the rushing Urubamba River. Along the way you will notice the foliage changing as the train approaches the meeting point of the Andes mountains and Amazon rainforest. Here you will disembark in the quaint town of Aguas Calientes – the gateway to Machu Picchu – and a final 30 minute bus ride will wind up the side of the mountain to bring you to your destination.

Spend some time exploring the areas around Machu Picchu, before meeting your guide for a two-hour tour of the ruins. Your guide will engage you in the rich history of Machu Picchu and take you through the ruins to visit important sites such as the Intihuatana Sun Stone, the Sun Temple, and the Room of Three Windows. Dating back to around 1450, the majestic mountain-top Machu Picchu is the ancient estate of a mighty Inca emperor, and today is considered one of the “New Seven Wonders of the World.”

After exploring the site, you will take the bus down to Aguas Calientes to collect your belongings and head back to the train station. Enjoy the train ride back to Cusco, where you will be taken back to your hotel.

Important notes:

In an effort to protect this epic site and the natural beauty that surrounds it, the local authorities have introduced the following rules & regulations:

• After entering the Machu Picchu site, you cannot exit and re-enter.
• Visits to Machu Picchu are subject to a 4 hour time limit (the average tour duration is 2.5 hours).
• The pedestrian traffic within the site is one-way only. This means that if you choose to trek to the Sun Gate, you must do so at the beginning of your visit. Keep in mind that this option will leave you with less time for visiting the citadel with your guide.

Other important details:

• This tour departs from Cusco City.
• The average temperature at Machu Picchu is 18° C / 64° F.
• There are no toilet facilities inside the Machu Picchu site.
• Depending on the train schedule, you may need to return to Aguas Calientes around 2 pm.
• Train Schedules are subject to change throughout the year and every effort is made to maximize your time at Machu Picchu and ensure you have the best experience possible.

Included:
Private guide and transportation
Entrance fee to Machu Picchu

Not Included:
Meals, personal expenses or permits for additional hikes.

For a comfortable trip, we recommend you bring:

• Layers of clothing (t-shirt, long sleeve, sweater, jacket)
• Rain protection (for the afternoons)
• Hat or cap
• Good walking shoes (no sandals)
• Sunscreen (at least SPF 30), even if it is overcast
• Small lunch and snacks
• Camera