Machu Picchu Bus Tour – 2 Days Bus Trip from Cusco
If you are looking for the most affordable way to visit Machu Picchu, our 2-Day Bus Tour from Cusco is an excellent option. This tour is designed to be simple, safe, and stress-free, covering everything you need for the journey.
Since Aguas Calientes, the town at the base of Machu Picchu, has no direct road access from Cusco,
we travel by bus through the Sacred Valley to Hidroeléctrica, the last point reachable by road.
From Hidroeléctrica, you can enjoy a scenic hike of about 2.5 hours along the train tracks to Aguas Calientes,
following the historic route used by Hiram Bingham III. This walk offers beautiful views of Peru’s tropical landscape. If you prefer, you may also take the train for an additional cost.
This 2-day bus tour is one of the safest and most budget-friendly ways to reach Machu Picchu.
We use well-maintained vehicles driven by trained local drivers who follow strict safety standards.
At Machu Picchu, you will be guided by a certified bilingual guide with deep knowledge of Inca history and culture, ensuring a meaningful and informative visit.
We invite you to read our TripAdvisor reviews and learn from the experiences of other travelers.
2 Days
Aventure
Easy
Cusco
6:30 am
12 people
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Cusco – Aguas Calientes
Your 2-day Machu Picchu tour begins with a hotel pick-up in Cusco. From there, we travel in private transportation through the beautiful Sacred Valley of the Incas to Ollantaytambo train station, where you will board the train to Aguas Calientes.
The two-hour train journey offers scenic views of the Urubamba River, passing through Andean villages and farmlands. Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes, our representative will assist you and escort you to your hotel.
You will have free time to explore the town at your own pace. You may choose to visit the famous hot springs or the Machu Picchu Museum. In the evening, our local expert guide will meet you at the hotel to explain the itinerary for the next day.
Day 2: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco
We depart early in the morning to visit Machu Picchu. The hotel staff will provide a snack box, and then we will take a 25-minute bus ride uphill to the main entrance of the citadel.
At the entrance, our local guide will assist you through the security control, where your ticket will be checked against your original passport. Often, we enter among the first groups of the day,
giving you the chance to experience sunrise at Machu Picchu.
Machu Picchu Guided Tour
You will enjoy a two-hour guided tour of the iconic Inca citadel. During the visit, our guide will show you the royal quarters, Inca temples, ceremonial areas, and the impressive agricultural terraces, while sharing insights into Inca history and culture. After the guided tour, you will have free time to explore the citadel on your own. If you have booked a climb to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, our guide will direct you to the correct entrance.
Please note that Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain permits must be reserved in advance, as they often sell out months ahead. We recommend informing us at the time of booking.
From the summit, you will enjoy panoramic views and see the route taken by Hiram Bingham during the rediscovery of Machu Picchu. Alternatively, you may hike to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku), which
does not require advance booking. This viewpoint offers a unique perspective of
Machu Picchu and is the entrance used by travelers on the
Inca Trail. The round trip hike takes about two hours.
Later, we return by bus to Aguas Calientes, where you will board the train back to Ollantaytambo. Our representative will meet you at the station and provide your transfer back to Cusco.
Inclusions
What's included
- Cusco Hotel Transfer
- Train Ticket from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes and back
- 01 Night Ensuite Hotel Stay in Aguas Calientes
- 01 Breakfast
- Bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu and back
- Bi-lingual tour guide (Spanish and English)
- Entrance to Machu Picchu
What's not included
- Meals
- Entrance to Huayna Picchu Mountain and Machu Picchu mountain
- Any Private Expenses
Packing List
These items are essential for your comfort and safety during the tour. Your passport or identification is required for entrance controls. Comfortable clothing and proper walking shoes make the hike easier. Sunscreen and a hat protect you from the sun, while a water bottle helps you stay hydrated. Carrying some cash is useful for personal expenses and local services.
- Original Passport and ISIC Card if availing for students discount
- Snacks
- Peruvian Soles in cash
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are meals included in the tour?
The tour typically includes breakfast at your hotel and a snack box for the journey to Machu Picchu.
Lunch and other meals are usually not included, so you may want to bring snacks or plan to eat in Aguas Calientes, where there are various restaurants and cafés offering local and international cuisine.
2. What is the best time of year to take this tour?
The tour can be taken year-round, but the dry season from May to September is ideal for clear skies and better hiking conditions. During the rainy season (November to March), trails may be slippery, and some activities could be limited, but the scenery is lush and green, and there are fewer tourists.
3. Can children or elderly travelers join the tour?
Yes, children and elderly travelers can join, but it is important to assess physical ability.
The tour involves some walking and steps, so families with young children or older adults should plan accordingly. We recommend discussing specific needs with us when booking.
4. Is Wi-Fi or cell service available during the tour?
Wi-Fi and cell service are limited during the tour, especially in remote areas such as the train ride through the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu itself.
It is best to enjoy the experience offline and carry a power bank if you need to charge devices during the day.
5. What should I do in case of altitude sickness?
Cusco and the Sacred Valley are located at high altitudes, which may cause mild altitude sickness for some travelers. We recommend resting upon arrival, staying hydrated, avoiding alcohol, and taking it easy the first day. Over-the-counter medication like acetazolamide can help, but consult your doctor in advance if you have concerns.
Feel free to call us. We’re a team of experts and would be happy to speak with you.
- +51 970 409 091
- [email protected]
Customer Experience
Posted on Erick WVerified Thanks Richard! Did this two day trek with Richard, our guide. He was very friendly, informative and passionate to share his knowledge about the local traditions and customs. The trek included all meals and were all freshly cooked. The camping sites were located overlooking the valley. The red valley trip was the highlight and i truly enjoyed it more than the rainbow mountain.Posted on Valery HVerified Viaje mágico ✨️ I took the 4-day, 3-night tour to Choquequirao, and it was definitely an amazing experience. The organization was excellent, the service was outstanding throughout, and the team was always attentive and professional. Plus, the atmosphere was super fun, which made the whole trip even more special. I highly recommend this tour company if you're looking for a well-planned adventure full of great moments 😉Posted on Miguel Ángel MVerified Choquequirao Hi everyone, I highly recommend the Choquequirao tour (the one I did) with this agency because of all my options, it offered the best guaranteed service. There were no problems, so I'm very satisfied.Posted on Navigate03655434048Verified Recommended I did the Machu Picchu-Inca Trail tour with this agency, 100% recommended guys, the service was excellent and seeing all these places was simply beautifulPosted on Navigator25956226682Verified A really wonderfull experience Visiting Manu National Park with this agency was truly the best choice! 👌 The Peruvian rainforest is truly magnificent and wonderful, and the agency really gives you the opportunity to experience the best of it.Posted on LuisVerified A Remarkable Journey to Choquequirao An unforgettable 5-star adventure to Choquequirao, with breathtaking views, incredible Inca ruins, and a true sense of untouched beauty throughout the trek. The experience was made even better by our tour guide, Richard, who was knowledgeable, funny, and kind—he kept us motivated, shared fascinating insights, and made every moment along the journey even more enjoyable.Posted on Nancy MVerified The trip of my dreams!!! I'm Nancy and I loved the experience we had with the tour. We had a wonderful experience to remember. The service was excellent, punctual, and professional from everyone who accompanied us. We'll definitely be back, thank you so much! 🤗Posted on rocio cVerified beautiful experience We had an unforgettable experience with this company visiting Manu National Park for two days. My family and I are very happy to have enjoyed such a well-organized tour. We saw monkeys, birds, snakes, capybaras, caimans, and much more. Thank you for this great experience, Trails to Machu Picchu.Posted on Sreeram HariharanVerified Worth it Had a wonderful trip to Choquequirao Site with Richard as our guide. Everything was perfect and Richard was very knowledgeable.Posted on Warner JVerified Very well organised trip I felt little sick because of the altitude, a day before the tour, but since everything was booked, I decided to do the tour anyways. Thanks Richard for going above and beyond in ensuring that everything was going smoothly. He was constantly in touch with me through Whatsapp ensuring that I was doing well. The guide was very kind and took things really slowly and never made felt rushed. The lunch was very nice at a local restaurant in Sacred Valley. I was accommodated for a night at a hotel in Aguas Calientes, the room was very nice and the hotel was right in the centre of the town. The guide showed up the night before and briefed me on what to expect. Everything was just perfect. In Machu Picchu, the guide walked us directly to the view point first while other groups were still in the lower part of the citadel. We had plenty of time in Machu Picchu and got a detailed insight into the Andean history and culture.
Posted on FedeTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I did the Machu Picchu-Inca Trail tour with this agency, 100% recommended guys, the service was excellent and seeing all these places was simply beautifulPosted on sofi_soTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Visiting Manu National Park with this agency was truly the best choice! 👌 The Peruvian rainforest is truly magnificent and wonderful, and the agency really gives you the opportunity to experience the best of it.Posted on Luis Fernando Chullo OchoaTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Tuvimos un viaje inolvidable al parque manu de 2 dias 1 noche. Fue un tour inolvidable para nosotro y lo disfrutamod al maximo. Esta agencia de viajes es muy recomendable, desde el transporte, aalimentacion, guiado profecional y toda la logistica muy bien organizada gracias por todo señores de traisl to machupicchuPosted on David Soncco C. (D.v.D)Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Fue uno bonita experiencia realizar el tour al Parque Nacional del Manu por 3 días, los guías super buenísimos que nos ayudaron a llevarnos una bonita experiencia, muy atentos y super divertidos!!!Posted on AhsanTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. They made my day 😊⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Posted on Ahsan Visa servicesTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I had a great experience with them, recommendedPosted on DivCodeTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Very good tour that I have done, highly recommended to know the Inca Trail🙂😌Posted on Nelly Montalvo PaccoTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Tuvimos la oportunidad de ir con mi familia a conocer Cusco y la experiancia fue única, lo pasamos muy bien desde el transporte, nuestro guía fue muy profesional, la alimentación excelente. Hizo que mi estancia fuera realmente memorable. Estamos muy agradecidos y recomendamos la Agencia de viajes.Posted on david abraham soto lopezTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Buen servicio... me encanto el Guiado de la agencia ... siempre atentos y aclarando cada duda y pregunta con mucho conocimiento.