More about: Day Trips to Machu Picchu from Cusco
Machu Picchu is an Inca city recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. It was built during the mid-15th century in the valley of the Urubamba River, located in the Peruvian Andes.
This sacred site where the Incas worshipped the gods, is one of the best things to do in Cusco, due to its historical and cultural value and privileged panoramic views. Therefore, you should incorporate in your itinerary the entrance tickets to Machu Picchu to enjoy its mountains, temples, agricultural area, archaeological reserve, among others.
Machu Picchu Day Trip from Cuzco
Discover Machu Picchu with everything organized
Travel from Cuzco to the citadel of Machu Picchu on an excursion with an expert guide, transfers included and unique panoramic views of the Andes.
The guided excursion to Machu Picchu from Cuzco is one of the best ways to discover this jewel of the Inca Empire in a complete and comfortable way, accompanied by a professional guide. From your accommodation in Cuzco, you will start an unforgettable tour that includes a panoramic train ride from Ollantaytambo, bus transfer from Aguas Calientes and entrance to the sacred citadel.
During the visit, you will explore some of the most emblematic corners of the site, such as the Temple of the Sun, the Sacred Stone, the Intihuatana or the Main Temple, while you learn about the stories, rituals and beliefs of the Inca civilization. If you book in advance, you can also climb Huayna Picchu or Huchuy Picchu, the mountains that surround the complex and offer breathtaking views of the surroundings.
Recommended if... you want to live Machu Picchu with a guided experience, without worrying about logistics and learning all the secrets of this World Heritage Site.
Machu Picchu 4-Day Inca Trail from Cuzco
Do the classic Inca Trail in 4 days
Travel 42 km through the Peruvian Andes on a unique trek with guide, campsites and an epic finish in Machu Picchu.
The 4-day Inca Trail hike to Machu Picchu is the ultimate experience for lovers of hiking, history and spiritual connection with nature. A 42km trek through mountains, valleys and archaeological remains that culminates in the impressive citadel of Machu Picchu.
Guided by experts in mountaineering and history, you will pass through emblematic places such as Patallacta, Sayacmarca, Wiñay Wayna or the Dead Woman's Pass, on a journey that will take you up to 4,200 metres above sea level. Each night you will camp under the stars in the middle of nature. On the fourth day, after crossing the mythical Sun Gate (Inti Punku), you will arrive at Machu Picchu, where you can explore the site at your own pace and close an unforgettable journey.
Recommended if... you dream of reaching Machu Picchu by walking along Peru's most iconic and exciting ancestral route.
Machu Picchu Tickets
Explore Machu Picchu at your own pace
Buy your general admission ticket to discover the Inca citadel on your own, following the signposted circuits and breathing the energy of the Andes.
The general entrance to Machu Picchu is the ideal option if you prefer to discover this wonder of the world at your own pace, with total freedom to explore the sacred citadel following the marked trails. Without the need for a guide, you can delve into the history and spirituality of the Incas while exploring its most emblematic structures.
From the Temple of the Sun and the Intihuatana, to the Sacred Stone and the views of the Huayna Picchu and Huchuy Picchu mountains, you will live a magical experience in the heart of the Andes. If you wish to climb any of the mountains, you will need to book your entrance ticket in advance.
Recommended if... you want to explore Machu Picchu on your own, letting yourself be carried away by the natural environment and its mysticism without the need for a guide.
We compare the three options
Guided one-day excursion from Cuzco
Ideal if you are looking for comfort and historical context. Includes transfers from your accommodation, panoramic train, entrance tickets and professional guide during the whole visit to Machu Picchu.
Inca Trail in 4 days
The most spiritual and demanding option. A 42 km trek with guides, camps, food and entrance to Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate.
General entrance to Machu Picchu
Perfect for those who prefer to explore the citadel at their own pace. It includes access to the most emblematic areas, but without a guide or transfers.
How are the organised excursions to Machu Picchu from Cuzco?
If you want to visit Machu Picchu without worrying about the logistics, there are several organised tours that depart directly from Cuzco and cater to different types of travellers. The most popular option is the guided Machu Picchu day tour, perfect for those looking for comfort and historical context. It includes pick-up from your accommodation, train and bus journeys, entrance to the site and a professional guide who will accompany you throughout your tour of the citadel.
For the more adventurous, the 4-day Inca Trail offers a completely different experience: a 42km trek through mountains, archaeological ruins and spectacular Andean scenery, culminating at Machu Picchu's most symbolic entrance: the Sun Gate.
Both options offer a unique way to discover this sacred site, either in the comfort of a guided tour or through a spiritual journey along the ancestral paths of the Inca Empire.
How much do excursions to Machu Picchu cost?
Machu Picchu tour prices vary depending on the type of experience you choose. The one-day guided tour from Cuzco is usually priced from around €290 and includes all transfers, entrance fees and a professional guide, making it a comfortable and comprehensive option for first-time visitors.
The 4-day Inca Trail, on the other hand, is more expensive, starting at €780, as it includes accommodation in campsites, food throughout the trek, trekking equipment, transfers and a specialised guide. Although it requires more time and physical preparation, it is an immersive and unforgettable experience.
In both cases, the prices reflect the value of experiencing Machu Picchu in an organised, safe way and with access to key historical information during the visit.
Do the tours include a guided visit to Machu Picchu and are they worth it?
Yes, there are tours that include a guided visit to Machu Picchu, and one of the most highly recommended is this guided tour from Cuzco. Not only will you have organised transfers by train, bus and pick-up from your accommodation, but you will also be accompanied by a professional guide specialised in Inca history during your tour of the citadel.
Having a guide makes all the difference, as it will allow you to better understand the significance of key monuments such as the Temple of the Sun, the Intihuatana or the Sacred Stone. In addition, hearing the legends and rituals surrounding Machu Picchu adds an extra dimension to the experience.
While you can buy just the entrance ticket and walk around on your own, booking a guided tour is absolutely worth it if you want to make the most of your visit and not miss out on essential details of this sacred site.
How much do general admission tickets cost to visit Machu Picchu in Cuzco?
The price of tickets to visit Machu Picchu in Cuzco varies between approximately €37 and €48. This will depend on the tour you wish to take within this archaeological site.
For example:
- Circuit 1, 2, 3 or 4 by Llaqta of Machu Picchu, costs approximately €37 per adult, about €18 for students and from €17 for children aged 3 to 17.
- Circuit 3 combined with Machu Picchu Mountain or Circuit 4 combined with Waynapicchu Mountain, costs around €48 per adult, around €30 for students and from €28 for children aged 3-17.
- Circuit 4 combined with Huchuypicchu Mountain, starts from 37€ for adults, about 18€ for students and from 17€ for children from 3 to 17 years old.
Are the entrance tickets to visit Machu Picchu in Cusco included in any of the city's tourist passes?
No. Unfortunately the entrance tickets to visit Machu Picchu are not included in the city tourist pass administered by the Committee of Integrated Cultural Tourist Services of Cusco.
However, the Cusco Tourist Ticket (BTC) offers entrance to other archaeological sites of interest, which you can incorporate into your itinerary. Such is the case of the Sacsayhuaman Archaeological Park in Cusco, or the Pikillacta Archaeological Park, among others.
Is it worth buying tickets online instead of at the ticket office?
Buying tickets online for Machu Picchu is worth it, because it allows you to guarantee your visit on a specific day and at a specific time. This way, you will not have any inconvenience to enjoy the desired circuit.
Remember that the tickets at the ticket office are usually sold out quickly every day . Therefore, if you do not book several days or even months in advance, you run the risk of arriving and not getting a single ticket available.
Because of this, the best option is to access the Helloticktes website to purchase tickets securely and quickly. You can also connect with one of the day tours to Machu Picchu from Cusco, as, in this case, the company will arrange the tickets for you.
Opening hours of Machu Picchu
The sacred city of Machu Picchu opens its gates every day from 6:00 am until 5:00 pm. The last access is usually at 16:00 hours, i.e. one hour before closing time.
However, each of the circuits has different access times and shifts. For example:
- Machu Picchu Solo: you will be able to access every hour from 6:00 until 2:00 in the afternoon.
- Machu Picchu + Waynapicchu mountain: the schedule for this circuit is organized in four groups. You will be able to enter Machu Picchu every hour from 6:00 to 9:00 and the mountain from 7:00 to 11:00.
- Machu Picchu + Mountain: the first group enters from 6:00 am and the mountain between 7:00 and 8:00 am. Meanwhile, the second group can enter Machu Picchu at 7:00 hours and the mountain between 8:00 and 9:00 hours.
- Machu Picchu + Huchuypicchu mountain: the entrance to Machu Picchu is every hour from 6:00 to 13:00 hours, while the Huchuypicchu mountain can be accessed one or two hours after the Machu Picchu shift, i.e. from 7:00 to 15:00 hours.
Likewise, when you book or buy your ticket online or at the ticket office, you will get all the necessary information about the schedules.
How much time do you need to make an excursion to Machu Picchu from Cuzco?
The time to visit Machu Picchu in Cuzco can vary from two to four hours, depending on the selected experience. You will be able to leisurely walk the paths of the Inca city, take pictures, contemplate different panoramic views and places of interest, etc.
For example, if you plan to tour only the Llaqta or citadel, thus omitting to climb the mountains, then about two hours will suffice. But, if instead, you wish to follow the Machu Picchu route and incorporate the climb up to the Huchuypicchu mountain, you will need about four hours.
Whether these or any other Machu Picchu tour, at the end of your visit and back to Cuzco, you can continue with other itinerary activities: join one of the best cooking classes in Cusco, buy souvenirs, discover some of the things to do in Cusco at night on a pub crawl, among others.
Best time to hike to Machu Picchu in Cuzco
Any time of the year is the best time to go to Cusco and visit Machu Picchu. Whether you decide to do this activity during the dry, rainy or dry season, you will be able to live a unique experience through the circuits of the Inca city.
Dry season
The dry season in Machu Picchu runs from May to September. Rainfall is scarce, the skies are clear and the heat is of medium intensity, compared to other regions of Peru. Therefore, these months are very popular with tourists. In addition, from June to September, you might find snow on top of the mountains.
Rainy season
If what you want is a low tourist influx and landscapes dominated by cloud cover to give a unique touch to your photographs, then you should go to Machu Picchu from December to March. In this period the rains intensify, so you should keep an eye on the weather forecast.
Camping season
April to May are the best months to visit Machu Picchu if you want to enjoy an intermediate climate, i.e. not too sunny, not too rainy and not too cold. Likewise, from September to November, the weather remains cool, with little rainfall and the landscape becomes greener.
How to get to Machu Picchu in Cuzco?
If you are wondering how to get to Machu Picchu from Cuzco, you should know that there are several options: by train, by bus and by guided tour. In any case, you will have to travel about 80 kilometres to Aguas Calientes; this is the closest town to the Inca city (approximately 10 kilometres).
By train
You will have to go from Cusco to the Ollantaytambo train station, which takes about 90 minutes by car
You will then travel by train to Aguas Calientes (about two hours), enjoying an amazing scenic route. When you get off the train you will have to take a bus to Machu Picchu, which takes about 15 minutes.
By bus
Another option to get to Machu Picchu is to take a bus from the centre of Cusco to the Hydroelectric Plant, a route that takes about six hours . You will then walk a maximum of three hours to Aguas Calientes, and then take another bus for a final bus ride of about 15 minutes, which will take you to Machu Picchu.
Through a guided tour
You can also join one of the excursions to Machu Picchu from Cusco and leave all the planning of the transfer in the hands of an expert. You can select a classic one-day train adventure to visit the Inca city.
And, if you plan to spend 5 days in Cusco or more, you can enhance the experience with a two-day, one-night or four-day, three-night excursion. This way, you will not only discover Machu Picchu, but also the Inca Trail.
What you can't miss on a Machu Picchu tour
Machu Picchu is a true archaeological gem, where you will connect with nature and the past of a civilisation. For this reason, you should enjoy the magic of this place, full of history, majestic landscapes and amazing samples of the Incas' ingenuity.
Among the places that you should not miss during your visit to Machu Picchu, the following stand out:
- The Intihuatana: a carved piece, used to identify the change of seasons according to the shadow generated in them.
- The Sacred Plaza: this is another space of religious worship that is accompanied by an extra chamber (House of the Priest).
- The Huayna Picchu Mountain, from where you will get a complete panoramic view of the Inca city.
- The Temple of the Sun: where you can see a pair of windows from where the priests performed rites in adoration of the sun god.
Likewise, you should not miss a walk through the prison, the Royal Residence, the Temple of the Dead, the water mirrors, the Temple of the Condor, among other places.
Tips for visiting Machu Picchu in Cuzco
When visiting a place like Machu Picchu it is important to put into practice some tips that will allow you to improve the experience.
Some of them are:
- Carry only the basics in your bag, especially if you plan to climb the mountains.
- Don't forget your water bottle, as hydrating drinks inside the Inca city are often expensive.
- Be punctual with the schedule, otherwise you won't be allowed in.
- Wear closed and comfortable shoes, to avoid hurting your feet during the circuit.
- Bring repellent and sunscreen. Keep in mind that mosquitoes abound in these mountains. Also, although the weather is very changeable, the sun usually persists.