How difficult is this tour?

Moderate — suitable for travelers with basic fitness; involves hiking along flat terrain for 2–3 hours.

What’s the difference between this and the train option?

The car route is longer but more affordable and scenic, combining road travel and jungle trekking.

Passport, comfortable clothes, light rain jacket, hiking shoes, sunscreen, insect repellent, and flashlight.

Can I upgrade to a train for the return?

Yes — you can request an optional train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo (extra cost).

When is the best time to travel?

The dry season (April–October) offers the most stable weather and clear views.

Machu Picchu by Car 2D/1N -

Maximum Altitude
2,040 – 4,350 m a.s.l.
Guide
Professional bilingual guide
Best Season
April – October
Language
English / Spanish
Payment Method
Cash, card, or online booking before departure
Meeting Point
Hotel (Cusco city center)
Destinations
Cusco
Activities
Culture, Hiking
Trip Type
Mountains
Difficulty
Challenging
Trip Tag
Adventure, Cultural, Nature & Wildlife

Overview

Itinerary

Cost

FAQs

Map

🧭 Overview

Discover the alternative and adventurous route to Machu Picchu by Car (2 Days / 1 Night) — a perfect option for travelers seeking a scenic and budget-friendly journey through the Andes and the high jungle.
This route combines panoramic landscapes, winding mountain roads, and a short jungle hike before reaching Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo).
It’s a comfortable yet adventurous way to arrive at the Lost City of the Incas, including transportation, accommodation, guided tour, and meals.

✨ Highlights

Travel to Machu Picchu via the Sacred Valley and jungle route
Experience the dramatic change from Andes to rainforest
Walk the iconic Hidroeléctrica trail to Aguas Calientes
Explore Machu Picchu with a professional guide
Enjoy an affordable, scenic alternative to the train route

🚐 Day 1 :

Cusco → Hidroeléctrica → Aguas Calientes

We’ll pick you up from your hotel between 6:30 and 7:00 a.m. and drive through the scenic Sacred Valley of the Incas, passing Chinchero, Urubamba, and Ollantaytambo.
From there, the road ascends through the Abra Málaga Pass (4,350 m) before descending into the lush jungle region of Santa María and Santa Teresa.
After several scenic stops, arrive at Hidroeléctrica (around 2:00 p.m.), where you’ll enjoy lunch before beginning a 2½–3-hour walk along the train tracks to Aguas Calientes (or take an optional local train).
Arrive in Aguas Calientes, check into your hotel, and have dinner at a local restaurant, followed by a briefing with your guide about the next day’s visit to Machu Picchu.

Duration: ≈ 8–9 hrs driving + 3 hrs walking
Difficulty: Moderate
Accommodation: Hotel in Aguas Calientes (2,040 m)

🏯 Day 2 :

Machu Picchu Tour → Return to Cusco

Wake up early (around 4:30 a.m.) to walk or take the shuttle bus up to the entrance of Machu Picchu and witness the sunrise over the citadel.
Enjoy a 2-hour guided tour through the site’s most important areas — the Temple of the Sun, Intihuatana, Royal Palace, and more — as your guide reveals the history and mysteries of the Inca Empire.
Afterward, you’ll have free time to explore or climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (optional, with prior booking).
Descend to Aguas Calientes for lunch, then return on foot to Hidroeléctrica, where our transport will take you back to Cusco, arriving around 9:30–10:00 p.m.