I am trying to find a tour to Machu Picchu from Cusco and am having trouble finding a tour that is only one day. If anyone knows a good tour that would be great.
Thanks
Reply to this Britany,
If you only have one day and want to go to Machu Pichu, make sure you take the train from Cusco to Aguas Calientes the day before and spend the night in Aguas Calientes. Then you'd have plenty of time to spend at Machu Pichu. Remember you have to consider the time it takes to get there, and the train schedules.
Reply to this I second what Jacques said. That way you can get up there for the sunrise (make sure you're on one of the first buses), and beat the main crowds.
You can walk back down the mountain yourself on a track, you don't need to get the bus both ways.
Reply to this You can find a tour guide as soon as you get off the plane in Macchu Picchu. Chances are you will be hounded. The hotels can hook you up with one also in Cuzco. They will be flexible.
Reply to this You could always buy one of the many guide books on MP available in Cusco, and just walk around the ruins at your own pace.
Waynapichu (the peak in the background of the MP photos) is definitely worth the climb. It's free, you can get your passport stamped at the entrance, but there's only a limited amount of people allowed up each day. It could be 400, can't remember definitely. I'd suggest heading up there early in the day to make sure you don't miss out.
Reply to this The maximum amount of people allowed to climb Waynapichu is actually 300.... and it fills up pretty fast. If you intend to do this hike, make sure you are in the very first bus of the day. You don't really need a tour to go to MP. You only need the train tickets, which you need to get ahead of time, and well if you intend to stay at Aguas Calientes the night before going to MP, you must make a reservation ahead of time as well, since hotels fill up pretty fast.......especially at this time of year.
However, I do think you need to get a guide once you are in MP though. You can get with other people and share the cost of the guide, and its really worth it.
Reply to this Hi Brittany,
Ther is a full day Machu Picchu tour that includes everything, i paid like $190, and it was really good, i went with this company www.inkastravel.com
Reply to this There is a great write up with at least one tour operator at www.thecircumference.org/experiences/journey-back-in-time-to-the-lost-city-of-the-incas-machu-picchu
Reply to this Hi guys,
Had conflicting opinions from a lot of people here - some saying I need to book up a tour(+hence the required pass) for MP, some saying just get there and get an independent tourguide/join another group and wing it! What is the advice? Thanks!
Reply to this Hi David,
Welcome to TravelBlog.
To do the traditional 4 day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu you do need to book with a tour group, and take your passport.
To go direct to the MP site itself you don't need to hire a guide or be part of a group, though apparently guides are available on site if you want to pay for one.
You also don't need to have your passport if going directly to the MP site, but if you want to climb Huayna Picchu (Young Peak) which is where the photos looking down onto the MP buildings are taken from, you can get a passport stamp at the entrance (inside the main MP site). Go in the morning though because numbers are restricted.
Reply to this Thanks Jo, was just worried if i get there and told i can't go to MP it would be wasted journey! still not sure which one to go for though - independent non-guided visit, or an organised one with a bit of peace of mind!
Reply to this When I went I didn't use a tour guide and it was fine. One thing, the mosquitoes there were crazy I don't know if it was just the season, but I was constantly being eaten so bring bug spray.
Reply to this You could always buy a guidebook/map as a souvenir before you go walking around, as a halfway measure.
Reply to this A dear friend of mine is a travel specialist in Lima, I'm absolutely sure she will guide you in the best direction tour and value wise...her email address is
. Reply to this Hi,
I also want to go direct to the MP without any guide or organized tour. But I wonder if we can get the train tickets (Cusco-Aguas Calinetes) there at the railway station. I mean without booking them in advance.
I just tried to book online at www.perurail.com. I was surprised to see that there is no availability on many dates in April. If anyone can give me information that would be great.
On the other hand I found an agency where I can book a 2 days guided tour from Cusco to MP. Go by train, go off at km 104, walk up to MP, visit MP in the evening, sleep at A.Calientes, go up again by bus, attend a 2 hour guided tour of MP, get back to Cusco by bus and train. But the point is - it costs about 650 USD (without including the hotel at a. Calientes). What do you think about it, isn't it much too expensive?
Thanks a lot
Reply to this ninaN
I just returned from MP two weeks ago. An amazing time. I did the 4 day Inca Trail to MP with Perutreks. It cost about $430US so to hear a 2 day tour cost $650US, I would say its expensive and it included all those things you mentioned as well.
If you're planning on climbing Huayna Picchu, you have to wake up really early (5am) in order to get there early enough to get a pass as they limit the numbers. Its 400 max per day. Careful, the climb is steep and narrow. If you're scared of heights, you may want to reconsider!
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