Machu Picchu Tour By Car 2 days

Duration

2 Days / 1 Night

Type of Tour

History,Cultural

Difficulty

Easy

Gruop size

2 min. - 8 max.

Overview

Our Machu Picchu by Car tour offers an adventurous and budget-friendly alternative to discover Machu Picchu. Departing from Cusco, the journey takes you through stunning Andean landscapes, the Sacred Valley, over the Abra Malaga and down to the Cloud Forest in Hidroelectrica. From there, a hike of about 3 hours following the railway to Aguas Calientes, the gateway to Machu Picchu. The return follows the same route, allowing travelers to experience once again the natural beauty and rural charm of the Andes.

Some of the highlights of this experience are:

Discovering the Inca Jungle, this high jungle is part of a cloud forest ecosystem and the scenery where the Incas developed some of the most incredible architectural projects of their times.
A scenic car ride over the Andes and down to limits between Andes and Amazon.
Hike following the Urubamba River to Aguas Calientes, discovering the lifestyle of locals and stunning landscapes.

Who is this experience for?

It is ideal for travelers looking for the most affordable and adventurous way to Machu Picchu. It is perfect for backpackers, adventure enthusiasts or anyone who doesn’t want to be limited by the current high prices to discover the Hidden City of the Incas. It does involve long car rides and hiking all the way to the Citadel, but sharing this experience with fellow travelers makes of this experience an unforgettable one.

Itinerary

69 Explorer Machu Pichu Guaranty :

We promise your entry to Machu Picchu Citadel or we’ll refund your money.

Note: Bookings made with 8 or less weeks in prior to the trip, may require adjustments in the itinerary to ensure validity of the ticket including earlier start or rescheduling of certain activities. In order to guarantee your whole experience.

Day 1. Cusco – Hidroelectrica – Aguas Calientes

Welcome to this adventure to Machu Picchu!

To start, we will meet in Plaza Regocijo at 6:20 am. Once our guide has checked the group is complete and ready to go, we will head to Ollantaytambo. This scenic drive takes about 1 hour 30 minutes, perfect to take a short nap or enjoy the stunning views of the Sacred Valley.

Once in Ollantaytambo, we will make a short stop for breakfast (not included in the price). Then we will continue on the road, with direction to Santa Maria. We will be there around noon, when we will take another short break for bathroom or buying snacks before continuing.

The last part of the car ride will take about 2 hours to Hidroelectrica. This drive follows the Vilcanota River, along a canyon full of life and staggering landscapes. We will arrive at Hidroelectrica around 1:40 pm. Here we will have 30 minutes for lunch. Then, our last stretch of the day will be hiking along the train lines to Aguas Calientes. A 3-hour hike over flattish terrain visiting farmlands and unique perspectives of Machu Picchu as we approach to the Citadel.

Note: You can upgrade your experience with a train from Hidroelectrica to Aguas Calientes, request at checkout.

Aguas Calientes

Around 5 pm we will arrive in Aguas Calientes, after a long day of adventures and shared experiences with fellow travelers. Once in town, our guide will take us to check into our hotel and latter we will gather for dinner in a local restaurant.

Make sure to go early to bed, the next morning we will start early again.

Highlights of day 1:

Scenic drive from Cusco to Hidroelectrica. Discover the micro-climates in between and enjoy the views from high mountain passes descending to the jungle.
Hike to Aguas Calientes. A prelude into the upcoming adventure.

Day 2. Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco

To the Citadel and exploration

Our guide will pick us up early in the morning, at 4:30 am, to start hiking to Machu Picchu. This hike takes about 1.5 hours and cover about 3.5 km. Our goal is to make it in time for the Sunrise over the Citadel.

Note: the hotel will send us a box meal for our breakfast on route to Machu Picchu.

After enjoying this wonderful experience, our guide will take us on a 2-hour guided tour around Machu Picchu. During the tour we will explore the agricultural, residential, and religious sectors of the Citadel, delving deep into its history and marveling at its architectural richness.

Back to Aguas Calientes

We will return to Aguas Calientes following the same trail we used in the way up. This time the hike will be much shorter, after about 1 hour we will be back in town.

Once in Aguas Calientes you will have free time until 11:30 am, you can use this time to explore the town at your own pace. Maybe do some souvenir shopping, visit the local Hot Springs or just relax in one of the many cafeterias or restaurants.

Last Push: back to Hidroelectrica

At 11:30 am, we will start our hike back to Hidroelectrica. This time it will be slightly easier as the way back is again over flattish terrain again, but slightly downhill. We expect to arrive at Hidroelectrica around 2:30 pm, right on time for a well-deserved lunch.

Note: You can upgrade your experience with a train from Aguas Calientes to Hidroelectrica, request at checkout.

Hidroelectrica to Cusco

After enjoying our lunch, we will start the way back to Cusco.

Around 4:45 pm we will be in Santa Maria, where we will make a quick stop. Continuing our return, after passing Abra Malaga Pass we will make another stop at Ollantaytambo at 8 pm. After this last stop, we will go to Cusco.

Our adventure will finish around 9:45 pm at Plaza regocijo. Wrapping up an unforgettable adventure.

Highlights of day 2:

Hiking from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu for the sunrise over the Citadel.
2-hour guided tour in Machu Pichu.
Free time to enjoy Aguas Calientes.

Reasons Travelers Choose Us in 2025

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What’s included?

Shuttle from and back to Cusco

We will pick up the group from Plaza Regocijo and drop you back to the same spot. This location is strategically located in the downtown, close to most of the hotels and hostels.

Guided Tour of Machu Picchu

On arrival at Machu Picchu, an expert guide will lead you through the iconic Inca citadel. This tour covers the major sectors of Machu Picchu, including the agricultural, residential, and religious areas. It’s an insightful exploration into the history and architecture of this ancient wonder.

Professional, Bilingual Guide

Throughout the tour, you’ll be accompanied by a professional, bilingual guide who will share fascinating insights and stories about Machu Picchu and the Inca civilization, enhancing your understanding and experience of this historical site.

Excludes

Meals and Beverages: Any meals or beverages not mentioned in the itinerary are not included.
Entrance Fees to Hot Springs or Museums in Aguas Calientes: If you wish to visit the hot springs or any museums in Aguas Calientes, you will need to cover the entrance fees separately.
Travel Insurance: Travel insurance is not included in the trip. It is highly recommended that you purchase travel insurance for your trip to cover any unexpected events or emergencies.
Tips and Gratuities: While tipping is optional, it is a good practice to tip for good service in Peru.
Additional Activities or Personal Expenses: Any additional activities not mentioned in the itinerary, or personal expenses such as souvenirs, are not included and will be at your own cost.
Machu Picchu Mountain or Huayna Picchu Tickets: If you wish to climb Machu Picchu Mountain or Huayna Picchu, these require separate tickets and are not included in the standard day trip package.
Bus Ticket from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes: You can purchase this tickets by yourself in Aguas Calientes on day 1.
Valid Passport: Required for entry to Machu Picchu. Ensure it’s valid on the day of your visit.
Train from Hidroelectrica to Aguas calientes on day 1 and Aguas Calientes to Hidroelectrica on day 1: you can purchase this as an upgrade at the checkout.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to bring my passport for the trip?

In order to enter Machu Picchu you must have a valid passport. Ensure that it is valid on the day of your visit.

Is the entrance fee to Machu Picchu included in the trip?

Entrance fees to Machu Picchu are included.

What type of clothing should I wear for the trip?

Wear comfortable and breathable clothing. Dress in layers as the weather can change throughout the day. Sturdy footwear is essential for walking and exploring Machu Picchu.

Are meals included in the trip?

All the meals mentioned in the itinerary are included.

Can I bring a large backpack to Machu Picchu?

No, large backpacks are not allowed inside Machu Picchu. A small daypack is ideal for carrying essentials. Storage facilities are available at the entrance for larger bags.

What is the best circuit to visit in Machu Picchu?

The Best Circuit in Machu Picchu is #2. In the case this circuit in not available we recommed a combination of #1 & #3.

Which circuit in Machu Picchu will we visit?

Depending on availability 2A or 2B.

What is the cancellation or refund policy?

Client Cancellation:

To cancel, send a written notice to “69 Explorer.” The initial deposit is not refundable. Check your insurance for potential coverage for cancellation reasons.

Cancellations more than 15 days before departure result in a 50% deposit forfeiture. For cancellations between 7 and 15 days before departure, if full payment has been made, 50% of the total cost will be refunded. No refunds are given for cancellations less than 48 hours before departure or for partial tour cancellations.

Alterations/Cancellations by Us:

In the event of unforeseen circumstances such as technical issues, adverse weather, strikes, government actions, or civil disturbances, “69 Explorer” will try to provide alternative arrangements or equivalent trips, without offering refunds. Itinerary adjustments may be necessary, but we will aim to maintain the agreed services.

Significant changes will be communicated before your trip, with comparable alternative plans offered. Any additional costs from these changes are the client’s responsibility. We cannot compensate for expenses like international flights, visas, vaccinations, etc.

If “69 Explorer” cancels a tour, a full refund will be provided.

Who will be guiding?

All 69 Explorer trips are guided by Local Experienced, English-speaking guides familiar with the trail and Incan history.

What is the age group for this experience?

For our Group Experiences we recommend 18 – 45 years old.

Families with kids or seniors can opt for a Private Trip Experience.

Does 69 Explorer offer customized trips too?

Yes, we can arrange customized trips in Peru.

We offer an extensive range of experiences in Cusco, like hikes or treks, Salkantay & Humantay, Machu Picchu, Inca Trail & Alternative Inca Trail, South Valley & Sacred Valley, Ausangate & Vilcanota Range experiences and recently we added E-biking to our brochure.

Is 69 Explorer a licensed & authorized company?

Yes, we count with all the legal permits and the experience to make your dream trip to Peru a reality.

Plus, all of our local guides have degrees in tourism and a minimum of 2 years experience. They all speak English and Spanish and many also speak Quechua, the native language of Peru.

Destinations

Inca Trail Treks

Alternatives Treks

Machu Picchu Tours

Tours in Cusco

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