Machu Picchu by Car 2 Days

Overview

If you are looking for the most budget-friendly way to visit Machu Picchu without compromising on comfort, safety, or the quality of your experience, the Machu Picchu Tour by Car 2 Days / 1 Night is the perfect option. It is the most economical route to the legendary Inca citadel, offering an authentic and adventurous alternative to the train-based tours at a significantly lower price.

Rather than traveling by train, this tour takes you by comfortable Mercedes-Benz minibus from Cusco along a scenic route through the Andean highlands and cloud forest to the Hidroeléctrica station, from where you complete the journey to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Town) on foot — a beautiful 3-hour flat hike of 11 kilometers along the railway tracks, surrounded by spectacular jungle scenery and the rushing Urubamba River.

On Day 1 you travel from Cusco to Aguas Calientes via Hidroeléctrica, enjoy a lunch stop along the way, complete the scenic walk into town, and check into your hotel. On Day 2 you enter Machu Picchu for a professionally guided tour of the citadel, then return to Cusco by car via Hidroeléctrica, arriving back in the evening. It is ideal for budget-conscious travelers, backpackers, and adventure seekers who want the full Machu Picchu experience — the guided tour, the overnight stay, and the incredible scenery — at the most accessible price available.

Day-by-day itinerary

2 days · what you'll do each day

DAY1

Cusco to Aguas Calientes via Hidroeléctrica: scenic drive & jungle hike

Your adventure begins at 6:30 AM from our office near Plaza Regocijo, Cusco, where you board a comfortable Mercedes-Benz minibus with your group and an experienced professional driver. The journey from Cusco to Hidroeléctrica takes approximately 5 to 6 hours by road, passing through a remarkable succession of Andean landscapes — from the high-altitude plains and mountain passes around Cusco, down through traditional communities, fertile valleys, and increasingly lush cloud forest as you descend toward the Urubamba River canyon. The route is a genuine experience in its own right. On arrival at the Hidroeléctrica station, you stop for a delicious lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, you begin the beautiful 11-kilometer flat hike from Hidroeléctrica to Aguas Calientes along the scenic railway tracks — a walk of approximately 3 to 3.5 hours through spectacular lush jungle scenery, with the Urubamba River flowing alongside you and the towering cloud-forest walls of the canyon surrounding you. This is a genuine adventure that connects you with the natural environment of the Machu Picchu region in a way no train journey can replicate. The trail is well-defined, flat, and accessible for most fitness levels. Please note this hike is not guided — comprehensive instructions and route information are provided in advance. On arrival in Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Town), you check into your hotel, freshen up, and relax before an included dinner at a local restaurant, followed by a good night's sleep in preparation for the extraordinary morning ahead.

Distance: 11 km hike / ~3 to 3.5 hours (plus ~5–6 hours driving)Meals: Lunch at Hidroeléctrica & dinner in Aguas Calientes — both includedAccommodation: Hotel in Aguas Calientes with private bathroom (Night 1)Difficulty: Easy to moderate — long drive plus a flat jungle walk

DAY2

Machu Picchu guided tour & return to Cusco by car

Day 2 begins early with an included breakfast at your hotel in Aguas Calientes. To reach the main entrance of Machu Picchu you have two options: walk up (begin around 4:30 AM — a 30-minute flat walk to the Puente Ruinas checkpoint, then about 1 hour climbing roughly 1,700 steps to the entrance), or take the shuttle bus (about 30 minutes, departing from 5:30 AM, $12 USD one way, not included in the tour price). However you arrive, the meeting point with your guide is the main entrance gate at 6:00 AM. Once inside, your professional bilingual guide leads a comprehensive guided tour of the citadel — covering the temples, royal palaces, ceremonial areas, agricultural terraces, and iconic viewpoints — bringing the history, architecture, and spiritual significance of Machu Picchu to life, with time for photographs at the most important locations. Afterward you have free time to continue exploring within your assigned circuit. Optional mountain hikes are available for those who reserved them (Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, additional tickets required). At approximately 10:00 AM you begin the return hike from the citadel back to Hidroeléctrica — the same flat 11-kilometer route along the railway tracks, now in reverse, taking about 3 to 3.5 hours. It is important to reach Hidroeléctrica by 2:00 PM to board the vehicle, which departs at 2:30 PM for the 6-to-7-hour return drive to Cusco, arriving back in the city at approximately 9:00 to 10:00 PM.

Distance: 11 km hike / ~3 to 3.5 hours (plus optional 4 km walk up to the citadel and ~6–7 hours driving)Meals: Breakfast at hotel included; lunch on Day 2 at own expenseDifficulty: Moderate — guided citadel tour and a flat return hike, then a long drive

What's included

What to bring

A suggested packing checklist for this trip.

Pricing

This tour operates as a group service — you join fellow travelers for a shared and sociable adventure at the most accessible price available for visiting Machu Picchu from Cusco. Maximum group size: 16 travelers.

Optional add-ons

Good to know

• Student discount requirement. The student price is for travelers under 25 with an original university-issued PVC plastic card showing the university name, your full name, photo, and a valid expiration date through the year of your visit or the following year. ISIC cards are not accepted. Please email photos of both sides of your student ID at the time of booking.
• Deposit. A non-refundable deposit per person confirms your reservation and is used immediately to purchase your Machu Picchu entrance ticket, which cannot be refunded or modified once issued by the Government of Peru. Card payments carry a 2.9% processing fee online (3.9% at our office).
• Remaining balance. If you paid only the deposit, the balance is settled at least 24 hours before the tour starts — online, in cash at our Cusco office (USD or soles), or by card (3.9% fee).
• Cancellations & date changes. The deposit is non-refundable under any circumstances, and your Machu Picchu ticket remains valid for the original date only. If you paid in full and cancel, the remaining balance is refunded minus the non-refundable deposit. Date changes are subject to availability and require a new Machu Picchu ticket and a new deposit.
• Passport validity. If your passport expires within 6 months of your planned entry date into Peru, renew it before traveling — Peruvian authorities will otherwise deny entry.
• Contact. For any changes, cancellations, or questions, message us on WhatsApp at +51 932 411 206 or email info@machupicchuonline.com. Our team is available 7 days a week from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM.