The Ultimate 2 Day Itinerary for Visiting Machu Picchu

Tiny Tips Before You Go

Best Time To Visit Machu Picchu

The best time to visit Machu Picchu is from May to September during the dry season; however, June to August is peak season and can be crowded. For fewer crowds, consider visiting just after the rainy season (late March to May) or just before it (September to mid-December). I visited on Halloween and experienced morning clouds followed by afternoon sunshine.

Day Trip vs. Overnight Stay

I recommend spending a night in Aguas Calientes to explore the town and have multiple opportunities to see Machu Picchu at different times of the day. A day trip is doable but tiring, as it involves a 4-hour train ride.

Train Tickets

Be sure to book the Peru Rail Vistadome train in order to enjoy panoramic views on the way to Machu Picchu. Note that the return journey to the city of Cusco might be in the dark depending on the time of year you visit; however, the trip is quite entertaining with staff performing a fashion show, chants, and dancing. Light snacks, water, tea, and coffee are provided in the fare.

Below are the specific trains we booked for this 2 day itinerary (times might vary based on time of year).

To Machu Picchu
– Depart Poroy Train Station in Cusco @ 8:25 AM – Vistadome Train 203
– Arrive at Machu Picchu Train Station @ 12:11 PM

To Cusco
– Depart Machu Picchu Train Station @ 4:43 PM
– Arrive at Poroy Station Train Station in Cusco @ 8:23PM

Machu Picchu Entrance Tickets

Consider buying afternoon Machu Picchu tickets for the first day and morning Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu hike tickets for the second day. This is an excellent alternative to the Inca Trail and allows you to experience Machu Picchu in different lighting and at two different times of day. On our trip, the first day was clear and sunny, while the following morning was foggy. You can explore the park independently without a tour guide, but if preferred, you can hire a local guide at the park entrance for a guided tour.

Aguas Calientes

“The Gateway to Machu Picchu”. Machu Picchu is situated close to Aguas Calientes. The town is famous for its thermal baths, which we visited on our first day. Unfortunately, the hot springs didn’t meet our expectations, so I would recommend skipping this experience.

Altitude Sickness

Traveling from Colorado, I wasn’t greatly affected by the high altitudes of Machu Picchu and Cusco, but many people are. It’s recommended to visit the Sacred Valley after arriving in Cusco to acclimate to the high elevation. The Sacred Valley is situated at 9,000 ft above sea level, while Cusco is at 11,000 ft. Fortunately, Machu Picchu is at a lower elevation than both cities, so you should adjust well after acclimating to Cusco.

Tiny Tips to Beat Altitude Sickness: Stay hydrated, say no to alcohol/caffeine, bring ibuprofen to tackle headaches (most common symptom), eat a lot of carbs (they help your body use oxygen more efficiently and help maintain energy levels)

Morning

Depart on the first train out of Cusco around 8:30 AM which will arrive in Machu Picchu around noon. Train tickets and park entry tickets for Machu Picchu should be purchased in advance. In 2018, the Vistadome train provided lunch (a sandwich, apple, and water), but as of 2023, they appear to offer only light snacks, water, tea, and coffee.

Early Afternoon

Check into your hotel and grab a quick lunch in Aguas Calientes before making your way to the bus station for an afternoon of exploring Machu Picchu. Ask for directions to the bus ticket office and the bus stop as we had trouble finding both. The 30-minute bus ride to Machu Picchu mountain is a bit intense, with the bus maneuvering the mountain’s twists and turns, so just refrain from looking at the steep drop-offs along the road.

Tiny Tip:

– Purchase your bus tickets for both days to avoid the hassle later on.

– Bring your passport with you to get a Machu Picchu stamp. The line was much shorter in the afternoon than in the morning. We were a bit surprised to find out that you stamp your passport yourself.

Afternoon

If timing allows, hike up to Sun Gate which is a popular hike. Otherwise, hike up to Watchman’s Tower and take in the views of Machu Picchu without the crowds. There were far fewer visitors in the afternoon compared to the following morning.

Tiny Tip: The park closes at 5:30PM, and the Sun Gate hike closes at 3:30PM,  which is a 45-minute hike from the entrance. The guards begin asking tourists to exit around 4:45PM, so keep this mind for planning purposes.

Evening

After exploring Machu Picchu, return to Aguas Calientes by bus, freshen up, and prepare for dinner at Incontri del Pueblo Viejo. This Italian restaurant was so good that we returned the next day for lunch. Our server was very attentive and entertaining. He made us a rose out of napkins and performed tricks with wine bottles throughout the dinner. Enjoy a scoop of gelato before retreating back to your hotel for a restful night’s sleep in preparation for an early start tomorrow.

Early Morning

Depart your hotel at 5:30 AM to reach Huayna Picchu by 7:00 AM. The morning bus line may be long but moves quickly, taking 15-20 minutes. Hikers must arrive to the Huayna Picchu gate between 7:00 AM and 8:00 AM to enter. Leaving at 5:30 AM allows time for pictures of Machu Picchu in the fog before reaching the Huayna Picchu gate by 6:45 AM. Huayna Picchu is the mountain behind Machu Picchu seen in all of the photos. Although the hike is only about a mile long, it’s straight up hill which makes it difficult. If you are out of shape, be cautious with the elevation gain. The rewarding part of this demanding hike is the unique vantage point it offers to see Machu Picchu.

Tiny Tip: We were really hoping to see the sunrise at Machu Picchu, but found out that it’s not possible this time of year (October) due to the fog. You might have better luck during a different time of year or on a clear day.

After hiking Huayna Picchu, you can utilize the rest of the morning to take photos or hike up to Sun Gate as you have access to the park until 12:00 PM; however, we were ready to go after our hike as we had explored Machu Picchu the day before.

Late Morning

Following our hike, we celebrated with a mimosa at the Belmond Sanctuary Lodge, situated near the entrance to Machu Picchu. It’s a great spot for breakfast if you have extra time to spare.

Afternoon

After two days of traveling and hiking, it’s time to relax and pamper yourself with a massage at the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel Spa, a short walk from the bus station. We had the most amazing 60-minute massages for only $95 and were granted access to the hot tub and pool, which is similar to a hot spring in a lush green setting. The hotel and spa are stunning and well worth the investment. By booking massages, we were also able to shower after our hike before catching the train back to Cusco.

Tiny Tip: Book your spa appointment in advance to ensure availability.

Late Afternoon

Grab lunch in town before making your way to the train station for a 4:43 PM departure back to Cusco. The return train journey is more entertaining, with employees conducting a fashion show down the aisle of each train car. It’s definitely a memorable experience. Expect to arrive at Poroy Train Station in Cusco around 8:30 PM.

Where To Stay

Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel

A member of the National Geographic Unique Lodges of the world, this hotel is nestled in the cloud forest amidst lush greenery, waterfalls, and individual casitas. While we we didn’t stay here, we enjoyed massages in the spa and strolled along its picturesque pathways. You truly feel as if you’ve escaped to an enchanted forest outside of Aquas Calientes. 

Belmond Sanctuary Lodge

This hotel is the only hotel located at the entrance of Machu Picchu which means you are only steps away from exploring the Inca ruins. The luxury lodge is beautiful and a great place to stay if you want to beat the crowds. Keep in mind, though, that you’ll need to take a bus to Aguas Calientes to reach the town.