Machu Picchu by Car 2 Days
A 2-day trip to Machu Picchu by road: drive from Cusco over Abra Málaga to Hidroeléctrica, walk 11 km (6.8 mi) along the railway to Aguas Calientes, and take a 2-hour guided tour of Machu Picchu the next morning.
About this Expedition
Pristine Biodiversity
Immersion in primary forest trails and macaw or tapir clay licks with privileged viewing.
Native Guides
Bilingual guides from the native communities of Manu and Tambopata, with spotting scopes and binoculars.
Logistics and Lodges
Private transport and boats, a cook on the trip and nights in rainforest lodges.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 01: Cusco – Santa Teresa – Hidroeléctrica – Aguas Calientes
This route to Machu Picchu is designed for travelers with limited time who want to keep costs down: you travel by road to Hidroeléctrica and walk to Aguas Calientes.
We meet at 7:00 a.m. on Cusco’s main square, in front of McDonald’s, and board our vehicle at 7:15 a.m. The drive takes about 7 hours; about 85% of the road is paved and 15% is dirt road. The bus makes two stops in the Ollantaytambo area: a 15-minute restroom break and a stop to pick up passengers who booked from there.
From Ollantaytambo the road climbs to Abra Málaga, the highest point of the trip at 4,316 m (14,160 ft), at the foot of Mount Verónica. About 15 minutes later we begin the descent toward the jungle through changing microclimates, passing Alfamayo and Huyro (1,500 m / 4,920 ft), known for its tea, and Santa María (1,500 m / 4,920 ft), where fruit such as bananas, pineapples, mangoes, oranges, granadillas and mandarins grow.
Next is Santa Teresa (1,590 m / 5,220 ft), a warm, quiet town known for the Cocalmayo hot springs and for coffee and coca. We continue to Hidroeléctrica, where we stop at our private terminal for lunch.
From Hidroeléctrica we walk 11 km (6.8 mi) on a dirt path next to the railway, following the Vilcanota River with Huayna Picchu mountain in view. The walk takes about 2 hours 40 minutes to 3 hours, at around 1,800 m (5,900 ft); it is easy, with about 10 minutes uphill and the rest flat.
In Aguas Calientes (2,200 m / 7,220 ft) we take you to your basic hostel (double room). After time to freshen up, you have dinner (a typical dish) with your guide, who reviews the plan for the next day’s visit to Machu Picchu. Overnight in Aguas Calientes.
Day 02: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Hidroeléctrica – Cusco
We get up at about 4:30 a.m. You can hike up to the citadel of Machu Picchu (about 1 hour 30 minutes, moderate) or take the bus (not included).
We meet your guide at 6:00 a.m. at the main entrance of Machu Picchu (2,430 m / 7,970 ft). The 2-hour guided tour starts at 6:30 a.m. and visits places such as the Main Temple, the Intihuatana and the Solar Tower, ending at the Sacred Rock. Then you have free time to explore on your own.
At about 11:00 a.m. (or at the time agreed with your guide) you head down to Puente Ruinas: about 40 minutes on foot or 25 minutes by bus. From there you walk back to Hidroeléctrica (2 to 3 hours) and board our vehicle between 2:20 and 2:45 p.m. at the Amazon Trip Peru private terminal. We arrive in Cusco at about 9:20 p.m.
Included & Not Included Services
What this trip includes
- Pickup on Cusco's main square, in front of McDonald's
- Bus Cusco – Hidroeléctrica – Cusco
- Professional English-speaking guide at Machu Picchu
- 1 lunch, 1 dinner and 1 snack breakfast
- Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu
- 1 night in a basic hostel in Aguas Calientes (double room, from 2 people)
Not included in the price
- Bus up to and down from Machu Picchu (optional extra; ask for the current fare when booking)
- Huayna Picchu entrance (optional, subject to availability)
- Machu Picchu Mountain entrance (optional, subject to availability)
- Train from Aguas Calientes to Hidroeléctrica (optional extra; ask when booking)
- Entrance to the hot springs in Aguas Calientes
- Meals on the last day
- Single-room supplement (ask when booking)
What to Bring / Packing Tips
- Backpack with a change of clothes for the trip: T-shirts, shorts and some warm clothes
- Rain jacket or poncho (plastic ponchos are sold in Cusco)
- Strong, comfortable footwear
- Water bottle
- Flashlight and batteries
- Hat or cap for the sun
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellent
- Toiletries, towel and toilet paper
- Coca tea or altitude-sickness remedies for the changes in altitude on the road
- We need a minimum of 4 people to run this tour.
- The day before the tour, our guide gives you a briefing at your hotel or at our office.
Questions about this tour
Where does the Machu Picchu by car tour start?
We meet at 7:00 a.m. on Cusco's main square, in front of McDonald's, and leave at 7:15 a.m. The drive to Hidroeléctrica takes about 7 hours.
How much walking is involved?
On day 1 you walk 11 km (6.8 mi) from Hidroeléctrica to Aguas Calientes, about 2 hours 40 minutes to 3 hours on mostly flat ground. On day 2 you can hike up to Machu Picchu (about 1 hour 30 minutes), and later you walk back to Hidroeléctrica from Puente Ruinas (2 to 3 hours).
Is the bus up to Machu Picchu included?
No. You can hike up or take the bus as an optional extra; ask for the current fare when booking. The Machu Picchu entrance ticket is included.
What meals are included?
The tour includes 1 lunch, 1 dinner and 1 snack breakfast. Meals on the last day are not included.
What time do we get back to Cusco?
Our vehicle leaves the Amazon Trip Peru terminal in Hidroeléctrica between 2:20 and 2:45 p.m. and arrives in Cusco at about 9:20 p.m.
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