English and Spanish-speaking guide
Small-group tour (up to 15 participants)
Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
Check the Dates
This comprehensive Cusco to Machu Picchu tour in 3 days is the perfect way to explore the heart of the Inca Empire efficiently. Day 1 includes a full Cusco City Tour covering Koricancha and the four surrounding ruins like Sacsayhuaman. Day 2 is dedicated entirely to the breathtaking guided visit of the Machu Picchu Citadel and the return trip to Cusco. Expert English/Spanish guiding ensures you gain deep historical insight at every major site.
Highlights:
- Explore the sacred Koricancha (Temple of the Sun), the Cusco Cathedral, and four surrounding Inca ruins.
- Benefit from an early morning transfer, scenic train ride, and bus ascent to the Machu Picchu Citadel.
- Receive a comprehensive guided tour of Machu Picchu by a certified expert, learning its history and significance.
- Seamlessly combine the Cusco City Tour, the surrounding four ruins, and the main Machu Picchu guided visit.
- The tour package includes the Machu Picchu entrance ticket and all necessary round-trip train and bus tickets.
About this tour:
This comprehensive Cusco to Machu Picchu tour in 3 days is the perfect way to immerse yourself in the heart of the Inca Empire and experience the wonder of its most famous citadel. Designed for small groups, this 3-Day Machu Picchu tour from Cusco provides dedicated logistics, expert English/Spanish guiding, and comfortable private and public transport, allowing you to focus completely on the history and incredible Andean landscapes.
Day 1: Cusco City Tour and the Four Ruins. Your journey begins with a reception and transfer from the Cusco airport to your selected hotel. After checking in, you will be welcomed with traditional coca tea. In the afternoon (with pickup between 12:45 PM and 1:20 PM), you will embark on a city tour of Cusco. Your guide will lead you through the city’s highlights, starting with the sacred Koricancha (Temple of the Sun) and the magnificent Cusco Cathedral.
The exploration continues to the impressive archaeological sites that surround the city: the military fortress of Sacsayhuaman, the ceremonial site of Qenko, the military post of Pukapukara, and the Inca baths of Tambomachay. You will return to your hotel around 6:00 PM for a restful night’s accommodation in Cusco.
Day 2: The Magnificent Machu Picchu. The highlight of your trip begins with an early morning transfer (3:00 AM to 5:00 AM) from your Cusco hotel to the train station in Ollantaytambo or Poroy. Here, you will board your chosen train (Expedition or Inca Rail service) for a scenic ride to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo). Upon arrival, your guide will meet you and accompany you on the bus ride to the spectacular Machu Picchu Citadel.
You will enjoy a comprehensive guided tour of this ancient wonder, learning about its history, construction, and spiritual significance. After the tour, you’ll return by bus to Aguas Calientes, where you will have free time to enjoy a complimentary lunch and perhaps relax in the town’s medicinal thermal baths. In the evening (6:00 PM to 8:00 PM), you will take the train back to Ollantaytambo or Poroy, followed by a transfer back to your hotel in Cusco for your final night.
Day 3: Departure from Cusco. Start your day with a good breakfast at your hotel. After check-out, a transfer will take you from your hotel to the airport or bus station for your onward travel, concluding your memorable Cusco to Machu Picchu tour in 3 days. The tour includes all necessary transfers, round-trip train and bus tickets, the Machu Picchu entrance ticket, two nights of hotel accommodation, all mentioned guided tours, and two complimentary breakfasts.
Included:
- Accommodation & Meals: Two nights of accommodation in a selected Cusco hotel. Complimentary breakfast for each hotel night. Lunch in Machu Picchu Pueblo (Aguas Calientes) on Day 2.
- Tickets: Entrance ticket to the Citadel of Machu Picchu. Roundtrip train ticket (Expedition or Inca Rail service). Roundtrip bus ticket (Aguas Calientes $\to$ Machu Picchu).
- Guiding & Tours: Spanish/English guide. City Tour + 4 Ruins (Sacsayhuaman, Qenko, Pukapukara, Tambomachay).
- Transportation: Pick up and return to the airport or bus station. Hotel pick up for each tour. Transfers in/out to the train station (Ollantaytambo or Poroy).
- Assistance: Permanent assistance.
Essential Information:
- Exclusions: The Boleto Turístico (Tourist Ticket) is NOT included and is required for entry to the archaeological sites on Day 1 (Sacsayhuaman, Qenko, Pukapukara, Tambomachay), the Koricancha entrance fee, and the Cusco Cathedral entrance fee.
- Logistics: Pickup for the City Tour is between 12:45 PM and 1:20 PM on Day 1. The Machu Picchu transfer on Day 2 is very early (3:00 AM to 5:00 AM).
- Meeting Point: View the pickup point on Google Maps.
- What to Bring: Passport or ID card (required for all tickets), comfortable shoes, and cash (for entrance fees).
Activity provider: XPLORA AMERICA
Frequently Asked Questions
What does this Cusco to Machu Picchu tour in 3 days include?
The tour is highly comprehensive, covering two nights of accommodation in a selected Cusco hotel, daily complimentary breakfast, and lunch in Aguas Calientes on Day 2. It includes the entrance ticket to the Citadel of Machu Picchu, the full City Tour and 4 Ruins tour, and all necessary transportation: airport/bus station transfers, hotel pickups, train station transfers, and round-trip train and bus tickets. A Spanish/English certified guide is provided for all tours.
What is not covered by the tour price?
A major exclusion is the Boleto Turístico (tourist ticket), which is mandatory for entry to the four archaeological sites on Day 1 (Sacsayhuaman, Qenko, Pukapukara, and Tambomachay). The entrance fees for Koricancha and the Cusco Cathedral are also not included and must be paid separately.
Where and when does the tour start?
The tour officially starts when you arrive in Cusco, with a welcome transfer from the airport or bus station to your hotel. The guided activities begin on Day 1 with the Cusco City Tour pickup between 12:45 PM and 1:20 PM. Please note the Machu Picchu transfer on Day 2 is very early, between 3:00 AM and 5:00 AM.
What should I know before I join this 3-Day Machu Picchu tour from Cusco?
This is a small-group tour (limited to 15 participants) with free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance. You must carry your Passport or ID card at all times, as it is required for all ticket purchases and entries. The tour includes two nights of accommodation in Cusco.
What will I experience during this tour?
Day 1 provides a deep immersion into Inca and Colonial Cusco, starting with the sacred Koricancha (Temple of the Sun) and the Cusco Cathedral. The afternoon is spent exploring the four majestic ruins surrounding the city: the fortress of Sacsayhuaman, Qenko, Pukapukara, and Tambomachay.
Day 2 is the highlight, dedicated to Machu Picchu. After an early morning transfer and scenic train ride, you will ascend to the Citadel for a comprehensive guided tour, learning about its history and architectural significance. Afterward, you have free time in Aguas Calientes to enjoy an included lunch or visit the thermal baths before returning to your hotel in Cusco. Day 3 includes breakfast and your departure transfer.