Machu Picchu Tour from Lima (2 days)

Our 2 Day Machu Picchu Tour from Lima is perfect for exploring the ancient Machu Picchu citadel in a short time.

T_carr-tour4
T_carr-tour4
T_carr-tour3
T_carr-tour3
Duration: 2 days
Difficulty: Moderate
Recommended age: 12 years
Language: Spanish, English, Portuguese
Max Height: 3200 msnm
Group: 2 people minimum

Machu Picchu is an Inca archeological site located 80 km (49.7 miles) from Cusco city. Is often considered as the “Lost City of the Incas”. Machu Picchu was built in the XV century, under the rule of Inca Pachacutec. The citadel was later abandoned and rediscovered by an American expedition led by Hiram Bingham in 1911.

According to some historians, Machu Picchu was an Inca religious sanctuary. During the Inca Empire, the entrance to Machu Picchu was restricted to the royal Inca family and high ranking priests. Due to its remote location, Machu Picchu was not found by the Spanish during the whole Peruvian colonial period.

It is believed that Machu Picchu was occupied by the last remnants of the Inca Empire until 1572, when Tupac Amaru was captured and executed by the Spanish. After the fall of the Inca Empire, Machu Picchu disappeared from the historical records, with just sporadic references to a “hidden Inca city”.

Who discovered Machu Picchu?

There is some controversy about who was the first person to rediscover Machu Picchu. The oldest historical records date to the late XVI century, when a Spanish soldier named Baltasar de Ocampo refers to a great Inca complex located among the high jungles of Cusco. Other sources claim that Machu Picchu was first explored by Augusto Berns, a German businessman who was searching for Inca treasures in the Vilcabamba region.

The most recent historical sources claim that a Peruvian farmer named Agustin Lizarraga was the first person to reach the Machu Picchu ruins in 1902. However, the first scientific exploration to the site can be attributed to the American team led by Hiram Bingham in 1911.

The architecture of Machu Picchu displays the classic Inca building style, which is characterized by the use of giant stone blocks. The most famous Inca buildings of Machu Picchu are the Main Temple, the Temple of the Condor, the Temple of the Three Windows, and the Intihuatana.

Visiting Machu Picchu is one of the most sought after activities while visiting Peru. During this tour, you will visit this beautiful Inca citadel in the span of just 2 days. On the first day, you will fly from Lima to the city of Cusco, to then travel to the cozy town of Aguas Calientes. On the second day, you will explore Machu Picchu, to finally return to Lima at night.

Why travel with us?

We are a local travel agency committed to providing the best tours and treks iin Peru. Our staff have years of experience planning vacations in Peru. During our tours, you will get unique insights about the history and traditions of all the places you will be visiting.

Our 2 Day Machu Picchu Tour from Lima is perfect for exploring the ancient Machu Picchu citadel in a short time. We also offer day trips to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, the Humantay Lake, and the Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain. You can also check special tours to the Salkantay Trek and the Inca Trail. Explore the most incredible places of South America with us.

Day 1: Lima - Cusco - Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes

We will pick you up from your hotel in Lima at 4:00 am. Then we will drive to Lima’s airport to take a flight to Cusco city, where we will be arriving around 7:00 am. Then, we will go in our private vehicle to Ollantaytambo train station. We will be driving through the beautiful Sacred Valley of the Incas. During the trip, you will enjoy the stunning landscapes of the Andes mountains.

Once we arrive in Ollantaytambo, we will board a train to Aguas Calientes town, which is the entry point to Machu Picchu. The train trip will take around 1.5 hours to complete and follows the course of the Urubamba river.

Once in Aguas Calientes, our staff will transfer you to your hotel room. Then, you will have free time to explore the town and its famous hot springs.

We will wake up early in the morning. After having breakfast, we will board a bus to Machu Picchu. After passing the security checkpoints, we will enter the Inca citadel.

Once inside Machu Picchu, you will have a guided tour of this amazing Inca archaeological site. You will be visiting the most famous places of the citadel, including the Main Temple, the Temple of the Condor, and the Intihuatana. If you have purchased a ticket to Huayna Picchu mountain or Machu Picchu mountain, our staff will guide you to the respective entrance.

After the guided tour, we will return to Aguas Calientes. You will have free time to have lunch at a local restaurant. However, the lunch is not included in the tour price. In the afternoon, we will board a train to return to Ollantaytambo.

Once in Ollantaytambo, we will transfer you to Cusco city. From there, you will take a flight to Lima city. You will be arriving in Lima around 11:00 pm. Once there, we will transfer you back to your hotel.

Departure & Return Location
Lima Hotel Transfer

Departure Time
4:00 a.m.

Price Includes

  • Professional English speaking Tour Guide.
  • Round trip plane tickets from Lima to Cusco (Light opt - Carry on bag 10kg)
  • Round trip train tickets from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes (Expedition train tickets)
  • 1 night at a hotel in Aguas Calientes
  • Breakfast on the second day
  • Round bus trip from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu
  • Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu citadel

Price Excludes

  • Travel Insurance
  • Breakfast on the first day
  • Hotel in Lima and Hotel in Cusco
  • Lunch and dinner
  • Entrance to Huayna Picchu mountain (optional)
  • Entrance to Machu Picchu mountain (optional)
  • Entrance to Aguas Calientes hot springs (optional)
  • Vistadome train tickets (optional upgrade)
  • Hiram Bingham train tickets (optional upgrade)
  • Tips
  • Any Private Expenses

Packing list

  • Original Passport (same as used at time of booking for permits/ tickets)
  • Camera fully charged & extra batteries (batteries drain quicker in the cold)
  • Sunglasses and Sun hat or cap
  • Protect & hydrate sunscreen lotion (factor 60 or 70+ is recommendable)
  • Water bottle and snacks
  • Peruvian soles in cash
Ready to Experience This Adventure?

From:

$

200

Voices that inspire adventures

Find out what those who have trusted us to explore unique destinations and live extraordinary adventures have to say.

Related Tours

Huchuy Qosqo Peru (3 days)

3 nights

Huchuy Qosqo means little Cusco in Quechua. It is an Incan ruin perched on a hilltop overlooking the Sacred Valley of Incas. This was a royal estate of the eighth emperor of the Inca empire, Viracocha.

From: $500

Huchuy Qosqo Trek (2 days)

2 days

Huchuy Qosqo was used as a royal estate by Viracocha. During the last days of his rule, he faced a revolt from Cancha People. Huchuy Qosqo Hike is an off-the-beaten-track experience that takes you to the lesser-known yet prominent Inca site, Huchuy Qosqo Peru.

From: $200

Salkantay Inca Trail Trek (7 days)

7 days

The seven day Inca Trail Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu begins at a high altitude. It takes you down to the cloud forests through some renowned Inca Sites. The experience culminates at Machu Picchu citadel.

From: $1,250
Need Help? Chat with us