Cusco - Machu Picchu - Cusco
This is the most direct and best-value way to see the citadel in a single day from Cusco. The day starts very early, with pickup at your hotel in Cusco (3,399 m) and the drive through the Sacred Valley to Ollantaytambo station. There you board the Expedition train, tourist class, comfortable and with good windows, which runs through the Urubamba valley along the river, between mountains and terraces, bound for Aguas Calientes.
That town, set at the foot of the citadel, is the gateway to Machu Picchu. From there you ride the bus up the Hiram Bingham road to the entrance, at 2,430 m, where your professional bilingual guide leads you through the main sectors of the site. Visits are organized by circuits and entry is subject to availability, so it's best to book ahead, especially in high season, when spots sell out fast.
As you walk among temples, plazas and terraces, your guide explains the history, the architecture and the role of this Inca sanctuary, so you understand why it ranks among the wonders of the world. After the guided part you have time for photos and to explore on your own. Then you ride the bus down to Aguas Calientes, take the Expedition train back to Ollantaytambo and from there we drive you to your hotel in Cusco at the end of the day, with no need to spend a night outside the city.
