The 15 Best Tours in Aguas Calientes

1.Machu Picchu guided tour with tickets

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 72 reviews · 3 hours · from $155Our pick

Start in Aguas Calientes with a private guide such as Ericson, Julio, Fred, or Sofia, then ride 25 minutes by bus to Machu Picchu. Your guide leads a three-hour visit covering terraces, temples, the sundial, sacred rock, condor temple, and water mirrors. Admission and buses are included, but lunch and the train are extra.

“good communication with the tour provider through out. they had organised the bus tickets, entry tickets and guide. all seamless. as with all providers, it is an expensive destination!!”

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2.Machu Picchu 2 days

★★★★★★★★★★3.6 · 29 reviews · 1 - 3 days · from $360

Choose a one, two, or three-day Cusco to Machu Picchu plan with hotel pickup, train travel, entrance tickets, and a guided visit. The longer option adds Koricancha, Saqsayhuaman, Moray, Chinchero, Ollantaytambo, and Pisaq. Expect early starts, extra entrance fees, and last-minute schedule details.

“It is a highly recommended tour on return train trips since the trip is safer. They gave me tickets to see Machupicchu and a very good guide knows a lot about Inka history. I highly recommend it.”

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3.Machu Picchu Day Trip with Train + Entrance ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 17 reviews · from $333

Travel from central Cusco to Machu Picchu by bus, train, and shuttle with a certified English, Spanish, or Portuguese-speaking guide. You will get a two-hour guided visit, free time in Aguas Calientes, and round-trip transport. Freddy may be available as your guide, subject to scheduling.

“I would like to pay gratitude to Freddy who provided me and my friend a very in-depth explanation of the spots at Machu Picchu. He also took good photos for us and took good care of me and my friend throughout the trip. I highly recommend this tour for everybody who would opt for going to Machu Picchu”

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4.Rainbow Mountain tour and Machu Picchu tour by train

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 13 reviews · 2 days · from $370

This two-day Peru tour pairs Vinicunca, the 5,020-meter Mountain of Seven Colors, with a guided Machu Picchu visit by train. You get Cusco hotel pickup, meals on the Rainbow Mountain day, train and bus tickets, entrance fees, and English or Spanish guides. Guides such as Caesar and Louis have helped make the demanding schedule easier to manage.

“Agency met us the day before tours to explain logistics & deliver all tickets we needed for a stress free trip! I would highly recommend this two day tour! Rainbow mountain hike w/ Caesar was challenging but an amazing experience! A 4am start, but can sleep in the van to breakfast. After 2 hrs you arrive at the start of the 3.25 mile round trip hike. It’s not steep, but still a moderate hike ending at 16,400ft. People on our tour got altitude sickness & recommend acclimating in Cusco beforehand. Guide had everything to help us hike, but you can pay for a horse or bike ride up. Plenty of…”

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5.One-Day Round Trip to Machu Picchu by Train

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 10 reviews · from $350

Travel from Cusco to Machu Picchu by road and Expedition or Voyager train in a small group of up to 10. After a guided three-hour visit with a professional English or Spanish-speaking guide, you’ll have time for photos before returning to Cusco around 9:30 pm. Guide Carlos Sinfuentes has led especially well-organized visits.

“Amazing day, perfect weather and tour guide was excellent”

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6.Machu Picchu Entry Ticket and Bus from Aguas Calientes

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 8 reviews · 1 day · from $119

This self-guided Machu Picchu visit starts in Aguas Calientes with a 30-minute bus ride to the citadel. Your $119 ticket includes round-trip transport, entrance, air-conditioned buses, and accident insurance. You get about two hours inside for stonework, terraces, mountain views, and photos, but no guide. Bring your passport and check your entry circuit and time before booking.

“I don’t recommend this service. All they provide is purchasing your Machu Picchu entrance and your bus tickets but don’t provide any physical services. For this you are charged double the price that it would cost to do yourself. I only purchased this service as I thought my date was sold out, but the tickets for my date had not been released yet. Additionally the communication was a bit poor and we only got our bus tickets late in the evening before we were going up.”

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7.4 Days Inca Jungle Adventure to Machu Picchu

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 7 reviews · 4 days · from $439

You’ll cycle from 4,350-meter Abra Malaga into the cloud forest, hike Inca paths past coffee and cacao farms, and relax at Cocalmayo. The four-day route includes rafting, zip-lining, three hostel nights, meals, transport, and a guided Machu Picchu visit. Guides such as Andy and Carlitos have led past departures.

“Our guide Andy was fun and kept us going during what was quite a tough trek (particularly the second day). The views from the Inca trail were unbelievable - so was worth it! The activities - particularly rafting/cycling and hot springs were brilliant! Accommodation basic but friendly. Would recommend taking as small a bag as possible. Ending the trip at Machu Picchu town was amazing. Had to get the tickets to visit Machu Picchu the day before, so timing of entry and slots available unknown until then. Machu Picchu itself was stunning, lots of excellent information from our guide. The train ride back was scenic and yet another highlight!”

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8.Machupicchu tour by tourist train in 2 days

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 7 reviews · 2 days · from $345

Travel from Cusco to Aguas Calientes by train, sleep one night in town, then visit Machu Picchu with an English or Spanish-speaking guide. The small group is limited to 12 people. Ruth handles arrangements, and Richard has guided memorable visits, though the hotel, meals, and hot springs cost extra.

“Achei guia pouco organizado com relaçao ao tempo do evento >Ficamos quase 4 horas no local em função de flexibilidade com relação ao tempo em cada local do percurso >Muito tempo num local para tirar fotografias e depois correndo no final .Conteúdo excelente e de qualidade .Acabou provocando estresse em perder onibus e trem do retorno.Entrada também no onibus desorganizada com relaçao ao pessoal que controlava acesso ao onibus .Discussao com vários funcionarios que so pareciam preocupados em explicar que estavamos erradas e não eles que tinham acenado para que corressemos e pegassemos um onibus que depois nos disseram nao ser o nosso.Enfim ,serviço caro e estressante.Acho que buscaria outra…”

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9.Train Ride and Guided Tour of Machu Picchu

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews · 1 day · from $412Top rated

Travel by train from Cusco through the Sacred Valley to Aguas Calientes, then take a bus to Machu Picchu for a private guided visit. You’ll see the Temple of the Sun and Temple of the Moon, enjoy free time at the citadel, and may receive an Andean snack, drink, music, and entertainment with the Vistadome option.

“Excellent tour! The local guides were very knowledgeable, kind, and respectful.”

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10.Chinchero, Maras, Moray & Machu Picchu 2 days

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 5 reviews · from $680

Spend two busy but well-paced days exploring Inca sites around Cusco. Visit Chinchero Market, Moray’s circular terraces, Maras salt pools, Ollantaytambo, and Machu Picchu with an English or Spanish guide. Nathalie, Adolfo, and Efrain have led this trip, which includes meals, trains, buses, tickets, and a three-star hotel in Aguas Calientes.

“We were with Adolfo. He was very friendly and helpful, giving us loads of interesting information at every stop. The trek ran very smoothly, with no stop feeling rushed or dragged out. The food was good and the commodities too. Very comfortable and enjoyable trip ! Highly recommended !”

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11.Inca Trail 2 days to Machu Picchu

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · 2 days · from $600

This two-day private tour takes you by train from Cusco to kilometer 104, then on foot through Chachabamba and Wiñayhuayna to Inti Punku, the Sun Gate. You spend one night in Aguas Calientes before a guided Machu Picchu visit. Guides including José, Steven, and Stiven have been praised for their care and flexibility, though hotel quality may vary.

“Our hike guide Steven is awesome! He made sure we’re all okay & kept us motivated to finish the Machu Picchu hike! The hotel we stayed at Agua Caliente is not a 3 star that we are expecting. We paid $500+ per person to stay at least in a decent hotel. That was a big disappointment!”

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12.Lunch at Cafe Inkaterra Restaurant

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 5 reviews · 2 hours · from $23Best value

After Machu Picchu, spend two hours at Café Inkaterra in Aguas Calientes. You order a three-course lunch with water and hot drinks beneath an Ese’Eja palm-thatched roof, beside the Vilcanota River. The menu blends Andean and contemporary Peruvian cooking, with vegetarian and vegan choices available by request.

“Sensacional!!! Lugar lindo, atendimento perfeito e rápido, pratos saborosíssimos . Apenas as bebidas são carinhas mas faz parte pelo nível do lugar. Me surpreendi! Além da praticidade de estar praticamente dentro da estação do trem . Eu recomendo!”

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13.Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 5 Days with Sky Lodge Domes

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · 5 days · from $680

Trek from Challacancha to Machu Picchu in a small group of up to eight. You’ll hike to Humantay Lake and Salkantay Pass, sleep in private Sky Lodge Domes, visit Llactapata, and spend one night in Aguas Calientes. Guides such as Fernando and Nildo, plus a skilled cook, help make the demanding route manageable.

“Le trek du Salkantay au Pérou était une expérience incroyable. Les paysages étaient grandioses, variés et à couper le souffle -entre montagnes enneigées, vallées verdoyantes et le superbe lac Humantay, vraiment magnifique. L’organisation était globalement très bonne. En cas de mal d’altitude, il y a toujours la possibilité de monter à cheval (payant), ce qui est rassurant pour les moments les plus difficiles. Le cuisinier nous a préparé d’excellents repas tout au long du trek : variés, savoureux, et bienvenus après une longue journée de marche. Le guide était également très professionnel, sympathique et attentif à chacun. Le seul petit bémol : la seconde nuit, où l’hébergement n’était pas à…”

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14.Inka Jungle trek to Machu Picchu 3 D/ 2 N

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 4 reviews · 3 days · from $410

Join a small group of up to 18 people for a three-day route from Cusco through Abra Málaga, Santa María, Santa Teresa, and Hidroeléctrica to Machu Picchu. You will cycle downhill, walk beside the train tracks, try ziplining and rafting when conditions allow, sleep two nights in local hostels, and visit Machu Picchu with an English or Spanish-speaking guide.

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15.Machu Picchu 2 Days / 1 Night (By Bus)

★★★★★★★★★★3.7 · 4 reviews · 2 days · from $170

Travel from Cusco to Machu Picchu by road with a small group of up to 15 people. Cross Abra de Malaga at 4,316 meters, pass through Santa Teresa, walk about two hours from Hidroelectrica to Aguas Calientes, then visit Machu Picchu with an English or Spanish-speaking guide.

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