Part of our Peru guide.
On the standard 2-hour guided tour of Machu Picchu, you walk approximately 2.5 miles (4 km) along the main circuit, covering the key residential and ceremonial sectors. This distance does not include optional hikes to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, which add significant extra mileage and elevation.
Related travel guides: Exploring Aguas Calientes: The Entry Point To Machu Picchu, Peru, What To Bring To Machu Picchu Day Trip, Machu Picchu Travel Guide, Getting Around Adventure, and Things To Do In Peru.
How Far Do You Walk On The 2-Hour Machu Picchu Guided Tour?
The guided tour follows a one-way loop through the urban sector, the Temple of the Sun, and the Sacred Plaza, with several short staircases and uneven stone paths. Guides typically pause at six to eight major viewpoints, so the pace is moderate. Visitors should wear sturdy footwear and carry water, as the altitude of 7,970 feet (2,430 meters) can cause shortness of breath even on this relatively flat route.
A Short Guide To Ollantaytambo - Peru's Train Ride Town
Ollantaytambo sits 60 kilometers northwest of Cusco at the start of the Inca Trail. The town’s train station is the primary departure point for the rail journey to Machu Picchu, which is why it is called the "Train Ride Town." Its Inca ruins include a massive stone terrace complex and the Temple of the Sun, while the colonial-era streets still follow the original Inca grid plan. Many travelers stop here for a day or two before continuing toward Aguas Calientes, the entry point to Machu Picchu.
How To Experience The Andean Explorer Train In Peru
The Andean Explorer Train runs from Cusco to Puno on the shores of Lake Titicaca. The journey takes approximately 10 hours and crosses the La Raya pass at 4,313 meters (14,150 feet), offering views of the Andes and high-altitude plains. Onboard, passengers receive gourmet meals and live cultural performances. Tickets should be booked weeks in advance, especially during the dry season from May to September, and the train operates year-round except for a brief maintenance period in February.
Machu Picchu Vistadome Train Adventure
The Vistadome Train departs from Poroy station near Cusco and travels to Aguas Calientes, the entry point to Machu Picchu. Its large panoramic windows provide unobstructed views of the Sacred Valley, including the Urubamba River canyon and snow-capped peaks. The journey takes about 3.5 hours each way, with a brief stop at the Ollantaytambo station. Passengers can choose a morning departure to arrive by midday, allowing time to explore Aguas Calientes before the next day’s guided tour of the citadel.
How To Get To Machu Picchu Via Hidroelectrica (Updated 2019)
The Hidroelectrica route involves a 6-hour drive from Cusco to the hydroelectric power station, followed by a 3-hour walk along the train tracks to Aguas Calientes. This path follows the Vilcanota River through lush cloud forest and passes the small settlement of Santa Teresa. The walk is flat but requires caution near the tracks, as trains still use the line. From Aguas Calientes, visitors take a 30-minute bus or a 1-hour hike up to the Machu Picchu entrance. This route is cheaper than the train but demands good fitness and an early start. The information here was updated in 2019; check current conditions before traveling.
