Why travel to Machu Picchu by train with Sakura Expedition?
Your trip to Machu Picchu organized by a local team, with personalized attention from start to finish
Entrance tickets, trains, transfers, guide and hotel coordinated by us, so all you have to do is enjoy one of the wonders of the world.
Machu Picchu: an adventure that begins on the train
Getting to Machu Picchu is already part of the experience. In just a few hours you go from the Andean mountains to the green cloud forest, following the Vilcanota River, until you reach one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
Step 1
From Cusco to Ollantaytambo
We pick you up at your hotel and travel by private transportation to the Ollantaytambo train station, in the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
Step 2
The train to Aguas Calientes
A scenic ride between mountains, the river and ever more lush vegetation, all the way to Machu Picchu Pueblo.
Step 3
Up to the citadel
From Aguas Calientes, the bus climbs a winding road for about 25 to 30 minutes to the entrance of Machu Picchu.
Step 4
The guided tour
For 2 to 3 hours you explore temples, plazas and terraces with your guide, who shares the history and mysteries of the Inca civilization.
What you will experience in the Inca citadel
Machu Picchu is visited through circuits with a set entry time, and we secure the best option available for your date.
Routes 2A or 2B
Circuit 2
Panoramic views and the main sectors of the citadel. A favorite among many travelers.
Route 3B
Circuit 3
The lower section: agricultural terraces, the urban area, the Temple of the Sun, the House of the Inca, the Sacred Plaza and the Temple of the Condor.
Route 1B
Circuit 1
The classic panoramic view of Machu Picchu from the Guardhouse.
Cloud forest climate: Machu Picchu is warm and humid, with temperatures from 8 °C to 20 °C. April to October is the dry season, with sunnier days; from November to March it rains more and the landscapes are greener. Bring clothes for both cold and warm weather. Want more adventure? On the 2-day tours you can add Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, subject to availability.
Choose your tour and your train
Thanks to our years of experience, we work with PeruRail and Inca Rail, which lets us offer you the best prices on every train class. Our tours include the Expedition or Voyager trains, with comfortable seats and large windows, and you can upgrade to the Vistadome, with panoramic windows, or the Vistadome Observatory, with an open-air balcony and live music.
1 day · Easy
Machu Picchu Classic Tour by Train
Machu Picchu in a single day from Cusco, on the Expedition or Voyager train, with a 2 to 3-hour guided tour.
1 day · Easy
Machu Picchu by Vistadome Observatory Train
Outbound on the Vistadome Observatory, with live music, traditional dances and an open-air balcony, and return on the Vistadome.
2 days / 1 night · Easy
Machu Picchu by Train with Hotel
Travel without an early start, spend the night in Aguas Calientes and arrive at the Inca citadel early and full of energy.
2 days / 1 night · Moderate
Machu Picchu and Sacred Valley
Chinchero, Moray, the Maras Salt Mines and Ollantaytambo on the first day, and Machu Picchu with a private guide on the second.
Book with complete confidence
Before you book, our sales team will answer all your questions so you can book your Machu Picchu tour by train with complete confidence.
An advisor by your side
From your first inquiry, an advisor introduces themselves by name and guides you through the whole booking process.
100% local agency
We are a tour operator owned by people from Cusco. You can verify our permits with our codes at GERCETUR and in the registry of the city of Cusco.
Office in Cusco
We have a physical office in the heart of the city, where we welcome you with the respect and kindness you deserve.
Book your tour in 4 steps
Our booking system is easy, safe and reliable, and our team supports you at every step.
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Check availability
Write to us on WhatsApp at +51 941 411 418 or at info@sakuraexpedition.com with your travel date.
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Send each passenger’s details
Full name, gender, passport number, date of birth and nationality: with these we buy your Machu Picchu entrance ticket and your train tickets.
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Secure your spot
Pay the full amount or a deposit of US$ 200 per person; the balance is due no later than the day before the tour.
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Receive your confirmation
Once everything is secured, we send you your official confirmation invoice and your booking is 100% guaranteed.
Important: Machu Picchu entrance tickets and train tickets are limited. We recommend booking 3 to 6 months in advance, especially in high season (April to October).
We support you before and during your trip
Briefing
The day before your trip we go over the itinerary with you, coordinate the details and answer any last questions.
Personalized assistance
From the pickup at your hotel, our staff assists you and coordinates your meeting with the guide. On your return, they wait for you in Ollantaytambo with a sign bearing your name.
Professional guides
Bilingual guides, in Spanish or English, who love their culture and reveal the history and secrets of Machu Picchu at an unhurried pace.
Private transfers
We take you from your hotel in Cusco to the Ollantaytambo station and back, in private transportation.
Selected hotels
On the 2-day tours you rest in Aguas Calientes, at the 3-star Hatun Inti hotel or similar, with the option to upgrade to 4 or 5 stars.
24-hour assistance
Our team is available 24 hours a day in case you have any questions or issues during your trip.
Our commitment
Your safety comes first
Every year, our guides, drivers and office staff take first aid courses, and we work with clinics that support us. In case of strikes or roadblocks, we coordinate alternatives such as schedule changes or rescheduling.
We care for the environment
We love the Pachamama: everything we use is reusable or recyclable, and we ask our travelers to hand us their waste so the trails stay clean.
Recognized quality
We hold the Premio Miradas Internacional award and Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice recognition, where our travelers rate us as “Excellent”.
Frequently asked questions
Which Machu Picchu train tour is right for me?
If you are short on time, the 1-day tours take you from Cusco and back on the same day, on the Expedition or Voyager train, or on the Vistadome Observatory if you want a more special ride. If you prefer to go at a relaxed pace, the 2-day tours include a night in Aguas Calientes, and the Machu Picchu and Sacred Valley tour adds Chinchero, Moray, the Maras Salt Mines and Ollantaytambo.
When is the best time to visit Machu Picchu?
You can visit all year round, and the tours run every day. The dry season, from April to October, usually brings sunny days and clear skies. The rainy season, from November to March, has more rainfall and greener vegetation. Whatever the season, book early, because entrance tickets are limited.
How far in advance should I book?
We recommend booking 3 to 6 months in advance, especially in high season. Machu Picchu entrance tickets and train tickets have limited capacity and sell out fast, so booking early gives you more choice of circuits, entry times and trains.
Which train does the tour include, and can I upgrade?
The tours include PeruRail’s Expedition train or Inca Rail’s Voyager train, with comfortable seats and large windows. The Vistadome Observatory tour goes out on that train, with panoramic windows, an open-air balcony, live music and dances, and returns on the Vistadome. On the other tours you can request an upgrade to the Vistadome or Vistadome Observatory, subject to availability and at an additional cost.
Which Machu Picchu circuit is included?
The tour can be done on any of the three circuits, depending on availability when your booking is confirmed. Many travelers ask for Circuit 2, but Circuits 1 and 3 also show Machu Picchu from unique perspectives. We will do our best to get your preferred entry time, as long as it fits the itinerary.
Can I add Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain?
On the 2-day tours, yes, subject to availability. These hikes require moderate fitness and are not recommended if you suffer from vertigo, especially Huayna Picchu. On the 1-day tours there is not enough time for them.
Is the tour suitable for children and seniors?
Yes. The train tours are easy and do not involve long hikes. We recommend them for children from 3 years old, and the Machu Picchu and Sacred Valley tour from 8 years old. There is no maximum age. Children pay for the Machu Picchu entrance ticket from 3 years old, with special rates depending on their age and nationality, by showing their passport or ID.
Does the tour include transfers to and from my hotel?
Yes. We pick you up at your hotel in Cusco and, on your return, our staff waits for you at the Ollantaytambo station with a sign bearing your name to take you back to your hotel. The train and the buses to Machu Picchu are shared services.
How much luggage can I take on the train?
Up to 8 kg per person. We recommend bringing only a small backpack with the essentials. Your main luggage can stay free of charge at your hotel in Cusco or at our office.
How do I book my tour?
Write to us at info@sakuraexpedition.com or on WhatsApp at +51 941 411 418 to check dates. We will send you a form for each passenger’s details (full name, passport, date of birth and nationality) and, with a deposit of US$ 200 per person, we buy your entrance and train tickets. Once everything is secured, you will receive your official confirmation.
The best prices on our Machu Picchu train tours. Competitive prices without losing the quality that sets us apart.
Questions about your trip?
Write to us and an advisor will help you choose the ideal tour and train for your dates.