Details of the Trip
ITINERARY
Day 1: Tour to Machu Picchu with Vistadome Train
Today is the day, Machu Picchu! Today is your once in a lifetime visit to the majestic Machu Picchu Citadel. We pick you up at your Cusco hotel at 6:30am, and then drive in our private van to the Poroy-Cusco Train Station for your train departing at about 7:35am.
In the rainy season, January through April, the Vistadome does not leave from Poroy. We pick you up at 4:45am from Cusco to drive to the Ollantaytambo Train Station for the 7:05am Vistadome Train. If you are staying in Ollantaytambo we will pick you up at 6:45am.
Travel through the Sacred Valley of the Inca, ringed by towering white glacial peaks. As you near Aguas Calientes, the wide valley becomes a narrow river canyon, where you enter sub-tropical jungle as you approach the Amazon. The sacred Vilcanota River will be your companion until your arrival at Aguas Calientes.
The guide will meet you at the train station at 10:52am. You will have a little time to get a sandwich or snack before going up to Machu Picchu on the shuttle bus (2,430mt/7972ft). Following the ancient footpath of the Incas, your guide will give you about a 2 hour guided tour of most of the important parts of Machu Picchu.
Returning to Aguas Calientes, you will catch the early evening 4:22pm, 4:43pm or 6:20pm Vistadome train train to Poroy, where we take you back to your hotel in Cusco, arriving between 8pm to 10pm depending on your train schedule. (See below the rainy season schedule and stations)
- Meals included: None
- Hiking up to the Sun Gate and Inca Bridge its available since JUNE 1st, 2024 and the price for any of this option will be $55 USD per person.
- Hiking Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mt. is not possible due to the time restraints of the one-day tour.
- Return Vistadome Train time depends on availability and how much in advance you have booked.
- Our day trip package include circuit 2A or Circuit 2B (If the tickets are available, for it, please book in advance)
RAINY SEASON TRAIN STATIONS
***Note that from January through April the Vistadome Train runs only from Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu and from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo train Station. Return trains depending on availability during rainy season are at 4:22pm, 4:43pm or 6:10pm,
VISTADOME CLASS TRAIN
The Vistadome is the ideal train for those who want to have unimpeded views of the beautiful landscape through which you pass and appreciate the wonderful journey to Machu Picchu. Enjoy the luxury of the Vistadome train to Machu Picchu. Surrounded by glass, in cars with large panoramic windows on the side and ceiling, the carriages offer scenic views and numerous opportunities to capture amazing pictures. The Vistadome has a unique service, which allows the visitor to be immersed in the Andean Culture through its landscapes, music, and dance. (Due to the pandemic food is no longer available)
The Vistadome train provides travelers with on board personalized and first class service to give them an unforgettable once in a lifetime experience. It also has air conditioning and heating, leather seats that adjust the body to provide comfort and relaxation during the entire trip.
You start your journey at the Poroy station located about 25 minutes from downtown Cusco, the journey to Machu Picchu lasts just over three hours you arrive at Aguas Calientes.
Your return journey is from Aguas Calientes to Poroy through the Sacred Valley of the Incas, a journey lasting over 3 hours (except in rainy season). When you arrive in Poroy, you will transfer to a private van for your trip back to Cusco, arriving at your hotel at between 8 to 10pm depending on the schedule of your return train.
***Note: Return Vistadome Train time depends on availability and how much in advance you have booked.
SCHEDULE
Enjoy our Tour to Machu Picchu with Vistadome Train in 1 Day with SAM Travel Peru, in a small group of up to 8 people!
- At 6:30am; transfer from your Cusco hotel to Poroy Train Station. (Train leaves at 7:35am)
- The train ride consists of spectacular views in the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
- At 10:55am, your guide will meet you at the train station, you will have a few minutes to get some lunch if you like and then a shuttle will take you from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu taking, about 30 minutes.
- At 12:00pm you will enter Machu Picchu and have a guided tour of around 2 hours of Machu Picchu “The Old Sacred Mountain” and then you have some free time for taking photos.
- At any time, you can take the shuttle bus back to Aguas Calientes town.
- At 4:22pm, 4:43pm or 6:20pm, return by Vistadome Train to Poroy (except in rainy season to Ollantaytambo) and then private van to Cusco.
- Arrive at your hotel in Cusco between 8pm to 10pm depending on your train schedule.
***Note: Return Vistadome Train time depends on availability and how much in advance you have booked.
***Hiking Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mt. is not possible with the time restraints of a one-day tour.
WHAT IS INCLUDED FOR THE TOUR TO MACHU PICCHU WITH VISTADOME TRAIN?
Included
- Transfer at 6:30am from your hotel to Poroy Train Station
- Vistadome train ticket from Poroy to Aguas Calientes
- Bus round trip from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu (30mins)
- Admission ticket for Machu Picchu Sanctuary – Circuit 2A or Circuit 2B, depending on availability
- Guided tour in English (2.5 hours approximately)
- Small group from 2 to 8 people, with an experienced English speaking guide
- Vistadome train ticket return from Aguas Caliente to Poroy.
- Dance presentation is included on the train
- Transfer from the train station to your hotel, arriving between 8pm to 10pm depending on your train schedule.
Not Included
- Hiking Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mt. not possible with the time schedule of a one-day tour.
- Drinks
- Meals
- Tips for your guide
PRICE
- $447 USD per person
The Tour to Machu Picchu with Vistadome train is available on any date that is best for you, as long as we have a minimum of 2 participants!
***Private service is available for $50 USD more per person.
***All entrance fees are included and we operate our tours in small groups averaging 5 persons with a maximum of 8!
DISCOUNTS
- 18 to 25 years old: $30 USD. Information required on student card: name of university, student name, photo of student, expiration date etc. A copy of the card is required at booking for government approval for discount.
- Under 18 years old: $30 USD. Please send us a copy of your passport at the time of booking.
- Under 11 years old: $40 USD. Please send us a copy of your passport at the time of booking.
WHY CHOOSE SAM TRAVEL?
SAM Travel Peru is a family owned travel agency and a local tour operator based in Cusco with personal experience over many years of trekking. SAM Travel Peru is a 100% Cusqueñian Company without any shareholders.
Our dream as a locally based company is to create small personalized tours & treks strictly and only operated by local professional staff catering in PERSONALIZED and HIGH QUALITY SERVICE.
We take pride in our reputation as a RESPONSIBLE & SUSTAINABLE tour operator. Our staff are our extended family. We ensure they are supported financially by offering them a fair salary. We are proud of our team without them , we wouldn’t be able to offer the best service and lifetime experiences to our clients.
SAM Travel Peru knows how important it is to trust in a reliable honest operator to create your adventure of a lifetime while in Peru. Check out our reviews and certificates of excellence on, TRIPADVISOR for yourself! Also we are highly recommended on Conde Nast Travelers, Lonely Planet and by many blogs like: Trek de Lares 4 hours, “It’s the journey, not the destination…”, Lares Pass – Day 3, Trekking in the Sacred Valley.
SMALL GROUPS
To ensure a more personalized service for our guests, at SAM Travel Peru we have a policy that our groups will not exceed 8 people. This fact alone sets us apart from other companies that operate departures with bigger groups.
OUR TOP TOUR GUIDES
We are so proud of our guides! They are highly professional and speak fluent English. They are very knowledgeable and passionate for Inca heritage and history. Our guides are dedicated to continuous personal and professional development. They do research to ensure that you receive accurate and recognized theories in Inca and Andean culture. Our crew is fun loving, great sports and well-educated. They all hold degrees in one of the following: Archeology, Tourism, Botany, History or Anthropology.
OUR SERVICE PROJECTS
SAM Travel Peru has always believed that we should give back to the communities we pass through on our treks. Therefore, as part of our commitment in responsible tourism, we socially support and employee from these communities.
SAM Travel Peru is proud to be able to support these beautiful people, not only in hiring them for work but to bring things back to grassroots, to share in their home and families. This makes us happy to have a holistic approach with our highland employees and their families!
A beautiful reflection of our attitude in everything we do, is that we wish to make life richer and more meaningful for all involved.
IMPORTANT INFO
Please read carefully the following information; it will help you answer all of your questions about the tour to Machu Picchu with Vistadome Train and our services.
THE BRIEFING
The briefing will take place the night before the trek at 6pm in our office, which is located at Calle Garcilaso 210, office 207 (second floor) in the La CASA DEL ABUELO shopping center.
CAN I STORE MY LUGGAGE AT YOUR OFFICE?
Of course! During the Machu Picchu Tours your main luggage can be store at our office or at your hotel, whichever is more convenient for you. Please don’t pack anything you will need for your hike.
HOW TO BOOK:
FIRST, to book your Machu Picchu Tours, we need you to fill out our booking form by clicking on BOOK NOW on our homepage or click here the link BOOK NOW.
Please be ready with the following information (FROM EACH PARTICIPANT in your group). We cannot purchase an an entrance to Machu Picchu or the train without the following information:
- Personal information (your full name, exactly as on your passport):
- Gender
- Passport number
- D.OB. (dd / mm / yyyy)
- Nationality
SECOND, we require a deposit of $211.00 USD per person in order to purchase a your entrance to Machu Picchu and train ticket. You can make you deposit by clicking on the VISA or PAYPAL symbols on the top of our home page, or you can click on the VISA or PAYPAL symbols on our booking page or click here on the payment method of your choice, either VISA or PAYPAL.
MAY I CHANGE THE DEPARTURE DATE AFTER THE TICKETS HAVE BEEN BOUGHT?
Unfortunately the answer is no. Once the tickets have been bought the government does not allow any changes, so we can’t change any departure date after the tickets has been bought. Tickets are also not transferable nor refundable.
*** If you cancel your tour to Machu Picchu with Vistadome Train, the deposit is not refundable at all!
DO I NEED MY ORIGINAL PASSPORT FOR MACHU PICCHU TOURS?
Yes for sure! You have to bring your original passport and it is very important that it is the same passport number you sent to us to book your entrance to Machu Picchu, train ticket, other entrances and reservations. The rangers will check when you enter Machu Picchu. The train company will also check your passport before allowing you to board the train.
In case you are renewing your passport or changing your name, go ahead and send us your old passport information to secure your permit, and we can change it when you get your new passport number or updated your name for a fee of $25 USD per person. We must have a copy of your old and new passport to make the change. Before you change your passport keep a copy of your old one.
If you do not wish to pay this fee you will need to bring both passports to Peru with you. You can enter Peru with your new passport but you will need to show both passports, old and new to be to enter into Machu Picchu or the train. If you do not have both you will not be allowed to enter into Machu Picchu and train. They are very strict about this here!!
WHAT IS THE WEATHER LIKE IN THE MACHU PICCHU TOURS?
First I would say that the weather is very unpredictable and it’s difficult to foresee. We recommend you to bring a warm jacket for early morning and rain poncho in case of a rain shower.
ARE WE DROPPED AT OUR HOTEL AFTER THE 1 DAY MACHU PICCHU TOURS?
Absolutely! Included in our packages is dropping you off at your hotel on the return from your trek or tour. If you have booked your hotel in the Sacred Valley like Ollantaytambo or Urubamba, we will drop you there too!
If you spend the night at Ollantaytambo before the trek, we will pick you up there.
TIPPING
If you’re happy with the services provided, a tip – though not compulsory – is appreciated. While it may not be customary in your country, it’s of great significance for the people who will take care of you during the tour. It inspires excellent service and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many SAM Travel Peru destinations. Of course you are free to tip as much as you feel appropriate, depending on your perception of the quality and the length of your tour. Remember, a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.
ARE YOU SUSTAINABLE?
Yes, we are a local sustainable & responsible tourism operator for that we incorporate the universal principles of tourism: protect the environment and benefit the local communities respecting their culture and religion. With this in mind, we have trained all our staff to know, understand and respect the local places and it´s people.
PACKING LIST
WHAT YOU SHOULD BRING?
- A small daypack with water to drink
- Snacks if you like
- Comfortable shoes or runners
- Camera
- Rain jacket or poncho
- A fleece or jacket,
- Basic toiletries
- Hat for the sun,
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellent.
- Passport (you cannot board the train or enter Machu Picchu without your passport)
- Student ID card if appropriate.
- Money for souvenirs and tips
