Machu Picchu Tour Package: All Options from Cusco

Esta entrada también está disponible en:

Last Updated on 10 June, 2026 by Daniel Silvente

Are you thinking about visiting Machu Picchu but not sure which tour package to choose? That’s completely normal. There are many ways to reach Peru’s most famous Inca citadel, and each one fits a different type of traveler.

If you’re looking for a comfortable and direct option, a Peru Machu Picchu Train tour is the most popular alternative. You can take a one-day tour from Cusco and visit the citadel in a single day, or choose a 2-day route to travel at a slower pace, spend the night in Aguas Calientes, and combine the experience with the Sacred Valley.

But if you prefer a more complete adventure, you can also reach Machu Picchu on foot through iconic routes such as the Salkantay Trek, the Inca Trail, the Inca Jungle, or the Lares Trek. Some options are more cultural, others are more challenging, and others combine trekking, nature, Andean villages, and mountain landscapes before arriving at Machu Picchu.

In this guide, we bring together all Howlanders’ Machu Picchu Tour Package options to help you compare routes, understand the differences, and choose the one that best fits your trip. This way, you can decide whether a train tour, a one-day experience, a 2-day itinerary, or a multi-day trek is the best way for you to visit one of South America’s most impressive wonders.

Which Machu Picchu Tour Package should you choose?

Before booking your Machu Picchu Tour Package, the most important thing is to be clear about how much time you have, how you want to travel, and what type of experience you’re looking for. Taking a quick train tour is not the same as spending several days trekking to the Inca citadel.

Train tours to Machu Picchu

If you want to visit Machu Picchu without doing a multi-day trek, train tours are the most comfortable and popular option. They all combine transportation from Cusco, a train ride to Aguas Calientes, and a guided visit to the Inca citadel, but they differ in duration, pace, and included stops.

The Peru Machu Picchu Train is one of the most special ways to reach the area, as the journey between Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes passes through mountain, valley, river, and cloud forest landscapes. Choosing a train tour is not only about getting there faster: the ride is also part of the experience.

Machu Picchu Day Tour from Cusco

The Machu Picchu Day Tour is the most direct option for travelers with limited time in Peru. The tour starts very early in Cusco, continues by road to Ollantaytambo, and from there you’ll take the train to Aguas Calientes.

Once in Machu Picchu Pueblo, you’ll take the bus up to the citadel and follow the circuit included with your entrance ticket. After the visit, you’ll return by train to Ollantaytambo and continue by transportation back to Cusco.

It’s a good option if you want to visit Machu Picchu in just one day without adding extra nights to your trip. Keep in mind that it’s an intense tour, with an early start and a very full day.

2-day Machu Picchu tour by train

If you prefer to travel at a slower pace, the 2-day Machu Picchu train tour is a highly recommended option. On the first day, you’ll travel from Cusco to Ollantaytambo and take the train to Aguas Calientes, where you’ll spend the night.

The next day comes the most anticipated moment: the visit to Machu Picchu. Since you’ll sleep in Aguas Calientes, the pace of the trip is more relaxed and you’ll have more time to enjoy the town before heading up to the citadel.

This tour is ideal if you want a comfortable Machu Picchu Tour Package, with a train ride, an overnight stay close to the archaeological site, and more flexibility to organize your visit.

Machu Picchu and Sacred Valley in 2 days

The 2-day Machu Picchu and Sacred Valley tour is one of the most complete options for a first visit to the area. On the first day, you’ll make the most of the route to Ollantaytambo by visiting some of the most representative places in the Sacred Valley, such as Pisac, Urubamba, and the Ollantaytambo fortress.

After that, you’ll take the train to Aguas Calientes, where you’ll spend the night. On the second day, you’ll visit Machu Picchu and return to Cusco by train and ground transportation.

It’s the perfect option if you want to combine culture, Andean landscapes, and the Peru Machu Picchu Train in the same itinerary, without having to organize each transfer separately.

Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu

If you want your Machu Picchu Tour Package to be a trekking experience, Salkantay is one of the most recommended routes. Unlike train tours, this journey doesn’t start in Aguas Calientes, but by hiking through snow-capped mountains, lagoons, high-altitude passes, cloud forest, and Andean landscapes before reaching Machu Picchu.

It’s a great alternative if you’re looking for a more challenging route, closer contact with nature, and a much more adventurous arrival at the Inca citadel. At Howlanders, you’ll find different versions of the Salkantay Trek depending on how many days you have available and the type of experience you want.

4-day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu

The 4-day Salkantay Trek is the most direct option to complete this route to Machu Picchu. The itinerary starts in Cusco and crosses different ecosystems, from high-Andean landscapes to cloud forest, passing through places like Humantay Lake and the Salkantay Pass.

It’s a good option if you want a complete trekking experience but don’t have enough days for the longer version. At the end of the route, you’ll return to Cusco by train, a comfortable way to close the adventure after several days of hiking.

5-day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu

If you have more time, the 5-day Salkantay Trek lets you experience the route at a slower pace and enjoy the journey more. By adding an extra day, the experience feels less condensed and allows you to spread out the effort better.

This option is perfect if you want to spend more time in the mountains, hike more calmly, and reach Machu Picchu after a more complete adventure. For many travelers, it’s the most balanced version in terms of trekking, scenery, and overall experience.

4-day Salkantay Trek in Sky Domes

The Salkantay Trek in Sky Domes is the most special version of the 4-day route. It keeps the essence of the trek but adds an extra level of comfort thanks to dome accommodation, making it perfect if you want to enjoy the adventure without giving up a more carefully designed experience.

It’s an ideal alternative if you’re looking for a different mountain route, with a private guide and more exclusive accommodation along the way. A great way to combine trekking, nature, and rest in one experience.

5-day Salkantay Trek in Sky Domes

The 5-day Sky Domes version combines the best of both options: more time to enjoy Salkantay and a more comfortable accommodation experience. It’s a guided tour covering approximately 47 miles (75 km), divided into several stages before reaching Machu Picchu.

Along the route, you’ll pass through high-mountain landscapes, Humantay Lake, cloud forest areas, and the surroundings of the Peruvian jungle. It’s one of the most complete options if you want to hike Salkantay at a slower pace and enjoy an extra level of comfort during the trip.

If you’re still unsure which version to choose, you can check out our blog articles about the 4- or 5-day Salkantay Trek, the difficulty of the route, and what to pack before booking.

Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

The Inca Trail is one of the most special ways to reach Machu Picchu. Unlike other tours, this route lets you walk along ancient Inca paths, visit archaeological sites along the way, and enter the citadel through the Sun Gate, one of its most iconic access points.

It’s a perfect option if you want your Machu Picchu Tour Package to have a strong historical and cultural focus, without giving up hiking and mountain landscapes. At Howlanders, you can choose between the classic 4-day version or the Short Inca Trail, depending on how much time you have and the type of experience you’re looking for.

4-day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

The 4-day Inca Trail is the original route and one of the most iconic hikes in Latin America. During the trek, you’ll walk along an Inca trail protected by UNESCO, accompanied by a professional guide, cook, and porter team.

The route starts in Cusco with transportation to the trailhead at Km 82. Over the trekking days, you’ll pass archaeological sites such as Llactapata, Sayacmarca, Phuyupatamarca, and Wiñay Wayna, as well as mountain landscapes, cloud forest, and ancient stone paths.

One of the most special moments comes on the final day, when you enter Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate. After that, you’ll take a guided tour of the citadel before returning to Cusco by panoramic train and ground transportation.

It’s the ideal option if you want to experience the full Inca Trail, sleep in camps along the route, and reach Machu Picchu in the most historic way.

Short Inca Trail: 2-day Inca Trail Tour

The 2-day Inca Trail is a perfect alternative if you want to experience part of this legendary route but don’t have enough time to complete the classic trek. In this case, the tour starts in Cusco, continues by train to Km 104, and from there you’ll begin hiking the Short Inca Trail.

Along the route, you’ll visit the archaeological site of Wiñay Wayna and reach the Sun Gate, where you’ll get one of the most special views of Machu Picchu. After that, you’ll descend to Aguas Calientes, where you’ll spend the night.

The second day is dedicated to visiting Machu Picchu, with an approximately 2-hour guided tour and free time to enjoy the citadel at your own pace before returning to Cusco by train and minibus.

It’s a great option if you’re looking for a cultural experience, want to hike part of the Inca Trail, and prefer sleeping in Aguas Calientes instead of camping for several days.

Alternative tours package to travel to Machu Picchu

In addition to the train, Salkantay, and the Inca Trail, there are other ways to travel to Machu Picchu if you’re looking for a less conventional experience. These routes combine Andean landscapes, adventure, local culture, and a final visit to the Inca citadel, but each one has a very different style.

The Inca Jungle is the most active and adventure-focused option, while the Lares Trek is perfect if you want a more cultural route, with hiking through the Andes and contact with local communities.

Inca Jungle Trek to Machu Picchu

The Inca Jungle to Machu Picchu is one of the most original routes to reach the citadel. It is a 4-day tour that combines hiking, downhill biking, rafting, zip-lining, and high-jungle landscapes, making it a great fit if you’re looking for adventure and variety.

The route starts in Cusco and passes through places such as Abra Málaga, Huamanmarca, Santa María, Santa Teresa, Hidroeléctrica, and Aguas Calientes before visiting Machu Picchu. One of the most special moments is the downhill bike ride from Abra Málaga, at 14,272 feet (4,350 meters), to Huamanmarca.

Unlike other treks, this route is not only about walking. It also includes adventure activities and nights in simple accommodations, offering a more comfortable experience than traditional camping routes. It’s a great choice if you want a different, dynamic, and adrenaline-filled Machu Picchu Tour Package.

Lares Trek to Machu Picchu

The Lares Trek to Machu Picchu is an ideal alternative if you want to combine nature, hiking, and local culture. Over 4 days, you’ll explore less-traveled areas of the Andes, walk through mountain landscapes, and get a closer look at life in Andean communities.

The route passes through places such as the Lares Valley, volcanic hot springs, Wacahuasi, Patacancha, Ollantaytambo, and Aguas Calientes before reaching Machu Picchu. Along the way, it’s also common to see llamas, alpacas, and Andean birds, as well as very authentic rural landscapes.

This tour includes 2 nights camping, 1 night in Aguas Calientes, transportation, train, Machu Picchu entrance ticket, and a bilingual guide. It’s perfect if you want to travel to Machu Picchu on a less crowded route, with a stronger connection to Andean culture and a more peaceful trekking experience.

Quick comparison of Machu Picchu tours Package

So, which Machu Picchu Tour Package should you book?

As you can see, there is not just one way to travel to Machu Picchu. It all depends on how much time you have, the type of experience you’re looking for, and how you want to reach the Inca citadel.

If you have limited time, the Machu Picchu Day Tour is the fastest and most direct option. If you prefer to travel at a slower pace, spend the night in Aguas Calientes, and enjoy the Peru Machu Picchu Train ride, the 2-day tours are a very comfortable alternative. And if you want the trip to be a complete adventure, routes such as the Salkantay Trek, the Inca Trail, the Inca Jungle, or the Lares Trek will let you reach Machu Picchu after several days of hiking, nature, and Andean landscapes.

In any case, the most important thing is to book in advance, carefully check what each tour includes, and choose the route that best fits your travel style.

At Howlanders, we bring together different Machu Picchu tours from Cusco so you can compare options, duration, accommodation, transportation, and type of experience in one place.

Discover all our Machu Picchu tours and book the perfect option for your trip to Peru.