Machu Picchu by Bus 2-Day Tour
From USD 120.00
Get incredible discounts by tailoring your travel package in Cusco.
The one that takes you to the best of Machu Picchu on a 2-day tour, exclusive for adventurers.
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Duration
02 days
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Meals
Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast
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Transport
Tourist Bus
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Group Size
15 people
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Team
Professional Drive & Guide
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Departures
Daily departures
Embark on a unique adventure to Machu Picchu by taking the route via Hidroelectrica. Enjoy an economical and exciting journey that takes you through breathtaking Amazonian landscapes and authentic Andean communities. This alternative route is ideal for travelers looking to make the most of their visit to the Inca Citadel.
TRAVEL STYLE
Bus Trip to Machu Picchu.
Description
The bus trip to Machu Picchu is through the Amazon route. Our bus departs from Cusco, crosses the Sacred Valley of the Incas, the Andean mountains and finally the high Amazon jungle. It is a journey of approximately 6 hours, where the climate, geography and natural landscape change as we approach Machu Picchu. It is a responsible trip, therefore, we recommend visitors who will take this route to Machu Picchu to book with recommended tour companies with many years of experience, such as MachuPicchuByBus©.
Tour Itinerary
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1D
1st Day
Cusco - Hidroelectrica - Aguas Calientes Town
The boarding place is the Plaza Regocijo, located one block from the Plaza de Armas. Our boarding assistant will be waiting for you from 06:00 AM. If you have any questions, we are also online from 05:30 AM.
The first bus leaves at 06:15 AM. And the second one at 06:45 AM. During the journey we make 2 stops, the first is to stock up on some snacks and water (recommended), if you haven't had breakfast you can do so here. The second stop is to stretch our legs and use the toilets. The bus is arriving at Hidroeléctrica around 01:30 PM.
We recommend our passengers to board the first bus. This way, you will have time to have lunch and start the hike to the town of Aguas Calientes, you will arrive at the town even in daylight. If you plan to take the train from the Hidroelectrica plant to Aguas Calientes town, remember that the train leaves at 02:45 PM. It arrives in town around 03:30 PM.
Remember to take only a backpack with essential things, bringing luggage for this tour is a very bad idea!
The route from the Hidroelectrica plant to the village of Aguas Calientes is fully signposted. Along the way you will meet many travellers, coming and going from the village. Most of the way to the village is alongside the train tracks - it's impossible to get lost!
Upon arrival in the village you will check in at the hotel indicated in your reservation. In the evening, you will have an excellent dinner and will be visited by our on-site guide, who will give you a short briefing of the next day's activities and recommendations.
- Highest Point on The Route: 4,297 m (14,097 f).
- Lowest Point on the route: 1,890 m (6,200 pies).
Tourist Bus IncludedAccommodation Included
View DetailsMeals Included
Lunch, Dinner. -
2D
2nd Day
Machu Picchu - Hidroelectrica - Cusco
If your entry time to Machu Picchu is among the earliest, we recommend having breakfast very early. This is necessary to board the first buses to Machu Picchu and to meet our guide at the park entrance. For this, you should speak with the reception staff and inform them of your Machu Picchu entry time and breakfast requirements the night before. The hotels in Aguas Calientes town are familiar with visitors' itineraries and requirements. They will guide you on the optimal procedure in these cases.ReintentarClaude puede cometer errores. Verifique las respuestas.
Normally, the buffet breakfast is served from 5:30 AM. If you plan to have breakfast earlier, it will likely be an American-style breakfast. If you wish, you can request a takeaway breakfast from the hotel staff.
Before leaving the hotel, remember to take your belongings with you because we will not be returning to the town.
Our site guide will be waiting for you and the group at the park entrance; remember to bring the document you used to book your Machu Picchu ticket. Currently, shared guiding is only permitted on Circuit 2 and its routes 2A and 2B; on the other circuits and their routes, guiding is private.
Buses from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu run continuously throughout the day.
We recommend that guests returning from Hidroeléctrica to Cusco by bus visit Machu Picchu no later than 11:30 AM. This will allow enough time to board the last bus to Cusco at 2:45 PM. Typically, our guests choose to walk down the mountain and then begin the hike to Hidroeléctrica from Puente Ruinas. Some guests find themselves too tired for the hike, so they prefer to purchase a train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Hidroeléctrica, which costs approximately $37.00 USD. The train departs from the town at 01:30 PM and arrives at Hidroeléctrica around 02:15 PM. To board this train, we recommend returning to town at least 45 minutes before departure.
The first bus from Hidroelectrica to Cusco leaves at 02:00 PM. And the last one at 02:50 PM. The buses are arriving in the city of Cusco around 09:20 PM. The trip ends at the Plaza San Francisco, located 2 blocks from the Plaza de Armas. Guests disembarking in the town of Ollantaytambo are arriving around 07:30 PM, the disembarkation point is the Inca bridge, located 10-15 minutes from the town square.
Currently, the buses are not entering the town of Ollantaytambo, the streets of the town are being restored and improved.
Tourist Bus Included
Itinerary Summary
1st-Day
- 06:10 : Boarding at Regocijo square (One block from Main Square).
- 06:20 : 1st Bus Departure Time | 2nd Bus departs at 06:50 AM.
- 07:30 : 1st Stop for rest and breakfast (optional) in a local restaurant.
- 10:30 : 2nd Stop to stretch your legs and use the bathroom.
- 13:30 : Arrival at the Hidroelectrica Station and lunch at a local restaurant.
- 14:00 : Beginning of the hike from Hidroelectrica to the town of Aguas Calientes.
- 17:00 : Arrival in Aguas Calientes and hotel check-in.
- 19:00 : Briefing and Tourist Dinner.
2nd-Day
- 05:30 : Breakfast at the hotel.
- 06:20 : Bus up to Machu Picchu Park.
- 07:00 : Guided tour in Machu Picchu park.
- 11:00 : Hike back to the Hidroelectrica.
- 13:30 : Bus Boarding Time.
- 14:00 : 1st Departure time | 2nd Bus departs at 14:50.
- 21:15 : Arrival in Cusco (San Francisco square).
Prices 2025 - 2026
Basic Service |
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| Guest | Adults | Students / Minors |
| Foreigners | ||
| A.C. / Nationals | ||
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What's included in the Basic Service
- Bus Cusco - Hidroelectrica Station.
- Bus Hidroelectrica Station - Cusco.
- One night in a Basic Hotel in Aguas Calientes (private room with bathroom and hot water).
- Breakfast Included
- Machu Picchu Ticket, Circuit 2 (2-A / 2-B).
- Professional guide in Machu Picchu (service in Spanish or English).
- Permanent assistance via WhatsApp (trip monitoring).
- Guaranteed organization: Hotel reservation, guide, and Machu Picchu entrance tickets.
Not Included
- Meals.
- Bus ticket from Aguas Calientes Town to Machu Picchu (optional, additional cost).
- Bus tickets from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes Town (optional, additional cost).
- Train from Hidroelectrica Station to Aguas Calientes and vice versa (optional, additional cost of $37 - $42 USD per route).
- Meals not specified (breakfast on the first day and dinner on the second day).
- Entrance fees: Hot springs in Aguas Calientes.
- Personal expenses: Drinks, snacks, souvenirs, tips.
- Travel insurance (recommended to purchase from your country of origin).
- Accommodation in Cusco before and after the tour.
Standard Service |
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| Guest | Adults | Students / Minors |
| Foreigners | ||
| A.C. / Nationals | ||
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What's included in the Standard Service
- Tourist Transport:
- Bus Cusco - Hidroelectrica Station.
- Bus Hidroelectrica Station - Cusco.
- Meals:
- First day: Lunch in Hidroélectrica.
- First day: À la Carte Dinner in Machu Picchu Town.
- Second day: Buffet Breakfast at the Hotel.
- Second day: Lunch in Hidroelectrica.
- Accommodation:
- One night in a Standard Hotel in Aguas Calientes (private room with bathroom and hot water).
- Tickets:
- Machu Picchu Ticket, Circuit 2 (2-A / 2-B).
- Bus ticket from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu (one-way).
- Professional guide in Machu Picchu (service in Spanish or English).
- Permanent assistance via WhatsApp (trip monitoring).
- Guaranteed organization: Hotel reservation, guide, and Machu Picchu entrance tickets.
Not Included
- Bus ticket from Machu Picchu back to Aguas Calientes (optional, additional cost).
- Train from Hidroelectrica Station to Aguas Calientes and vice versa (optional, additional cost of $37 - $42 USD per route).
- Meals not specified (breakfast on the first day and dinner on the second day).
- Entrance fees: Hot springs in Aguas Calientes.
- Personal expenses: Drinks, snacks, souvenirs, tips.
- Travel insurance (recommended to purchase from your country of origin).
- Accommodation in Cusco before and after the tour.
Secure 2025's big trip today!
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Extra Services
| SERVICE | PRICE |
|---|---|
| Accommodation Superior | $16.00 USD pp |
| Accommodation Premium | $37.00 USD pp |
| Private Guide | $80.00 USD gp |
| Bus Down to Aguas Calientes | $15.00 USD pp |
| Machu Picchu - Ollantaytambo Train | $80.00 USD pp |
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pp: price per person. gp: group price. |
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MACHU PICCHU MOUNTAINS |
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| Machu Picchu Mountain | + $18.00 USD pp |
| Wayna Picchu Mountain | + $18.00 USD pp |
| Great Cavern | + $18.00 USD pp |
| Huchuy Picchu Mountain | No-cost |
| Inti Punku Sun Gate | No-cost |
| Inka Bridge | No-cost |
| If you're planning to visit any of these places, it will be necessary to book tickets months in advance. | |
Machu Picchu Ticket availability
Dear guest, you can check the availability of the Machu Picchu Ticket on the official site or here. MachuPicchuByBus© is an official company certified by the Ministry of Tourism of Peru.
Important Recommendations
Before the Trip
- Documents:
- Original passport with a minimum validity of 7 months.
- Andean Migration Card (TAM) with entry stamp to Peru.
- South American tourists can present a valid Identity Document.
- Health:
- Consult your doctor about medication for altitude sickness.
- Personal medication: Pain relievers, band-aids, antiseptic, pills for altitude sickness.
During the Trip
- Luggage:
- Light backpack (maximum 5 kg) with essentials for two days.
- Comfortable and warm clothing for temperature changes.
- Trekking shoes or sneakers with good soles.
- Climate:
- Layered clothing: To adapt to variable temperatures.
- Waterproof or poncho: Especially from November to March (rainy season).
- Accessories:
- Hat or cap, sunglasses, and sunscreen.
- Insect repellent.
- Camera and spare batteries
- Cash in Peruvian soles for additional expenses.
- Bathing clothes, in case you visit the thermal baths.
- Extra money.
Other Tips
- Punctuality: Adhere to the established schedules to avoid delays.
- Positive attitude: Be open to new experiences and enjoy the natural and cultural environment.
- Hydration: Carry enough water for the hikes.
- Respect the environment: Do not litter and follow the guide's instructions.
Additional Information
Train Option
If you're too tired to walk back to Hidroelectrica after visiting Machu Picchu and prefer to avoid the hike, you can opt to take the local train:
- Cost: $37 USD per person approx.
- Schedules: The train departs from Aguas Calientes at 13:30 and gets to Hidroelectrica at around 14:15.
- Note: The purchase of the train ticket from Aguas Calientes to the Hidroelectrica is personal. You must be in town at least 45 minutes early to purchase and board the train.
Luggage
- Important: you'll need to carry your belongings on the second day, when visiting Machu Picchu, as we won't be returning to the hotel in Aguas Calientes.
- Option: Don't bring luggage on the trip. The hike can get pretty heavy. If you need somewhere to leave your luggage in Cusco, you can do so at your hotel or at our office (free of charge).
- Guests arriving in Cusco in the early morning and travelling to Machu Pichu the same day, can leave their luggage in our office (free of charge).
Frequently Asked Questions
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Do I need trekking experience to do this tour?
No prior experience is necessary. The hike from the Hidroelectrica Station to Aguas Calientes is of low to moderate difficulty, mostly on flat terrain.
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Where can I store my luggage during the tour?
You can leave additional luggage in our secure storage in Cusco at no extra cost. During the tour, you must carry what you need.
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What type of accommodation is offered in Aguas Calientes?
Accommodation options in the town of Aguas Calientes are varied and will depend on the type of service you book.
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Is it possible to climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain?
This tour does not include entrance to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain. If you wish to add this experience, please contact us in advance to check availability and additional costs.
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What if I want to stay longer in Aguas Calientes or Cusco?
We can help you customize your itinerary. Get in touch with us to adjust your travel plan according to your preferences.
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We are here to Help you
Do you have a question about our Machu Picchu by Bus tour? Or maybe you want to customise a travel package. Whatever you need, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
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Address
885 Hospital Street, Cuzco
Cuzco - Peru. -
Email address
info@machupicchubybus.com
24 / 7 -
Contacts info
+ 51 980 782 062 + 51 940 201 693
Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm