Machu Picchu Classic full day tour

All briefings are done at our office at 5:00 PM one or two nights before your trek. If you are unable to make this time, you need to coordinate another time with a member of the Xtreme Tourbulencia office team. Briefings are approximately 40 minutes long.

Xtreme Tourbulencia is one of the only companies to pick you up directly from your hotel as long as it is in the center of Cusco city. We will coordinate this pickup based on a time that your guide will discuss at the briefing. Pick up times may vary 30 – 45 minutes based on traffic conditions and previous pickups. Since Cusco has narrow cobblestoned streets and some accommodations are on steep hillsides inaccessible to cars, we recommend booking hotels with better access.

Hiking one of the mountains next to the ruins is very popular. Huaynapicchu takes about 1 hour to the top and 45 minutes down (typically booked for the 2nd session, 10–11 AM). Machu Picchu Mountain takes 2 hours up and 1 hour down (usually booked for the 9–10 AM session). Note that 4-day trekkers cannot do Machu Picchu Mountain due to time constraints. Hiking either mountain grants extra time at the ruins afterward.

Entry times to Machu Picchu are fixed and non-adjustable. While a grace period is typically granted at the main gate of the Inca city (e.g., until 06:30 AM for a 06:00 AM ticket during peak season, or 06:45 AM during low season), entry at the control points of Machupicchu, Waynapicchu, and Huchuypicchu mountains does not have a grace period.

(*) Entry time at the main gate of the Inca city of Machupicchu.

(**) Entry at the control points of Machupicchu, Waynapicchu, and Huchuypicchu mountains does not have a grace period.

You must be honest with your guide about any health conditions. While guides are not medical professionals, they have first-aid training, and we work with a clinic in Cusco. You are responsible for assessing your fitness and consulting a physician. If you experience issues while hiking and cannot continue, a porter will accompany you to the closest road to wait for a car to the nearest health clinic. If you develop extreme altitude sickness, we can coordinate a train trip to Machu Picchu (subject to additional fees).

Group tours consist of diverse people with various hiking skills and ages. By agreeing to a group tour, you agree that some people might be slower or faster. Everyone can go at their own pace, and the guide will work with the group to accommodate everyone and make the best decisions.

Strikes are frequent in Peru and can block roads and stop trains. We will make sure your trek continues as planned, even if that means leaving the night before your start date. If tours must be canceled, our operations department will coordinate with you, prioritizing your safety above all else.

You are responsible for your items throughout the tour. Please be diligent and remove all items from vans, tents, restaurants, etc. Do not leave anything unattended during your hike, as other trekkers or teams might pick it up accidentally.

Tipping is optional and not obligatory, though appreciated. Typically, group participants pool tipping money together for the porters and chef (recommended $20 USD per person per trek), and porters/chefs prefer soles. Tipping for the guide is more personal, done separately based on your relationship, and guides accept USD, soles, or credit cards.

Travel insurance is inexpensive and strongly recommended. Adventure travel carries extra risk, and insurance protects the investment you made in your journey when planning months in advance. We can recommend an agent if needed.

Weather is unpredictable. While the dry season is April through October, rain can still fall in June or sun appear in December. Prepare for four seasons across microclimates by dressing in layers, including a waterproof jacket, pants, poncho, waterproof gloves, and a warm packable down jacket for cold evenings. Weather changes may also force guides to rework itineraries for safety.

We recommend spending at least two days in Cusco to acclimate. Symptoms can feel like the flu or a hangover (headache, nausea, dizziness, fatigue). Go slow, drink plenty of fluids like water or coca tea, and avoid alcohol, coffee, smoking, and sleeping pills. Your healthcare provider may also prescribe preventive medications like acetazolamide or dexamethasone. Always inform your guide right away if you feel sick.

Flying is the best option, though international travelers must disembark in Lima, clear customs, and recheck bags (even on connecting flights). LATAM has the most options, but delays and cancellations can happen due to high altitude and weather. Comfortable long-distance buses are also available and well-maintained, highly encouraged if traveling from nearby cities like Puno (though buses from Lima take about 20 hours).

It is a tour package designed to visit the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu in a single day, departing from and returning to the city of Cusco (or the Sacred Valley), maximizing transportation, train, and guided tour times.

It is an intense journey that takes approximately 14 to 16 hours. The adventure usually starts very early in the morning (between 3:30 a.m. and 5:00 a.m.) and ends with your return to Cusco at night (around 8:00 p.m. or 10:00 p.m.).

The most common starting point is the city of Cusco. Agencies typically include hotel pickup (if your hotel is located in the historic center or authorized areas) to take you to the train station.

The trip combines multiple modes of transportation:
- Tourist bus or van: From Cusco to the train station (Ollantaytambo or via bimodal service by PeruRail/IncaRail).
- Tourist train: From the station (e.g., Ollantaytambo) to the town of Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo).
- Consettur bus: From Aguas Calientes up to the entrance gate of the Inca citadel (round trip).

Not directly in a single day due to geographical distance and flight times. To do a Full Day tour, you need to be in Cusco at least one day prior to acclimatize and start the excursion early in the morning.

A standard complete package typically includes:
- Hotel pickup in Cusco and transfer to the station.
- Train tickets (round trip).
- Bus tickets (up and down to the llaqta).
- Official entrance ticket to Machu Picchu (assigned circuit).
- Official tour guide (bilingual: Spanish/English).
- Permanent assistance.

Generally, it does not include:
- Lunch in Aguas Calientes (unless specified in a premium package).
- Tips for the guide, drivers, or porters.
- Entrance fees to additional attractions in Aguas Calientes (such as the hot springs).
- International or domestic flights (Lima - Cusco).

Due to high global demand and the daily visitor limit imposed by the Ministry of Culture, it is recommended to book between 3 and 6 months in advance, especially if you are traveling during the high season (from May to September).

The layered clothing system (dressing in layers) is recommended because the weather changes quickly:
- Footwear: Trekking shoes or comfortable shoes with good grip (wearing heels or smooth soles that damage the stones is prohibited).
- Clothing: Breathable t-shirts, a fleece or warm jacket for the early morning, and waterproof clothing or a rain poncho (depending on the season).

Absolutely yes! You must bring your original passport (or identity document used for the booking) to board the train, take the bus, and pass the security checkpoints at the entrance gate of Machu Picchu. Physical or digital copies are not valid.

It depends on the ticket you purchase, as current regulations divide the citadel into specific circuits. Circuit 1 and Circuit 2 are the most popular because they allow you to get classic panoramic photos from the upper area, while the lower circuits (3 and 4) focus more on ground-level walks through agricultural terraces and urban zones.

The standard guided tour inside Machu Picchu takes approximately 2.5 to 3 hours. The total allowed time in the park depends on the type of ticket purchased (generally strict time slots are enforced).

Generally, it is not recommended for a single-day tour, as these extra hikes require additional hours, a highly sought-after special ticket, and a demanding physical pace that does not fit well with the tight schedule of a round-trip express transfer.

Bringing food or packaged snacks inside the sanctuary is not allowed in order to protect the cultural heritage. Only water in reusable bottles or flasks is permitted. There are also no restrooms inside the citadel, so you must use the facilities outside before entering.

- Dry season (April to October): This is the best time because days are clearer, sunny, and there is a low probability of rain, though there are more tourists.
- Rainy season (November to March): Landscapes look much greener and more lush, but you are likely to encounter mist or precipitation during the day.

The physical demand level is moderate. Although most transportation is motorized (train and bus), visiting Machu Picchu involves walking on stone Inca staircases, slopes, and uneven surfaces at over 2,400 meters above sea level (7,874 ft).

Yes, as long as they are in good health and have properly acclimatized in Cusco. However, for very young children or elderly adults, the early morning wake-up call and the fast-paced nature of a Full Day tour can be exhausting. In those cases, a 2-day / 1-night tour is usually recommended.

Train tickets are nominative, have fixed schedules, and are non-refundable and non-endorsable if you arrive late. If you miss the train due to reasons beyond the operator's control, you will have to cover the cost of a new ticket (subject to availability), which is why strict punctuality with the schedules given by your guide is vital.

Yes, it is possible, but it requires complex logistics: purchasing train tickets separately via PeruRail or IncaRail websites, Consettur bus tickets, official entrance tickets through the Ministry of Culture website, and coordinating your own taxis. For this reason, the vast majority of travelers prefer hiring an agency to avoid setbacks.

It is recommended to carry some Peruvian Soles in cash (coins and small bills) for tips, buying water or snacks in Aguas Calientes, and paying for restroom use at the station. While many businesses accept credit cards or US dollars, local exchange rates or internet signals can sometimes fail in the town.