Every visitor who comes to Peru and especially to Cusco wants to see Machu Picchu. However, due to time constraints, many tourists decide to make a quick visit for just one day. How to organize time? Know the itinerary to follow and, especially, which tickets to choose.

• The Inca city of Machu Picchu
• The mountain Machu Picchu
• The mountain Huayna Picchu
• The mountain Huchuy Picchu
• The Inca Bridge of Machu Picchu
• Is it possible to do a day trip to Machu Picchu?
• What type of Machu Picchu ticket fits this itinerary?
• Recommendations to visit Machu Picchu in 1 day

You can choose any of the 3 tickets to Machu Picchu to visit the Inca city in 1 day. The only thing necessary is to buy the tickets in advance and leave Cusco at approximately 4 a.m.). You will return to Cusco at 8 or 9 at night.

Know which ticket to choose for the day trip to Machu Picchu

The Inca city of Machu Picchu

• The Inca city of Machu Picchu offers various constructions made by the Incas hundreds of years ago. Most buildings have a mysterious and historical meaning.
• Some of the most surprising constructions of the Inca city are: the Intihuatana, the Temple of the Sun, the Temple of the Condor, the Intipunku, etc.
• Machu Picchu is located in the jungle of the Andes Mountains. The trip from the city of Cusco, by bus and train, takes approximately 4 hours.
• The entrance to Machu Picchu is divided into 9 different groups. From the moment of access to the Inca city, each visitor has 4 hours for the tour.

Schedules for the ‘Machu Picchu Only’ ticket:

• Group 1 – entrance from 6 in the morning.
• Group 2 – entrance from 7 in the morning.
• Group 3 – entrance from 8 in the morning.
• Group 4 – entrance from 9 in the morning.
• Group 5 – entrance from 10 in the morning.
• Group 6 – entrance from 11 in the morning.
• Group 7 – entry from 12 p.m.
• Group 8 – entry from 1 in the afternoon.
• Group 9 – entrance from 2 in the afternoon.

The mountain Huayna Picchu

• Mount Waynapicchu is the summit located within Machu Picchu. Climbing up and down this mountain is considered one of the most incredible short hikes on the planet.
• The walk covers approximately 2 kilometers uphill. It has a moderate difficulty. Inside the mountain is the famous Temple of the Moon of Huayna Picchu (temporarily closed to the public).
• The entrance gate to Huayna Picchu is located inside Machu Picchu. You must walk to the so-called ‘Sacred Rock’.
• The entrance ticket to Huayna Picchu includes Machu Picchu. The entrance to the mountain is divided into 4 different times.

‘Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu’ ticket times:

• Group 1 – entrance from 6 in the morning / Entry to Waynapicchu from 7 to 8 in the morning.
• Group 2 – entrance from 7 in the morning / Entry to Waynapicchu from 8 to 9 in the morning.
• Group 3 – entrance from 8 in the morning / Entry to Waynapicchu from 9 to 10 in the morning.
• Group 4 – entrance from 9 in the morning / Entry to Waynapicchu from 10 to 11 in the morning.

The mountain Machu Picchu

• The Machu Picchu mountain is the great peak on which the Inca city and the entire archaeological site are located. Going up and down this mountain is one of the new adventures that the place offers.
• The walk is not as intense as the ascent to Huayna Picchu, although it is longer. Apart from the trails laid out by the Incas, the route does not have temples or sacred buildings.
• The entrance gate to this mountain is located inside and on top of the Inca city. You must ascend several stairs to reach that place.
• The entrance ticket to the mountain includes access to Machu Picchu. There are 2 different times to access this place.

Schedules for the ‘Machu Picchu + Mountain’ ticket:

• Group 1 – entrance from 6 in the morning / Entrance to the Mountain from 7 to 8 in the morning.
• Group 2 – entrance from 7 in the morning / Entrance to the Mountain from 8 to 9 in the morning.

The mountain Huchuy Picchu

• Huchuy Picchu is a small mountain located in the foothills of Huayna Picchu. Its name justly means ‘small mountain’. Climbing and descending this mountain is a not so difficult adventure but which offers beautiful views of the Inca citadel.
• The route is less than 1 kilometer. On the walk you ascend stone stairs. On average it takes 30 minutes to reach the top.
• The gate of entry to Huchuy Picchu is the same one that allows entry to Huayna Picchu. Once inside there is a detour that leads to Huchuy Picchu and another that leads to Huayna Picchu.
• The entrance ticket to Huchuy Picchu includes access to Machu Picchu. There are up to 8 different schedules of entry.

‘Machu Picchu + Little Picchu’ ticket times:

• Group 1 – entrance from 6 in the morning / Entry to Huchuypicchu from 7 to 8 in the morning.
• Group 2 – entrance from 7 in the morning / Entry to Huchuypicchu from 8 to 9 in the morning.
• Group 3 – entrance from 8 in the morning / Entry to Huchuypicchu from 9 to 10 in the morning.
• Group 4 – entrance from 9 in the morning / Entry to Huchuypicchu from 10 to 11 in the morning.
• Group 5 – entrance from 10 in the morning / Entry to Huchuypicchu from 11 to 12 in the morning.
• Group 6 – entrance from 11 in the morning / Entry to Huchuypicchu from 12 to 1 in the afternoon.
• Group 7 – entrance from 12 in the morning / Entry to Huchuypicchu from 1 to 2 in the afternoon.
• Group 8 – entrance from 1 in the afternoon / Entry to Huchuypicchu from 2 to 3 in the afternoon.

Book your train tickets in advance and take the day trip to Machu Picchu without any problems

The Inca Bridge of Machu Picchu

• The Inca Bridge is a little-known construction of Machu Picchu located in one of the limits of the Inca citadel. The bridge is made of wooden trunk and supported on stone supports.
• The route to the bridge can only be done with the ‘Machu Picchu + Inca Bridge’ ticket. The walk to the bridge is approximately 1 kilometer. The route is easy on flat roads, but with frightening views of cliffs.
• The access gate to the Inca bridge is located on a detour near the Guardian House sector (upper part of Machu Picchu).
• The entrance ticket to the bridge includes access to the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu. There are up to 8 different times to make your entry.

Schedules for the ‘Machu Picchu + Inca Bridge’ ticket:

• Group 1 – entrance to Machupicchu from 6 in the morning / Entrance to the Inca Bridge from 7 to 8 in the morning.
• Group 2 – entrance to Machupicchu from 7 in the morning / Entrance to the Inca Bridge from 8 to 9 in the morning.
• Group 3 – entrance to Machupicchu from 8 in the morning / Entrance to the Inca Bridge from 9 to 10 in the morning.
• Group 4 – entrance to Machupicchu from 9 in the morning / Entrance to the Inca Bridge from 10 to 11 in the morning.
• Group 5 – entrance to Machupicchu from 10 in the morning / Entrance to the Inca Bridge from 11 to 12 in the morning.
• Group 6 – entrance to Machupicchu from 11 in the morning / Entrance to the Inca Bridge from 12 to 1 in the afternoon.
• Group 7 – entrance to Machupicchu from 12 in the morning / Entrance to the Inca Bridge from 1 to 2 in the afternoon.
• Group 8 – entrance to Machupicchu from 1 in the afternoon / Entrance to the Inca Bridge from 2 to 3 in the afternoon.

Is it possible to do a day trip to Machu Picchu?

• The 1-day trip to Machu Picchu requires maximum organization so as not to miss the train trip or the entrance to the Inca city.
• The departure from Cusco must be made in the early morning in order to take one of the first trains.
• The return from Machu Picchu to Cusco can be done in the afternoon or evening, according to the schedule stated on your train ticket.

What type of Machu Picchu ticket fits this itinerary?

There are 5 types of tickets to enter Machu Picchu:

With the Machu Picchu Solo ticket

• Choose the ticket in the third group (from 8 in the morning) or the following groups.
• Travel from Cusco to Ollantaytambo on transport services that depart from 3 or 4 in the morning.
• The first trains leave at 6.10 in the morning or 7.05 in the morning. It is recommended to arrive at the station 30 minutes before the train departure.
• In Machu Picchu you can visit all the archaeological sites for 4 hours. You will also have free time to tour the Inca city on your own, have lunch, and walk through the town of Aguas Calientes.

With the Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu ticket

• Choose the ticket in Group 3: entry from 8 in the morning. Remember that access to Huayna Picchu is from 9 to 10 in the morning.
• The buses must be taken between 3 or 4 in the morning. The train chosen must be the ‘Expedition’ service that leaves at 6.10 a.m.
• The tourist has 6 hours to tour Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu. The return to Cusco is in the afternoon.
• The itinerary must be completed punctually since, if you do not enter Huayna Picchu from 9 in the morning; You will not be able to enter this tourist attraction.

With the Machu Picchu + Mountain ticket

• The schedule that best suits the 1-day visit is Group 2 (entrance to the mountain from 8 to 9 in the morning). However, this schedule is very early so it is not recommended to visit Machu Picchu mountain in 1 day.

With the Machu Picchu + Small Picchu ticket

• Choose the ticket in the fourth group (from 9 in the morning) or the following groups.
• The trip from Cusco to the Ollantaytambo train station is on transport services that depart from 3 or 4 in the morning.
• The first trains leave Ollantaytambo at 6.10 in the morning or 7.05 in the morning (it is recommended to arrive at the station 30 minutes before the train departure).
• In Machu Picchu you can visit all the buildings, the Huchu and Picchu mountain for approximately 4 hours. After the visit you will also have free time to tour and have lunch in the town of Aguas Calientes.

With the Machu Picchu + Inca Bridge ticket

• Choose the ticket in the fourth group (from 9 in the morning) or the following groups.
• The departure from Cusco is done with public or private transport that leaves the city at 3 or 4 in the morning.
• Once at the Ollantaytambo train station you must take the trains that leave at 6:10 in the morning or 7:05 in the morning. Train tickets are purchased in advance online.
• In Machu Picchu you can visit all the buildings, as well as the Inca Bridge of Machu Picchu. After the visit you will also have free time to tour and have lunch in the town of Aguas Calientes.

Recommendations to visit Machu Picchu in 1 day

• You must reserve your entry ticket to Machu Picchu in advance.
• The train ticket must also be purchased in advance so that you can reserve the most suitable times for the correct itinerary.
• You must carry your personal identification documents to enter Machu Picchu.
• Carry only the necessary luggage for your journey to Machu Picchu. A change of clothes, sunscreen, insect repellent, sunglasses, hat, rain poncho and camera.

Advice from people who have been there

Machu Picchu

By: Pablo I

“Machu Picchu in flight“

“Me and my girlfriend visited Machu Picchu in October, we did the entire trip on the same day, since we were on a short visit to Cusco, it was an incredible experience, although quite exhausting. I recommend visiting it with more days of stay.“

By Ticket Machu Picchu – Last updated, October 18, 2023