Cusco

Day Trip Tour to Machu Picchu from Cusco

Name: Day Trip Tour to Machu Picchu from Cusco
Brand: Happy Gringo Tours
SKU: 176745P1
Price: 399.00 USD
Rating: 4.5 (463 reviews)

Cusco, Peru

10 to 14 hours
Pickup offered
Offered in: English

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Overview

Ideal for those who don't have the time to hike the Inca Trail or navigate public transport, this small-group tour from Cusco to Machu Picchu lets you see the lost city of the Incas in just one day. You'll get picked up from your Cusco accommodations then ride your choice of train to Aguas Calientes before a short bus ride to Machu Picchu, which you will explore with a guide.

One-day tour from Cusco to Machu Picchu: See as much as possible in one day
Choose which train you want to ride to Aguas Calientes: A range of price points
Small-group tour (maximum eight): A more personalized experience
Tour Machu Picchu with a guide who fills you in on all the fascinating history

What's Included

Transport Cusco to Ollantaytambo town round trip
Round-trip train tickets (Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes).
Multi language tour guide is included
Guided tour at Machu Picchu site
Bus tickets from Aguas Calientes town to Machu Picchu citadel
Machu Picchu ticket and circuit are provided according to the availability.

Gratitudes
Meals

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Ticket Redemption Point

Happy Gringo Tours, Office 205, 08002 (Second Floor, C. Garcilaso 210, Cusco 08002, Peru

Pickup details

We have a meeting point if you are far from the city center (Plaza Regocijo close to our office).

What To Expect

Santuario Historico de Machu Picchu

5 hours • Admission Ticket Included

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Wheelchair accessible
Transportation is wheelchair accessible

Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Most travelers can participate
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers

Operated by Happy Gringo Tours

Cancellation Policy

This experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded.

This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Reviews

4.5

463 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

We perform checks on reviews

Showing 1-10 of 463 reviews

Great communication and trip

Jessica_P, Mar 2024

Great trip to Machu Picchu - happy gringo tours has EXCELLENT and quick communication (mainly via WhatsApp), which is super important to me on a trip when I have questions. Worth every penny. Make sure you follow the instructions about showing up to their office the night before the tour!

Scam avoid at all costs

Phillip_J, Jan 2024

Tour is horrible many other guides to choose from should be your absolute last choice. Horrible communications, very rushed - guides are nice people but this company is terrible

Response from Host, Jan 2024

Hello Phillip, Thank you for your two comments and time to write about your experience! We had already solved the problem of not having responded to their emails on time. Therefore, you have been refunded 50% in cash at the agency office but you very cowardly wrote us your malicious two comments and we feel betrayed. My colleague had told me that you were disrespectful and that you couldn't start the conversation, we also noticed it. And as an administrator, we apologize to you for not having responded to the message. However, your education was not good. We are a legal agency in Peru to operates Machu Picchu 1 day from Cusco with a reputation that supports us. Of course, we understand as humans we can fail but we know how to compensate our clients for the failures that may happen to us. In the end, we wish you all the best in the universe and a new year full of success! Greetings, Happy Gringo Team!

Wonderful Guide but poor service by Happy Gringo travels

Priya_S, Dec 2023

Wonderful guided tour. Missed the train and Happy Gringo did not care that we were stranded in Machu Picchu.

Response from Host, Jan 2024

Hello dear Priya, Thank you for your comment and time to write about your Machu Picchu day trip experience! Unfortunately, you gave us the bad news from Machu Picchu town! You lost the train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo town. According to your tour guide Mauro, you got late to the train station because it was your fault. Therefore, you had to buy new tickets at the last minute in Aguas Calientes town personally. As you know, the group had 12 participants and you were the only participants who did not get on the train. On the other hand, we provided you with a clear itinerary and map via WhatsApp where you had to be 30 minutes in advance at the train station. We tried to do our best to help you. However, the last-minute train tickets are sold directly to the travelers. Therefore, when the clients lose the train tickets, the company gives back the money according to the situation. In this case, you made the mistake of not going on time to the train station and there was no reason to request a refund from the company. We are really sorry about the case! Finally, your tour guide Mauro assisted you with the train tickets. Warm regards, Happy Gringo Team!

Amazing Last Minute Booking

Jerri_J, Dec 2023

I don’t know why they don’t have higher ratings. People say they don’t communicate but you need to read all the instructions, they tell you that you need to meet from 5-8pm the day before at their office to confirm. I couldn’t find a Machu Picchu tour so late in December and they pulled through. Especially solo! Not many places will book for one person solo! Great transportation on time, very organized you just need to make sure you find your tour guide because no one is with you on the train. Just ask around and be friendly that is what traveling is about. The guide for the tour was amazing. Answered every question we had and was the best photographer. We were lucky enough to have circuit 1 and 2 for the tour. Amazing group.

Response from Host, Mar 2024

Thank You for Your Glowing Review! Hello dear Jerri We are truly grateful for your heartfelt review and the time you took to share your positive experience with Happy Gringo Tours! Your kind words about our communication process, organizational efficiency, and the dedication of our tour guide mean a lot to us. We understand the importance of clear instructions, and we appreciate your attention to detail. It's wonderful to hear that we could assist you in securing a spot for the Machu Picchu tour, especially as a solo traveler during the busy December period. We are thrilled that you found our transportation services timely and organized. Your advice to fellow travelers about finding the tour guide on the train is indeed valuable, emphasizing the essence of being friendly and engaging while traveling. Moreover, we're delighted to know that your tour guide made your experience exceptional, answering all your questions and capturing beautiful moments for you. It sounds like you had an incredible time exploring both circuits, and we're grateful for the positive energy you brought to the group. Thank you once again for choosing Happy Gringo Tours. Should your future travels lead you back to this enchanting region, we would be honored to welcome you for another unforgettable adventure. Safe and joyful travels! Best regards, Happy Gringo Tours!!

Amazing place, underwhelming tour

Deidre_O, Dec 2023

This tour was not worth the price. Booked an English tour but the guide mainly spoke Spanish and was more interested in taking bad IG photos of us than explaining the area. Plus it was not clear we would not be going to the top of the ruins until the very end. Most disappointing but the site was still incredible.

Response from Host, Dec 2023

Hello dear Deidre, Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback with us. We sincerely apologize for the disappointment you experienced during your recent tour. It's disheartening to hear that the language preference wasn't met and that the focus seemed to shift away from providing informative content about the area. Your concerns about the lack of clarity regarding the visit to the top of the ruins are duly noted. We understand the importance of clear communication in managing expectations, and we regret any confusion that may have arisen. We appreciate your positive acknowledgment of the incredible site despite the challenges you faced. We take your comments seriously and will use them constructively to improve our services. Please know that your experience does not align with the standard we strive to uphold, and we genuinely apologize for any inconvenience caused. If there's anything specific you'd like us to address or if you have additional details to share, please feel free to reach out to us directly (customerservice@happygringotours.com). Once again, we appreciate your feedback and hope to have the opportunity to better serve you in the future. Best regards, Happy Gringo Team!

Far exceeded our expectations!

Tom_D, Dec 2023

Our tour guide, Ruben, was consistently making sure that our 'Kusi' family was having a good time, was informed about the rich history of Machu Picchu & life in Peru, and that we were doing okay physically as we made our way. His English helped overcome our terrible Spanish and the experience far exceeded our expectations. We couldn't recommend him more.

Response from Host, Mar 2024

Heartfelt Thanks for Your Kind Words! Hello dear Tom_D We are thrilled to receive such a heartwarming review from you! Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with our tour guide, Ruben, and for allowing us to be a part of your 'Kusi' family adventure. Ruben is indeed a gem in our team, and we are delighted to hear that he went above and beyond to ensure you had an enjoyable, informative, and physically comfortable experience at Machu Picchu. His passion for sharing the rich history of Machu Picchu and the cultural aspects of life in Peru truly shines through. Your appreciation for Ruben's English proficiency and the overall experience exceeding your expectations is music to our ears! We genuinely value your recommendation and are honored to have played a part in making your visit memorable. Should your travels bring you back to this beautiful region, we would be more than happy to welcome you again for another adventure. Wishing you safe and wonderful journeys ahead! Warm regards, Happy Gringo Tours!!

To the top of Machu Picchu from Cusco

Usha_S, Dec 2023

This was the highlight of our trip to Peru. Our trip by train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes was very nice with good views of the mountains and the river flowing next to us. The scenery was beautiful and we were reminded of our trip to the Himalayas with similar scenery high in the mountains. The climb to Machu Picchu and the views were very nice and the tour guides did a very good job of explaining all the details. The clouds on the hills were beautiful and when the clouds cleared the complete view of Machu Picchu was was very nice. The whole day's experience was very memorable and we had a very good time there.

Response from Host, Mar 2024

Gratitude for Your Enthusiastic Review! Hello dear Usha_S We are overjoyed to receive your enthusiastic review and are thrilled to know that your visit to Machu Picchu was the highlight of your trip to Peru! It's heartening to hear that your train journey from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes provided beautiful views, reminiscent of your experiences in the Himalayas. We understand the magic of scenic landscapes and are delighted that you found the climb to Machu Picchu and the tour guides' explanations to be enjoyable and informative. The beauty of clouds on the hills and the breathtaking view of Machu Picchu when the clouds clear truly make for a memorable experience, and we are grateful for the opportunity to share this with you. Thank you for choosing us to be a part of your journey, and we look forward to welcoming you back for more unforgettable adventures in the future! Safe travels and warm regards, Happy Gringo Tours!!

Fun duo guide group!

Gregory_B, Nov 2023

Mauro and Rueben were great guides! They were fun and entertaining while also taking the time to make the tour perfect for what our group wanted to see / do. Bonus: they were great photographers as well! Highly recommend to anyone visiting

Response from Host, Mar 2024

Thank You for Your Glowing Recommendation! Hello dear Gregory Thank you so much for sharing your experience with Mauro and Rueben! We are thrilled to hear that they were great guides, adding fun to the tour while ensuring it was tailored perfectly to your group's preferences. It's also wonderful to know that their photography skills were an extra to your experience. Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we appreciate your trust in our team. If your future travels bring you back to the region or if you explore new destinations, we would be honored to welcome you again for more tailored and enjoyable experiences. Once again, thank you for choosing us, and we wish you many more fantastic journeys ahead. Warm regards, Happy Gringo Team.

Must do!

Stephen_M, Nov 2023

Getting to learn and see Mach Picchu. I’m not sure how to spell my guides name (Mauro). He was the best guide I’ve had!

Response from Host, Mar 2024

Subject: Appreciation for Your Feedback Hello dear Stephen Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts about your experience learning and exploring Machu Picchu with us. We're delighted to hear that you had a positive experience, and we sincerely appreciate your kind words about our guide, Mauro. We're thrilled to learn that Mauro made your visit memorable and that you consider him the best guide you've had. His dedication to providing an excellent experience is truly commendable. If you have any further feedback or if there's anything else you'd like to share, please feel free to reach out. We value your input and are always striving to enhance our services. Thank you once again for choosing us, and we hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you back for more enriching experiences in the future. Warm regards, Happy Gringo Team!

Great Day!

Emma_H, Oct 2023

Happy Gringo did a great job! All parts of the trip were handled professionally and efficiently. The driver from Cusco to the train was great and our tour guide at Machu Picchu was fantastic. We opted for a private tour and the vistadome train for additional costs and both were well worth it.

Response from Host, Mar 2024

Thank You for Your Positive Feedback! Hello dear Emma Thank you so much for sharing your positive feedback about your experience with Happy Gringo! We are thrilled to hear that our team did a great job in handling all parts of your trip professionally and efficiently. We're delighted that the driver from Cusco to the train and your tour guide at Machu Picchu both made positive impressions on your experience. It's always our goal to provide excellent service at every step of the journey. We're glad to hear that opting for a private tour and the Vistadome train, though at an additional cost, proved to be well worth it for you. Providing choices that enhance the overall experience is important to us, and we're pleased that these options met your expectations. Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we appreciate your trust in our services. If your future travels bring you back to our region or if you explore new destinations, we would be honored to welcome you again for more enriching experiences. Once again, thank you for choosing Happy Gringo, and we wish you many more wonderful journeys ahead. Warm regards, Happy Gringo Team.

Great tour

Angel_B, Oct 2023

Great day! We left very early but was worth it. We had Rubin as our tour guide. He explained everything well. We only had 2 hours there but that was enough for me. The lady part is a 10 min walk up to get incredible views. Overall great day

Response from Host, Mar 2024

Thank You for Sharing Your Positive Experience! Hello dear Angel Thank you so much for taking the time to share your positive experience! We're thrilled to hear that you had a great day with Rubin as your tour guide and that the early start was worth it. We appreciate your kind words about Ruben's explanations and guidance. It's fantastic that you found the 10-minute walk to the Lady part worthwhile because of the incredible views. If your future travels bring you back to our region or if you explore new destinations, we would be honored to welcome you again for more enriching experiences. Once again, thank you for choosing us, and we wish you many more great days and adventures ahead. Warm regards, Happy Gringo Tours!

Not the worst and not the best

Marta_S, Oct 2023

The pick up and drop off to the hotel was amazing. As well as the driver itself. Unfortunately we had some troubles with agency when it comes to the documents night before the trip which stressed as extremely and made the whole experience a little less satisfactory. Also for the price that we paid the guide should be speaking English a little bit better as sometimes it was hard to understand him. Overall, Machu Picchu is unbelievably beautiful however as we found out from our hotel owner the price is too high and you can easily get something cheaper in agencies at Cusco.

Response from Host, Oct 2023

Hello dear Martha, We are very grateful for sharing your experience of our 1-day Machu Picchu tour from Cusco! First of all, a thousand apologies for the inconvenience. Of course, this detail is in our hands to improve our service for our next clients. On the other hand, you are right that in Cusco there are many agencies that are cheaper than us and there are also agencies that cost more than us. The Happy Gringo Tours company is one of the most legal local agencies and large companies worldwide trust us. When you travel with us you will be safe because we are the only ones who pick up our clients from their hotels and drop them off at their hotels. Again, thank you for your observation, which has a very significant value for us and requires us to continue improving every error in our service. All the best! Happy Gringo Team!

Knowledgeable

Jessica_G, Oct 2023

Our tour guide Ruben was amazing. He is very knowledgeable about the region, fun and authentic. I would highly recommend this tour.

Response from Host, Mar 2024

Heartfelt Thanks for Your High Recommendation! Hello dear Jessica Thank you so much for taking the time to share your positive experience with us! We're delighted to hear that our tour guide, Ruben, made your tour amazing with his knowledge, fun demeanor, and authenticity. Your high recommendation is truly appreciated. We strive to provide enriching and enjoyable experiences, and it's fantastic to know that Ruben contributed to a memorable tour for you. If your future travels bring you back to our region or if you explore new destinations, we would be honored to welcome you again for more fantastic adventures. Once again, thank you for choosing us, and we wish you many more wonderful journeys ahead. Warm regards, Happy Gringo Team!

Excellent one day trip

Timothy_T, Oct 2023

The guides were wonderful. The local tour company had all of the logistics organized and planned out. Long day, but easy. Great day trip.

Response from Host, Mar 2024

Thank You for Your Positive Feedback! Hello dear Timothy Thank you so much for your positive feedback! We're delighted to hear that the guides were wonderful and that our local tour company had all the logistics meticulously organized for you. It's fantastic that you found the day trip easy and enjoyable. We appreciate your kind words, and if your future travels bring you back to our region or if you explore new destinations, we would be honored to assist you again. Once again, thank you for choosing us, and we wish you many more great day trips and adventures ahead. Warm regards, Happy Gringo Team.

Majestic Machu Piccu and Andes mounttains with friendly, knowledgeable guides

Mark_M, Oct 2023

This amazing tour was exactly what was descibed. The guide, Ruben, was very helpful and friendly. The pickup time and schedule were all as the agenda stated. Ruben genuinely cares about teaching about his land, culture and history. The tour itself to Machu Piccu was simply amazing. What a thrill to be at this historic and culturally significant sight. If anything I would have liked even more time there. Machu Piccu pueblo (town) was also a surprise. The Andes mountains were truly majestic as were the surroudning jungle. I highly recommend this tour unless yuo want much more time at MP. Ruben was great and highly knowledgeable.

Response from Host, Oct 2023

Hi Mark, Many thanks for your time in writing your majestic experience on the Machu Picchu tour. We are so happy and grateful to hear that, you had a wonderful day learning and getting to know our heritage, culture, and history with Ruben, Our tour guides are very committed as professionals. In fact, they give their best effort, energy, and knowledge. Warm regards! Happy Gringo team!

Machu Picchu Day Trip

Eva_C, Sep 2023

Though expensive, overall this activity was worth the cost, mainly because the tour operators remove all the stress of arranging travel to and from MP. The highlight of the activity was our tour of MP, made even more incredible by our fantastic guide, Mauro. There’s only one negative thing that happened on the trip and that was the return van ride from Ollantaytambo station to Cusco, because our driver was quite reckless.

Response from Host, Mar 2024

Appreciation for Your Feedback Hello dear Eva Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback with us. We're thrilled to hear that, despite the expense, you found the overall activity worth the cost. We're particularly pleased to know that our efforts in removing the stress of arranging travel to and from Machu Picchu were recognized. It's heartening to hear that the highlight of your experience was the tour of Machu Picchu, made even more incredible by our fantastic guide, Mauro. We'll make sure to pass on your appreciation to him. We sincerely apologize for the negative experience you had during the return van ride from Ollantaytambo station to Cusco. Safety is our top priority, and we take your concerns seriously. Rest assured, we will investigate the matter and address it appropriately to ensure the safety and comfort of our guests. If your future travels bring you back to our region or if you explore new destinations, we would be honored to assist you again, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable experience. Once again, thank you for choosing us, and we wish you many more wonderful journeys ahead. Warm regards, Happy Gringo Team!

Happy Gringo tours

Alan_W, Sep 2023

Company that provided the trip was great…from pick up to drop off there were no complaints. Everything about the trip was very organized and a lot of pre information was given the day before the tour started

Response from Host, Sep 2023

Hello Alan, Thanks for your comment and time! We are so happy to know, that you had a great tour and that everything went well. Our team and tour guides give the best they can. We will gain more confidence and guarantee in the company. Many hugs for you! Happy gringo team!

Magic

Mark_B, Sep 2023

This was the most incredible experience of my life. Words and pictures cannot capture the beauty and scope of this magical place. Mauro from Happy Gringo tours was my guide. He has was so informative, friendly, funny and entertaining. He taught me so much about the history and I am still processing this whole experience. It will be in my daily thoughts for the rest of my life.

Response from Host, Sep 2023

Hi, Mark Thanks for your time in writing your magic experience to Machu Picchu Inca city . We are very grateful to you for this magical, entertaining, and informative experience. Surely, you will carry an unforgettable memory and many blessings.

Amazing guys

Carlos_A, Sep 2023

My husband and I loved our tour. We had 3 tour guides. Must take you passports with you!!! Our diver was nice , Maximo. Everything was well explain on how the day will go. Be sure to follow the check in instructions. Meaning you have to check in a day before this the agency. Maximo dropes us off at Ollantaytambo to take our train. Make sure you download WhatsApp b/c that were you will get all the information. Before get in the train I advance to buy something small like coffee. Do have portable chargers you will use you cell to take a lot of picture staring from there on. We reach Aguas Calientes/ Machu Picchu and met up with our tour guid there out of the train exit. He was very nice allowing us to take picture before we took the bus and gave us 43 min to eat breakfast (agin get something quick because these train and bus to leave on time) Once at Machu Picchu where we meet our guide who will explain the site. He was very helpful and even took it a step further my allowing up to go on another top area where we could take a picture. He really went out of his way. After they took us to a well authentic restaurant and we loved the food. Yes, meals are not included but their recommendation was great. We also got our passport stamp of Machu Picchu!!! After we said buy to one of our tour guide who fished his season as a tour guide and was heading back home to visit him family. These people work hard and take time to show us, tourist their beautiful country. Defiantly would go back with Maximo(driver)

Response from Host, Mar 2024

Heartfelt Thanks for Your Wonderful Review! Hello dear Carlos Thank you so much for taking the time to share your detailed and wonderful experience with us! We're thrilled to learn that you and your husband loved your tour and that our team, including the tour guides and Maximo the driver, contributed to making it memorable. Your tips and insights about the check-in instructions, downloading WhatsApp, and having portable chargers are incredibly helpful for future travelers, and we appreciate you sharing those. It's great to know that our team provided clear explanations, and we're delighted that you found the additional effort of our guide in taking you to another top area to be special. We're also glad you enjoyed the authentic restaurant recommendation and got the Machu Picchu passport stamp as a souvenir. Your kind words and recognition of the hard work of our team mean a lot to us. If your future travels bring you back to our region or if you explore new destinations, we would be honored to assist you again for more wonderful experiences. Once again, thank you for choosing us, and we wish you many more fantastic journeys ahead. Warm regards, Happy Gringo Tours!

Awesome tour with great...

Robert_W, Sep 2023

Awesome tour with great people. The tour was well organised and everything ran smoothly. Cheer Viator

Response from Host, Mar 2024

Heartfelt Thanks for Your Positive Feedback! Hello dear Robert Thank you so much for your positive feedback! We're thrilled to hear that you had an awesome tour with us and that everything ran smoothly. Your acknowledgment of the well-organized tour and the great people involved warms our hearts. We're grateful for your cheerful shoutout to Happy Gringo Tours! If your future travels bring you back to our region or if you explore new destinations, we would be honored to assist you again for more fantastic experiences. Once again, thank you for choosing us, and we wish you many more wonderful journeys ahead. Warm regards, Happy Gringo Tours!

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