Home » Private Machupicchu Tours » Machu Picchu Day Trip from Ollantaytambo, Peru
If you’re short on time but still want to experience the wonder of Machu Picchu, a day trip from Ollantaytambo is the perfect solution. This excursion will take you on a breathtaking journey through the Andes Mountains and allow you to explore the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu, all in one day.
Our commitment to quality means that you’ll receive a world-class tour without sacrificing too much time. Join us for an unforgettable journey into the heart of Machu Picchu, where the past meets the present in a truly magical experience.
If you'd like to customize this trip, our travel specialists will create the perfect tour for you.
Embark on a truly unforgettable journey with our Machu Picchu tour from Ollantaytambo. Our expertly crafted tour is designed to provide you with the absolute best and most comprehensive experience possible.
Our guided tour of Machu Picchu will take you through the many temples, terraces, and structures that make up this ancient Incan city. You’ll learn about the history and culture of the Incas, and discover the secrets of this incredible wonder of the world. Our expert guides will ensure that you have an unforgettable experience, and leave with a deeper understanding and appreciation of this incredible site. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to explore one of the world’s most fascinating and awe-inspiring destinations.
To make the most of your day trip to Machu Picchu from Ollantaytambo, it’s important to start early and plan ahead. The train ride from Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu takes about 1.5 hours, so we aim to catch one of the early morning trains to maximize your time at the site.
If you’re planning a tour of Machu Picchu from Ollantaytambo, here’s what you can expect:
Embark on a journey to one of the world’s most iconic destinations with this tour to Machu Picchu from Ollantaytambo. This itinerary takes you through the ancient ruins of the Inca civilization, offering breathtaking views and a glimpse into the rich history of the region. Whether you’re a history buff or simply seeking adventure, this tour is sure to leave you in awe.
Meet your representative of Come See Peru in Ollantaytambo, you will get all the tickets and board a scenic train to Aguas Calientes, the town at the base of Machu Picchu. You will be enjoying breathtaking views of the Andes Mountains and the Sacred Valley during the train ride from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes.
Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes, meet your knowledgeable guide who will take waiting for you at Machu Picchu train staion, you will then taking the bus up to the ruins. The guide will provide you with historical and cultural information about the site, giving you a deeper understanding of its significance.
Explore the ruins of Machu Picchu for about 2.5 hr and then enjoy a free time to visit the site on your own.
After the tour, take the bus back to Aguas Calientes and enjoy lunch at one of the local restaurants.
In the late afternoon you take the train back to Ollantaytambo, enjoying the beautiful views of the Sacred Valley once again. Finally we will transfer you back to your hotel in Cusco or Ollantaytambo.
Easy / Beginner
Will was our guide and he was wonderful! The tour was everything we hoped for. The day was filled with so much and Will made sure we were having the best time we could. Ask for Will- he was wonderful!
My sister and I were referred to Come See Peru from a friend, and we are so grateful for the referral. We did the Sacred Valley Cultural Experience. Carlos (our guide) and Michael (our driver) were knowledgeable, flexible, and fun!
Here are a few specific aspects that I would like to mention:
1. Flexible. We really appreciated the flexibility that we were afforded. We did our half day Sacred Valley trip in between accommodation switches. So we were picked up in Ollantaytambo and dropped off in Cusco. Additionally, we had to be picked up a bit later than the original start time, and Carlos and Michael were happy to accommodate.
2. Informative. Carlos expertly led us around the three sites we visited (Ollantaytambo ruins, The Salt Mines, The ruins of Moray). He actually took us in an order that allowed for there to be less tourists when we were present, which was really nice. He provided us with historical context and answered all of our questions.
3. Patient. Carlos and Michael gave us time to sit in the beauty that is these amazing locations. Carlos is a wonderful photographer as well and offered to take our picture at some really neat places in each location. When we did the Chicha tasting and salt demonstration, they waited while we shopped. We never felt rushed, which we appreciated.
4. Fun! Overall, we had a really good time with Carlos and Michael. We chatted and laughed about all sorts of things. We appreciated the private tour aspect so we could really go at our own flow and connect and just enjoy.
Thank you Carlos and Michael for a lovely exploration of the Sacred Valley! You will be at the top of our list when we return to see Pisac and Chinchero!
Wow! I booked a customizable 2-day tour to include all of the main Sacred Valley sights because I wanted to start the first day in Cusco and end in Ollantaytambo and use the tour as transportation as well. Come See Peru was so easy to work with, communicating extremely quickly via WhatsApp to design my perfect itinerary. They also suggested some stops that I did not know about.
Our guide Ruben was positively incredible and really made this tour amazing. He presented the history, culture, geography, & food information in such a compelling way! We learned SO MUCH because he is an incredible storyteller. None of the main sites (moray, maras, ollantaytambo, etc) have much signage and we wouldn’t have been able to appreciate them half as well without Ruben. He was also an amazing photographer, always choosing the best locations to take photos of my husband and I.
The vehicle was a comfortable van, which was private, and we had a driver who dropped off and picked up whenever we needed and also stayed with our luggage the day that it was in the car.
Overall, the price was fair for the value received and I would definitely recommend reaching out to Come See Peru to build a customized tour for your trip to the Sacred Valley!
My wife, and I actually took three tours in three dayswith Come See Peru. This were for Machu Picchu, Pisac / Llama farm and the half-day tour on the outskirts of Cusco. The company provided excellent tour guides and took care of every detail, so that our tours were totally stressed free.
If you’re planning a trip to Machu Picchu, starting your journey in Ollantaytambo can offer some unique advantages. From avoiding crowds to experiencing local culture. Here we share with you the most frequently asked questions that will help you plan your trip.
The journey from Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu by train takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. From Ollantaytambo. This is followed by a 20-minute bus ride up to the ruins of Machu Picchu. So in total, the journey from Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu takes around 2 hours and 30 minutes.
The best time to start the Machu Picchu tour from Ollantaytambo is in the early morning, ideally leaving Ollantaytambo for Aguas Calientes around 6:00 am to 7:00 am. Starting your tour early allows you to arrive at Machu Picchu before the crowds, giving you more time at the site.
No, you cannot buy Machu Picchu tickets in Ollantaytambo. Machu Picchu tickets can only be purchased in advance online or in person at authorized ticket offices located in Cusco, or Aguas Caliente. However you can get the train tickets in Ollantaytambo.
The price for the Machu Picchu tour starting in Ollantaytambo varies according to the type of service requested and the number of people in the group. The more people in the group, the cheaper the price is for a private service.
The only difference between a Machu Picchu tour from Ollantaytambo and Cusco is the starting point of the tour. Ollantaytambo is very close to Machu Picchu and is located at a lower elevation than Cusco. Many visitors prefer to start their Machu Picchu tour from Ollantaytambo as it allows them to skip the longer journey from Cusco to the site, which can take up to 4 hours by train and bus.
There are several reasons why Ollantaytambo is considered the best starting point for a Machu Picchu tour. Here are we show some of the main reasons:
Proximity to Machu Picchu: Ollantaytambo is located in the Sacred Valley, just 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) from Machu Picchu. This means that it is closer to Machu Picchu. You will also save a lot of time and avoid the altitude sickness.
Scenic train ride: The train ride from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes, the town at the base of Machu Picchu, is one of the most scenic train journeys in the world. It takes 1.5 the longest, this will help you spend more time in Machu Picchu. The train passes through picturesque villages and stunning views of the Andes Mountains and the Urubamba River.
Acclimatization: Ollantaytambo is located at an altitude of 2,792 meters (9,160 feet), which is lower than Cusco’s altitude of 3,399 meters (11,152 feet). This means that starting your Machu Picchu tour from Ollantaytambo can help you acclimate to the high altitude more gradually, this will reduce the risk of altitude sickness.
Less crowded: Starting your Machu Picchu tour from Ollantaytambo means that you will arrive at the site earlier than those who start from Cusco. This can help you avoid the crowds and have a more peaceful experience exploring Machu Picchu.
Come See Peru has earned TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence for consistently receiving 5-star reviews of our tours in Cusco, Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu tours. This recognition highlights our exceptional service and dedicated attention to our clients.
Heather R2025-04-29Verified Stunning Sacred Valley We had an outstanding time in our private tour with Carlos and Michael. Better than expected. Beautiful county and they took great care of us! Sacred Valley is a must! Teri G2025-04-27Verified Sacred Valley Lovely Day Will was our guide and he was wonderful! The tour was everything we hoped for. The day was filled with so much and Will made sure we were having the best time we could. Ask for Will- he was wonderful! Jaydina B2025-04-21Verified Been on many tours, would have to say this tour was one of best tours that we’ve been on for the last 25 years This company was quick to respond on setting up our tour to sacred valley from Ollantaytambo. The expert guide Carlos who accompanied us was outstanding informative, and entertaining. He knew his history and answered all of our questions on the ruins we visited. He brought us to the perfect spots for taking pictures and making our videos. The itinerary was very well thought out. Their attention to detail is second to none. I would highly recommend this company to anyone wanting an educational and fun tour. they will deliver! I would also like to add that I forgot my camera in the tours car. They found it and returned it back to me at my hotel. Marcelo C2025-04-15Verified Great Day Tour of Sacred Valley Scheduling the tour on-line was very easy. Communication from tour coordinator was excellent, he helped us plan an extended tour for the day out of Cusco. Our driver and tour guide were great. We had a wonderful day touring around, seeing the sites, learning the history of the area and stopping to get a local drink and purchase some nice souvenirs. I will recommend this tour group to my friends and family. Ginette P2025-04-07Verified Wonderful half-day tour from Ollantaytambo! Our half-day tour of the Moray Ruins & Salt Flats was amazing. From the time of booking to the completion of our tour, the communication was great. We were picked up at our hotel punctually as discussed (and dropped off afterwards within the timeframe). From there, Carlos our guide provided us with a lot of interesting information and was always willing to take pictures of us or even make extra stops so that we can capture the beautiful landscapes around us. Enough time was allowed at every stop which was much appreciated. Our driver Christobal also assured that we were safe with his great driving skills. But the thing we appreciated the most was that the tour was available from Ollantaytambo (shorter drive than from Cusco) and that we were able to only have our small family group of 4 people for the tour. We would definitely recommend this tour to others.Ginette Sun-Woong K2025-04-01Verified Get Carlos and Rene! Great experience Carlos was an exceptional tour guide with great insight, great English, and very accommodating. Also gave us tips for our other destinations. Tour was informative, not intense walk, and facts were fun. He recommended a great restaurant too which we all enjoyed. Would definitely recommend. Rene was the driver, ride was smooth, efficient, and he was very helpful with luggage. Dubaigateways2025-03-24Verified Excellent Pisac guide and tour. A very entertaining and comprehensive tour ( from Cusco to Pisac to Ollantaytambo) excellently delivered by our guide Carlos. A fabulous day, and we cannot recommend him more highly! Judy H2025-02-05Verified Outstanding tour. Don't miss learning more about Sacred Valley with a pro guide/driver This was our second half-day tour with our guide Carlos and his sidekick (driver) Rene, who was an expert navigator through some very narrow roadways and along mountain trails. On this day we visited the ruins of Olantaytambo, Pisac, and the Pisac market. As we were passing through Calca, the town famous for cuy, Carlos allowed us to detour so that we could taste it in the most local restaurants where it is made traditionally. We were so grateful to have this experience, which for sure you would miss on a group tour. We are staying in Ollantaytambo, and while we could possibly have visited these ruins on our own, we would have missed so many nuances and history that only a seasoned guide like Carlos could give us. We were thrilled for everything we learned and saw here. I almost felt like nothing could have been better, but the Pisac ruins also are outstanding. Carlos taught us about the architecture and is a great storyteller about so many things we would have glossed over. He pointed out so much valuable information to us that we would have lost with a group tour or self-exploration. Also, you have to do a bit of climbing, and it was helpful to have Carlos's steady hand a time or two during the descent. HIGHLY recommend Come See Peru Tours if you really want to understand about these historic places, the culture of the people, and so much more. We are so glad we added these stops in Sacred Valley to our itinerary. We know they will enhance our time when we get to Machu Picchu. Judy H2025-02-05Verified Do this tour with Come See Peru Tours! Such a worthwhile experience! Our tour was from Ollantaytambo, not Urubamba, but Carlos (guide) and Rene (driver) provided an outstanding experience. We highly recommend you spend a few days acclimating in Sacred Valley and include the Moray ruins and salt flats on your itinerary. Carlos's English was impeccable and his knowledge of the ruins, the salt flats, and all the areas we were driving through—and more—is vast. We had two smaller stops throughout the day including for some local chocolate and vanilla bread, which was very delicious and also a visit to sample chicha and also learn all about how it is made, we tasted some delicious Peruvian chocolates that were enhanced with salt from Maras along with a few other salted seasoning mixes, which was actually a fun and interesting experience. There is so much more to Peru than Machu Picchu (although we certainly are including that in our trip). But understanding Sacred Valley really is enhancing our trip, and visiting from Ollantaytambo also means that we also were the first to arrive at the salt mines before all the visitors arriving from Cusco, which made our picture taking experience much better! We highly recommend Come See Peru if you are looking for an excellent and rich experience. Jason S2025-02-04Verified Exceeded Expectations The entire team exceeded our expectations from start to finish. Julio, Renee, Rose, and Rebecca are the best. Detail orientedFriendlyAccommodating ProfessionalThere are many controls in place to keep Machu Picchu special. This team navigated us through them with ease. The tour itself was amazing, and we learned a lot about the Inca civilization. It was truly a once in a lifetime experience. Thank you team. -Jason Sheffey-United StatesVerified by TrustindexTrustindex verified badge is the Universal Symbol of Trust. Only the greatest companies can get the verified badge who has a review score above 4.5, based on customer reviews over the past 12 months. Read more
As the leader in small group adventure travel for 30+ years, we've redefined the way travellers see
the world. Check out how we’re creating the future of travel.
Join a small group of like-minded travellers that, like you, are eager to safely and confidently experience all the things that make our world worth exploring.
Pack those bags and don’t break a sweat because we guarantee every single one of our departures. As long as it’s safe, you’re going!
At Come See Peru Tours, we don’t have tour guides — we have Chief Experience Officers. And they are all locally based, meaning they know the area you’re exploring like the back of their well-travelled hand.
We have always created our tours by building meaningful relationships with local communities, directly benefiting the people and places we visit.
No matter the Travel Style, our tours balance well-planned itineraries with the flexibility to do your own thing and make the experience your own.
When you travel with us, you experience first-hand our commitment to making travel a force for good is in everything we do.
Get support from our local experts for stress-free planning & worry-free travels.
Let us help you design your tour your way. A travel specialist will contact you shortly. If you don’t see a response, please check your spam box.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Fusce non bibendum nunc. Duis a ipsum et risus tempor aliquet non non quam. Integer porta sed enim eget vulputate
Book your 2025 Machu Picchu tour early and secure the best circuit. Experience an unforgettable journey through one of the world’s most iconic landmarks!
Thank you for reaching out to Come See Peru! One of our travel specialists will get in touch with you shortly.