One day trip Sacred Valley
The trip is Sacred Valley, the daily trip is wonderful, the guide Grobert and the driver are nice. We enjoyed the full trip.
Tour to Machu Picchu with Vistadome Train
- Duration 1 Day
- Type Group or private
- Group Size Up to 8 people
- Languages English, Spanish
From $447.00 / Person
Overview
Travel in comfort aboard the Vistadome train on one of the most scenic rail journeys in South America, crossing the breathtaking Sacred Valley of the Incas. In about 3.5 hours, the train carries you from Poroy Station in Cusco to Aguas Calientes. Along the way, the open valley gradually narrows into a deep canyon, and the landscape turns into lush subtropical forest at the gateway to the Amazon, until you reach the charming town of Aguas Calientes at the foot of Machu Picchu.
From there, a short bus ride takes you up to Machu Picchu, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Explore the citadel at a relaxed pace, discover its remarkable archaeological treasures and connect with the living legacy of the Inca people who once called this place home.
Trip Details
This is the day you have been waiting for: a once-in-a-lifetime visit to the legendary Machu Picchu Citadel. At 6:30 am we collect you from your Cusco hotel and drive in our private van to Poroy Train Station, where your Vistadome train leaves at around 7:35 am. From January to April (rainy season), the Vistadome does not depart from Poroy. During those months we pick you up in Cusco at 4:45 am and drive to Ollantaytambo Train Station for the 7:05 am Vistadome. If you are already staying in Ollantaytambo, pickup is at 6:45 am from your hotel. The ride takes you through the Sacred Valley of the Incas, framed by snow-capped peaks. Closer to Aguas Calientes, the broad valley narrows into a deep river canyon and the scenery turns into lush subtropical forest at the edge of the Amazon. All along the way, the sacred Vilcanota River runs beside the tracks. Your guide welcomes you at Aguas Calientes station at around 10:55 am. There is a little time to grab a sandwich or a snack before boarding the shuttle bus up to Machu Picchu (2,430m/7,972ft). Walking along the original Inca pathways, your guide leads you on a tour of about 2 hours through the most important sectors of the citadel. Afterwards, you ride the bus back down to Aguas Calientes to board your Vistadome train to Poroy at 4:22 pm, 4:43 pm or 6:20 pm. Our van will be waiting to take you to your Cusco hotel, where you arrive between 8 and 10 pm depending on your train. (The rainy season schedule and stations are explained below.) ***From January to April, the Vistadome only runs between Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes, in both directions. Return departures during this season, subject to availability, are at 4:22 pm, 4:43 pm or 6:10 pm. The Vistadome is designed for travelers who want an unobstructed view of the scenery on the way to Machu Picchu. Its carriages feature wide panoramic windows on the sides and in the ceiling, perfect for photographing the mountains, the river and the valley as they pass by. On board, you also get a taste of Andean culture through traditional music and a dance performance. The service is attentive and personalized, and the cars are equipped with air conditioning, heating and comfortable reclining leather seats, so you can relax for the entire journey. In the dry season, the trip begins at Poroy station, about 25 minutes from downtown Cusco, and reaches Aguas Calientes in a little over three hours. The way back also takes just over three hours, from Aguas Calientes to Poroy through the Sacred Valley (except in rainy season). At Poroy, a private van brings you to your Cusco hotel, arriving between 8 and 10 pm depending on your return train. ***Note: The time of your return Vistadome train depends on availability and on how early you book.Itinerary
DAY 1: CUSCO – POROY – AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO
RAINY SEASON TRAIN STATIONS
THE VISTADOME TRAIN
***Note: The time of your return Vistadome train depends on availability and on how early you book. ***Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain cannot be included, as the one-day schedule does not allow enough time.Schedule
Visit Machu Picchu by Vistadome train in 1 day, in a small group of no more than 8 travelers!
Inclusions
WHAT IS INCLUDED in the Machu Picchu Tour by Vistadome Train?
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED in the Machu Picchu Tour by Vistadome Train?
The Machu Picchu Tour by Vistadome Train is available on whichever date suits you best, with a minimum of 2 participants. Private service is available for an extra $50 USD per person. All entrance fees are included, and our groups average 5 people with a maximum of 8!Price & Availability
PRICES:
DISCOUNTS
EXTRAS
We are a family-run travel agency and local tour operator based in Cusco, with many years of hands-on trekking experience. We are a 100% Cusqueñian company with no outside shareholders. Our goal has always been to offer small, tailor-made tours and treks run exclusively by local professionals, focused on PERSONALIZED and HIGH-QUALITY SERVICE. We are proud to be known as a RESPONSIBLE & SUSTAINABLE tour operator. Our team is like an extended family, and we make sure everyone earns a fair salary. Without them, we could never offer the outstanding service and unforgettable experiences our travelers enjoy. Choosing an honest, reliable operator matters when you are planning the trip of a lifetime. See our reviews and certificates of excellence on TRIPADVISOR, and read what Condé Nast Traveler and Lonely Planet travelers say about us. For a more personal experience, our groups never exceed 8 travelers. This alone sets us apart from operators that run their departures with much larger groups. Our guides are our pride. They are true professionals who speak fluent English and share a deep passion for Inca history and heritage. They keep learning and researching, so everything you hear reflects accurate, well-established theories about Inca and Andean culture. They are also friendly, easygoing and highly educated, each holding a degree in Archaeology, Tourism, Botany, History or Anthropology. We firmly believe in giving back to the communities along our routes. As part of our commitment to responsible tourism, we hire people from these communities and support them socially. Beyond employment, we like to stay close to the grassroots, sharing time in their homes and with their families. This holistic relationship with our highland team and their loved ones is something we truly value. Everything we do reflects one simple wish: to make life richer and more meaningful for everyone involved.Why SAM
WHY CHOOSE US?
SMALL GROUPS
OUR TOP TOUR GUIDES
OUR SERVICE PROJECTS
Please read the following information carefully; it answers the most common questions about our services and the Machu Picchu Tour by Vistadome Train. Your briefing is held at 6 pm the evening before the tour at our office: Calle Garcilaso 210, office 207 (second floor), inside the CASA DEL ABUELO shopping center. Absolutely. While you visit Machu Picchu, you can leave your main luggage at our office or at your hotel, whichever is easier for you. Just make sure you do not leave behind anything you will need during the day. STEP 1: Complete our booking form by clicking BOOK NOW on our homepage. Have the following details ready for EVERY traveler in your group, as we need them to purchase your Machu Picchu entrance and train tickets: STEP 2: Pay a deposit of US$211.00 per person so we can secure your Machu Picchu entrance and train tickets. You can pay by VISA or PAYPAL using the payment icons at the top of our homepage or on our booking page. Unfortunately, no. Once the tickets have been issued, government regulations do not allow any date changes. Tickets also cannot be transferred or refunded. Yes, definitely! You must carry your original passport, and its number must match the one you gave us when booking your Machu Picchu entrance, train tickets and other reservations. Park rangers check it at the entrance to Machu Picchu, and the train company checks it again before you board. If you are renewing your passport or changing your name, send us your current passport details to secure your tickets. Once you have the new passport, we can update the information for a fee of $25 USD per person. We will need copies of both the old and the new passport, so keep a copy of your current one before sending it off for renewal. If you prefer not to pay this fee, you must bring both passports with you to Peru. You can enter the country with your new passport, but you will need to show both the old and the new one to board the train and enter Machu Picchu. Without both, you will be denied access to the train and the citadel. The controls here are very strict! The weather here changes quickly and is hard to predict. We suggest bringing a warm jacket for the early morning and a rain poncho in case of showers. Of course! Drop-off at your hotel is included in all our packages. If you are staying in the Sacred Valley, for example in Ollantaytambo or Urubamba, we will take you there instead. And if you spend the night before the tour in Ollantaytambo, we will pick you up there. Tips are never mandatory, but they are greatly appreciated when you are happy with the service. Even if tipping is not common in your country, it means a lot to the people who look after you during the tour, and it is a well-established part of the tourism industry in Peru. Feel free to give whatever amount you think is fair, based on the quality and length of your tour, and only when the service has truly been excellent. Yes, we are a local, sustainable and responsible tour operator. We follow the core principles of responsible tourism: protecting the environment and benefiting local communities while respecting their culture and beliefs. That is why our entire team is trained to understand and respect the places we visit and the people who live there.Important Info
THE BRIEFING
CAN I STORE MY LUGGAGE AT YOUR OFFICE?
HOW TO BOOK
CAN I CHANGE THE DATE ONCE THE TICKETS ARE PURCHASED?
*** If you cancel your Machu Picchu Tour by Vistadome Train, your deposit is non-refundable.DO I NEED MY ORIGINAL PASSPORT?
WHAT IS THE WEATHER LIKE AT MACHU PICCHU?
WILL YOU DROP US AT OUR HOTEL AFTER THE TOUR?
TIPPING
ARE YOU SUSTAINABLE?
Packing List
What should you bring for the Machu Picchu Tour by Vistadome Train?
What You'll Experience on the Trail
From the terraces of Wiñay Wayna to the Sun Gate, every step brings you closer to the lost city of the Incas.
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Stop 01 / 03Wiñay Wayna
Its agricultural terraces cover half the mountainside, making it a trail favorite. Its name means "Eternally Young" in Quechua.
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Stop 02 / 03Inti Punku
The "Gate of the Sun" was the main entrance to Machu Picchu and gives you your first view of the citadel, a view you can only earn on the Inca Trail.
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Stop 03 / 03Machu Picchu
By far the most well known UNESCO world heritage site in Peru and the pinnacle of many people's visits to South America. This is where you wanted to be.
Lovely Words From Our Travelers
Real reviews from travelers who explored Machu Picchu and Cusco with us, straight from Tripadvisor, Google and Trustpilot.
Tripadvisor Reviews
Read all on Tripadvisor
Amazing experience with Sam travels
I had the best experience with Sam travels, we had an amazing time doing the 4d Salkantay trek, we had the best weather. Specifically want to mention Josep what an amazing cool guy he was. A real leader, great story teller, motivator and made you feel like you were taking on something special. Secondly another special mention for Andres and his catering team. The food was amazing, real nutritious and energising for the long trekking days.
Finally the horse man Donato, he managed to get all of our fresh clothing to the next camp very efficiently. Highly recommend a trip with this company.
Great experience at short Inca trail
We did the 2-day Short Inca Trail and it was a fantastic experience! Our guide, Fredy Zapata, was excellent. He told us so much about the history of the Incas and the region, and was able to answer every question we had. He did a great job and made the whole experience really enjoyable.
The highlight was definitely arriving at the Sun Gate and seeing Machu Picchu for the first time. An unforgettable experience that we would highly recommend!
Great experience because of the team!
Amazing trip! What a great experience, so well organized. Our guide Josep was a guiding star who knows so much and shared a lot of information. Very kind and helpful in every way. The cooking team of Andres was amazing and we had wonderful and a great variety of meals every evening. Donato the horseman made sure we got our stuff safe and in time to every stop. I could not ask for a better experience to be honest. Especially Josep, thank you for being so flexible, organized and sharing your knowledge.
Unforgettable Salkantay Experience with Sam Travel
We did the Salkantay Trek with SAM Travel and couldn’t have been happier with our choice! Our guide, Josep, was incredibly friendly, knowledgeable and passionate. He answered every single one of our questions about nature, history and Peruvian culture honestly, even better than ChatGPT! ;) We especially loved being in such a small group. It made the whole experience feel much more personal, relaxed and authentic.. The accommodations throughout the trek were excellent, and the food prepared by Andrés was absolutely outstanding. We were honestly surprised by the quality and variety of the meals, especially considering we were in the middle of the mountains. We spent a long time researching different companies before booking the Salkantay Trek, and choosing SAM Travel was definitely the right decision. Everything was extremely well organized, and the entire experience exceeded our expectations. We would 100% recommend SAM Travel, and especially Josep and Andrés, to anyone planning to do the Salkantay Trek!
SAM travel
Great trip. Great people. Loved my time with Joseph, Andres, Donato.and Elvis. Amazing world to explore made extra special with great people. Shout to my fellow travellers
Best trek ever!
It was amazing. We had the best Guide with Josep who is Sperling really good English and explaining so many things to us as well as introducing us perfectly to the altitude and the landscape. The Pick Up, accomodation and especially the food was so well organized and delicious. I highly recommend doing this trek, it was spectacular. 😍
Google Reviews
Read all on Google
We had an amazing experience on the 4 day/3 night Salkantay Trek with Sam Travel Peru. Everything was seamless from beginning to end.…
I joined the 2-day, 1-night tour to Cusco and Machu Picchu with SAM TRAVEL, and it was an amazing experience from start to finish.…
We had an incredible time on the 3D/2N Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu tour and would highly recommend it. It was fantastic to visit some of the highlights of the Sacred Valley, including Pisac, the Maras Salt Mines and Moray on the first…
We did the 4-day Inca Trail with Sam's Travel, and it was an absolutely unforgettable experience. It's something we will cherish for the rest of our lives.…
We had a great time on our 3d/2n tour of the sacred valley and short inca trail. The sacred valley prepared us very well for Macchu Picchu and the information provided was great. Our guide Rolando was very knowledgeable about the inca…
We’ve just done the 4-Days Inca trail with SAM travel. Our main guide Josep was very professional, knowledgeable and considerate. He really made sure that we enjoy the journey and our needs are addressed. Jimmy, our assistant guide, helped…
We had a great experience with Sam Travel Peru. Always felt well taken care of and safe. Our guide, Israel, was friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful. The office staff were always quick to reply to emails.…
Trustpilot Reviews
Read all on Trustpilot
Awesome trip with Josef as our guide…
Awesome trip with Josef as our guide Mario the chef with amazing food and porters who were our hero’s.
We booked a day tour for the Rainbow…
We booked a day tour for the Rainbow Mountain and it had been just perfect. Fernando, our guide, was really kind and attentive. All the staff is professional and friendly, totally recommended!
Incredible Salkantay Trek with Exceptional Guide Jhordy
We recently completed the Salkantay Trail trek with Sam Travel, and we couldn't be happier with our experience. Our guide, Jhordy, was exceptional. He was highly professional, providing great insights, facts, and stories that enriched our journey. Jhordy was very patient with us and demonstrated remarkable flexibility, adjusting the itinerary when we weren't feeling our best. We highly recommend Sam Travel, especially Jhordy, for making our trek an incredible time.
