Traveling to Peru includes endless routes to discover the many wonders that hide their historical places and tourist destinations. Compared with domestic flights, the train lines allow travelers to live an unforgettable experience and witness spectacular landscapes along the great diversity of terrains and landscapes of Peru.
In Peru, there are 1906.6 kilometers of the total length of railway lines, according to information from the Ministry of Transport and Telecommunications. Among them, the train that joins the cities of Lima and Huancayo is one of the most emblematic because in its unique route passengers can contemplate the beauty of the Mantaro Valley. Another striking route is the one that runs through Andean Explorer, considered one of the highest railway routes on the planet, which transits the valleys of the Huatanay River to Puno, where travelers can witness the great biodiversity of the Andean territory and the charm of its landscapes.
To transport tourists to Machu Picchu, PeruRail mainly uses the Poroy and Ollantaytambo stations, which are frequented by hundreds of travelers each day. The luxurious Hiram Bingham train departs from the Poroy station, twenty minutes from the city of Cusco.
Inca Rail, on the other hand, operates the train Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes and has tourist service and first class. This route to Machu Picchu is shorter and has the advantage that tourists can visit the Archaeological Complex of Ollantaytambo. Finally, the company Andean Railways also offers this service to the majestic Machu Picchu from Ollantaytambo.
RELATED: CUSCO TO MACHU PICCHU TRAIN
The splendid Belmond Andean Explorer of PeruRail, a train inspired by the pullman service of the 20s, leaves from Wanchaq station in Cusco to the south of Puno and Lake Titicaca.
This route is one of the most beautiful train travel in Perú because it includes volcanoes, deep canyons, plains and mountains. It generates an impressive panorama that travelers can appreciate through the Andean Explorer for about 10 hours, starting from Puno. On the other hand, to go from Mollendo to Arequipa you must travel on the Misty or Ampato trains, and the journey takes approximately 5 hours.
From the old station of Desamparados, in the Rímac, the Andean Central Railroad departs, linking the cities of Lima and Huancayo, and offers an unforgettable journey through the spectacular landscapes of the Peruvian highlands.
The Huancayo-Huancavelica Railroad or, as it is known, "El Tren Macho", also makes the route to Huancayo, starting from Huancavelica. Baptized like this by the inhabitants of Huancayo and Huancavelica because "he left when he wanted and arrived when he could," that is how he is known today. Its route, of 128 kilometers, is traveled in approximately five hours through a parallel trip to the Mantaro river.
The flagship company to visit Peruvian landscapes is Inca Rail, dedicated exclusively to visit Machu Picchu. The train leaves from Ollantaytambo and offers three classes on board. The presidential, designed for travelers who prefer luxury and comfort above all, only supports eight people and must be reserved in advance.
Includes bottle of champagne welcome, large sofas, bar, tasting menu and background music.
On the other hand there is the first class, with capacity for 30 people and seats with tables to the front, menu of Andean gastronomy, live music and welcome cocktail. And finally, there is the executive class, which admits 42 people and includes drinks and music in the background.
There are eight scheduled routes a day at different times, ranging from 5:55 a. m. until 9:30 p.m. m. Children under 3 years old do not pay for a ticket, but must travel in the arms of an adult passenger.
It is indisputable that a train trip is not for everyone. These tours are recommended for those who like long trips at a slow pace, and for those who are willing to enjoy the scenery.
RELATED: PERU TRAIN TRAVEL
There are different routes to get to Machu Picchu, one of them is by train. If this was the option you chose, there are different types of train to choose from, here we present the differences between the most popular trains to get to Machu Picchu
"For nature-loving travelers who want to be in touch with the environment", this is the phrase with which "Vistadome" is described.
If you want to feel like part of the nature of the journey from Cusco to Machu Picchu, this is the train! It has panoramic windows on the walls and roofs of the wagons which allows to be in contact with the environment, also provides its passengers with a guide of all the places that the train travels. The Vistadome train has three possible departure stations to Machu Picchu, the Ollantaytambo station (90 minutes from Cusco), the Poroy station (30 minutes from Cusco), and the Urubamba station (70 minutes from Cusco). ). All with the same destination, the station of Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo).
Their seats are very comfortable made of leather and has heating. But not only the traveler is amazed with the landscapes he sees in the route; They also offer a show of typical dances inside the train, creating a moment of distraction and enjoyment of tourists. Without neglecting their food carefully prepared with native products.
"For all adventurous travelers who seek to discover each destination at their own pace", this is the phrase with which the "Expedition" is described. It will be possible to embark of two stations, the one of Poroy (to 35 minutes of Cusco), and the one of Ollantaytambo (to 90 minutes of Cusco), in the sacred valley. In any of the cases, you will arrive at the Aguas Calientes station (Machu Picchu Pueblo).
The traveler in the Expedition will be comfortable and relaxed, and will be informed about the most important points that this millenary route has and that every adventurer should know.
The Expedition has wagons totally covered by panoramic windows so that the traveler immerses himself in the beauty of the natural landscape, and make his experience to the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu begin in the train.
The Belmond Hiram Bingham is a luxurious and exclusive train on the route from Cusco to Machu Picchu with the all-inclusive service in which you will live a full day of unforgettable experiences. Undoubtedly it is considered the best way to travel to Machu Picchu.
The cars of the Belmond Hiram Bingham are distinguished by their colors in blue and gold, by their warm and cozy interiors that feature an elegant upholstery. This service has four cars: two dining cars, a car-bar with an observatory and a kitchen-car; besides being able to transport up to 84 passengers.
The train passes through extensive areas full of terraces and Inca archaeological sites. Thus dividing these areas, still visible, of an old citadel and a long and abandoned road, which was approved by the arrieros of the 19th century, which was used to travel between Cusco and the rubber plantations in the Amazon lowlands.
The Inca city of Machu Picchu can be visited at any time of the year, and has a limit of 1,500 visitors per day. Enjoy the best Machu Picchu tours from Cusco with us.
If you want to hike the Inca Trail, we recommend you get the train tickets at 14:30 or 14:55 to return to Cusco. But if you would like to visit Machu Picchu by train, we help you to get Machu picchu tickets and a professional tour guide.
