Journey by train
To travel by train to Machu Picchu, PERURAIL, the
company that operates the Southern Railways, offers a wide variety of
services which cover the needs of the different types of travellers to the
former Inca citadel or the nearby area.
1. To take the so‑called INCA ROUTE ‑Cuzco/Machu
Picchu/Cuzco‑ the train departs from the San Pedro station. One can choose
between different options: a) Vistadome ( also note as Autovagon or
Autowagon ) , which is the fastest and most
comfortable, as well as the most suitable for photography buffs, due to
the large windows this train is equipped with; b)
Inexpensive Tourism/Backpacker Express, which is the most economical means
of travel, that has been created recently for travellers who enjoy
adventure tourism, The train is equipped with suitable shelves in order to
accommodate the camping equipment that these passengers often carry.
2. There is another route that also leads to
MachuPicchu. It is similar to the previous one, but shorter. It is
referred to as the OLLANTA ROUTE Ollantaytambo/Machu Picchu/Ollantaytambo
and begins in the main intermediate station, Ollanta. There are two
different ways to take this route: a) by the Ferrostal Service, which has
coaches equipped with large windows that are ideal for photography buffs;
b) by the Backpacker Cerrojo, which is more economical than the previous
option. This service has been created recently. It is also designed for
adventuresome passengers who, after spending the night in the Sacred
Valley, would like to travel to Machu Picchu from the Ollanta station.
3. POROY MACHU PICCHU
/ MACHU PICCHU POROY
ROUTES: The Poroy station is located 18 km. from Cuzco, right in the
Urubamba valley. This official station allows passengers and travel
agencies to choose between the usual winding route, which takes an hour
longer in both directions, and a shorter route departing from or arriving
at Poroy (add a 20 minutes drive to or from Cuzco). perurail is planning
to terminate the construction of a train turntable to offer a Poroy Machu
Picchu Poroy direct line by mid 2003. Nevertheless, the traditional
winding route shall still be offered as an alternative.
Depending on the means of transportation and the time of day that one
chooses to travel to Machu Picchu, there are trains which depart for Machu
Picchu starting at dawn and during the early morning hours.
These trains take 90 minutes to travel to or from the Aguas Caliente
station. The Aguas Caliente station is located in a small town near the
Machu Picchu citadel. There are several shops, restaurants and different
possibilities of lodging for travellers who decide to spend the night here.
Such a stay also allows them to enjoy the impressive views of Machu Picchu
and its environs at dawn and dusk. Some also choose to travel on foot
between Aguas Calientes and the Machu Picchu citadel. This takes about an
hour. However, usually the trip is made by bus. The return trip to the
city of Cuzco is available in the mid afternoon or at dusk.
Travellers can also organize the trip to Machu Picchu on their own. One
can purchase tickets in the main reservation station at Wanchaq station or
through a travel agency. Most of the travel agencies are located in the
Plaza de Armas in Cuzco or the surrounding area. They offer itineraries
which include a guide and all services, including the option of picking up
travellers at their respective hotels and taking them to the station.
The visit by train to Machu Picchu can be done in a day, departing from
Cuzco at dawn and returning in the midafternoon or at dusk. Nevertheless,
this form of travel is extremely tiresome and hasty.
One of the most noteworthy attractions of Machu Picchu is being able to
leisurely gaze at the citadel under the wide range of daylight that falls
on each corner of the archaeological site as the day progresses,
especially during the rainy season.
Selected Travel programs to Machu Picchu
by Train
The best packages to the Magestic City of
Peru
Machu Picchu Tours
Program |
Duration |
Highlights |
MACHU
PICCHU EXPRESS 3 DAYS |
3 Days and 2 Nights |
Cusco, Machu Picchu |
MACHU
PICCHU CLASSIC 4 DAYS |
4 Days and 3 Nights |
Cusco, Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley |
NEW PISAQ &
MACHUPICCHU 5 DAYS |
5 Days and 4 Nights |
Cusco, Ruins of Pisac, Sacred Valley of
the Inkas, Ollantaytambo, Maras, Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley of
Urubamba, Aguas Calientes, Putukusi |
MACHU PICCHU TOTAL
EXCURSION 6 DAYS |
6 Days and 5 Nights |
Cusco, Moray, Maras, Salinas, Aguas Calientes, Mandor, Putukusi, Wayna Picchu, Intipunku, Machu Picchu |
MACHU
PICCHU LIGHT ADVENTURE 6 DAYS |
6 Days and 5 Nights |
Cusco , Horse Back riding to Cusco Ruins, Sacsayhuaman, Agus calientes, Machu Picchu. |
CUSCO NATURE 7 DAYS |
7 Days and 6 Nights |
Cusco, Koricancha, Sacsayhuaman Fortress, horse riding adventure, short Inca
Trail to Machu Picchu |
CUSCO ADVENTURE
BUDGET 8 DAYS |
8 Days and 7 Nights |
Cusco, Inca Trail hike up to Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley,
Rafting |
|
Machu Picchu Peru 100 Years Discovery
|