At around noon, on July 23,
1911, an explorer named Hiram Bingham climbed up a steep hill and
stumbled onto Machu Picchu, uncovering what had been up until that
moment, the Incas' best kept secret. The World was stunned by his
discovery. PeruRail's luxury train service between Cuzco and Machu
Picchu, is named after the American explorer who discovered the stunning
ruins of the ancient citadel.
T
he train leaves from Cuzco in the morning taking a spectacular journey through a changing landscape while guests enjoy breakfast. After the steep climb out of Cuzco, the train descends into the Sacred Valley, 
passing lush fields and colorful villages in the Andean foothills.
From there,
the journey is highlighted by wonderful vistas of the mountains and
the beautiful Urubamba River (right) which runs through the
Sacred Valley. On arrival in the town of Aguas Calientes at the foot
of Machu Picchu, guests are taken by bus to Machu Picchu Sanctuary
Lodge for lunch, which overlooks the ancient citadel. A private guided
tour of the citadel follows before the return transfer to the station
in the early evening. A sumptuous dinner is served on the train during
the 3½ hour journey back to Cuzco.
For many
visitors, the journey to Machu Picchu is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Taking the Hiram Bingham means passengers can focus their attention
and energy on what matters most, content in the knowledge that the
logistical details of the day's trip have been taken care of by PeruRail.
P
eruRail
is widely recognized as not only one of the highest rail routes on
Earth, but also the world's most scenic railway service.
PeruRail
links most of the tourist highlights of the Andes in Peru and is undoubtedly
the most spectacular way to discover the ancient land of the Incas,
taking you through scenery of outstanding beauty and to places almost
inaccessible by any other means.
PeruRail
offers a choice of main routes - between either historic Cuzco or
the Sacred Valley and the legendary Machu Picchu and between Cuzco
and Lake Titicaca.
ITINERARY
Day One: Cuzco/Ollantaitambo/Machu
Picchu
Pick-up at your hotel and transfer to the
train station at Poroy, about 20 minutes outside of Cuzco. Today you
will explore Machu Picchu in comfort and luxury on board the 
Hiram
Bingham train service. The train
consists of four cars: two dining cars (below, left), a bar car (right)
and a kitchen car. The entire train
sports the distinctive blue and gold livery, and the cars are elegantly
furnished in warm, inviting tones. 
The
train departs Poroy train station, outside of Cuzco, at 9:00 a.m. and
a sumptuous champagne brunch is served on board while guides are on
hand to explain points of interest en route. If you are boarding the
train at the Ollantaitambo train station in the Urubamba Valley, the
trains departs at about 10:50 a.m. Upon arrival at the Machu Picchu
train station at approximately 12:30 p.m. you board the waiting mini-buses
that will take you up a serpentine road to the dizzying heights of
the ancient citadel, perched on a saddle between two mountains. Your
guides will give you an expert, exclusive tour of Machu Picchu before
settling down to afternoon tea, served at the Sanctuary Lodge, just
outside the entrance to the ruins. If you are staying the night at
the Sanctuary Lodge, dinner is included this evening, and you will
have the remainder of the evening free to explore after most of the
visitors leave at 3:00 p.m. The gates to Machu Picchu close at sundown.
If you are staying at one of the hotels at the base of the ruins in
Aguas Calientes, your guide will give you the schedule for the last
bus back down the mountain.
