We visited Peru twice and took the train three times.

The trip to Machu Picchu

should always should start from Cusco a lovely town with Inca ruins, Cathedrals, museums, fine dinning, and interesting adventures.  After visiting those sites we took the train to Machu Picchu.  We started from Ollantayambo and or from Aguas Caliente .

Unless you hike up the Sacred Valley on foot along the Inca Trail, you’ll need to take a train to reach the famous Inca ruins at Machu Picchu.  The last time we hiked in using Mountain Lodges of Peru wow over the top below.

The hike in was incredible as we stayed in small private lodges that offered fine dinning and exquisite rooms with duvets on the beds and origami shaped towels .  Mountain Lodges of Peru hiking the private and exclusive Salkantay route is a must 

On to the train:  Here are three possible starting points, namely Poroy, which is 13 km (8 miles) from Cusco, Ollantaytambo which is in the Sacred Valley itself, 89 km (56 miles) from Cusco, and there’s also one train a day from Urubamba. ONe can also get on a train at lake Titicaca which we had desired but we were scheduled on a bus = bummer. The start of the train below.

PeruRail is a privately owned subsidiary of the Orient Express and its primary train service runs between the highland city of Cusco and the immensely popular Machu Picchu ruins to the north. The train departs from the outlying town of Ollantaytambo, hugging the banks of the Urubamba River for four hours before arriving in Aguas Calientes at the base of the Machu Picchu sanctuary.

During our first visit we went with Overseas Adventure Traveel another great company and had a blast.  It was with them we visited Lake Titicaca and also did river rafting below

Along the way we spent the night and went river rafting it was awesome.

PeruRail offers three classes of trains along this route. The Backpacker Train is the budget option. The Vistadome Train runs slightly faster and features first-class service. The Hiram Bingham Train is the premier luxury line, reserved for big spenders.  The Vistadome & Backpacker trains (below the one we took ). On the way home we were treated to a spectacular fashion show

(the latter now renamed Expedition) used to leave from Cusco’s main San Pedro station on the Avenida Sol and spent half an hour climbing a series of Switchbacks or zig-zags up the mountainside to gain height.  Unfortunately, all trains now start from Poroy (the Hirham Bingham always started here), and so miss this interesting section.  After Poroy the train descends into the Sacred Valley and the Andean foothills, along the Urubamba river. The day we spent the night along the way we visited those small towns saw llamas below and ate guinea pig!!! I am bummed out for killing the pig!! S photo of the markets along the way

nice pet below or dinner??

You’ll pass colourful villages and herds of llamas.  Cusco to Machu Picchu is 107 km (67 miles), Poroy to Machu Picchu is 86km (54 miles).  The best views are on the left hand side of the train going up to Machu Picchu and on the right hand side returning, as the train follows the river and this is the side which the river is on, with the odd Inca ruin or terrace visible as the train runs along the Sacred Valley.

 

Looking out the window and Ride home below

So it was a great trip and Macchu Picchu is awesome below

And everyone had a great time wow we can party below