PeruRail is the larger of the two Machu Picchu operators (the other is Inca Rail). It runs most of the daily departures from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes, plus the longer services from Poroy near Cusco when that station is active.
The ride itself is about 1h30 from Ollantaytambo, down the Urubamba through a deepening gorge. Cloud forest replaces the altiplano scrub as elevation drops; the Andes close overhead. Sit on the left heading down and on the right coming back for the river views.
Service levels: the Expedition (budget tier, standard seats, same scenery); the Vistadome (panoramic windows and glass roof); the 360° observation car (open-air platform at the back); the Belmond Hiram Bingham (dining car, bar, brunch — from around US$950 round trip, with a guided citadel visit included). The scenery is identical across all tiers.
Peruways books PeruRail tickets together with the Consettur bus and timed Machu Picchu entry, in a single reservation. Dry-season dates (May–September) sell out six to eight weeks ahead, especially around Inti Raymi (24 June).
Lock the dates in before you book flights — the trains are the piece most travellers wish they’d done earlier.
