The train to Machu Picchu is the standard way in, and Peruways books the full range — PeruRail Expedition at the budget end, Vistadome in the middle, Belmond Hiram Bingham at the top.
The service runs along the Vilcanota river from either Poroy (outside Cusco) or Ollantaytambo. Vistadome adds glass roof panels and better food; the Hiram Bingham adds lunch service and a bar car. The route is identical.
What you actually see: the Sacred Valley narrowing to a gorge, snow-capped Veronica (5,750m) on the way, cloud forest closing in as you drop toward Aguas Calientes.
Book trains and the Consettur shuttle up to the citadel in one go at Peruways.
