The 110-km train ride from Cusco to Machu Picchu is the most scenic rail route in South America. PeruRail and Inca Rail both operate it, both out of Poroy or Ollantaytambo and both down the Urubamba gorge to Aguas Calientes.
PeruRail runs Expedition (budget), Vistadome (panoramic windows) and the Belmond Hiram Bingham (four-course lunch, Pullman carriages). Inca Rail runs Voyager (budget), 360 (with an open-air viewing balcony) and First Class (full meal service). Trip time is 3h20 from Poroy, 1h40 from Ollantaytambo.
The route climbs through the Sacred Valley, drops into the gorge after Ollantaytambo, and follows the Urubamba River as it narrows into cloud forest. Veronica (5,682 m) is the peak visible on the ridge opposite for most of the ride.
Aguas Calientes sits at 2,000 metres. From there it’s a 25-minute Consettur bus ride up switchbacks to the citadel gate. Peruways books the train, bus and entry ticket as one chain.
The train is one of those travel segments that stays in the memory as much as the destination.
