Journey to Machu Picchu on A Luxury Train Through the Andes
Perú is a country full of excitement. There’s the world class dining experiences of Lima, the wonders of the Amazon, and the mysterious citadel of Machu Picchu. As a travel destination, Perú is a top-notch choice that promises to have something to appeal to every kind of traveler. Mountains, or beaches? Luxury or budget? Nature or City? This South American country has it all.
No matter what your other interests are, no one should pass up the opportunity to visit the lost city of the incas. Machu Picchu is the bucket list destination of a lifetime. For something so special, you should travel there in style. The best way is the Hiram Bingham Machu Picchu luxury train, a polished train from the 1920s with Peruvian entertainment and fine dining as you travel from the city of Cusco to the wonders of Machu Picchu.
The Route
The city of Cusco is 70 miles northeast of Machu Picchu, and a natural jumping off point for your journey to the ancient citadel. The train winds through the Andes, for gorgeous views during the three-hour trip.
Riding The Hiram Bingham
Most regular trains are cold and gray inside. They’re nothing to pay much attention to. Stepping inside of the Belong Hiram Bingham is a different experience. The first word that comes to mind is warm. The richly polished wood furniture and brass fixtures take you back in time, as they should, since these 1920s Pullman carriages retain the charm of a century past.
There are three main areas inside the train to explore during your journey.
The Observation Car
This is not your typical observation car. Large, cushioned chairs wait for you to have a seat, get comfortable, and watch the Peruvian landscape unfold outside the large glass windows. You won’t have the opportunity to see the Andes Mountains like this any other way.
The Dining Car
The onboard chef prepares word class food for enjoying on white linen tablecloths. Crystal and polished cutlery feel extra luxurious somehow when they’re on a train.
The Lounge Car
Are you ready for Peruvian cocktails and live music? This is the only way you’ll want to travel after this.
Other Perks With Your Ticket
A round-trip ticket comes with a welcome show as you come aboard. The show includes traditional Peruvian dances. On your way to Machu Picchu, you can enjoy a gourmet lunch made by the train’s chef. When you arrive at the station, your ticket includes a bus from the train to Machu Picchu and back. It also includes your entrance ticket to Machu Picchu. While you explore Machu Picchu, you can enjoy the benefits of a tour guide, either in Spanish or English. You will also have time to explore the ruins on your own. You can stop in to the Belmond Sanctuary Lodge Hotel for tea time. When you return to the Machu Picchu train station, enjoy the VIP lounge. And on the return trip home, enjoy a gourmet dinner.
The Belmond Hiram Bingham Train Cost
The Hiram Bingham is one of the most luxurious train rides in the world and is priced accordingly. A one-way ticket will cost $482USD, or a round trip for $964USD. They can sell out, so it’s a good idea to purchase your ticket a few weeks in advance if possible.
Hiram Bingham, The Person
Hiram Bingham was an American academic and explorer. He was raised in Hawaii. He earned degrees from Yale, Berkeley, and Harvard. He was one of the earliest teachers of Latin American history in the United States and lectured at Yale.
He traveled in South America in the early 1900s, where he met locals who brought him to ancient ruins forgotten by everyone except the locals who lived nearby. It was during these travels that he came to Machu Picchu. In 1911, with the support of Yale and the National Geographic Society, he brought a team to better explore and identify Machu Picchu. His writings brought this ancient citadel back to the attention of the rest of the world.
Visiting Machu Picchu
The ancient Inca citadel of Machu Picchu is special for many reasons. The dry-stone walls were beautifully built and have been well-preserved. They were painstakingly constructed, as no wheels were used to move these rocks into place. Standing amongst the ruins, you are up high in the Andes with views of the Urubamba River Valley and the surrounding mountains. This is one of the seven wonders of the world and is still full of mystery as to what all happened here and why it was built.
