Back

Travel by train to Machu Picchu

  • Train passing through greenery in the Peruvian Andes
  • PER_Cusco_HiramBingham_BELMOND_supplier (3)
  • PER_Cusco_HiramBingham_BELMOND_supplier (12)
0 1 2

Travel on one of the continent’s most scenic rail journeys to arrive at the incomparable Lost City of the Incas.

Even if Machu Picchu was not lying at the end of the tracks, resplendent on its mountain pedestal, this train journey would doubtless still be an attraction in its own right. It traverses one of the continent’s most scenic sections of rail, where each of the panoramas that glide past your window seems even more spectacular than the last.

At first you’ll look out over a serene rural tableau, passing a patchwork of fields studded by whitewashed adobe villages. Soon however the valley narrows into a dramatic gorge, carved by the tumultuous Urubamba river that gushes alongside the railway track. Bottle-green mountains and cliffs clad in dense vegetation accompany the final stretch to Machu Picchu village (formerly Aguas Calientes), where a zigzagging bus journey transports you up to the mountaintop Inca citadel.

For a real treat, upgrade to the luxurious Hiram Bingham train to arrive at Machu Picchu in ultimate style and comfort. Harking back to the golden age of rail travel, the carriages are sumptuously kitted out and two dining cars serve up an outstanding gastronomic experience.

 

Peru
Cusco

Holidays Travel by train to Machu Picchu

From expertly designed Private Journeys to trail-blazing Group Tours, browse our range of carefully crafted holidays.

Ceviche dish from Peru

Private Journeys

Peru

A Taste of Peru

12 days from £4,410pp

(based on two people sharing & excluding flights)

Sun over Machu Picchu in Peru

Private Journeys

Peru

Luxury Peru: Andes to Amazon

13 days from £9,420pp

(based on two people sharing & excluding flights)

Machu Picchu in Peru

Private Journeys

Peru / Ecuador & Galapagos Islands / Galapagos Islands

Luxury Peru and Galapagos: Machu Picchu and the Enchanted Islands

14 days from £10,160pp

(based on two people sharing & excluding flights)

Colourful Macaws flying over the Amazon

Private Journeys

Peru / The Amazon

Peru Birdlife: Machu Picchu to Pristine Amazon

12 days from £2,320pp

(based on two people sharing & excluding flights)

Uyuni

Private Journeys

Peru / Bolivia / Lake Titicaca / Chile

Signature Andes: Highlands of Peru, Bolivia and Chile

16 days from £5,490pp

(based on two people sharing & excluding flights)

Sun over Machu Picchu in Peru

Private Journeys

Peru / Brazil

Signature Peru and Brazil: Machu Picchu and Rio de Janeiro

12 days from £3,910pp

(based on two people sharing & excluding flights)

ShutterStock ©

Private Journeys

Peru / Chile

Signature Peru and Chile: Machu Picchu and Easter Island

15 days from £5,530pp

(based on two people sharing & excluding flights)

Uros, Lake Titicaca

Private Journeys

Peru / Lake Titicaca

Signature Peru: Classic highlights of Peru

15 days from £3,625pp

(based on two people sharing & excluding flights)

ShutterStock ©

Private Journeys

Peru

Signature Peru: The Inca heartland and Amazon Rainforest

10 days from £2,470pp

(based on two people sharing & excluding flights)

Uros, Lake Titicaca

Private Journeys

Peru / Lake Titicaca

Value Peru: Sacred Valley of the Incas to Lake Titicaca

12 days from £1,860pp

(based on two people sharing & excluding flights)

Papagaio

Your edit for Latin American inspiration

Our exciting range of articles on Latin America explore everything from iconic destinations and lesser-known cultural gems to delicious traditional recipes. You’ll also find exclusive travel tips, first-hand client reviews and the chance to get your personal questions answered by our travel experts.

View Extraordinary Inspiration
ANT_ParadiseBay_SB_free

Destination Guides

Life on board: A typical day on an Antarctic cruise
Learn more
LATAM_Top3LatinAmericanRadioStations_Shutterstock

Destination Guides

Places to Dance
Learn more
Bartolome, Galápagos

Meet our team

Real Latin american experts

Get in touch Meet our experts
  • Maggie
    Maggie Wilson - Travel Expert

    Maggie visited Latin America on her first backpacking trip when she was 19. Since then, she has taken every opportunity to travel, and has managed to explore a lot of the region in subsequent trips.

  • Kathryn
    Kathryn Rhodes - Travel Expert

    Kathryn backpacked across Argentina, Chile, Bolivia and Peru before joining us. She has a degree in Philosophy and French and is a keen netball player.

  • Heloise
    Heloise Buxton - Travel Expert

    Heloise started her Latin American journey as an exchange student in Santiago, Chile. With extended summer holidays this was the perfect opportunity to backpack through Bolivia, Peru, Argentina and Brazil.

  • Juliet
    Juliet Ellwood - Travel Expert

    After graduating with a degree in Anthropology and History and having been fascinated by Latin America since childhood by the book featuring photos of Nazca, Juliet first visited the region in 2003. Since then, Juliet has visited the majority of countries in Latin America but has particularly extensive experience with Peru, a country she loves for many reasons but not least, its incredible archaeological richness and delicious food!

  • Hannah
    Hannah Donaldson - Travel Expert

    Having spent part of her childhood in Colombia and worked in Brazil and Costa Rica, Hannah's ties to Latin America run deep. Hannah is a much valued Travel Expert in our Tailor-made Holidays and Group Tours sales team.

  • Carrie
    Carrie Gallagher - Travel Expert

    A former JLA tour leader, Carrie brings a wealth of on-the-ground experience to our London-based Tailor-made and Group Tours department.

0 1 2 3 4 5