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Travel by train to Machu Picchu

  • Train passing through greenery in the Peruvian Andes
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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

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A Taste of Peru

12 days from £4,410pp

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Sun over Machu Picchu in Peru

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Luxury Peru: Andes to Amazon

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Machu Picchu in Peru

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Luxury Peru and Galapagos: Machu Picchu and the Enchanted Islands

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Peru Birdlife: Machu Picchu to Pristine Amazon

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Uyuni

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Signature Andes: Highlands of Peru, Bolivia and Chile

16 days from £5,490pp

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Sun over Machu Picchu in Peru

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Peru / Brazil

Signature Peru and Brazil: Machu Picchu and Rio de Janeiro

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Signature Peru and Chile: Machu Picchu and Easter Island

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Signature Peru: Classic highlights of Peru

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ShutterStock ©

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Signature Peru: The Inca heartland and Amazon Rainforest

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Uros, Lake Titicaca

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Value Peru: Sacred Valley of the Incas to Lake Titicaca

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