Click on the picture
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
     
   
 
Train Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu
Vistadome and Backpacker Class

 

See also:

JOURNEY
Five kilometres beyond Pachar, is the village of Ollantaytambo, here, farmers work with the same patience and skill that their ancestors must have employed to shape and then move the huge blocks of stone with which they built both their homes and the temples in which they worshipped.

As the train leaves Ollantaytambo to begin the last part of its journey to Machu Picchu, the temple complex known as The Fortress, dedicated sometime in the 15th century to the many deities of the Inca pantheon, can be seen to the right above the earthwork ramp once used to drag its monolithic blocks up from the valley floor.

The railway follows the river into the Urubamba Gorge. At Coriwaynachina, known simply to the generations of hikers who have begun the Inca Trail there as Km 88, a fine staircase carved into the rock leads to a series of ruined buildings where once, it is said, Inca artisans took advantage of the constant wind that rises from the valley floor to smelt gold.

Emerging from a short tunnel, a series of beautiful agricultural terraces marks the ruins of Qente, which in Quechua means hummingbird. In this fertile microclimate fed by a nearby waterfall, giant hummingbirds are indeed a common sight in the early morning and bright flowers bloom all year round.

Surrounded by tall ceibos and rocky outcrops hung with orchids and bromeliads, the train passes Km 104 at Chachabamba, from where the one-day trek to Machu Picchu via the magnificent ruins of Wiñay Wayna begins.

The train arrives at Machu Picchu Town. Surrounded by the high, green mountains that cradle the famous lost city, as well as myriad other Inca remains, this small town, which is well known for its thermal baths, has blossomed into a popular overnight destination for travellers to Machu Picchu.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

  • On the Vistadome Valley snacks and soft drinks are served.

  • On the backpacker Cerrojo / Shuttle, snack and/or drinks are served at an additional cost.

DEPARTURE
Daily departures all year round from Ollantaytambo Station.

Passengers have to be at the train station 30 minutes before departure.
 

ITINERARIES, FARES AND RESERVES ONLINE

Map of train route Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu

Source: PeruRail - Orient Express Peru 2009

 
 

Machu Picchu Travel Guide - See also:


  Bookmark and Share