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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
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On the Vistadome Valley snacks and soft drinks are
served.
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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
Source: PeruRail - Orient Express Peru 2009
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