I left my home at 7 am and rode to Poroy Station where I would embark on my journey to Machu Picchu with Belmond Hiram Bingham train and tour. After spending a day touring Cusco, Peru and organizing my trip to Machu Pichu (which took some time), it was Machu Picchu Day!
The ride was mostly through small towns and was a lot of fun, even though I had some weather on the journey.
Once on the train, you get amazing 5-star service and the train is gorgeous, you sweep slowly through valleys and towns. I also got to meet some interesting people along the journey, from all walks of life (mainly well to do) and had a great experience with my tour group of six people.
Belmond Hiram Bingham to Machu Picchu
I decided to splurge on this trip and go on the Belmond Hiram Bingham experience to Machu Picchu. This was a 5 Star Endeavour, and it met just about all my expectations. Firstly I met the train at Poroy Station and was entertained by some indigenous dancing and music and some light refreshments. I was also interviewed by one of the managers and given my information as to what my day would entail and my guide.
We then board this beautiful old train and get assigned a seat with a table. You can walk all through the train to the rear where more music is played with beer, champagne, and nibbles. The rear also has an observation deck where you can take photos/videos of your journey to Machu Picchu.
The train stops at Ollantaytambo Station for about 10 minutes along the way where you can buy souvenirs and food and drink. A Pretty little location.
On the train, you have a small selection of courses, each of them delicious. On the way th3-coursed a three-course meal and the same on return, drinks were also free.
The journey follows a river along the valley all the way through to Machu Picchu, quite stunning vistas are around every corner.
Once you arrive in Machu Picchu, you walk a little way to buses, and there you are taken a right up to the summit. You go through quite a steep climb, and the roads are dirt and mud, with amazing views.
Once you get to the summit, you skip the lines and are taken by a private tour guide (one guide per six people) and taken a tour that lasts around 3 hours.
The guide was fantastic, answering questions all along the way and giving you some insights about every element of the city. Machu Picchu is stunning and the work gone into restoration is admirable.
I left home at 7 am and arrived back at my apartment at 11 pm. Everything is catered for, no extra costs except for tipping your guide.
Total Cost $750 USD for Belmond Hiram Bingham and $20 USD Tip.
Machu Picchu, Peru
Machu Picchu is an Incan citadel set high in the Andes Mountains in Peru, above the Urubamba River valley. Built in the 15th century and later abandoned, it’s renowned for its sophisticated dry-stone walls that fuse huge blocks without the use of mortar, intriguing buildings that play on astronomical alignments and panoramic views. Its exact former use remains a mystery. From Wikipedia
Entrance prices for Adults to Machu Picchu are $70 and buses to Machu Picchu range from $20 USD to $90 USD
Cusco, Peru
Cusco, a city in the Peruvian Andes, was once the capital of the Inca Empire and is now known for its archaeological remains and Spanish colonial architecture. Plaza de Armas is the central square in the old city, with arcades, carved wooden balconies, and Incan wall ruins. The baroque Santo Domingo Convent was built on top of the Incan Temple of the Sun (Qoricancha) and has archaeological remains of Inca stonework. From Wikipedia