Traveling on the Hiram Bingham train to Machu Picchu is the most luxurious train trip you can do in Peru. The trains sets off from the Poroy, Urubamba or Ollantaytambo stations. Depending on the day or time of year. The following is information to plan your trip on the Hiram Bingham Train.
The Belmond Rio Sagrado hotel is one of the best in the Sacred Valley. This hotel has a station for the Hiram Bingham train, reserved for its guest. The hotel is like no other with the station located at the hotel, with the waiting room being part of the hotel. This is known as the Urubamba Station.
With just one departure and arrival per day and an intelligent building plan and execution. You won’t hear the train from your room. You also won’t be disturbed by it in any other part of the building.
If you are staying in the Sacred Valley you have 2 options to catch the Hiram Bingham train. Firstly and reserved for people staying at the Belmond Sacred Valley Hotel is the station at Urubamba. This station is located in the hotel. The Second option in the Sacred Valley is at the Inca fortress town of Ollantaytambo. The station is located near the center of town and is perfect for those who are staying the night in the Sacred Valley.
From May 2024, you will be able to take the train from Poroy, a small town just outside of Cusco. A private bus will take you from your hotel in Cusco to the station in Poroy.
You do not have to take the Bimodal service. If you prefer to take a private car and follow your own time schedule you can arrange this through your hotel. Please remember to arrive with plenty of time before the train departs.
Hiram Bingham was the first white man to discover Machu Picchu, which he did with the help of a young local boy, Juanito. Juanito was the first ever guide to Machu Picchu back in 1911, and the ruins themselves were no secret to the local families.
Take a step back into 1920’s style luxury travel, and make the most of all the space available to you. The luxury dining cart is made up of tables for four people and decorated with an elegant historic feel.
The bar carriage is the perfect place to relax on a comfortable sofa with a cocktail and some traditional snacks. Finally, the observatory carriage is where you will probably spend most of your time. With a comfortable sofa stretching down the center, everybody can enjoy the incredible views of the Andes as they pass. Perhaps the best part is the open balcony at the back of the train, where you relax with a cocktail.
Upon arrival to the train you will be treated to a welcome show consisting of typical dances in the Andean region, as well as a welcome cocktail typical to Peru. Once you are aboard and the train begins to move, lunch will be served.
Lunch is a decadent, gourmet 3-course experience. Accompanied by all the drinks you care to indulge in (excluding premium beverages), take your time and really fall in love with this more elegant side of Peru as the Andes pass by your window.
After lunch stretch your legs a little and explore the train. The bar car offers a variety of drinks and several traditional snacks just in case you fancy indulging in a few more nibbles. There is a live band playing traditional Peruvian music for you to enjoy as you stroll around enjoying the view.
Upon arrival at Aguas Calientes, you will be transported to the entrance in a private bus. Your entrance ticket is also included in the price (please book in advance to guarantee your ticket, especially during the high season).
You will then enjoy a guided tour of the citadel in groups of no more than 10. After the tour we visit the Belmond Sanctuary Lodge where you can enjoy a cocktail with a view of Machu Picchu. If you only purchased the outbound ticket (Cusco to Machu Picchu) this is where the service ends.
At the Aguas Calientes train station you will be privy to the exclusive VIP lounge as you await your train. Before you know it, you will be in the luxury dining cart enjoying a decadent three course dinner and a sundowner in the bar car. All of this, to the sound of traditional music playing live in the background.
Upon arrival to Ollantaytambo, Urubamba, or Poroy, whichever your preferred station is, if you have chosen the bimodal service you can enjoy the bus back to Cusco before arriving back to your hotel after a wonderful day.
The round-trip service covers both the outbound and the inbound direction.
The Hiram Bingham train to Machu Picchu is the most luxurious way for travelers to get to Machu Picchu. The attention to detail on this train service is next to none, and it’s the perfect way for travelers to immerse themselves in both history and comfort.
