The Vistadome train is a luxurious option. We place this service between the Expedition and Hiram Bingham services, the latter being the most luxurious service we offer for reaching Machu Picchu.

Our Vistadome service features carriages with panoramic windows on the sides and ceiling so you can enjoy the scenery from comfortable leather seats and air-conditioning. On board, you will be offered a snack made with regional Andean products.

• • • On the return trip, there will be a 20-minute onboard show, including a traditional dance performed by the staff.

The Vistadome class service has two departure stations to Machu Picchu:

• • • Cusco (Poroy).
    • Sacred Valley of the Incas (Ollantaytambo).
      
      
• From the Poroy station, located about 20 minutes from downtown Cusco, the journey to Machu Picchu Pueblo takes just over 3.5 hours.
• From the Ollantaytambo station, located two hours from Cusco, the journey from this point to Machu Picchu town takes approximately two hours.

The Vistadome offers a unique onboard service, allowing travelers to immerse themselves in Andean culture through its landscapes, music, dance, and food carefully prepared with local ingredients.

An onboard experience with the utmost comfort and quality of service.

Please note that travel from Poroy to Machu Picchu on the Vistadome train is not possible from early January to late April due to track maintenance. Therefore, the Vistadome train only departs from Ollantaytambo during this period. The trip from Poroy to Aguas Calientes takes approximately 3.5 hours.

Dear adventurer, the day you’ve been waiting for has arrived. In Cusco, at an altitude of 3,399 meters above sea level/11,152 feet. We will pick you up at your hotel at 6:30 a.m. to take our private transfer to the Poroy train station (Cusco, at an altitude of 3,570 meters above sea level/11,712 feet) to catch the 7:35 a.m. train.
During the months of January through April, the train service from Poroy to Machu Picchu town will be closed for the rainy season. We will pick you up at 4:45 a.m. to take our private transfer to the Ollantaytambo train station (2,792 meters above sea level/9,169 feet) for the 7:05 a.m. train. If you are staying in the Sacred Valley, we will pick you up at 6:30 a.m.

If our trip begins at the Poroy station, it is located in the town of Poroy, about 20 minutes from the city center of Cusco, where our 3.5-hour journey begins.

During the first few minutes of the train ride, we’ll be dazzled by beautiful and colorful landscapes. To reach the Ollantaytambo station, we’ll pass through a small valley that flows into the Vilcanota River (sacred river). It’s a zigzag descent toward the Sacred Valley of the Incas. During our journey, we’ll have to pay attention, as we’ll be able to see the Inca terraces, which are still used by the locals.

At km 68 is the Ollantaytambo station, where the Ollantaytambo archaeological park is located.

Our journey will be more enjoyable from this point, as about 15 minutes from the Ollantaytambo station, we will see on the right the snow-capped W’akay Willca, also known as Veronica, at 5,893 meters above sea level/19,333 feet. This mountain, with its impressive landscapes, is part of the Vilcanota Mountain Range. We will pass through small towns such as Phiri, Tanccac, Chillca, and Piskacucho (2,709 meters above sea level/8,887 feet). The latter is located at Km 82 and is the starting point for travelers taking the 4-day, 3-night Inca Trail route.

At Km 88 is Qorihuayrachina (2,480 meters above sea level/8,136 feet), the starting point for the second route of the Inca Trail, which takes 3 days and 2 nights. From Km. 93 or Pampacawa (2,422 meters above sea level / 7,946 feet), you will notice the change in vegetation as we approach the jungle. The temperature increase is also noticeable. Following the route, you will reach Chachabamba at Km. 104 (2,100 meters above sea level / 6,889 feet), another starting point of the Inca Trail. Many tourists disembark at this point because it is the shortest trekking route to reach the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu.

Two minutes past Km. 104, if you look closely at the top of the mountain on the left, you will see the Wiñaywayna archaeological site (2,650 meters above sea level / 8,694 feet). At the foot of the mountain, you will see the Choquesuysuy archaeological site, made up of corridors and enclosures. At Km 106, you’ll find the dam and hydroelectric plant that provides electricity to the entire Cusco area.

From this point, we’ll be 10 minutes from the Aguas Calientes train station (Machu Picchu town), the end of our train journey.

Once in the town of Aguas Calientes, your guide and I will head to the bus station to board a bus bound for the Machu Picchu Archaeological Complex, at an altitude of 2,430 meters above sea level/7,972 feet. This 30-minute bus ride is filled with breathtaking views.

Finally, once again inside the Machu Picchu Archaeological Complex (one of the New 7 Wonders of the World), we’ll have a 2-hour guided tour with plenty of free time to explore and enjoy this beautiful site. During your tour, your guide will give you a detailed tour with stories and information about this impressive Machu Picchu Archaeological Complex.

Points to Visit

• The Temple of the Sun.
• The Intihuatana.
• The Quarry.
• The House of the Incas.
• Urban Areas.
• The Temple of the Three Windows.
• The Temple of the Condor.
• The Hall of Mirrors.
• The Staircase of the Fountains.
• The Main Plaza.
• The Royal Tomb.
• The Sacred Rock.

At 2:30 PM, we will meet at a restaurant in Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu village), at 2,060 meters above sea level/6,758 feet, for our last lunch together. After lunch, you will receive your exclusive panoramic train tickets for your return trip to Cusco.

All of this makes Machu Picchu the main tourist destination in Peru, receiving nearly 2 million visitors a year, all of whom marvel at its majesty. Let us be your host, serving and guiding you to this Wonder of the World, and you too will be one of those privileged visitors.

SAMIN EXPEDITIONS will ensure your return to your hotel.

• Difficulty: Pleasant.
• Duration: Full day.
• Altitude of Ollantaytambo train station: 2,792 meters above sea level/9,169 feet.
• Altitude of Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu town): 2,060 meters above sea level/6,758 feet.
• Altitude of the Inca site of Machu Picchu: 2,430 meters above sea level/7,972 feet.
• Meals: Not included.
• Accommodation: Hotel in Cusco

• Experienced, professional, bilingual guide.
• Orientation meeting with your guide at your hotel 1 or 2 days before the start of the trek.
• Permits: Since the Inca Trail is a protected area, government permits are required. As soon as we receive your information and a deposit, we will purchase your permits (pending availability). These permits are for a specific date and in your name. They cannot be changed once confirmed. Only an update to your passport number is allowed.
  
  
  • • Entrance to the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu.
      
      
• Guided tour of Machu Picchu.
• All Private Transportation:
  
  
  • • Airport transfers to your hotel.
    • Pickup from your hotel by your guide.
    • Cusco to Poroy train station.
    • 2 bus tickets: hop-on hop-off.
    • Vistadome-class tourist train from Poroy station to Aguas Calientes.
    • Vistadome-class tourist train from Aguas Calientes to Poroy.
    • Private transportation to Cusco.
    • Transfer from the hotel to the airport.
      
      
• First aid kit, including emergency oxygen tank.
• Taxes.

• Food.
• Walking sticks (with rubber tips). If you don’t wish to bring them, they are available for rent:
  
  
  • • Walking sticks (pair): $20.

Travel Insurance:

• To protect your travel investment, we recommend purchasing travel insurance. Obtaining travel insurance before leaving home is highly recommended and easy.
• ***Tipping****
• At SAMIN EXPEDITIONS: Our staff are provided a fair wage indicated as medium-high. Tips are optional but greatly appreciated.

Essentials:

• Passport.
• Valid STUDENT ID (if you booked as a student).
• Immigration card (given at the airport upon entering Peru).
• Backpack (the smaller the better).
• Water storage: A 2- or 3-liter water container like a Camelback is recommended.
• Comfortable hiking boots (lightweight with good soles).

Inside Your Backpack

Backpacks can be any size for the hike, but we always suggest the smaller the better. Inside Machu Picchu, backpacks larger than 25L will not be allowed. If it’s larger, you’ll need to store it outside the citadel gates. But don’t worry, they have a secure storage facility.

• Water: The amount of water you want to bring is up to you (recommended between 2 and 3 liters).
• Personal medication.
• Some snacks such as a chocolate bar and nuts.
• Sunhat.
• Rain gear.
• Rain poncho.
• Camera.
• Music (cell phone).
• Hand sanitizer.
• Toilet paper and a small plastic bag for waste.
• Extra money for souvenirs, drinks, and tips.
• Earplugs.

What is the Inca Trail?

The Inca Trail (also called the «Inca Trail» or «Camino Inca») is one of the most important hiking routes in South America. This is influenced by its original Inca architecture, the archaeological remains along the route, and the natural mix of jungle and cloud forest along the way.

The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu or the Tahuantinsuyu Road Network to Machu Picchu is a hiking trail in Peru that ends at Machu Picchu.

What was the Inca Trail?

The Tahuantinsuyu Road Network (in Quechua, Qhapaq Ñan or Inka naani) was a system of long-distance roads in the Inca civilization that linked important cities on the coast and in the mountains. It was structured around two longitudinal axes: the mountain range and the coastal plain.

What is the Inca Trail and what places does it cover?

If you thought the Inca Trail was just the route you walked from Cusco to Machu Picchu, you were very wrong. The Tahuantinsuyu Trail Network actually covers 30,000 kilometers, spanning southern Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia, Peru, Argentina, and Chile.

How is the Inca Trail done?

The Inca Trail is only permitted with a tour guide. Admission must be purchased through an authorized travel agency. The agency will book your entry ticket and everything you need to complete the Inca Trail. Tickets must be booked six months in advance.

Can Machu Picchu be visited by people of any age?

Yes, it can be visited by people of all ages. However, to ascend Huayna Picchu, only people over 12 years old are allowed to visit.

At what time can I enter Machu Picchu?

Public access is from 6 am to 5 pm.

What to see in Machu Picchu?

Machu Picchu is home to nearly 150 amazing structures. These are some of the highlights:

• The Temple of the Sun.
• The Intihuatana.
• The Temple of the Three Windows.
• The Temple of the Condor.
• The Hall of Mirrors.
• The Staircase of the Fountains.
• Huayna Picchu Mountain.
• The Temple of the Moon.
• The Gate of the Sun (Intipunku).
• The Main Plaza.
• The Royal Tomb.
• The Sacred Rock.

Do you have any questions or concerns about this destination?

Don’t hesitate to contact us. At SAMIN CUSCO TRAVEL, we will be happy to help and guide you with everything you need to explore this place without any complications.