PERURAIL ‘HIRAM BINGHAM’ -  LUXURY SERVICE LINKING CUSCO AND MACHU PICCHU

Using carriages purchased in Singapore, and refurbished in Peru, this daily addition to PeruRail’s existing fleet of Vistadome, backpacker and local services on the Cusco - Machu Picchu route, has been given a distinctive blue and gold livery with elegant interior upholstery in warm, inviting tones.  The rake consists of 4 cars - 2 dining cars, a bar car and a kitchen car, with an initial capacity of 84 passengers.  The general style of the carriages is in line with those on PeruRail's  'Andean Explorer' train which operates between Cusco and Lake Titicaca in Southern Peru and reflect the luxury of the 1920s Pullman era.  

The Hiram Bingham departs Cusco at 09h00 which gives a more leisurely start to the day than the traditional 06h00 departures of other services.  Brunch will be served on board whilst travelers enjoy the spectacular scenery unfolding before them from the large windows, and the arrival in Machu Picchu at 12h30 gives Hiram Bingham passengers the advantage of entering the Sanctuary at an hour when the majority of the visitors are already beginning to leave for their journey back to Cusco to arrive in time for dinner.  Thus, Hiram Bingham passengers will not only have the opportunity to experience the Ruins at Machu Picchu in relative solitude, but will have a longer period of time there, returning to the train only as the sun goes down.   Once back on board for a 18h30 departure, pre -dinner cocktails will be served in the bar accompanied by live entertainment, and afterwards a 4-course, a la carte dinner will be presented in the dining cars.   The train will pull into Poroy station in Cusco at 22h00 with passengers relaxed and ready for bed.

For many visitors, the journey to Machu Picchu is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Taking the Hiram Bingham service means passengers can focus their attention and energy on what matters most, content in the knowledge that the logistical details of the day’s trip have been taken care of by PeruRail:- Included in the price of the ticket   (US$ 3440 including VAT) are the onboard meals, beverages and entertainment, as well as bus transfers to and from the Citadel of Machu Picchu,  entrance to the Ruins themselves, and afternoon tea. 

Improvements in infrastructure

Bringing safety measures up to international standards was PeruRail’s primary goal. Improvements in track infrastructure by the concessionaire Ferrocarril Transandino has allowed the reduction of transit time in both passenger and freight operations. Heavy investment by PeruRail to completely renovate much of the rolling stock on the passenger services side, together with training programmes to enhance the quality of onboard services, plus the installation of up-to-date ticketing and sales equipment and the upgrading of communications systems has made for a more efficient, attractive and better operation in general.    

Interesting Facts

• The line between Cusco and Machu Picchu is a narrow gauge line, while the lines on all the other routes are standard gauge.

• Currently the only way to get from Cusco to Machu Picchu is by train. There are no roads, and helicopter services have been suspended indefinitely.

• The Cusco – Machu Picchu route boasts a series of 5 switchbacks called locally; ‘El Zig-Zag’ which enable the train to climb up the steep incline out of Cusco before it can begin its descent to the Sacred Valley and then continue on down to Machu Picchu.

• The railway line to Lake Titicaca is one of the highest passenger rail routes in the world. At its highest point, La Raya, the altitude is 4313 metres.