This morning transfer 1-hour to Poroy Station to board the luxury air-conditioned Hiram Bingham Train to the famous Inca citadel of Machu Picchu - an amazing 3.5-hour journey to this magnificent mountain top city situated in a beautiful cloud forest, that was abandoned and reclaimed by the jungle until it was rediscovered in 1911.
Named after the explorer who rediscovered the Inca citadel, the Hiram Bingham is decorated in the style of 1920 Pullman carriages, with polished wood and brass finishes. Enjoy either a delicious brunch or cocktail in the bar car on boarding, followed later in your journey by lunch in one of the dining car, with tables set with gleaming crystal and polished cutlery. There is an observation car to make your journey even more memorable and live Peruvian music in the bar car.
The legendary Lost City of the Incas is without a doubt one of the world's most impressive archaeological sites. Built on the summit of Machu Picchu (meaning "Old Peak"), on a natural saddle between steep forested mountains, it overlooks the deep canyon of the Urubamba River some 7,972 ft (2,430 m) above sea level. With its giant walls, terraces and ramps that appear to have been cut naturally out of the rock escarpments, Machu Picchu's history remains shrouded in mystery as the Incas did not leave any written records.
At the gateway town of Aguas Calientes, we leave the train and board the bus for a 40-minute zig zag ride up to Machu Picchu. Enjoy a guided tour of this 14th century citadel which contains a Main Plaza, Circular Tower, Sacred Sun Dial, Royal Quarters, Temple of the Three Windows and various burial grounds - although the actual sites you will see will depend on the circuit that you have been allocated.
Afterwards check into your hotel situated near the citadel.
Note: You must take your passport with you today, as this will be needed to gain entrance, which is restricted to 4-hours (based on either a morning or afternoon schedule). It is mandatory to enter with a guide and you cannot take selfie sticks, tripods, umbrellas, food or alcohol onto the site. You may not wear high heels or hard soled shoes and smoking is prohibited. If you leave the sanctuary for any reason (eg for lunch), re-entry will not be permitted. Only one bag not exceeding 22 lb (10 kg) is allowed as hand luggage on the train, so your main bags need to be left in luggage store at either your Cusco or Sacred Valley hotel, for later collection by yourself or our ground handler. A special bag will be provided for this purpose the day before. From January to June parts of the rail track may be impassable at times due to mud slides, when a bus transfer will be substituted.