The incredible £313 train journey from beautiful city to one of the world's seven wonders
The two-and-a-half-hour journey sees travellers descending from 3,000 metres above sea level to 2,400 metres en route to an ancient city.
A highly-sought after train journey offers stunning Peruvian vistas as it winds between a beautiful ancient city and one of the seven wonders of the world.
The two-and-a-half-hour journey between Cusco and the UNESCO-protected Incan village of Machu Picchu sees travellers descending from a high altitude of 3,000 metres above sea level to 2,400 metres en route to the celebrated historical site.
Passengers on Hiram Bingham, a Belmond Train, enjoy some of the most awe-inspiring views on earth whilst enjoying an array of refreshments within its several ornate carriages.
Two dining carts on the locomotive hold 84 passengers, and there is also a bar cart for cocktails and drinks, as well as an open-air viewing cart where you can take in the scenic views passing by.
The adventure begins at 9am with the train entering the iconic cloud forest of the Sacred Valley, around an hour-and-half in.
Guests are served a three-course meal before settling in to watch the dramatic landscape unfold before them.
The train passes through mountainous terrain as it follows Urubamba River, winding through tall mountains and lush green jungle – ferns, bromeliads dominate the right side of the train before it arrives at Machu Picchu.
From there, a 30-minute coach ride winds up the hillside to the entrance of the citadel.
Sometimes known as the "Lost City of the Incas" Machu Picchu avoided discovery after the Spanish invasion of South America, starting in 1493.
The citadel sits on the eastern edge of the Andes Mountain, towering over the picturesque valley at a height of 8,000ft.
It's become one of the world's most famous tourist destinations, famed for it's rich history and unique beauty and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983.
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Unsurprisingly, tickets for the train are a hot property and have to be purchased at least 30 days in advance in peak season.
Prices for the Hiram Bingham vary depending on the time of year and whether you're booking a single or round trip.
Rides on the iconic train begin at around $400 (£313) per ticket and rise depending on the length of the journey length when in the year you travel, according to Luxury Train Tickets.
A single outbound ticket from Cusco to Machu Picchu next month is currently priced at around $570 (£446).
The Hiram Bingham doesn't operate in January when it's maintained and prepared for the year ahead, the outlet reports.
Keen hikers also opt to reach the citadel via the Salkantay Trail, but it's not for everyone as the route involves a 46-mile trek.
The journey takes four to five days as travellers traverse mountain and jungle terrain. On the final day - after 3am wake-up call - they then descend into Machu Picchu in time for sunrise.
