Tourist trein naar Machu Picchu

Tourist TrainAmong all the possible options to reach Machu Picchu, traveling by train is the best of them all. Its levels of impact on nature related to contamination and the infrastructure required, are far lower than those related to the construction of a highway, for example. That is why it´s the only tourist ground transportation approved by the authorities to get to Machu Picchu. In addition to that, the spectacular view of this machines running gently and majestic trough the forest, is a wonder itself. This also complies with the parameters that international institutions like UNESCO considered to name Machu Picchu as one of Mankind’s Cultural Heritage, a nomination that forces the authorities and travel agents to take care of this wonders and its delicately balanced environment. But this transportation has many other alternatives inside. Depending on each tourist, they could vary on prices, rates, departure and arrival schedules, services, and the places visited along the route. According to this, there are three basic types of train packages: Vistadome Tourist Train: A very creative option, specially designed for visitors interested in experiencing each and every one of the wonders of nature that exists on the route. The panoramically designed wagons of this tourist train have big glasses on both sides and a series of windows on their ceilings. The tourists will feel closer and deeply involved with the landscape. There are no boundaries between humans and nature onboard this train; a totally unique experience. In the Vistadome Tourist Train package you can also choose to depart from Poroy train station, for a three hours tour, or from Ollantaytambo train station, that would lead you to Machu Picchu in just 1 hour and a half. This tourist tour includes an amazing mixture of music, dance and food show, specially prepared for tourists that enjoy celebrating the delicate beauty of other culture´s art and imagination. On the first stage of the route, the Vistadome tourist train crosses the villages of Cachimayo, Izcuchaca, Pampa de Anta and Huarocondo. Then the little gorge of Pomatales opens, upgrading a few kilometers later as the Urubamba river, near the Pachar station. With the great river roaring aside, it´s time for the panoramic windows to unveil the Ollantaytambo ruins for the tourist. On the next stage, the Veronica snow mountain appears beyond two nearest mountains, announcing with its presence more villages and archeological touristic sites, like Chillca y Piskacucho. Km 90: the weather begins to change from cold and dry, to warmer and wet. Finally, Chachabamba is at sight, right from your seat. And if you look very carefully to the top of the hills, the famous archaeological site of Wiñaywayna will hide no more its secret location from you. A few minutes later, the tourist train steam turns off in the Aguas Calientes train station, right at Machu Picchu´s feet. These are the schedules for the Vistadome tourist trains: Cusco – Machu Picchu (1 train): US$ 71 Machu Picchu – Cusco ( 1 train): US$ 71 Sacred Valley –Machu Picchu (5 trains): US$ 43 to US$ 60 Machu Picchu – Sacred Valley (5 trains): US$ 53 to US$ 60 Expedition Tourist Train: This package include the same type of wagons than Vistadome, with windows on the ceiling and panoramic glass on both sides of the wagons. It also provides the same routes alternatives for tourists and gives access to all the amazing places included in the Vistadome route. The service on the Expedition Tourist Train includes air conditioning, some relaxing background music and snacks. This is an option designed for tourists interested only in enjoying the view, with no special distractions or performances inside the wagons, but keeping some commodities, like the heating or the wide spaces between the seats. These are the schedules for the Vistadome Tourist trains: Cusco – Machu Picchu (1 train): US$ 48 Machu Picchu – Cusco (1 train): US$ 48 Sacred Valley – Machu Picchu (1 train): US$ 43 Machu Picchu – Sacred Valley (1 train): US$ 34 Backpacker Tourist Train: It´s designed for backpacker tourists; people used to live the travel experience without thinking on how many plus items they get, or how many commodities are included. They´re true believers in traveling as a chance to share emotions and wonders with their beloved ones and friends; nothing else matters. That´s why the Backpacker Tourist Train has four comfortable seats located one in front of the other, ideal for family or young tourist groups to fully enjoy the ride together. There are racks for backpacks specially located on the ceilings, and snacks and beverages are available with a little extra cost. To get this tourist train route, backpackers could reach Ollantaytambo train station (Sacred Valley) traveling by bus or by taxi from Cusco city. The costs vary a lot, because of the many operators on the route to Ollantaytambo. But the average could be, for bus, between US$ 5 and US$ 10; and for taxi, between US$ 15 and US$ 25. The other alternative is to take some of the other tourist train packages routes, from Cusco to Ollantaytambo, and make the transfer there. Either way, ask your travel agent very carefully, in order to get the full information about the possible combinations and take the best choice for you. These are the schedules for the Backpacker Tourist Trains: Sacred Valley – Machu Picchu (4 trains): US$ 31 to US$ 34 Machu Picchu – Sacred Valley (4 trains): US$ 31 to $ 43 *Two new railway operators are scheduled to start their tourist train routes possibly from the last months of 2010. They will aloud more tourists not to lose this magic experience. Some pretty fantastic news!