The Belmond Hiram Bingham: Peru’s Luxury Train to Machu Picchu
Riding a luxury train to Machu Picchu turns the journey itself into part of the destination, and the Belmond Hiram Bingham is the train that experience is built around. Modeled on 1920s Pullman-style carriages, it’s the one fully luxury service on the route to the citadel, with gourmet dining, a bar car, live music, and a guided visit to Machu Picchu built into the day.
What Is the Belmond Hiram Bingham?
Named after the American explorer who brought Machu Picchu to international attention in 1911, the Hiram Bingham is operated by Belmond and modeled on the elegant Pullman carriages of the 1920s. The train carries two dining cars, a bar and lounge car, and an open-air observation car. It’s the setting for the onboard experience, not just transport between stations.
The Route: Cusco to Machu Picchu
The day starts with hotel pickup in Cusco and a short transfer to Poroy station, just outside the city. For context on the city itself before you go, see our complete Cusco travel guide. From there, the train runs through the Sacred Valley, with a stop at Ollantaytambo before continuing on to Aguas Calientes, the town at the base of Machu Picchu. The route passes some of the same scenery covered in our guide to exploring the Sacred Valley of the Incas, seen this time from the train rather than the road.
A Full Day, Not an Overnight Trip
The standard Hiram Bingham experience is a full-day round trip, not an overnight package. Departure from Poroy is typically mid-morning, arriving in Aguas Calientes around midday; from there it’s a short bus ride up to the citadel for a guided tour, often followed by afternoon tea at the Belmond Sanctuary Lodge before heading back down to catch the return train, which arrives back in Cusco that evening. Travelers who’d rather split the day (spending the night near the ruins and returning to Cusco separately) can arrange to overnight at Sanctuary Lodge and take a different train back, but that’s an upgrade on the base experience, not the default.
Onboard: Dining, Entertainment, and Service
Meals are built around Peruvian ingredients and flavors, with brunch served on the outbound leg and a multi-course dinner on the way back, paired with Peruvian wines and pisco.
The bar and lounge car stays open throughout the journey, and a live band plays traditional Andean music, in the open-air observation car heading out and in the bar car on the return, when the observation deck typically closes for the evening.
What’s Included — and What to Confirm Before Booking
Full-day Hiram Bingham packages generally bundle the train, a guided tour, and your Machu Picchu entrance into one booking. That entrance ticket is ultimately allocated by Peru’s Ministry of Culture rather than by Belmond, so it’s worth confirming with your operator that it’s included and secured for your date before you pay. Fares typically start upward of $400 per person each way, reflecting the all-inclusive format rather than a simple train fare. It’s worth comparing against other transportation options to Machu Picchu if budget matters as much as the experience itself.
The train runs most of the year, though departure points and schedules can shift during the rainy season (January–April); pairing your dates with our guide to the best time to visit Machu Picchu is worth doing before you lock in a date.
Extending the Trip
The Hiram Bingham works well as the centerpiece of a longer private trip rather than a standalone day. Many travelers pair it with private Sacred Valley excursions beforehand, and a Cusco luxury travel experience on either end. For a fully built itinerary around the train, see our luxury experience in Cusco and Machu Picchu.
FAQs
Does the Hiram Bingham train include the Machu Picchu entrance ticket?
Usually, yes, as part of a full-day package that bundles the train, guided tour, and entrance together. Since entrance tickets are allocated by Peru’s Ministry of Culture rather than by Belmond, confirm with your operator that it’s secured for your specific date before booking.
How much does the Hiram Bingham cost?
Fares typically start upward of $400 per person each way, reflecting the all-inclusive format: meals, entertainment, a guided tour, and entrance, rather than just a train seat.
Does the Hiram Bingham run every day?
Not always. Frequency and departure points can vary by season, and the train sometimes shifts to a different station during the rainy season (January to April). Check current availability for your travel dates before planning around it.
How is the Hiram Bingham different from the Vistadome Observatory?
The Vistadome Observatory is PeruRail’s premium panoramic service, with an open-air balcony car and live music, but without the Hiram Bingham’s full gourmet dining, bar service, and bundled guided tour. It’s a solid middle-ground choice for travelers who want a step up from a standard train without the Hiram Bingham’s price.
How far in advance should I book?
A few weeks ahead is often enough outside peak season, but for July and August or major holidays, booking a few months in advance gives you a better chance at your preferred date and departure time.
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