The journey to Machu Picchu on board the Belmond Hiram Bingham train is best described as lavish luxury with an ever-changing scene of unbelievable Sacred Valley landscapes. It’s an experience that actually parallels the one that had you exploring trains to Machu Picchu in the first place – The Inca Citadel of Machu Picchu. Mentally grab your seat in the 1920’s-inspired Pullman carriage and settle in because we’re about to describe exactly what’s it like to be a guest on board the Belmond Hiram Bingham train to Machu Picchu.

The Departure from the Poroy Station

All settled into your plush seat? Excellent. Within moments of leaving the Poroy (or Urubamba) station, a luxury 3-course brunch entirely sourced from Sacred Valley ingredients will fill the porcelain plate in front of you, while a maître d’ tops off your wine glass with orange juice or a welcome cocktail. You’ll wonder if you’ve been transported to a bygone era of old-world train travel, but then the views of Cusco fading off into the distance will bring you back to the present. Which is exactly where you’ll want to be for what comes next on this luxury travel experience.

Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu

The next leg of the 20-mile journey (roughly two hours) will likely be spent moving about the various cars of the Hiram Bingham luxury train. From the bar car for a round (or two) of pisco sours handcrafted by the bartender to the open-air observation car where a local band accents the pinch-me-please moment to the tune of traditional Andean music, and then back again to the dining car to relax and take in more of the passing views through your panoramic window. This leg is also some of the most scenic of the entire journey, as it follows the Urubamba River all the way to Machu Picchu’s Aguas Calientes station. The lush valley narrows and the mountains stand so tall you’ll have to crane your neck to even begin to see their mist-shrouded peaks.

The Arrival to Machu Picchu Station

Well tended to by the attentive onboard staff and likely a little buzzed from the pisco sours and adrenaline of the moment, you arrive to the Machu Picchu Station in Aguas Calientes. A shuttle awaits to whisk you off to the gates of Machu Picchu where you’ll be led through the ancient citadel by an expert private guide. After your private tour, you can take afternoon tea at the Belmond Sanctuary Lodge located just next to the entrance to Machu Picchu – another complimentary perk of traveling onboard the Belmond Hiram Bingham train.

Do It All Over Again on the Return Journey!

For those of you who made the wise choice of purchasing a round-trip ticket on the Hiram Bingham train, you get to experience the luxury and personalized attention all over again, this time with a four-course Andean-inspired dinner and views of the Sacred Valley at sunset. The observation car closes by nightfall, but the bar car is open during the entire journey to Cusco. Toast the luxury Peru experience while trading tales of your visit to Machu Picchu with your fellow passengers.

There’s a reason this particular train journey has been named one of the best trains in the world multiple times. It’s pure luxury and class from start to finish, by train and while touring the Machu Picchu citadel. Experience it firsthand on your luxury Peru tour and trip to Machu Picchu.

Hotels by Belmond, a British owned luxury brand with a presence of 5 hotels in Peru, are gaining popularity across the country. These hotels are best suited for visitors interested in luxury travel in Peru.

Belmond Properties You Need to Experience

Some of the highlights of Belmond’s impressive properties include Miraflores Park in Lima, Monasterio in Cusco and Rio Sagrado in the Sacred Valley. These properties are consistently listed on round-ups of the continent’s top hotels.

Situated directly on the coast, Miraflores Park offers spectacular views over the Pacific Ocean, or the city itself, depending on your room. Monasterio in Cusco is one of the most unique hotels in the whole country, housed in a historic monastery. It is immediately impressive, and is a place steeped in history, elegance and luxury.  The Rio Sagrado, located in Urubamba of the Sacred Valley, is set against a stunning backdrop of lush green fields and mountain peaks. The grounds are truly spectacular and the rooms inviting, spacious, and beautifully decorated, the ideal hotel accommodation to enjoy the Sacred Valley of the Incas and its delights.

The other two properties not mentioned in this blog article are the Palacio Nazarenas hotel and Sanctuary Lodge Hotel in Machu Picchu.  Both equally stunning places in their own right.

All five deluxe hotels offer beautifully decorated rooms and a full range of lavish amenities.

The Hiram Bingham Train: Journey to Machu Picchu by Luxury Train

 This chain is also behind one of the most exclusive train experiences in the country, the Hiram Bingham. Named after the man who rediscovered Machu Picchu over 100 years ago, the Hiram Bingham train is the premiere luxury train in Peru operating along the route to Machu Picchu. The atmosphere on the Hiram Bingham is reminiscent of trains you may have seen in old movies or read about in books. A trip on the Hiram Bingham includes a delicious brunch, fine wines, afternoon tea at the Sanctuary Hotel in Machu Picchu, as well as a fine gourmet meal on your return back to the “Imperial City” of Cusco. Machu Picchu is the highlight of any journey and for good reason, and travelling on the Hiram Bingham only encapsulates the essence of luxury travel in Peru.

Belmond hotels are the perfect base for customized tours in Peru. Contact your Kuoda travel designer today to start planning your personalized Peru luxury vacation.

Why Casa Andina Hotels is Peru’s Fastest-Growing Local Chain

Peru is increasingly becoming known for its fantastic hotels. The Casa Andina Hotel collection has helped to solidify the country’s reputation for offering some of the best hotels in South America. Casa Andina is Peruvian owned and operated, offering the consistent standards of a professional chain along with a distinct local flavor. Let’s take a closer look at this excellent chain and how to make their hotels part of your Peru family trip.

The first Casa Andina hotel was established in Miraflores, Lima in 2003. The company has grown rapidly since then, opening an average of 3.5 hotels annually. There are now 20 Casa Andina hotels located across Peru, five of which are found in the Cusco area.

Casa Andina Brands: One Chain, Three Different Styles

The hotel group is comprised of three separate brands: Classic, Select and Premium Collection. The newest option, Select, is marketed as a business hotel geared toward corporate travelers. The Classic brand offers comfortable accommodation in central locations, including some of the country’s top three and four star hotels.

Those planning luxury tours to Peru, however, should opt for the Private Collection. This brand offers spectacular hotels in some of Peru’s most fabulous locations. A particular favorite of ours is the Sacred Valley Casa Andina Private Collection. This hotel makes the most of its spectacular surroundings, accommodation is in fully-equipped chalets and the on-site restaurant is wonderful.

With Casa Andina, you can expect the efficient service of a chain and the personality of a boutique hotel. Any one of the Casa Andina properties promises an authentic and memorable experience.

Interested in Casa Andina hotels for your personalized trip to Peru? Contact us today and we’ll arrange to include this chain in your itinerary.

If you arrive at Aguas Calientes, also called Machu Picchu Pueblo, by train, you may have a difficult time imagining a five-star hotel could be found here. Most of the buildings have a ramshackle appearance as if they were put up overnight, and the fact is that many were. This once-sleepy little town has experienced a huge tourism boom due to its location at the foot of one of the wonders of the world.

If you walk in to Aguas Calientes, however, as you would after completing the Salkantay Trek or taking the bus down from Machu Picchu, your first impression of this town will be the stunning Sumaq Hotel.

Accommodation: Relax on Ultra-Soft Beds

The Sumaq Hotel is an ideal base for luxury tours of Machu Picchu, a welcoming retreat after a day spent hiking around the famous ancient Inca citadel. You might be tempted to lie down on your king-size bed as soon as you enter your room, but be careful because these ultra-soft beds can make it difficult to ever want to get up again.

Feel all tensions leave your body as you relax in the Jacuzzi. For additional pampering, book a massage in the hotel spa and let one of the skilled therapists work away your aches.

Dining: Experience Superb Dining

Dinner at the hotel’s superb restaurant, Qunuq, is included in your room rate. Qunuq’s amazing menu rivals many of Lima’s top restaurants.

Activities: Opt for Enjoyable Extras

Cooking classes are included in your room rate, offering a chance to make ceviche as well as Peru’s national drink, pisco sour. The Despacho, also known as Pago a la Tierra, is another service offered by the hotel. In this experience, you watch a native Andean shaman perform a ceremony honoring Pachamama (Mother Earth). It’s a lovely way to connect with the culture and landscapes that surround you here.

Service: Feel the Difference of Exceptional Customer Service

Sumaq’s customer service sets it apart from other five star hotels. Going beyond politeness, the staff at Sumaq are genuinely friendly and warm, offering the kind of hospitality that makes for a truly memorable stay.

Does the Sumaq Hotel sound like the perfect fit for your Peru family trip? Contact your Kuoda Travel designer today for more information on including this stylish property on your luxury Machu Picchu tour.

 

Many visitors spend a mere day at Machu Picchu and check the famous site off their bucket list, but there are a number of benefits to spending a few extra nights in the area. If you arrive the night before your visit to the site, you can be first in line when it opens the next morning and take some photos before it gets crowded. Additionally, it’s nice to have a short journey back to your hotel after a long day spent exploring the site.

When it comes to accommodation around Machu Picchu, Inkaterra is a category all on its own. The height of luxury travel in Peru, Inkaterra is more than a hotel – it’s a veritable retreat. The hotel has received countless awards, including recognition on the Conde Nast Gold List of the world’s best hotels. Enclosed within a cloud forest, this glamorous jungle lodge is surrounded by 12 acres (5 hectares) of stunning natural beauty.

Accommodation: Stay in Private Casitas

Every amenity at Inkaterra is designed for comfort. Accommodation is provided in private “casitas” (little houses), each of which includes a fireplace and spa-style bathroom. Some casitas also feature private terraces and Jacuzzis.

Spa: Try Andean-Inspired Treatments

The hotel’s opulent spa offers a range of rejuvenating therapies. Many incorporate traditional Andean ingredients, allowing you to continue immersing yourself in the local culture as you relax.

Dine on Andean Fusion Cuisine

Dinner and breakfast at the hotel’s fine restaurant are included in your room rate. The restaurant’s Andean fusion cuisine is outstanding, and the view of the surrounding mountain and river is equally impressive. Guests also enjoy free tea time and happy hour.

Activities: Enjoy Exciting Short Excursions

The hotel also offers a variety of wonderful excursions, including nature walks to see tea plants, birds, butterflies and medicinal plants. You can also go on a bird-watching expedition, visit a local farm and admire the beauty of the orchid trail. Most excursions only take a few short hours, so you can easily combine them with other activities.

The Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo hotel is an ideal accommodation choice for luxury tours to Peru. Get in touch with a Kuoda travel designer to discuss including this spectacular hotel in your itinerary when you visit Machu Picchu. Contact us today for for a free trip quote!

Address: Pueblo de Machu Picchu, 084 Machu Picchu, Perú

Website: Inkaterra – Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel