Peru Rail makes for a fun excursion

Valle Sagrado outside of Cusco.

Inga enjoying the ride to Aguas Calientes

We took the train from Cusco (actually Poroy Station about 25 minutes outside of Cusco) to Aguas Calientes which is the crazy tourist town at the foot of the mountains where Machu Picchu is located. The train takes about 4 hours and goes through some amazingly narrow valleys along the way. It also goes through parts of Valle Sagrado where the abundance of agricultural riches was evident.

KM 82. The beginning of the Inka Trail.

The Expedition train.

On the way there we took the Expedition train (which has great views out of windows on the roof, too) and on the way back the Vistadome. For a mere $12 more for the Vistadome train we got great andino food, surprising entertainment as soon as darkness set in, a fashion show (vicuña sweaters, anyone?) and a generally satisfying experience. I am glad we took the two different options  for a broader experience.

 

The wine we bought ... by the bottle.

... and drank during the 4-hour trip.

A traditional performance, surely by one of the attendants...

And these 2 provided the fashion show!

Quite the jokster outfit!