The route to Machu Picchu has many landscapes that transform the journey in a show worth admiring. That’s why the PeruRail Vistadome train, which has panoramic windows in every wagon, is the best option for those people who love to be in touch with nature from the moment they first arrive.

From Poroy Station, located near Cusco city, or Urubamba and Ollantaytambo Stations, both located in the Sacred Valley; begin an adventure full of magic to Machu Picchu on board the PeruRail Vistadome. Sit comfortably and feel the connection with nature. Beautiful landscapes will make the trip an unforgettable experience.

From a full dry pampas panorama, typical peruvian andes, to an intense green view of the jungle. Diverse sensations, a mixture of relaxation and wonder, will take you to a state of tranquility while the trip goes deep into the Inca territory.

While you enjoy a light snack prepared with unique local andean ingredients accompanied by traditional background music, the Vilcanota River, also called by the Incas “Wilkanayu” that means “Sacred driver’’, accompanies the train during much of the tour.

Finally, the adventure to Machu Picchu turns unforgettable when the magic takes in the PeruRail Vistadome train on the outbound journey. Dancers of Saqra, traditional dance of Puaucartambo, Cusco, get on the wagons to spread the typical euphoria of the Andean customs with their joy and dancing steps.

The journey continues with an elegant Fashion show that display on board an exclusive collection of Baby Alpaca, which have been worked in a collaborative way with the andean communities, to promulgate their art and textiles. Then you can buy them at the end of the presentation.

So, if you enjoy nature, landscapes and new experiences, your best alternative to get around the sacred Inca city, Machu Picchu, is on board of the magic experience found in PeruRail’s PeruRail Vistadome train.

Getting to know the PeruRail Titicaca train

You will be welcomed by the crew of our PeruRail Titicaca train, bound for the city of Puno in the Highlands or the imperial city of the Incas, Cusco, with an estimated travel time of 10 and a half hours.

Our dining cars have 08 properly marked emergency exits: 02 doors at the front of the car, 02 doors at the back and 04 emergency windows at the sides. In case of any emergency, our first aid kit and fire extinguisher are in the service areas.

Reminder: due to government regulations, smoking is prohibited inside the train. This rule also includes the observatory car.

What is on board the luxury train to Puno?
As we already mentioned, you will be welcomed with a hot drink at the boarding station. In addition, on the way, there will be a fashion show featuring baby alpaca garments, where our friendly hostesses will display the fine and delicate garments such as sweaters, hats, coats, shawls, gloves and much more. Of course, there will also be a fantastic live music show with typical local dances.

The luxury train to Puno would not be one without its respective observatory bar car, located at the end of the convoy. In it you will find cold drinks, hot drinks, cocktails, as well as international drinks and, of course, our flagship drink: pisco sour which we will also teach you to prepare during your train trip.

However, and as the name implies, the privileged Andean mystical landscape that can be seen from here is simply impressive. Imagine being surrounded by windows, on both sides and on the ceiling, and large glass walls from where you will be able to see the beautiful life in the valley. Small villages, cattle feeding from early hours of the day, corn fields, etc. You can witness all types of weathers in a single day! Not only will the landscape alternate between mountains and plains, but you will also be able to experience the different climates on the same trip, including snow. Unbelievable, right?

For this occasion, we have 1 scheduled stop: Abra La Raya, the highest point of the route.

Destinations before stopping at Abra La Raya
The first half of the trip is dominated by the Andes: a large outline of imposing mountains over the deep valleys of the meandering Huatanay River. The train will travel through the Andean plains, which seem never ending, and will offer us the unique opportunity to spot animals such as llamas and alpacas in their natural habitat.

Sicuani
Sicuani, located at 3,552 meters above sea level and 118 km from the city of Cusco, is one of the first towns that the PeruRail Titicaca train will cross. In this part of the journey, we will be listening to typical music of Sicuani to connect even more with this endearing city.

Did you know that it is the second most populated city in the entire department of Cusco? In addition, its main economic activity is growing Andean cereals; more specifically: wheat.

Arrival at Abra La Raya
The PeruRail Titicaca train would be arriving at Abra La Raya, its first stop, after having ascended to 4,319 meters above sea level. This is a cold and remote place where the snow-capped peaks are often covered in fog or drizzle and, for a few moments, the silence at this altitude gives you a little chilling sensation that you won’t experience anywhere else in the world.

Passengers will have about 10 minutes to rest, take photos of the landscape, and relax a little in the small handicrafts market that is located here where you can also buy clothes made by the local communities. In addition, this place has a chapel whose construction dates from the twentieth century and in it we can find an image of the Lord of the Cane.

The story behind the image is worth mentioning because its expression reflects the suffering and sadness of Jesus after he was flogged. This image describes Jesus Christ tied up in front, holding a reed like a scepter and crowned with thorns covered with a mantle.

Every year on May 3rd the Feast of the Lord of the Cane is celebrated, where it is tradition to tie flowers to the image, decorate the altar with paper figures and light beautifully decorated candles. Then fireworks are lit making it a very festive atmosphere. There are people dancing and drinking chicha de jora until the next day, really quite a spectacle.

In addition, the imposing snow-capped Chimboya is located on the left side in the direction of the train, so it would be a good idea to take the opportunity to view it. Something to keep in mind is that the snow-capped mountains of the area have an invaluable spiritual value for the Andean people, since they are the origin of two important rivers: the Vilcanota towards Cusco and the Ramis towards Arequipa.

Ayaviri
When we arrive to the province of Melgar, we will cross its capital: the town of Ayaviri. It is located at an altitude of 3,925 meters above sea level and 96 km from the city of Juliaca. Ayaviri is known for its quality livestock production: llamas, vicuñas, cattle, and sheep. Such is its fame that it has earned the title of the cattle capital of Peru. Followed by the good views, the train journey continues with the exclusive services on board.

Bar class, music, dances, and happy hour
We take this opportunity to mention the short class that is given on board the train. The head of service on board has everything ready to teach the preparation of pisco sour, Peru’s flagship drink.

At a given point during the trip you can enjoy the fun and colorful Happy Hour on board the train to Puno. The dancers will amaze you with their exotic morenadas, diabladas and other typical dances of the region. Do you also want to join them? Of course you can! That’s precisely what this happy hour is about. Don’t worry, they will show you how to dance from the start and it will only take ten seconds before you catch this folkloric rhythm.

Arrival at Puno station
Finally, the last stop of the trip will be Puno station. After this incredible tour, the crew aboard the PeruRail Titicaca train says goodbye to their passengers and wishes them an unforgettable stay in the highland city of Puno.

As we mentioned at the beginning, the route is as important as the destination. And, after living all this experience, you will feel even more motivated than you already were to explore the wonderful City of the Sacred Lake of Puno.

A journey that you will never forget and that you will not want to end. Delicious food, super comfortable seating, onboard staff always at your disposal, amazing scenery, traditional live partying and much more. The PeruRail Titicaca train thus guarantees your luxury service. Ready to get on board? Get your train tickets by visiting our website.

Furthermore, there you can find the Ollantaytambo Train Station which is a railway to Machu Picchu Station in Machu Picchu Town.

How to get to Ollantaytambo Station?
As we mentioned before, Ollantaytambo Station is important because it links to Machu Picchu Station (as well as Poroy Station) by the railroad, but how do we get to Ollantaytambo Station? You can either go by bus, taxi, or private transportation service from Cusco downtown, arriving in one hour, 30 minutes approximately.

For traveling by train from Ollantaytambo Station, we recommend buying the tickets in advance on www.perurail.com. You can also purchase the train tickets at the Ollantaytambo Station ticket office, not later than 30 minutes before departure time.

If you wish to buy tickets at any of our ticket offices in the stations, you can pay either by credit/debit card or cash: in Soles or US Dollars.

Keep in mind that in case you are not sure about which train take, you can always have a look at each train page: the PeruRail Vistadome and the PeruRail Expedition.

From Ollantaytambo Station to Machu Picchu Station
The trip from Ollantaytambo Station to Machu Picchu Station takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes; and services are available year-round, so tourists can enjoy one of the World’s Wonder built by the Incas.

Find out Ollantaytambo’s stunning Inca monuments and have an adventure by train to the wonderful citadel of Machu Picchu!

Sources: Origen andino, PeruRail, and Cuscoperu.com.

There is something that is always in the plan of every traveler who embarks on the journey to Cusco, it is more noticeable when they are aboard our trains, the feeling of magical moment begins to invade their bodies. All this happens because the unforgettable experience of this great trip deserves a souvenir just as unforgettable; a great picture at Machu Picchu. Here are ten tips that will make help you to get an amazing picture.

First, it is important to schedule a nice day to visit the Inca citadel. The dry weather season, between May and October, guarantees a blue sky; while during the rainy season you can appreciate the greenest landscape of the year and have a larger clear area to take any type of pictures. The second important point is to keep your camera and/or phone set, Machu Picchu is a natural sanctuary and it is necessary to be aware at all time to capture the moment where flora and fauna perfectly combine.

The third tip you should keep in mind is that from an aerial view the majesty will be appreciated better; therefore, we suggest to go up the Machu Picchu Mountain or Huayna Picchu to get a better angle to capture the citadel. Do not forget the tickets to go up this mountain are limited, so you should purchase them anticipatedly. If you prefer to take a classic postal picture of this World Wonder it is not necessary to put that much effort, you can do this just walking a flat path to arrive to the “Casa del Guardian”. For the record, did you know that when you turn the trademark Machu Picchu picture to the side, you can see the side face of a person?” Here is an example:

Our fourth recommendation is that at the time of taking your picture, you let your creativity flow. Many pictures have been taken, it is up to you to make yours unique. You may want to try posing in a new way or sharing the spot with friends, family or making a fun composition with determined items. There is always a way to get an original shot!

Always remember, you should be patient and wait for the right time. You should be prepared and have everything ready for the perfect picture; nevertheless, is necessary to keep calm. Machu Picchu is always packed with visitors who will be walking, learning, admiring, exploring and also trying to take that special picture like you.

The sixth tip is that despite you want to take astonishing pictures of the citadel and pose in every spot you can, is always important to wear comfortable clothing in order to explore each space and, in that way, take home not just a good picture but also a good memory of your experience.

As our eighth tip, you must know that it might be considerable to carry a selfie stick to document every second of your trip and keep the memory of being all together in this experience.

Even though it might be enough to take pictures with a smartphone, if you have a professional camera do not hesitate in taking it with you. Machu Picchu is totally worth to take a picture with the best possible definition.

Last but not least, our tenth advice is that you stay patient, after having read these recommendations you are now one step closer to take the best picture in one of the best Wonders of the World.

In this short note we tell you how PeruRail service personnel and trains have been adapted to the new situation in order to travel to Machu Picchu safely.

Our on-board service personnel are properly trained and prepared with all the necessary protective measures to welcome and assist you on this adventure to Machu Picchu.

As for our fleet of trains, cleaning and disinfection frequency has been increased to continue complying with safety and health procedures on board.

Once on board, areas have been delimited and signaled so that the capacity of our cars is 50%. This was necessary to meet the required physical distancing and protection of all our passengers. In addition to tracking protocols, various informational audios are available to explain and reinforce the guidelines to be followed to ensure everyone’s safety.

Continuing to comply with established safety and health protocols, another aspect to highlight on board our trains are some restrictions to be met such as no food and beverages on board to prevent the removal of double mask. Therefore, we have posted signs inside each train with recommendations on how to correctly use double mask to prevent the spread of the virus. Similarly, hygiene recommendations include avoiding speaking very loudly, and when sneezing or coughing, doing it into your elbow or in disposable tissue paper, which must be discarded in the lavatories.

We have recently implemented HEPA sanitization filters on board our cars, which meet international hygiene and sanitation standards that ensure reduction of the existing microbial load in the air, eliminating it by 99.9%. With these new devices, rest assured that the safety of your journey on board our trains will be fully guaranteed.

These are the implementations and adaptations that PeruRail has introduced both in our cars and other areas to continue giving our passengers the best travel experience to Machu Picchu. We invite you to check the full guide of our health and safety protocols, as well as the schedules and rates that we have available to you. See you on board!

The City of Cusco

Inka Grill

This is one of the first restaurants in Cusco and has one of the best locations, just around the corner from the majestic Plaza de Armas or Main Square. Its specialty is New Andean cuisine and international cuisine, offering delicacies made with fresh ingredients, such as: trout, Andean cheese, quinoa and alpaca.

Cicciolina 

Cicciolina is located one block from the Main Square, on the second floor of a charming colonial house on Calle Triunfo. The cuisine is modern, delicious and impeccable, it is virtually the accepted standard of Peruvian cuisine, it is so diverse and rich that for many Latin American cuisines the diversity of dishes it has can only be compared to Mexican cuisine.

In the menu you can find everything, even the famous llama meat. As a piece of advice, try to order the full meal, since the dishes are not that big. 

Pachapapa

Its food is characterized by the original and incomparable flavor of the Andean mountains, because in this place, the original cooking methods are respected by religion. What will you find here? Its specialties with the pachamanca and the baked guinea pig.

Greens Organic

This restaurant only offers organic dishes made with fresh ingredients from the Sacred Valley. Start the day with a refreshing juice made with local fruits! In addition, you cannot miss their succulent alpaca medallions, rich salads, homemade pasta and the famous asparagus trout.

MAP Café

MAP Café has a very particular architecture. It is nothing less than a large glass cube! It is one of the restaurants in Cusco with a view that tourists seek the most, since they can see everything around them while enjoying a good meal.

The gastronomic suggestion of this place is a transformation of Lima and Andean food. Among its outstanding dishes we have the Capchi with mushrooms and its red and black quinoa cannelloni.

Chicha

Chicha restaurant, from the renowned chef Gastón Acurio, is located in Plaza Regocijo, a few blocks from the Plaza de Armas in Cusco. It pays homage to the ancient culinary wisdom of Cusco and promotes its value. Chicha offers Peruvian dishes, such as anticuchos (seasoned and laminated beef heart), Chupe 5 flavors stew, vegetarian stuffed hot peppers, and an impressive Andean soup that contains olluco, quinoa, curry, coconut milk and pumpkin.

Belmond Hotel Monasterio

Explore the secrets of South American cuisine and enjoy international flavors at Belmond Hotel Monasterio‘s restaurants.

Monasterio, a Belmond Hotel

On the one hand, we have Illariy, which is nestled between the monasteries overlooking the lush courtyard, providing a beautiful setting for an elegant dining experience. You can enjoy a delicious Mediterranean-style breakfast or a light lunch, from soft Peruvian meat to a rich lemon tart. Weather permitting, you can dine on its outdoor terrace under the warm blue sky.

On the other hand, we have El Tupay. Three nights a week, the opera voices of Cusco’s best tenor and soprano resonate in the romantic arches of El Tupay, adding sparkle to a spectacular dinner. The lounge atmosphere is also perfect for enjoying a light aperitif, an after-dinner cocktail or a glass of fine wine with friends.

Incanto

Incanto presents us with a very particular option in terms of gastronomy. It is about Italian-Peruvian fusion cuisine in a dream setting, where the majestic stone walls of the Inca palace are combined with modern minimalist architecture. 

It is located on Calle de Santa Catalina Angosta and its specialties are homemade pasta, pizza and bread (kneaded by them and cooked in their traditional clay oven). All of them accompanied by a select wine list that make a very good accompaniment.

Le Soleil

Le Soleil is located in the Hotel La Lune; this restaurant offers the best French cuisine in the center of the capital of Cusco. In addition, it is recognized as one of the best places to eat in the city, and its specialties are confit de canard and crème brûlée.

Limo (Peruvian Nikkei)

Limo joins the scene with a fusion of Peruvian-Japanese cuisine (Nikkei), which amazes many visitors and ranks in our top ten. This restaurant is located on the second floor of a colonial house with the best view of the majestic Plaza de Armas of Cusco.

Its dishes include tiraditos, ceviche and the famous sushi bar. It is worth mentioning that Limo has a wide variety of piscos, making it an excellent place to discover Peru’s flagship cocktail. In addition, it is the ideal place to taste impressive cocktails made with exotic fruits from the Andean and Amazon region.

As you can see, there is something for all tastes with the multiple options of restaurants that you can find in Cusco. If you have a very limited time to visit the tourist attractions, then it would be ideal to arrive in the city with a very good idea of what you want to eat so you won’t waste time searching.

So, which restaurant in Cusco caught your attention the most?

Don’t forget that if you want to travel and get to know the most emblematic Inca citadel, you can buy your train tickets to Machu Picchu. See you on board!

There are many ways to reach this World Heritage Site, from taking the legendary Inca route by trekking to traveling on a deluxe train, which will take you to Machu Picchu with all comforts. All will depend on the budget and the kind of adventure you are seeking for. This time, we will explain the way to get to the Inca Citadel by train from Poroy Station (Cusco) in ten steps.

• Step #1: Train tickets

To make the most out of the visit to Machu Picchu, The first step we recommend is to buy the train tickets in advance and thus be able to avoid any setback. You will find various train stations to the citadel of Machu Picchu in this website. Poroy Station is one of closest stations to the city of Cusco and the most convenient to start a journey as it is just about 20 minutes away from the city. Furthermore, it offers many departure schedules for its various train services.

• Step #2: Jorge Chavez Airport

There are two ways to get to Cusco if in Lima; you can go by land or air. If you choose to go by plane, you should go to Jorge Chavez Airport, located at Avenue Elmer Faucett s/n, Callao. From this place, local and foreign tourists can start their journeys. It is advisable to use this means of transportation because it is comfortable, safe and quick. In addition, it will take approximately 1 hour to arrive in Cusco.

Nevertheless, if the local or foreign traveler is in any other region that is not Lima, he or she may go directly to Cusco from these places by land or air. It would be also ideal to travel by plane to get shortly to the Imperial City. It should be noted that there are other options such as the PeruRail Titicaca Train and the Belmond Andean Explorer (if coming from Puno), bus or private transportation service.

• Step #3: Velasco Astete Airport

From the airplane, you will be able to see the bright sky of Cusco and the houses surrounding the Velasco Astete airport, located at Velasco Astete s/n, Wanchaq, Cusco. The flight to the Imperial City takes approximately 1 hour from Lima.

From this airport, you will be able to take a taxi or a private transportation service to the hotel where you will be staying.

We recommend that the traveler rests in a hotel at least one night to acclimatize to Cusco height so he or she will be able to make the tour in best conditions.

• Step #4: Buy Machu Picchu entrance tickets

To enter to Machu Picchu, you can buy tickets at the Ministry of Culture authorized box offices, located at Calle Garcilazo SN – Museo Casa Garcilazo, Cusco. Tickets are also available at the Cultural Center in Machu Picchu Town (next to Plaza Central); it just requires showing IDs such as National Identity Card (DNI) for Peruvians and passports in the case of foreign people. Do not forget that set-out payments are in local currency (Soles) and cash.

You can also book and pay the entrance ticket online on this website www.machupicchu.gob.pe

• Step #5: Reach to Poroy Station (Cusco)

If you are in the city of Cusco, you should go to Poroy Station (Cusco) as a starting point to travel to the mystical Machu Picchu. There are two ways to reach this point, by taxi or private transportation service if you booked a tourist package. The trip will take about 20 minutes.

• Step #6: Train boarding from Poroy Station (Cusco)

It is recommendable to arrive at Poroy Station 30 minutes before departure of the train chosen to make the trip. At boarding, you should show the train ticket, ID (DNI for Peruvians) or passport (foreign people) to appropriately check in. You can show your boarding pass directly from the PeruRail eTicket application. The train journey to Machu Picchu is going to take around 3 hours and 30 minutes with a 10 minutes stop at Ollantaytambo Station where some travelers will embark to start their adventure to the Inca Citadel from this point

In PeruRail, we have are several options to travel by trains. Each of them will make you live a different and unique experience. Get to know the different train services we have for you and discover the variety of them.

• Paso #7: Arrival at Machu Picchu Station

After approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes, you will be arriving at Machu Picchu Station, the last train stop, located in Machu Picchu Town. From this place, reaching the summit of the Inca Empire is just a few minutes away.

We invite you to learn more about the Machu Picchu Station.

• Step #8: Round trip bus tickets to Machu Picchu   

We suggest you buy round trip tickets so you can return on the bus to Machu Picchu Town with no problems.

To reach this place, you will have to walk for approximately 15 minutes; first, you should pass through the market, located outside Machu Picchu Station towards the bridge, then cross it over; underneath, you will see a ticket office, located at Av. Hermanos Ayar S/N, Machu Picchu Pueblo, where you should buy the tickets.

• Step #9: Bus up to Machu Picchu

After purchasing the tickets to Machu Picchu, you should wait a few minutes at the bus station, located right in front of a stall where bus tickets are sold. The ascent to the Inca citadel will take approximately 25 minutes by this means. But if the traveler does not want that option, he or she can get to the summit by trekking in two hours.

• Step #10: Arrival to Machu Picchu

Dream destination is finally reached; there you may get to know Machu Picchu in detail. Travelers have the option to get around the citadel by themselves or hire a tourist guide that will explain all history and construction of this architectonical jewel of Inca Empire in the very entrance to the citadel. When the tour around Ancient Sanctuary is over, do not forget to go to the same stop where the bus left you to return to Machu Picchu Town.

It is necessary to have cash and Peruvian currency money to avoid any problem.

It’s time to get to know the impressive walls of Machu Picchu, the wonder of Peru for the world! Buy your train tickets now!

Cusco’s cuisine stands out for the use of local protein-rich ingredients such as potatoes, corn, and quinoa. It also stands out for the different types of chilies and different types of meat such as guinea pig, alpaca, pork cracklings, mutton, among others. Besides, we can’t forget that seasoning is responsible for putting that special flavor to every Cusco’s dish.

Here, we will teach you about 10 of the most traditional dishes of this historical city:

1. Chiri Uchu: It is the Cusco’s traditional dish and also considered as the main culinary art of Corpus Christi. Chiri Uchu means cold chili or cold spicy in Quechua. This food is a mixture between the coast, highland and jungle cuisine, having its origins in the time of the Incas in the Tahuantinsuyo. The ingredients used to prepare this are: roasted white corn, cheese, guinea pig, chicken, charqui (jerky), cecina, seaweed, fish roes and rocoto.
2. Trucha Frita (Fried Trout): It is prepared with fish. It can be prepared either with river trout or sea trout. This food was served for the first time in 1927. This typical dish is made with fried fish, rice, cassava, and salsa criolla (onion based condiment) if you like. It is very easy to find in all restaurants in the Imperial city.
3. Chairo: It is a delicious Andean soup which is a traditional dish in Cusco. Chairo is a name of Quechua and Aymara origins meaning “type of food”. It is a hearty soup that was made originally for farmers, who walked for hours to get to their workplaces; they needed a meal that would not spoil. For that reason, they used ingredients that would make it easy to prepare and would endure, such as potato starch, which is the main ingredient for its preparation, lamb, dried beef, sweet potato, peas, carrots, broad beans, spearmint, oregano, parsley, cumin, and salt.
4. Quinoa Soup (Sopa de Quinua): There is a great variety of soups in Cusco. Many of them are made from wheat, quinoa, and/or squash. One of the most popular among tourists visiting the city of Cusco is quinoa soup, which is a very light and delicious soup, recommended for cold seasons. Moreover, quinoa is a type of food that has been growing in popularity around the world for its great contribution to nutrition.
5. Roasted Guinea Pig (Cuy al Horno): It is one of the most emblematic dishes of the Peruvian highlands, especially in Cusco. The guinea pig is a very important ingredient for preparing this dish. First, it must be completely clean to put it into boiling water. Then it is seasoned with all spices and finally put it inside an oven to cook. This typical meal can be served with rice, potatoes, salad and fried cassava. You can also enjoy this dish with chicha morada (sweet beverage of purple corn) or chicha de jora (corn beer).
6. Kapchi-style Mushrooms: Mushrooms were food highly respected by the Incas and even today they continue conquering the most demanding palates around the world. This dish is eaten during winter time to protect us from the cold of the mountains. It is a nutritious dish, considered a good choice for vegetarians. Its ingredients are mushrooms, broad beans, onions, dried red chili, potatoes, olive oil, milk, cheese and black mint.
7. Cusco-style Pork Cracklings: It is one of the favorite dishes among tourists visiting Cusco. Pork is cooked in its own fat, which is the reason of its peculiar flavor. The dish is served with mote (hominy) and Salsa Criolla. It should be noted that sale of pork cracklings started in 1927 and 1928.
8. Corn and Cheese: It is one of the easiest dishes to prepare in the city of Cusco. You can find the best corn in the Sacred Valley (Valle Sagrado) located in Urubamba, which has an important historical value. This typical dish is one of the most important in the Peruvian cuisine and it is served as a starter. The flavor is a mixture between sweet (corn) and savory (cheese).
9. Roast Pork: Unlike the pork cracklings, this dish is smaller. In Cusco, This is a traditional dish that is offered in all restaurants in the city. The preparation consists of seasoning the pork inside and outside with salt, pepper, cumin, crushed garlic, mustard, oregano, chichi de jora, fresh yellow chili (ají amarillo), ground  dried yellow chili (ají mirasol) and ground  sun-dried red chili (ají panca). Then leave it to stand for one night and on the following day put it inside the oven.
10. Pig’s Feet Sauce (Zarza de patitas): It is an exquisite dish from the navel of the world. It can be easily found in Picanterías (restaurants specialized in spicy food) around Cusco. The main ingredient for its preparation is pig’s feet.  This dish also includes onions, garlic, bay leaf, papa canchán (a variety of potato), tomato, vegetable oil, parsley, spearmint, pepper and oregano to taste.

You must try all these delicious dishes in the mythical city of Cusco!

If you are planning to visit our wonder Machu Picchu, we will tell you why Peru is a safe destination.

You will be pleased to know that Peru has more than 100 tourist destinations that already have the Safe Travels Certificate. What does this certificate mean? As the website itself says, it is a distinction, like a medal, that is awarded to localities that have adopted a set of protocols designed by the World Health Organization (WHO) to have clarity about the destinations that follow a general health policy in the tourism industry. Thus, when seeing the Safe Travels stamp, tourists will be confident to make the trip, and tourism activity will increase worldwide.

Over 100 recently mentioned tourist destinations are distributed on the Peruvian coast, mountains and jungle, one of the most important sites being our ancient citadel of Machu Picchu, which was distinguished with this award on October 13, 2020.

In addition to this, what measures is our country taking to address the arrival of foreign visitors? If you are a non-resident foreigner, this information will help you a lot when visiting us. What should you consider? Take note of the following:

• Present the certificate of vaccination against COVID-19 with the full dose up to fourteen (14) days before the flight, or present a negative molecular test with a result of no more than 72 hours before departing from the country of origin.
• Mandatory use of two face masks at all times during the flight and within the airport facilities.
• Within 72 hours prior to the trip, you must register using the online form “Electronic Health Authorization System (EHAS)“.

If you wish to contact the Ministry of Health, you can contact INFOSALUD directly by WhatsApp (+51) 952842623 (no calls) and/or by email: sanidadinternacional@minsa.gob.pe

In general terms, to visit enclosed and crowded spaces, these are the measures to be taken:

• Mandatory use of a mask on the street. In crowded places, such as shopping malls, markets, supermarkets, conglomerates and department stores, two face masks must be worn.
• Body temperature is taken before entering a physical establishment. Remember that a temperature of more than 37.5 ° C is a sign of alert.
• Disinfection of hands and shoes with alcohol. For this, you must disinfect the sole of your shoes in a foot bath, as well as your hands with alcohol gel.
• Body distancing, also known as “social distancing,” of 1.5 meters on average. 

The good news is that as the post-pandemic situation improves, these protocols become more flexible and even safer. In any case, we remind you that it is never good to be overconfident. That is why we recommend always following these measures for the well-being of all.

As for the curfew, it is being reduced more and more due to the decrease in the risk of contagion in our society. Peru is now at a “moderate level”, so the curfew begins at 01:00 and ends at 04:00 from Monday to Sunday. Also note that the use of private vehicles is allowed on Sundays.

At the local level, in the citadel of Machu Picchu sanitary measures are also being taken. You can find the details of what is being implemented in the Inca citadel in the following link.

Remember that when you are in the city of Cusco, your train ticket is a must to continue your adventure to the citadel of Machu Picchu. Learn about our health and safety protocols on board each train. Choose among our different train services and buy your tickets now. See you on board!

Machu Picchu, in Cusco, is in the middle of the jungle eyebrow of the Amazon basin and the Andes Mountains; therefore, the weather to be quite particular and changing. Because of this, there are two marked stations, each of them has its pros and cons, so only you can decide what is the ideal time to visit the Inca Citadel.

Dry season in Machu Picchu

Is this the best time to visit Machu Picchu? Between the months of April and November, in Machu Picchu, the sun shines throughout the day and there is almost no rain, allowing you to make, without great care, hiking to the mountains of Machu Picchu. In the same way, you can capture the best views of the Inca citadel at more than 2,400 meters above sea level with the clear blue sky. In addition, at this time, a large part of the celebrations are carried out in Cusco such as the Inti Raymi.

However, you will have to take turns in places as it coincides with the high season. On these dates, entrance tickets to Machu Picchu, train tickets and hotels, must be booked at least 3 months in advance. If you want to make experiences like the Inca Trail or the Huayna Picchu Mountain, you will have to reserve your income 6 months before.

On the other hand, if you want to make excursions in the mountains of Machu Picchu, this is the best time. The mountain trails are narrow and vertiginous, and can be somewhat more frightening if they are wet.

Rainy season in Machu Picchu

The rainy season in Cusco runs from December to April is also the best time to visit Machu Picchu. During these months the intensity of the rains increases and, due to this, the visitors decrease. However, it is still possible to enjoy sunny and warm days. An important fact is that many tourist services begin to have offers that will favor visitors.

For many travelers, this season is the best time to come to the Inca Citadel. You will enjoy the citadel in its most intense green, alongside different dishes full of exotic fruits and vegetables, lower prices and something that most people want but that is impossible to obtain during the high season: Being in Machu Picchu with the least possible number of people, allowing you to take pictures of Machu Picchu without a lot of strangers in them.

Whether you want to enjoy the sunny days of the dry season or more convenient prices in the rainy season, Machu Picchu is the perfect destination to learn more about the Inca Culture.

Book your train tickets in advance and live an unforgettable experience with PeruRail.

How to get there?

To know how to reach this World Wonder we invite you to live a magical experience on board our trains:

• PeruRail Expedition Train
• PeruRail Vistadome Train
• Belmond Hiram Bingham Train

Upon arriving at the Aguas Calientes station, you will have to take a bus to climb the Inca citadel. Bus tickets can be purchased in the city of Cusco on Av. Children or directly in Machu Picchu Pueblo at the bus stop that goes up to the Citadel, the sale is limited.

To know the services offered by each train, please go to Service Details page.

Entrance to Machu Picchu

The entrance to the Inca Citadel can be acquired in the Citadel itself or also in the INC of Cusco (Av. La Cultura 238, Huáscar Condo, in front of the university stadium) or by entering www.machupicchu.gob.pe.

What to wear

To enjoy Machu Picchu even more, in any of the two stations, we recommend you take the following:

• Comfortable and warm clothes
• Caps
• Gloves
• Wool socks
• Bottled water
• Chocolate
• Lemon Candies
• Sunscreen
• Lip gloss

Happy to know when the best time to visit Machu Picchu is? The Inca Citadel is a unique and unparalleled destination regardless of the time in which you visit it. A place full of mysticism and culture that you cannot miss. We hope you have an unforgettable trip aboard our PeruRail Vistadome and PeruRail Expedition trains!