by Judy Bereza, Guest Blogger

The month that has the most rain in Machu Picchu is February.  So when did we visit thefamous archeological site?  February.  We added it on to the end of a trip to the Galapagos, so we took our chances.  To say we were rewarded is an understatement.

Rain poured all morning, but when we arrived in style on the Hiram Bingham train, weexplored this modern “seven wonders of the world” site in perfect weather.

Hiram Bingham

What about this train?  First, the train is named after the American academic and SouthAmerica explorer, Hiram Bingham.  He rediscovered Machu Picchu, which means “Old Mountain” in 1911.  The train runs from Cusco, a World Heritage site, during high season,from May to January, to the town of Machu Picchu, also known as Aguas Calientes. Cusco is well worth visiting. It was founded by the Inca Empire, and is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the Western Hemisphere, full of history and Inca ruins, which often served as the foundations for present buildings.  

When we visited during the aforementioned rainy season, the train journey was shortened, leaving directly from our beautiful Belmond hotel, the Rio Sagrado, in the Sacred Valley, one and a half hour by car from Cusco.  You simply walk one minute from the hotel to the on site train lobby, where you are welcomed by Mimosas, breakfast delicacies, and live music as you board the train.  

The Fantasy Continues

The fantasy continues.  The train is modeled after the luxury trains of the early 20th century,  The Orient Express Ltd. company launched it in 2003.  That name was later changed to the Belmond Hotel Group.  The 1920s vintage carriages were shipped from Malaysia, the chassis constructed in South Africa, and the fittings added in France.  From stepping aboard andthroughout the round trip journey, you will be treated to luxurious finishes, gourmet meals, cocktails and drinks, live music, and unforgettable scenery.  Oh, and all this for 42 passengers.

After three and a half hours you arrive at the town of Aguas Calientes, at the foot of the mountain.  From there you board a private bus that takes you through a hair raising switchback route up to the entrance gates.

Since we were there during the rainy season,there were relatively few visitors.  We were told that during high season, there are so many people that tickets are limited and issued for specific routes through the ruins, and that tickets to a fifteen minute climb to the overview sell out quickly. We, with our guide, were able to roam the entire site at will accompanied by sun and balmy temperatures.

After two and a half hours of a stunning and memorable tour, we returned to the train,and the fantasy continued with an artful and elaborate dinner followed by live music andrevelry. 

A incredible finale to our Galapagos adventure.  Stay tuned for a “deep dive” into. that part of our South America trip.

www.belmond.com

Dick and Judy Bereza with their friends Diane and Tom (Tom not pictured) enjoyed this wonderful trip together.  Judy Bereza is the guest blogger.  Readers of DesignDestinations.org have traveled the world with her.