Urubamba station, exclusive train services in the Sacred Valley
Urubamba is a small city of Cusco, located in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. It is currently one of the places with the largest presence of hotels in Cusco. Several national and foreign tourists come to this place to stay. This is because in this place you can find a beautiful landscape, a beautiful geography, and a warmer climate compared to Cusco. On the other hand, Urubamba is one of the 13 provinces of Cusco, which is why there you can find the head of the South Eastern branch of the Southern Railroad. The same that would connect Cusco and Machu Picchu.
Urubamba facts and details about Urubamba and the train station.
The entire Urubamba Valley is shaped by the presence of the Vilcanota River, this river even connects with Machu Picchu. It crosses practically the entire region of Cusco. In this sense Urubamba in the past and today offers fertile land for planting corn. It is also one of the largest exporters of corn in Peru. Corn exports will not only include other regions of Peru but also to other countries. The main attraction of this corn is that it has a particular sweetness and larger kernels than corn from other parts of the world.
In this sense, it is worth mentioning the climate of the entire Urubamba region. Urubamba’s climate can be divided into two geographical zones. The first corresponds to the areas located between 2,800 and 3,800 meters above sea level. There, you will find a maximum temperature of 18°C (64°F) and minimum temperatures that reach -5°C (-4°F). On the other hand, the lower altitude zones at 2,500 meters above sea level have temperatures starting at 9°C and can easily reach peaks of 23°C throughout the year. These conditions promote better acceptance and greater adaptability on the part of the tourists. Many of them will come to this place only to stay or have a well-deserved vacation in the sacred lands of the Incas.
This beautiful climate is the main reason why many tourists arrive. In response to this, you can find a variety of hotels that grew and improved over time. While other hotels immediately positioned themselves as luxury destinations. Among these hotels, we must mention the Tambo del Inka hotel of the Marriot chain. Near this hotel, a station of the exclusive PeruRail railroad was set up. From this station departures to Machu Picchu Pueblo are operated. The train that will stand out will be Hiram Bingham, but it is also possible to make the trip on the VIstadome train. The Hiram Bingham train is one of the three most luxurious trains in the world. So the luxury services will continue along the journey and arrival at Machu Picchu.
If you think that only Tambo del Inka hotel guests can access this service, you are wrong. The general public can access the station located in Urubamba. However, they will have to arrive at least 30 minutes before the boarding time to avoid problems or any confusion on the route. Next, we will detail the services that can be found in this peculiar train station located in the heart of the Sacred Valley.
It is one of the main geographical areas that allowed the expansion of the Incas. The fertility of its lands is due to the presence of the rivers that cross all these mountains. The valleys that are formed are conducive to the planting of various products. However, the presence of corn stands out. On the other hand, this beautiful place has a temperate climate that allows it to be visited by tourists. In addition, throughout the Sacred Valley of the Incas, you can find several archaeological centers.
Services that can be found at the Urubamba train station
In Urubamba, you can do different activities, such as adventure sports, horseback riding, and even just relax. This is thanks to the beautiful landscapes that the Sacred Valley offers. It is in these beautiful places that you can appreciate different spaces and Inca constructions. These archaeological remains, for the most part, were intimately linked to agriculture and respect for the environment. In the case of the train station, you can find basic services and the sale of some snacks. Although not in large quantities, since most customers stayed at the hotel and had access to other services.
Being a guest of the Tambo del Inka Hotel, you will have more comfort in getting to the train station since it is only a 5-minute walk away. Even the walking time can be reduced if you carry little luggage or have a good walking pace. On the other hand, there is also a stop near the Rio Sagrado Hotel of the Belmond chain. As in the Tambo del Inka hotel, other services beyond the basic ones can be accessed at this brief stop. It will be important to clarify that the train station for the general public is the one located near the Tambo del Inka Hotel.
All passengers who purchase their reservation ticket must arrive early at the station. It is recommended that a reasonable time is 30 minutes in advance. This sometimes makes it possible to make the trip ahead of time, as long as all passengers are on board. Otherwise, boarding and departure times will be respected. Those arriving after the boarding time will not be able to access the service itself and will not be able to claim as such. The schedule and departure time of the trains cannot be delayed. The change of schedules, delays or similar only occurs under a natural disaster or any situation of blockades or provisions on the part of the Peruvian State.
In Urubamba, you can find several hotels, among these hotels of different prices, the luxury hotels stand out. The Tambo del Inka and Rio Sagrado hotels have luxury services. Both the finishing touches and the products they provide are of the highest quality. Staying a few days in these hotels is the best way to enjoy the Sacred Valley of the Incas. It is worth mentioning that both hotels are not the only ones that offer these services. It is recommended to make a proper inquiry and price comparison.
How to get to the Urubamba train station?
The Urubamba train station is located very close to the main square of Urubamba. You only have to walk down five blocks in the direction of Avenida Ferrocarril. If you make the walk on foot you can follow the Jiron Grau or Jiron Bolivar; both have a connection with the avenue where the train station is located. To date, the station in question seems to remain closed. However, the Tambo del Inka Station remains operational. All passengers who have purchased their tickets will have to go to this place.
The trips from Cusco to Urubamba are easy to make and you can find a great variety of transports. One of the main options is to make the trip in minivans that offer direct service. A similar service can be found in cabs, which are cars that cover this route. In both cases, the trips are direct, which makes for a safer and shorter trip. A third option is to travel by bus to Urubamba. It is located very close to Belen Street and Ejército Avenue. In case you are looking for a comfortable option, we recommend you purchase the private travel services that cover the entire Sacred Valley.
The travel time from Cusco to Urubamba is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. Sometimes the type of service is private or direct, they manage to reduce about 15 minutes of travel time. On the other hand, the buses are the services that take the longest time to cover the route. This is because they are not direct services and make some stops for passengers. A positive factor of so much variety and travel alternatives is that you can find transportation almost immediately to make the Cusco – Urubamba section. However, it is recommended to be careful with your belongings.
Recommendations for the services and the trip to Machu Picchu
The trip to Machu Picchu is not as difficult as it may seem. The different routes we find are all safe in their way. However, it is important to know the travel time and the options of train stations that can be accessed. For example, currently only 2 trains are leaving from the Urubamba district. The train that leaves most frequently is the Vistadome train, the other transportation service offered is the Hiram Bingham luxury train. Only these options can be found as travel options to Machu Picchu on the Urubamba – Machu Picchu route. Here are some other recommendations to make the trip to the wonder of the world from this peculiar and little-used train station.
- The weather in Machu Picchu is warm, it is recommended to wear loose and comfortable clothes to avoid suffocating.
- To have better planning of the trip itself, it is recommended that the first thing you get is the entrance ticket to Machu Picchu.
- Reservations can be made from the comfort of your home.
- It is important to plan and organize the trip. The travel agents of the tourist agencies usually solve some doubts or similar.
- Upon arrival at Machu Picchu, it is advisable to put on mosquito repellent.
- Sunscreen is important to avoid skin burns.
- The tour of Machu Picchu is an outdoor activity, a recommendation is to take care of overexposure to the sun.
- The hotels that you will find in Urubamba often offer transportation to the train station.
- Some hotels also offer pick-up from the airport upon arrival in Cusco.
- For any reservation you make it will be essential to show your identity card or passport.