Luxury trip to Machu Picchu in Cusco – Peru

Traveling to Machu Picchu is one of the activities that train trips and even long treks can do. In this blog, we are interested in talking about a comfortable and convenient trip, more inclined to a luxury trip. That is, we will detail a trip with the best services found in Cusco and during the trip to Machu Picchu. The trip to Machu Picchu can be done during a whole day departing from Cusco. Likewise, you will be provided with information on other services to optimize your experience, stay, and trip to Machu Picchu. We will prioritize some recommendations for restaurants, hotels, and more.

One of the best destinations in Peru

Peru is one of the countries that receives the most tourists annually. Although the number does not reach countries like France or Mexico, you can find that many people come to Peru. The purpose of their trip is often related to Cusco and Peruvian gastronomy. Although the two are not closely related, it is possible to enjoy both attractions in one trip. During this trip, you can not only visit Cusco, but it is possible to visit several destinations where you can do various activities such as hiking, visiting museums, gastronomic tours, and even activities related to extreme sports.

Peru not only has attractions such as Machu Picchu and its world-famous gastronomy. But it is also possible to find an incredible natural wealth with beautiful landscapes, archaeological destinations, and modern cities. The landscapes usually accompany and are the perfect complement for hiking trails and experiential tourism. In Peru, several communities have managed to maintain their essence even after almost 500 years. These places show another side of the country and also reveal some deficiencies in the governmental system of the Peruvian state. This is because it is evident that education, hospitals, and even security are not within the reach of these high Andean communities. Being this gap and neglect, the main reason why we could not perceive a great change, as in other regions of Peru.

On the other hand, in Peru, you can access premium or luxury services without spending a lot of money. Being one of the most economically stable countries in Latin America, it is possible to find good services that do not exceed disproportionately price. It is precisely these services that we want to talk about and share information. For example, in land travel, you can find different options. Especially premium options such as travel in buses with sofa-bed seats and on-board service. These services can be found when making interprovincial or regional trips such as from Lima to Cusco. Another feasible option to get around is to rent transportation for every day of your stay in Lima or Cusco. However, the most comfortable way to travel will be by plane. However, if you have plans in Lima, it is possible to rent a car or automobile to make the proper and safe displacement. This same action can be replicated in Cusco to avoid cabs and public transportation.

The best option to travel from Lima to Cusco is by plane, especially if you are looking for comfort and to save time. The travel time from Cusco to Lima is only 1 hour and 45 minutes. So it adds a special comfort, in any type of flight you choose. After this trip, it is advisable to visit one of the best hotels that can be found in Cusco. Also contact an agency to pick you up at the airport. In Cusco you can find different 5 star hotels. All of them have different types of services that will be ideal to spend the night, especially if you are planning to stay in Cusco for more than one day. Similarly, in Cusco and in much of the Sacred Valley you can find restaurants with better attention and preparation of Cusco, but we will detail that later.

The best train services to Machu Picchu

After arriving in Cusco and locating the best hotel of your preference. The next step is to find transportation to travel to Machu Picchu Town or Aguas Calientes. In the case of this long trip, you have two options. The first option is to make the trip with PeruRail and the second option is to make the trip with Inca Rail. Both companies have first class services. However, they differ slightly at the time of boarding the trains, in the cars and some differences in the services.

In Cusco you can find different train stations. Some of these stations provide a direct trip to Machu Picchu Town. This is only for the PeruRail transportation company. While, in the case of Inca Rail trains, they have a different service. These trains depart only from Ollantaytambo. So they offer, optionally, the bimodal transport. This service consists of starting the trip by bus in Cusco to Ollantaytambo, and from there, it is time to make the trip by train to Machu Picchu Town.

In this sense both options are practically similar, as we saw, the main difference is in the train stations. On the other hand, arriving to Ollantaytambo can mean a whole new journey and opportunities for new adventures. Ollantaytambo is located in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, a place that has different attractions and also has a warmer climate than Cusco. Likewise, in the Sacred Valley, you can find good quality hotels with excellent services. So making the trip on your own is not a far-fetched idea, as we will see below.

These trains have the ideal services to have a luxury trip. In the case of PeruRail the premium service offered is the Hiram Bingham train. While Inca Rail’s luxury train is called The First Class. In both cases live shows are offered, i.e. music and an exclusive car to dance or take advantage of the on-site bar. Something that offers an extra degree of sophistication is the presence of a gourmet menu consisting of a starter, main course and dessert. That’s not all, these trains have first class decorations. In this aspect, the Hiram Bingham train will stand out the most, as it has British Pullman style decorations.

Some ideal services for a luxury trip

In Cusco you can access to car rental services. There you can choose the model and characteristics of the vehicle you want to drive. Among the most requested models you can find sedans and some vans that would be ideal for family groups or friends of more than 4 people. In one of the vans (SUV 4×4) you can travel with total comfort, a whole family. Another option of ideal transportation travel service, you can select the vehicle and make the trip with the help of a private driver.Moreover, the service can allow you to know more places like Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Urubamba and other places in the Sacred Valley. The most important factor of this type of trips is that you can do the tours with the time you want and with the privacy and security of the case.

Another service that can be really important when touring Cusco, the Sacred Valley and even Machu Picchu (privately), is to contact a private tour guide. They have the professionalism to make tours with more detail and more emphasis on some areas. In addition, they will be able to answer any questions or other concerns that may arise during the tour of an archaeological site or simply of the city. Another positive aspect of having the help of a guide is that you will not lose any detail of the places you visit and, in addition, the guide will be able to establish an appropriate schedule of the visit in each of the places you want to visit.

In the case of restaurants, there are variations that can be ideal for any visitor to try the variations and typical dishes of Peruvian gastronomy. These restaurants; to the good fortune of tourists; can be found in Cusco, in the Sacred Valley of the Incas as in Urubamba and also in Machu Picchu Town. Probably in Machu Picchu Town, you can find more exclusive services. However, according to the Summun Awards 2023, they find, as the best restaurants in Cusco, Chicha and Ciccliona Bar de Tapas, both in Cusco. While the restaurant Mil and El Huacatay in the Sacred Valley. The first of them in the district of Maras, while the second in Urubamba, where you can also find the Tunupa restaurant. On the other hand, in Machu Picchu Town we can recommend the buffet lunch at Tinkuy and the visit to the restaurants El Indio Feliz and Full House Peruvian.

Remember to always carry (recommendations)

As these are premium services, try to make your reservation well in advance. Especially for train services. In any of the companies it is recommended to make them at least one month in advance, this so that you can make the reservation of the entrance ticket to Machu Picchu for the Circuit 3:

• Cash.
• Identity card or passport to enter museums, archaeological sites and Machu Picchu.
• Wear sunscreen and sunglasses.
• Comfortable and light clothing. Preferably light clothing during the days in Machu Picchu.
• In Cusco the temperature is likely to decrease during dusk and dawn.
• Contact agencies that are licensed by the Peruvian Ministry of Culture.
• Upon arrival at Machu Picchu it is recommended to use mosquito repellent.
• Remember that in Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu Town you can find premium services.
• To get to Huayna Picchu, you will require the specific entrance ticket. To reserve this ticket requires more than 2 months in advance.
• The best time to travel is during the month of June. Festive month of Cusco and the possibility to appreciate the Inti Raymi.
• Finally, remember that you can access the reservations of the services shown on the Internet and long before starting the trip to Peru or Cusco.

Approximate cost of luxury services