Inca Rail: 360° Panoramic Train

This train is one of the best options offered by Inca Rail to achieve the expected trip to Machu Picchu. The main characteristic of this train is that it has large windows and an open-air wagon ideal for viewing the landscapes that connect Ollantaytambo with Machu Picchu. In other words, you will be able to enjoy the geographical change and feel like you are entering the Cusco jungle. The 360° Train is an ideal train to make this type of trip, connect with nature and make a comfortable trip; you can enjoy it alone in the company of your loved ones.

Can I trust the services of Inca Rail?

Inca Rail services are managed by the investment fund The Carlyle Peru Fund, since 2016. Being a strong investment revealed a lot of interest and the need for more train tickets so that travelers worldwide can reach Machu Picchu. After this transaction of this group of investors, Inca Rail operated focusing on the bimodal service. The bimodal service consists of making a first route from Cusco to Ollantaytambo by bus, once at the Ollantaytambo train station, access the train service to Aguas Calientes or Machu Picchu Pueblo.

Inca Rail encourages the participation of Peruvian workers. Inca Rail has luxury services and also private and exclusive carriages for only 8 people. On the other hand, it is also part of the CROSLAND group, a company that has been doing business for more than 50 years. As the case of different investments and exports in Peru and worldwide, focusing lately on the tourism sector.

For its part, Inca Rail during 2020 and for the services provided in that year, achieved the recognition granted by Tripadvisor, receiving the “Travellers Award Choice”. This award, collects information on the best activities and travel experiences around the world, which end up being rewarded for popularity and the recommendations they receive. In this sense, the experience of traveling on Inca Rail trains has the trust of thousands of people.

Train 360° of Inca Rail

As its name indicates, the Inca Rail 360° Train is one of the trains that provides a travel experience like no other. Each car on this train has panoramic windows on both sides that allow a contemplative trip from Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu Pueblo. To this incredible experience, we must add the service on board that has nothing to envy. The exclusive wagon for this service is the one that is outdoors and is known as the Inca Rail observatory wagon. The place from where you can have a better view of the entire landscape and the river that will accompany us during the trip.

Courtesy snacks and drinks are provided inside the carriages. These snacks are made with inputs typical of the Cusco region. All of them have the name of the ancient Inca emperors, this being a way to pay homage to the history of ancient Peru. At the moment it does not have many schedules, but the options are perfectly accommodated for day trips to Machu Picchu.

Inca Rail has been operating since 2014, precisely in the month of June. Each of the Inca Rail trains has 6 wagons or, to be more specific, automatons. All of them have the name of the ancient Inca emperors, this being a way to pay homage to the history of ancient Peru. At the moment it does not have many schedules, but the options are perfectly accommodated for day trips to Machu Picchu.

Services on board the train

The services that are presented on board the 360° Train have the necessary comfort in each of its seats. In each of the wagons, only 30 people can enter. All of them will have access to the observatory coach and also to the services that we will present below:

• You will be able to enter the Inca Rail Waiting Room in Ollantaytambo.
• Exclusive outdoor wagon ideal for contemplating nature or observatory wagon.
• Wide and panoramic windows.
• You will have the support of a qualified staff who will resolve your doubts and concerns.
• You will enjoy free snacks and drinks.
• The snacks are made with ingredients from the region.
• Seats that you can reserve at the time of making your purchase.
• Each of the seats is comfortable and spacious. All of them are located in front of a small table.
• In the train facilities, you can find USB ports to charge mobile devices or any that have a USB port as a source.
• It has a staging of the drama Ollantay, which takes place in each wagon.
• During the outward journey, the drama Ollantay, the first part, is staged.
• On the return trip (Aguas Calientes – Ollantaytambo), the drama Ollantay continues, but this time, the second part.

Departure time, stations, and arrival time

The departure of the Inca Rail 360° Train

*Both departure from or arrival at Av. El Sol 843 – Cusco. It is considered a bimodal service.

Why travel on the Inca Rail 360° Train?

The Inca Rail 360° Train has many services and benefits that position it as one of the best trains to get to Machu Picchu. It is well known that Machu Picchu is located in the high jungle of the Andes Mountains that belongs to Cusco. In this sense, getting to this place is possible only by walking or hiking trails and by the train transport service. Visiting Machu Picchu takes approximately a whole day. That is, it is possible to visit it for a whole day.

It is for this reason that accessing the Inca Rail services is an excellent option, especially for those who wish to have a comfortable trip from Cusco. As we already mentioned, the bimodal service is common in Inca Rail services, for this reason, they locate the starting point in a central place in Cusco for the starting point of their operations. In case you want to spend the night in the Sacred Valley, you can also access the services of this train with total comfort and be able to continue with the trip to Machu Picchu Pueblo or Aguas Calientes.

At any of the times you choose, you can have an unforgettable experience, and be able to appreciate the vast nature that surrounds the entire path. Throughout the trip, you will know and understand why the Sacred Valley receives that name since you will see the abundant corn planting and other crops on extensive land. As the train approaches Machu Picchu, the geographic change will be noticed, where we will see the thick vegetation that covers the entire landscape in green.

The schedules are also adjusted for those wanting adventure or hiking to Machu Picchu. The first departure time from Cusco or Ollantaytambo (04:50 a.m. and 07:22 a.m.), is ideal for those who want to get off at kilometer 104 and want to do the Short Inca Trail. Those who wish to do this can reach Machu Picchu through the impressive Inti Punku from where they will have a spectacular view of the entire archaeological site.

Recommendations during my trip to Machu Picchu

Traveling to Machu Picchu always leaves an experience like no other. From the contact with the city of Cusco and all the different previous or subsequent activities that are carried out, they have no point of comparison with Machu Picchu, a citadel that touches the clouds and that plays with gravity by being located near cliffs and mountains of great altitude. Therefore, we leave you some tips that can help you on your trip to Machu Picchu:

• Remember to make your reservation of the ticket to Machu Picchu in advance of more than a month.
• Making a reservation helps to better plan the activities of the trip.
• To make use of the reservations, you must present your ID or Passport, both with valid validity.
• In case you want to go hiking, remember to wear comfortable and resistant shoes. Preferably always wear ideal hiking shoes.
• Always wear sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses.
• To enter Machu Picchu, access is only allowed with a small backpack.
• You will not be able to enter while intoxicated.
• The entry of alcoholic beverages is not allowed either.
• Professional recordings or large digital equipment are not allowed.
• 5 circuits can be done in Machu Picchu.
• Remember to be 30 minutes before the train departure time. This is to avoid problems or that it does not arrive on time.