Train to Machu Picchu: Inca Rail or Peru Rail
When going to Machu Picchu, there’s 2 rail you can choose from, the Inca Rail or Peru Rail. Don’t know what to choose, so why not try both.
We booked Inca Rail going to Machu Picchu and booked the Peru Rail going back to Cusco. We didn’t booked the expensive one, rather we booked the one next to the cheapest seat.
When we arrived at Cusco Airport, the Inca Rail told us that the printed ticket was not the ticket yet. So she gave us one based on our reference number. When we arrived at the the Inca Rail office, which is like 30 minutes from the Cusco Airport, the staff checked our tickets and said we can just sit and have some snacks and some coca tea.
Our trip is not until past 10:00 am. So we had 2 hours to killed, and just read some book that they have. And the time comes, that our van is arrived. I’m so sleepy but the travel time was like 2 hour, and we will need to have to ride a train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes.
When we arrived to Ollantaytambo, we have to wait again for like 30 mins, again they have coca tea to help on altitude sickness.
When it’s time to leave, the staff lead us to where we should wait and to call or letter to where car we should ride. The Inca Rail train is nice and clean. I guess you can bring carry on, as there’s no space for big luggage, there is but not enough, we place ours in between seats. Our ticket includes lunch, which have wrap, orange, a bar of chocolate and some tea.
After some time, or after eating your lunch, they will let you see the view. It was a short trip and then we were in Aguas Calientes.
Now let’s see Peru Rail. We booked our return ticket with Peru Rail to Cusco. They are on time too, and nice and clean too. Also doesn’t have space for some big luggage, so you can put them in between seats. We read in their website that they have a certain size for carry on and ours is a little bit big, so we email them, to request to allow us to bring our carry on specifying the dimensions and the ticket numbers, and they responded that they approved.
We got our seats, they started serving our dinner, which has wrap, cookie and tea. The view is amazing too, well it’s hard to take a picture sometimes.
I’ve read that Peru Rail have some show/entertainment inside the train. Knowing this, I still got scared when the when it came out. Dancers of Saqra, show us the traditional dance of Puaucartambo, Cusco. Really cool, but kids might get frightened with the mask. But overall it’s good.
After gracing us with some traditional dance, they also prepared an elegant fashion show, to display their collection of Baby Alpaca ponchos. Which are really stylish.
Overall our trip was nice, though instead of 4 hours trip, it went to 5 hours trip.
Verdict, I like both, they are both the same, and I’m glad I was able to tried them both. Although I haven’t yet to try the luxury seats, I bet it’s great.
