PeruRail
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
PeruRail is not only one of the highest railways of the world, but also the most scenic. It is the primary mode of transportation for tourists visiting Machu Picchu. They operate extensive tourist, freight, and charter services in southern Peru. It is widely used for transporting freight between the port of Matarani and Peru's second city, Arequipa. Formerly this was known as the Ferrocarril del Sur (Peruvian Southern Railway), owned and operated by the ENAFER state company..
Contents |
[edit] Trains
[edit] Hiram Bingham
This luxury train service runs between Cuzco and Machu Picchu. The train departs from Poroy Station (20 minutes drive from the centre of Cuzco) at 9 a.m., giving a more leisurely start to the day than other PeruRail departures.
Its distinctive blue and gold livery and elegant interior upholstery in warm, inviting tones, consists of 4 cars - 2 dining cars, a bar car and a kitchen car. The price of the journey includes onboard meals with wine, entertainment, guides, bus transfers, entrance to the Ruins and afternoon tea at Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge.
[edit] Vistadome
These spectacular carriages have beautiful panoramic windows offering unsurpassed scenic views and photographic opportunities. With glass surrounding them on all sides, passengers feel as if they are part of Peru's remarkable landscape.
Vistadome is the quickest way to visit Machu Picchu and apart from the carriages of the Hiram Bingham, the most comfortable. Snacks and hot and cold refreshments are included on the journey. The Vistadome runs between Cuzco-Machu Picchu and Sacred Valley-Machu Picchu. Passengers can also board and alight in Poroy (the closest stop to Cuzco), avoiding the switchback in and out of Cuzco and saving approximately half an hour off the total journey time.
[edit] Backpacker
The Backpacker carriages are created for our adventure passengers or for those seeking comfort and security, without all the frills.
These carriages offer travellers a true Peruvian experience. Seats are upholstered with indigenous fabrics, giving a touch of local flavour.
Snacks are served on this service and additional storage space is available for backpacks.
Backpacker runs between Cuzco-Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley-Machu Picchu and Cuzco-Lake Titicaca.
[edit] First class on the Andean Explorer
The Andean Explorer is exquisitely decorated in the fine manner of the great Pullman trains of the 1920’s and boasts a full fleet of refurbished coaches including dining cars and an open-air observation bar car, which is unique in South America.
On the journey passengers are served a three course lunch in the dining car followed by coffee served in the observation-bar car.
The Andean Explorer runs between Cuzco and Lake Titicaca. This service, full of romance and style, unites two of Peru’s top tourist destinations.
[edit] Routes
The tracks start at Matarani port, goes through Arequipa city and enters Puno state, where it splits in two at Juliaca. The eastern branch goes to Puno city; the western branch runs into Cuzco, through Cuzco city, passing through Machu Picchu and ending at the Quillabamba Valley. Originally the railroad was built for the purpose of transporting the valley's agricultural products toward the coast.
Currently, as of March 2006, there are six routes:
- Cusco-Machu Picchu
- Cusco-Machu Picchu (Hiram Bingham)
- Cusco-Juliaca
- Cusco-Puno
- Arequipa-Juliaca
- Cusco-Arequipa (via Juliaca)
[edit] Timetables
[edit] Cuzco-Macchu Picchu:
| Train | Destination | Departs | Arrives |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hiram Bingham | Cuzco (Poroy) Machu Picchu Machu Picchu Cuzco (Poroy) |
9.00 - 18.00 - |
- 12.30 - 21.25 |
| Vistadome 1 | Cuzco Machu Picchu Machu Picchu Cuzco |
6.00 - 15.30 - |
- 9.40 - 19.20 |
| Vistadome 2 | Cuzco Machu Picchu Machu Picchu Cuzco |
7.00 - 17.00 - |
- 11.00 - 21.25 |
| Backpacker | Cuzco Machu Picchu Machu Picchu Cuzco |
6.15 - 15.55 - |
- 10.10 - 20.20 |
[edit] Sacred Valley-Machu Picchu:
| Train | Destination | Departs | Arrives |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vistadome 1 | Urubamba Ollantaytambo Machu Picchu |
9.00 - 18.00 - |
- 12.30 - 21.25 |
| Vistadome 2 | Machu Picchu Ollantaytambo |
6.00 - 15.30 - |
- 9.40 - 19.20 |
| Vistadome 3 | Ollantaytambo Machu Picchu |
7.00 - 17.00 - |
- 11.00 - 21.25 |
| Vistadome 4 | Machu Picchu Ollantaytambo |
6.15 - 15.55 - |
- 10.10 - 20.20 |
| Vistadome 5 | Ollantaytambo Machu Picchu |
6.15 - 15.55 - |
- 10.10 - 20.20 |
| Vistadome 6 | Machu Picchu Ollantaytambo Urubamba |
6.15 - 15.55 - |
- 10.10 - 20.20 |
| Backpacker Shuttle 1 | Ollantaytambo Machu Picchu |
6.15 - 15.55 - |
- 10.10 - 20.20 |
| Backpacker 2 | Machu Picchu Ollantaytambo |
6.15 - 15.55 - |
- 10.10 - 20.20 |
[edit] Cuzco-Lake Titicaca
| Departs | Arrives | |
|---|---|---|
| Cuzco-Lake Titicaca Cuzco (Cuzco) La Raya (Scenic stop) Juliaca Puno (Lake Titicaca) |
8.00 - 16.35 - |
- - 16.30 17.30 |
| Lake Titicaca-Cuzco Cuzco (Cuzco) La Raya (Scenic stop) Juliaca Puno (Lake Titicaca) |
8.00 9.15 - - |
9.00 - 18.00 - |
[edit] Freight
PeruRail runs daily freight services between the port of Matarani, the city of Arequipa, and the Andean cities of Juliaca, Puno, and Cusco. Under PeruRail's administration the tonnage transported increased from 460,000 tons during 1999, 573,000 tons in 2000 to 639,000 tons during 2001.
The main products transported by PeruRail are fuel, wheat (for Peruvian and Bolivian consumption), coal, cement, soya flour from Bolivia, coffee, beer and non-alcoholic beverages.
[edit] Interesting facts
- The line between Cuzco and Machu Picchu is a narrow gauge line, while the lines on all the other routes are standard gauge.
- Currently the only way to get from Cuzco to Machu Picchu is by train. There are no roads and helicopter services have been suspended indefinitely.
- The Cuzco to Machu Picchu route boasts a series of 5 switchbacks called locally 'El Zig-Zag', which enable the train to climb up the steep incline out of Cuzco before it can begin its descent to the Sacred Valley and then continue on down to Machu Picchu. 'El Zig-Zag' allows stunning views over all of Cuzco right down into the Plaza de Armas and this view is particularly spectacular at night when the whole city is illuminated, as seen on the return journey from Machu Picchu.
- The interior of the First Class coaches on the Cuzco to Lake Titicaca route were designed by James Park & Associates, the same company who designed the elegant First Class cabins for Singapore Airlines. The actual work, however, was done in Cuzco by Cusquenian workers.
- After the renovation of the new coaches was completed, a traditional ceremony 'Pago a la Tierra' (payment to Mother Earth), an Andean tradition, was organised to 'bless' the train. A local shaman presided over the ceremony, which involves many traditional rites.
- The railway line to Lake Titicaca is was the highest regular passenger rail route in the world, until opening of the Chinese railway to Tibet in 2006. At its highest point, La Raya, the altitude is 4313 metres. The train makes a stop in La Raya where there is an exquisite view over all the plains to the snowcapped mountains, and a beautiful old chapel, standing all alone in the middle of the Andean plateau.
