Reen

We are planning a trip to Machu Picchu (from Ollantayambo) in September and I am very confused about Peru Rail and baggage. I read Peru Rail's Terms and Conditions which say that each passenger is limited to just one 11 lb. bag.
We will stay overnight in Aguas Calientes and had planned to take our normal suitcases with us (one each, but well over 11 lbs.). Will we need to leave these larger bags at our hotel?

4everywhere

We had quite a bit of luggage: a really big duffle like suitcase, and one other suitcase, plus our backpacks.

We were not questioned about this, though we did get some funny looks from those who had "11 pound" bags.

The porter on the train unloaded our bags and met the Inkaterra people. Our bags were safe and sound in our suite when we arrived after our day hike from KM104.

The train personnel are lovely.

Perhaps call your hotel in AC and ask for their suggestions?

Good luck and enjoy!

Reen

I had a feeling this might be one of those "rules" that people just ignore. Did you take the Vistadome train? I was thinking that maybe the restriction is more of an issue on the backpacker trains.

Jeff_Costa_Rica

If the rule exists, it sure doesn't seem to be enforced. On each car of the Vistadome train, everbody's luggage is put on a rack in near the door and there are some huge bags that weigh a lot more than 11 pounds.

happytourist

All you need is stuff for an overnight trip, so leave your luggage back at the hotel. There isn't much room on the rail cars for luggage and because a lot of people violate the rule, it means even less room for everyone else. On the return trip you're probably going to have a lot of hikers with backpacks and that also squeezes the space. The trains are usually full this time of year--again squeezing the space.

JC98

We just came back from Peru and took the Vistadome from Ollanta to AC. Only 4 tourists and 1 tour guide with the other couple were on the train and only 1 car was running. Funny -- didn't feel like a train but a tram instead. There was more train personnel than passengers. The whole train to ourselves, and the staff arranged the seats such that 4 faced each other. And we moved everywhere to take pictures.

No enforcement of luggage limits. But we're glad that we left our luggage at our Ollanta hotel, because it would be a pain to roll them everywhere in AC. No cars there.

julies

We just came back on the backpacker both ways. No one checked lugsge, but trains both ways were completely filled with no empty seats. You will feel silly taking all of your stuff just for an overnight.

4everywhere

I agree that an overnight bag could certainly be a "convenience" if it can be accomodated.

We were travelling from Ollanta to MP (2 nites) and then MP to Cusco. There wasn't really an option for us to "leave" our bags in Ollanta, though I'm sure Percy would have taken our bags (when he left us for our last night in Ollanta) to our hotel in Cusco (where he resides...) It would not have been convenient for him, but I'm sure he would have done it for a small price.

We overpacked, and had little room to take back textiles and ceramics, as well as picture frames. I advice taking an "overnite" bag to Peru, along with an empty suitcase!

Have fun!

althom1122

Percy did keep our extra bags when we went from Ollanta to MP. We just left them in his trunk overnight. I think he may have offered, although I don't remember. It didn't seem like a big deal to him and it sure made it easier for us. He didn't charge us. So yes, if you have a guide, you might want to ask if he'll keep them for you.
Karen