Train

PeruRail (www.perurail.com) is the most established operator in Peru. The route between Cusco and Puno is only offered as sleeper-car service and it departs Cusco on Tuesday and returns from Puno on Wednesday. Another package has you departing on Thursday morning, visiting Lake Titicaca, and continuing on to Arequipa. Three classes of daily service to Machu Picchu depart from Cusco's Poroy station, about 20 minutes from the Plaza de Armas. Trains depart early in the morning—with the luxury Hiram Bingham service departing from Poroy at 9:05 am. Trains depart throughout the day from the Ollantaytambo station. Those departing from the San Pedro station located right in Cusco should be avoided due to the lengthy switchback to get out of the city. Purchase tickets in advance from the PeruRail sales office in the Plaza de Armas, online, or from a travel agency. Inca Rail (www.incarail.com) also has trains from Cusco, Poroy, and Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu.