I am finding the Peru Rail web site a bit unclear.

We are considering arriving to Cusco by air from Lima and then travel on to Ollantaytambo, all within the same day.

The web site of Peru Rail is really Orient Express and they only show journeys between Cusco and Machu Picchu or between Urubamba and Machu Picchu (with stops in Ollantaytambo). According to the web site, one cannot get from Cusco to Urubamba.

Is there rail transport that is later in the day that will get us from Cusco to Ollantaytambo? Or, will we need to hire a car?

Thanks, Rod

I think you're actually better to have your hotel pick you up or hire a cab.....the train trip from Cusco to Urubamba or Ollantaytambo is quite a bit longer than just driving (due to a lengthy series of switchbacks to get out of Cusco).....so a lot of people hire a car/driver instead.

Agree with Elizabeth - going by car is cheaper and shorter. Taxis are readily available if you haven't hired a driver in advance. Be sure to agree on the rate before getting in - and make sure it's the total rate, not per person.
If you read my trip report (type Karen and Julie in the search box), you'll see that's exactly what we did - transfer from Lima to Cusco and then directly to Ollantaytambo all on the same day (we stopped at the market in Chinchero since it was a Sunday). We hired a driver/guide, and he was wonderful, but you can easily find a taxi.
Karen

The trains from Cusco leave only 6-6:30 a.m. or so. Your flight from Lima wouldn't arrive in time for you to catch those trains. Those trains don't stop in Urubamba either.

Elizabeth, Karen and Jeff:

Thanks for the reply, as well as the other info that you have posted.

Karen, I have read your report a couple of times, in fact I have printed it out; all 15 pages .

Our trip is in March and we are now in the process of getting serious with our itinerary so we can make as many of the arrangements as possible in advance. We will be in Peru over Easter week and think we must reserve early.

Our rough itinerary, at this point, is to spend the first two nights in Lima (we arrive and depart via the Continental flight from Newark as did Karen). We have a total of 16 nights in Peru.

As mentioned above we wish to get to Ollantaytambo the day we leave Lima and spend (probably) three nights there and day trip to other parts of the valley over the two free days.

Ollantaytambo to Agues Calientes for one night giving us two days at Machu Picchu, then on to Cusco for three nights

Next, we will fly from Cusco to Arequipa and spend two nights there.

From Arequipa we will travel to Colca Valley where we will spend three nights, probably in Chivay and day trip from there to other parts of that valley.

Return to Arequipa for one additional night (Easter Sunday) before our flight to Lima where we will spend our last night in Peru.

I hesitate to wait until the day of our homeward flight to make the flight from Arequipa to Lima for fear of weather delay. March is still in the rainy season.

It was hard to eliminate Lake Titicaca from our original itinerary but we really want to go to Arequipa and Colca. That additional stop would make us have to shorten our visits to the other places. We would rather not feel rushed.

Rod

Rod - I think you're making the right decision to eliminate Lake Titicaca rather than trying "to do it all." I considered Arequipa also, but we just didn't have enough days. I don't think you could go wrong. We loved Peru. Sounds like you'll have enough time for some savoring! We'll be looking for a trip report.

Karen,

In your report you stated that you took the train back to Ollantaytambo from Aguas Callentes where you met your driver for the trip to Cusco. Did you consider using the train all the way to Cusco? I realize that the car may have been less expensive and you got to make another stop along the way. Which method is quicker?

Gracias,

Rod

Rod - it's definitely quicker by car. The entire train route from AC to Cusco is over 4 hours - evidently the last part of the train journey involves a number of switchbacks that take a long time. From AC to Ollanta is about an hour and 15 minutes on the train - plus an hour, maybe hour and a half, drive.

Quicker, less expensive and you get taken directly to the hotel, I like that.

Rod:

We took a taxi from Cusco to Oll., then the train next day to AC and Machu Pichu. On the way back, we took the train almost all the way back to Cusco, but got out at the railway station before Cusco, because at that point the train starts going into the switch backs and it takes a long time.

The train ride back from AC was fun, because they put on a music and fashion show. The goal is for the train to sell clothing and it's more expensive than the markets, but its an enjoyable afternoon and the scenery is great.

Don't waste your time with the web site; it's confusing and undependable. We had the hotel in Cusco buy our tickets for us ahead of time and it was worth the small extra commission.

By the way, once you get to AC, try to take the very early morning bus us to M.P. to watch the sunrise over the ruins. It's awesome! Also, be sure to take the side hike up to Waina Pichu for a great view back down over the ruins; it takes about an hour.

Pelar