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-   -   Train Cusco to Mach Pichu and return (https://www.fodors.com/community/mexico-and-central-america/train-cusco-to-mach-pichu-and-return-763694/)

Captainwindsock Jan 26th, 2009 10:16 AM

Train Cusco to Mach Pichu and return
 
I was informed that you couldn't book this train until 3 months before departure. Anyway I'm now just under 4 months away and I thought I would try the online booking system. Surprise I could book the train but there is no availability for the return on the date I wanted. Absolute disaster. Is this likely to be true? Is there anyway round this or has any body got suggestions to resolve my potentially holiday limiting planning disaster?

Percy Jan 26th, 2009 11:18 AM

If you cannot get a return train ride back the same day.......... then you will
have to stay over night at Aguas Calientes....

this is the little village at the base of Machu Picchu.

The early the next morning you can go back up to Machu Picchu and watch the sunrise over the whole complex...

It is quite the sight.!!

You may only go here once ...so make the most of it.

let me just add that no matter how many pictures you have seen of Machu Picchu ( and I am sure you have seen a lot)
once you
arrive at the top and look down.. it is breathtaking !!
Good Luck.

Leslie_S Jan 26th, 2009 11:30 AM

Also, the train tickets are 'given' in blocks to tour companies and if not needed could evenutally be put back in the system. Not sure how close to the departure date that happens but you could check every day for a while & see if anything opens up.
Or try contacting a third party to get you the return tix. There is a recommendation on trip advisor of a woman who has access - maybe a search there would help you.
Or a Cusco travel agency.

Good luck!


detraveler Jan 26th, 2009 01:33 PM

Did you check for return tickets to Ollanta? I bet they are not sold out and there are many time options. You could spend the night there to see the ruins in the morning or take a taxi back to Cusco from Ollanta that night. It is faster than taking the train the whole way back to Cusco anyway. I think it saves 30 minutes or more.

crellston Jan 26th, 2009 11:22 PM

I agree with detraveller. Check out the availability from Ollantaytambo (a great little town in its own right and ceratinly worth oa day or two) We booked in August at the station in Cuzco and there was plenty of availbility even for the next day. Also, are you aware that tehre are 2 types of train, the Vistadome and teh backpacker. Both are perfectly acceptable. We went out on one and back on the other. It would be nice to see dawn over MP but AC is a dump IMHO and that would be the only reason for staying there. Also, if you really have mony to burn then the Hirham Bingham may be worth investigating.

book_it Jan 28th, 2009 07:59 PM

Here is an email of a person who helped me book a peru rail ticket directly. Their web site was temporarily 'down' and somehow I got her name and email. Perhaps she can help you too.
Good luck.

Her name is Maria Olimpia Palomino.

[email protected]

P.S. Did anybody else get a 'Fashion show' on the way back from M.P.? Music came on and staff walked up and down the aisles modeling Alpaca clothes which were then offered for sale.

globetrots Jan 28th, 2009 08:16 PM

If you are trying to book on the <a href="http://www.luxurylatinamerica.com/pe...quot;>Hiram Bingham luxury train</a>, there is one day a week it doesn't run. So you would need to take the Vistadome back. But otherwise it must be blocked out from agencies reserving all the seats and some should open up. It's not so bad though to stay in Aguas Calientes or Ollaytantambo. Use it as an excuse to stick around for a while.


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