PeruRail
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| PeruRail | |
|---|---|
| Locale | Peru |
| Predecessor | Ferrocarril del Sur (ENAFER) |
| Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 81⁄2 in) some 914 mm (3 ft) |
| Website | http://www.perurail.com |
PeruRail is a railway operator working tourist, freight, and charter services in southern Peru.
The main line between the port of Matarani, Arequipa (Peru's second city), Cuzco and Puno on Lake Titicaca was formerly known as the Ferrocarril del Sur (Peru Southern Railway), and was for a time owned and operated by the ENAFER state company. It is one of the highest railways of the world.
From Cuzco, PeruRail provides passenger services on the 3 ft (0.91 m) gauge Ferrocarril Santa Ana to Aguas Calientes, delivering tourists for Machu Picchu.
It operates in a 50-50 venture with Orient-Express Hotels and Peruvian partners, namely Lorenzo Sousa Debarbieri.[1]
Contents |
[edit] Routes
The tracks start at Matarani port, go through Arequipa and enter Puno Region, where the line splits in two at Juliaca. The eastern branch goes to Puno; the western branch runs into Cuzco. Here a change of station is required to take the services to Aguas Calientes in the Quillabamba Valley. Originally the railroad was built for the purpose of transporting the valley's agricultural products toward the coast.
[edit] Passenger routes
As of May 2009, there are four passenger routes:
- Poroy-Machu Picchu
- Poroy-Machu Picchu (Hiram Bingham)
- Ollantaytambo-Machu Picchu
- Cuzco-Puno
The following passenger routes are no longer operated:
[edit] Trains
On the route from Cuzco to Machu Picchu, PeruRail operates four different class trains.[2]
The Hiram Bingham is a luxury train service named for Machu Picchu's American discoverer, Hiram Bingham, departing from Poroy Station (20 minutes drive from the center of Cuzco) at 9 a.m., later than other departures. Meals, guides, bus service and entrance to the ruins are included. ($588 round trip for 2008)
Vistadome service is provided in cars with large side and overhead windows, allowing views of the mountainous terrain. Simple snacks and refreshments are included. ($142 round trip for 2008)
Backpacker trains offer basic service in upholstered seats at a lower price. Snacks are sold and space is provided for backpacks, particularly for Inca Trail hikers. ($96 round trip for 2008)
Although not advertised, PeruRail also offers local trains equipped with wooden seats and that are available only to Peruvian nationals for a fraction of the price charged for tourists. Conversely, Peruvians are not allowed to travel with the tourists, even if the national is willing to pay the more expensive ticket. PeruRail has been cited many times as one of the most racist services in Cuzco.[3]
First class service is also offered on the Andean Explorer train from Cuzco to Puno in refurbished coaches that include dining cars and an open-air observation bar car. Lunch is included. ($143 one-way for 2008)
The interiors of the First Class coaches on the Cuzco to Lake Titicaca trains 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 refurbishment 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 involved many traditional rites.
[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 |
| Vistadome 1 | Machu Picchu Ollantaytambo Urubamba |
12.30 - - |
- - 21.25 |
| Vistadome 2 | Machu Picchu Ollantaytambo Ollantaytambo Machu Picchu |
6.00 - 15.30 - |
- 9.40 - 19.20 |
| Vistadome 3 | Ollantaytambo Machu Picchu Machu Picchu Ollantaytambo |
7.00 - 17.00 - |
- 11.00 - 21.25 |
| Vistadome 4 | Machu Picchu Ollantaytambo Ollantaytambo Machu Picchu |
6.15 - 15.55 - |
- 10.10 - 20.20 |
| Vistadome 5 | Ollantaytambo Machu Picchu Machu Picchu Ollantaytambo |
6.15 - 15.55 - |
- 10.10 - 20.20 |
| Vistadome 6 | Machu Picchu Ollantaytambo Urubamba |
6.15 - - |
- - 15.55 |
| Vistadome 6 | Urubamba Ollantaytambo Machu Picchu |
10.10 - - |
- - 20.20 |
| Backpacker Shuttle 1 | Ollantaytambo Machu Picchu Machu Picchu Ollantaytambo |
6.15 - 15.55 - |
- 10.10 - 20.20 |
| Backpacker 2 | Machu Picchu Ollantaytambo Ollantaytambo Machu Picchu |
6.15 - 15.55 - |
- 10.10 - 20.20 |
[edit] Cuzco-Lake Titicaca
| Train | Departs | Arrives |
|---|---|---|
| Cuzco-Lake Titicaca Cuzco (Cuzco) La Raya pass (Scenic stop) Juliaca Puno (Lake Titicaca) |
8.00 - 16.35 - |
- - 16.30 17.30 |
| Lake Titicaca-Cuzco Puno (Lake Titicaca) Juliaca La Raya pass (Scenic stop) Cuzco (Cuzco) |
8.00 9.15 - - |
9.00 - 18.00 |
At its highest point, La Raya pass, the altitude is 4,313 m (14,150 ft). The train makes a stop in La Raya pass 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.
14°28′59″S 70°59′20″W / 14.48306°S 70.98889°W
[edit] Freight
PeruRail runs daily freight services between the port of Matarani, the city of Arequipa, and the Andean cities of Juliaca, Puno, and Cuzco. 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] Train ferry
A train ferry operates from Puno to Guaqui in Bolivia.
[edit] Route description
The line between Cuzco and Machu Picchu is a 3 ft (914 mm) narrow gauge line, while all other the lines are standard gauge 4 ft 81⁄2 in (1,435 mm).
The Cuzco to Machu Picchu route boasts a series of five 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 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.
Currently the only legal way to depart Machu Picchu (actually from the town, Aguas Calientes) is by train; hiking along the train tracks is logistically possible and prohibited. There are no roads from the town and helicopter services have been suspended indefinitely. In addition to the train, visitors can reach Machu Picchu via several inbound hiking trails, including the Classic Trail (four-day trek) from Cuzco, but there is no hiking back the other way on the Inca Trail.
[edit] External links
- Main website in Spanish and English
- PeruRail Timetables
- Ladatco Tours
- Peru Rail Map
- Brief historical summary of the railroads in Peru
[edit] See also
[edit] Further reading
- Whetham, Robert D. (2008). Railways of Peru. Volume 2 – The Central and Southern Lines. Bristol: Trackside Publications. ISBN 978-1-900095-37-2.
- [Thomas, Daniel] (June-July 2002). "Cuzco to Machu Picchu". Latin Tracks 9: 16–22.
[edit] References
- ^ Stock.us.reuters.com – retrieved November 8, 2007.
- ^ www.orient-express.com– retrieved November 9, 2007.
- ^ Nauseapolitica: CUZCO : Un Lugar Para No Visitar ??
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