The Belmond Hiram Bingham Train Spring 2026

The Belmond Hiram Bingham

A Journey Of Rare Splendor Through Peru’s Sacred Valley

Time seems to loosen its grip the moment one steps into the orbit of the Belmond Hiram Bingham. What began in 1913 with Hiram Bingham’s rugged trek through the highlands and cloud forests—his quest to rediscover the lost Inca citadel—now unfolds as a leisurely passage through some of the most enchanting landscapes on earth. At Poroy Station, just outside Cusco, the spirit of that early adventure is revived with champagne toasts, live Andean music, and the warm welcome of attendants dressed in traditional textiles that honor centuries of Peruvian craft.

The train’s recent enhancements only heighten its old-world charm. Refined mahogany paneling gleams under newly restored brass sconces, while upgraded climate controls and sound-softening interiors preserve an atmosphere of unhurried serenity. New sustainability-driven touches—locally sourced textiles, regional botanicals in the flower arrangements, and a culinary program centered on Andean producers—quietly signal the next chapter of Belmond’s thoughtful luxury.

Machu Picchu In Unrivaled Vintage Luxury

Soon after departure, the train glides into a world of deep ravines, terraced hillsides carved by ancient hands, and sweeping views of the snow-tipped Andean peaks. Knowledgeable guides point out the Inca stronghold of Ollantaytambo and seasonal waterfalls that appear like fleeting strokes of light across the rock face.

Cusco to Machu Picchu

Settled into a plush dining car lined with rich wood and gleaming tableware, guests experience the journey’s signature seduction: a seamless duet of landscape and hospitality. A brunch of Peruvian ingredients—sometimes featuring trout from the Sacred Valley, native tubers, and delicate Amazonian fruits—is served beneath crystal chandeliers that sway gently as the train curves toward the Urubamba River.

Between courses, passengers drift to the glass-domed observation carriage, where sunlight pools across the floorboards and cocktails are mixed with cinematic flair. In the classic bar, the bartender, David, shakes a Pisco Sour with a historian’s reverence and a showman’s ease. Recent upgrades to the bar menu introduce seasonal signature cocktails inspired by local botanicals—muña mint, Andean herbs, and the soft floral notes of tumbo. Musicians play huaynos and traditional Andean melodies, their rhythms rising and falling with the contours of the Sacred Valley.

At the rear of the train, the open-air viewing platform offers a rush of crisp mountain air and the illusion of gliding through clouds. Traveling at elevations above 11,000 feet, passengers watch as the terrain shifts from highland austerity to the lush embrace of the cloud forest.

After three and a half hours—time that evaporates with impossible speed—the train pulls into Aguas Calientes, the gateway to Machu Picchu. Belmond staff escort guests seamlessly to luxury shuttles and, for those continuing onward, to the recently refreshed Sanctuary Lodge at the entrance of the citadel, where priority access and curated cultural programming further elevate the journey.

With its impeccable service, nuanced updates, and enduring romance, the Belmond Hiram Bingham remains one of the world’s truly great railway experiences. A passage not simply to Machu Picchu, but to a rarified state of wonder.Belmond Hiram Bingham.