Cox & Kings · Small Group Tour

Train to Machu Picchu (Superior)

16-day small group tour through Peru to Machu Picchu by rail

Train to Machu Picchu (Superior), a rail journey with Cox & Kings

Cox & Kings operates this 16-day small group tour across Peru, priced as one of the operator's offer departures with a flexible deposit available if booked by 31 July 2026. The tour starts in Lima and ends with a flight home via Lima, after an overnight stay at Machu Picchu itself. The route moves overland by private vehicle between Arequipa, Colca Canyon and Lake Titicaca, with full days built around named sites such as the Santa Catalina convent, the floating Uros reed islands and the Inca fortress at Ollantaytambo. Two scenic trains cover the higher stretches of the journey: the Titicaca train, with lunch or a pisco sour served in its observation car as the altiplano rolls past, and the Vistadome train on to Machu Picchu. An experienced local tour manager accompanies the group, which averages 14 people and caps at 18. It suits travelers who want Peru's major historic and archaeological sites covered in depth, with 4- and 5-star hotels and porterage arranged, plus the option to upgrade to a Luxury Collection hotel in Cuzco.

What to know before you look closer

  • The route includes long overland drives: roughly 4 hours to Colca Canyon, partly on unpaved roads, and roughly 6 hours on to Puno and Lake Titicaca.
  • Only 3 of the 16 days include a rail leg (the Titicaca train to Cuzco, the Vistadome to Machu Picchu, and the return rail journey to Cuzco); the rest of the route is covered by flight and private vehicle.
  • The Sacred Valley hotel is named in the itinerary as 'Casa Andina Premium Sacred Valley (or similar),' so the actual property may vary.
  • A paid upgrade to the Palacio del Inka, a Luxury Collection Hotel, is available on days 9, 13 and 14 for an additional GBP 165 per person; the standard package uses Casa Andina Premium Cuzco on those nights.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Casa Andina Premium Miraflores

    Fly to Lima

    Fly from London (regional connections available) to Lima and transfer to the Casa Andina Premium Miraflores.

  2. Day 2overnight: Casa Andina Premium Miraflores

    Lima

    Take a half-day city tour, including Casa Aliaga, the oldest colonial mansion in Lima, and the architectural masterpiece of San Francisco monastery.

  3. Day 3overnight: Wyndham Costa del Sol Arequipa

    Fly to Arequipa

    Fly over the Andes to Arequipa, a city of white buildings and colonnaded plazas surrounded by ice-capped volcanoes. Transfer to the Costa del Sol Wyndham for 2 nights.

  4. Day 4overnight: Wyndham Costa del Sol Arequipa

    Arequipa

    Full-day city tour, including the beautiful Santa Catalina convent, which dates from the 16th century, and the Juanita Mummy Museum.

  5. Day 5overnight: Aranwa Pueblito Encantado del Colca

    Colca Canyon

    Drive into the Andes towards Colca Canyon (approx. 4 hours, partly on unpaved roads, with stops en route). The scenery is breathtaking, with the terraces of the Colca Valley and herds of llamas scattered around. Stay for 2 nights at Aranwa Colca Hotel.

  6. Day 6overnight: Aranwa Pueblito Encantado del Colca

    Colca Canyon

    Early morning excursion to Condor’s Cross to see magnificent condors flying over the canyon. Visit the town of Maca, famed for its pre-Columbian textiles. Afternoon at leisure.

  7. Day 7overnight: GHL Hotel Lago Titicaca

    Lake Titicaca

    Travel by road to Puno and Lake Titicaca (approx. 6 hours). Stay 2 nights at the GHL Hotel Lago Titicaca on the shore of the lake.

  8. Day 8overnight: GHL Hotel Lago Titicaca

    Lake Titicaca

    Take a full-day tour of the floating Uros reed islands and Taquile Island.

  9. Day 9railovernight: Casa Andina Premium Cuzco

    Train to Cuzco

    Take the stylish Titicaca train to Cuzco (approximately 10 hours). Relax over lunch or with a pisco sour in the observation car as you pass through rolling Andean plains where vicuñas and alpacas may be seen. Overnight at Casa Andina Premium Cuzco.

  10. Day 10overnight: Casa Andina Premium Sacred Valley Hotel & Villas

    Chinchero - Sacred Valley

    Travel by road to the indigenous village of Chinchero to see its Inca terraces and a traditional weaving demonstration. Continue to the Sacred Valley and stay 2 nights at Casa Andina Premium Sacred Valley (or similar).

  11. Day 11overnight: Casa Andina Premium Sacred Valley Hotel & Villas

    Sacred Valley

    Half-day visit to the Inca fortress at Ollantaytambo, an astounding feat of construction and ingenuity. Afternoon at leisure.

  12. Day 12railovernight: Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel

    Machu Picchu

    Drive to Ollanta and take the Vistadome train to Machu Picchu. Tour the spectacular ruins and stay overnight at the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Hotel.

  13. Day 13railovernight: Casa Andina Premium Cuzco

    Cuzco

    Morning at leisure or further explore Machu Picchu (purchase ticket at time of booking). Return to Cuzco by rail and transfer to the Casa Andina Premium Cuzco for 2 nights.

  14. Day 14overnight: Casa Andina Premium Cuzco

    Cuzco

    Half-day tour of the Inca capital including the San Blas district, the cathedral and the extraordinary Temple of the Sun at Coricancha. Afternoon is at leisure or take an optional excursion to the Pre-Columbian Art Museum or the ruins of Sacsayhuamán, before your farewell dinner that evening.

  15. Day 15

    Fly to London via Lima.

  16. Day 16

    Arrive London

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 6An early-morning excursion to Condor's Cross offers views of condors flying over Colca Canyon, followed by a visit to the town of Maca, known for its pre-Columbian textiles.
  • Day 8A full-day tour visits the floating Uros reed islands and Taquile Island on Lake Titicaca.
  • Day 9The Titicaca train crosses the altiplano from Puno to Cuzco in about 10 hours, with lunch or a pisco sour served in the observation car as vicuñas and alpacas may be seen along the way.
  • Day 12The Vistadome train carries travelers from Ollanta to Machu Picchu, where the tour includes an overnight stay in Aguas Calientes at the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel.
  • Day 14A half-day tour of Cuzco takes in the San Blas district, the cathedral and the Temple of the Sun at Coricancha, followed by a farewell dinner that evening.

Included

  • Flexible 2026 deposits - book your 2026 journey with a flexible deposit when you book by 31 July 2026
  • Small group size - average 14 people (max 18)
  • 4- & 5-star accommodation
  • Experienced local tour manager
  • Welcome drink & a farewell dinner
  • Flexible-extensions, room and flight upgrades available
  • Porterage at hotels
  • Inti Raymi & Easter departures
  • International flights
  • Internal flights

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes. Two scenic trains are included: the Titicaca train from Puno to Cuzco in an observation car, about 10 hours, and the Vistadome from Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu.
Is this trip guided or independent?
It is a Cox & Kings small group tour with an experienced local tour manager. The group averages 14 people with a maximum of 18.
Which hotels are used?
Hotels include Casa Andina Premium Miraflores in Lima, Wyndham Costa del Sol Arequipa, Aranwa Pueblito Encantado del Colca, GHL Hotel Lago Titicaca, Casa Andina Premium Cuzco, Casa Andina Premium Sacred Valley Hotel & Villas (or similar), and the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel.
When does it depart?
The evidence lists 7 departures across July, September, October and November 2026, priced from GBP 3,795 to GBP 4,295, with a flexible deposit option if booked by 31 July 2026.
How much walking or activity is involved?
Activity level is listed as 'Moderate.' Days include full-day walking tours, a half-day visit to the Ollantaytambo fortress, and long overland drives to Colca Canyon and Puno.
What extensions or upgrades are available?
A Nazca and Paracas extension and a Peruvian Rainforest extension are listed as optional 4-day add-ons. A paid upgrade to the Palacio del Inka, a Luxury Collection Hotel, is available on days 9, 13 and 14 from GBP 165 per person.

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