Review - Hiram Bingham, A Belmond Train
Hiram Bingham, A Belmond Train
November 28th, 2024
Posts in this series:
Introduction - The Best of Peru with Belmond
Review - Copa Airlines Business Class B737-800 Ft. Lauderdale to Panama City
Review - Copa Airlines Business Class B737-800 Panama City to Lima
Review - Miraflores Park, A Belmond Hotel, Lima
Review - El Salon by Newrest Lima
Review - LATAM Airlines Premium Economy Class A319 Lima to Cusco
Review - Palacio Nazarenas, A Belmond Hotel, Cusco
Review - Hiram Bingham, A Belmond Train
Review - Sanctuary Lodge, A Belmond Hotel, Machu Picchu
Review - Avianca Business Class A320 Lima to Bogotá
Review - Emirates Business Class B777-300ER Bogotá to Miami
For the next portion of our Peruvian Thanksgiving, and undoubtedly the most exciting portion, we were boarding the Hiram Bingham train from Cusco to Machu Picchu. The first time I had heard about the Hiram Bingham train was back in 2017. I actually heard about the train before I even knew about Machu Picchu. Named after the American explorer Hiram Bingham, who first publicized the site of Machu Picchu to the world, this train line is currently the most luxurious way to visit this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Practically speaking, for most travelers, taking a train is the only way to get to Machu Picchu, unless you want to hike the Inca Trail, which many do undertake.
There are technically two rail operators between Cusco and Machu Picchu, Inca Rail and PeruRail. The Hiram Bingham is a joint venture between PeruRail and Belmond. Contrary to what the name might imply, PeruRail is actually privately owned.
We had arranged transport to take us from Palacio Nazarenas to Poroy Station, which took a little under 30 minutes.
Poroy Station
Poroy Station
This is a compact station, with half of the train hall roped off for Hiram Bingham guests.
Hiram Bingham, A Belmond Train Check-in at Poroy Station
Hiram Bingham, A Belmond Train Check-in at Poroy Station
It was 7 o’clock in the morning, yet Veuve Clicquot and mimosas were available as a welcome drink, albeit the dainty pour.
Hiram Bingham, A Belmond Train Welcome Beverage at Poroy Station
Check-in was efficient, as it was more like a restaurant check-in rather than an airline check-in. We didn’t sit around for too long until boarding festivities commenced. We had a small duffle bag with us, as we were spending the night at Sanctuary Lodge. A porter took our bag and placed it onto the train for us. Most other passengers were just doing a day trip, though.
Riding the Hiram Bingham, or any luxury train for that matter, is a special experience. So as soon as the boarding gate opened, everyone was enthusiastically taking pictures of and with the train.
Hiram Bingham, A Belmond Train at Poroy Station
Hiram Bingham, A Belmond Train at Poroy Station
I’m not a locomotive nerd as I am an AvGeek, but I think anyone would admire the beautiful carriages of the Hiram Bingham. It truly is a time machine that teleports you to a bygone era. My vocabulary is gloriously underpowered to describe the timelessness of the aesthetic, so I will let the pictures do it on my behalf.
Hiram Bingham, A Belmond Train at Poroy Station
Hiram Bingham, A Belmond Train at Poroy Station
Hiram Bingham, A Belmond Train at Poroy Station
Hiram Bingham, A Belmond Train at Poroy Station
Hiram Bingham, A Belmond Train at Poroy Station
The blue exterior with gold lettering pay tribute to the Pullman Trains, which revolutionized luxury rail travel. As part of the boarding program, there was a band performing Inca music and dance.
The interior was gleaming with art deco details, from the brass partitions to the beautiful wood panels to the table lamps.
Hiram Bingham, A Belmond Train Dining Car
Hiram Bingham, A Belmond Train Dining Car
Hiram Bingham, A Belmond Train Dining Car
Hiram Bingham, A Belmond Train Dining Car
I couldn’t help but take a million pictures of the cabin, as it was simply impeccable from every light and every angle. Laid out in a 2-1 configuration, every row faced another to form a booth. We were escorted to our seats on the single seating side. The table was set with precision. You could hang out at your seat the entire time, should you wish to do so. Table service became available shortly after departure.
Hiram Bingham, A Belmond Train Dining Car
Hiram Bingham, A Belmond Train Dining Car
The Hiram Bingham details were ubiquitous throughout the train, from the branded stemware to the leather menus. I really wanted to swipe one of the wine glasses🤣.
Hiram Bingham, A Belmond Train Dining Car
Hiram Bingham, A Belmond Train Dining Car
The train service runs from Cusco to Aguas Calientes in the mornings, serving brunch. On the return, dinner is served. The menu reads as follows:
Hiram Bingham, A Belmond Train Dining Car
There is a total of five carriages on the Hiram Bingham, including three dining cars, one kitchen car and one lounge car. The lounge car is my favorite place on the train, with a stupendous mahogany bar and a sunlit couch.
Hiram Bingham, A Belmond Train Lounge Car
Hiram Bingham, A Belmond Train Lounge Car
Hiram Bingham, A Belmond Train Lounge Car
Hiram Bingham, A Belmond Train Lounge Car
At the end of the lounge car was the observation deck, featuring open-air viewing and a live band.
Hiram Bingham, A Belmond Train Lounge Car
Hiram Bingham, A Belmond Train Lounge Car
To call this train ride a party would be an understatement. Once we departed Cusco, service was very quick to get going. We navigated to the observation deck and were offered whatever we wanted to drink. Having an espresso martini on a luxury train through the Peruvian Andes felt straight out of a fairy tale.
Hiram Bingham, A Belmond Train Lounge Car Cocktail
Hors d'oeuvres were passed around in the lounge car. The vibe of the observation deck was very much like that of the Emirates A380 bar. Everyone was taking pictures for others and chatting about how long they’d been wanting to do this. I thought it was interesting how many Asian customers were on this train. We met couples from Thailand and Hong Kong - that is a long way away from Cusco!
Hiram Bingham, A Belmond Train Lounge Car Hors d'oeuvres
What impressed the most was the full bar. In addition to the classics, a menu of specialty cocktails reads as follows:
While the Hiram Bingham was every bit charming, it certainly didn’t travel as smoothly as the Shinkansen or the Chinese high-speed trains. It’s all the more respectable to see these bartenders crafting complicated cocktails while being tossed from side to side.
Hiram Bingham, A Belmond Train Lounge Car Cocktail
Hiram Bingham, A Belmond Train Lounge Car Cocktail
The presentation onboard was as thoughtful as if you were served a drink at a upscale bar - on a coaster and with savory snacks.
When I tell you it was a party, I was not exaggerating. Even the crew were enjoying the live music, as many of them were just humming or singing along with the band. The band deserved a massive shoutout for its swathes of musical knowledge. The singer went around asking where people were from, and when he learned about the Hong Kong couple, he sang The Moon Represents My Heart (月亮代表我的心) for them. The couple was literally in tears. It was surreal.
Cruising through the Andes on the Hiram Bingham felt like being in a Indiana Jones movie.
It wasn’t until my fifth cocktail of the morning that the conductor summoned everyone to return to their seats for brunch service. This truly beats any lavish first class meal in the air, no?
Hiram Bingham, A Belmond Train Dining Car Brunch
Hiram Bingham, A Belmond Train Dining Car Brunch
Even though it wasn’t the most substantial meal, everything was well executed. For the hundredth time, how remarkable on a moving train! Brunch consisted of roasted pork belly and a few side dishes such as avocado salad, quinoa and creamed corn. Peruvian food is one of my favorite cuisines in the world, and Peru is known for having over 50 varieties of corn. The trendier Peruvian produce that most people are familiar with is quinoa, native to the Lake Titicaca basin.
Hiram Bingham, A Belmond Train Dining Car Brunch
Hiram Bingham, A Belmond Train Dining Car Brunch
Hiram Bingham, A Belmond Train Dining Car Brunch
Hiram Bingham, A Belmond Train Dining Car Brunch
Hiram Bingham, A Belmond Train Dining Car Brunch
With a view like this, I could be fed Lunchables and still be happy. Brunch concluded with a chocolate mousse, some fruits and coffee.
Hiram Bingham, A Belmond Train Dining Car Brunch
Prior to arriving into Aguas Calientes, some petit fours were served.
Hiram Bingham, A Belmond Train Dining Car Brunch
Upon disembarkation, each guest was gifted a Hiram Bingham backpack and a water bottle, which were nice souvenirs to have.
Hiram Bingham, A Belmond Train Souvenir
A look at the locomotive that took us from Cusco to Machu Picchu.
Hiram Bingham, A Belmond Train
Hiram Bingham, A Belmond Train
On our return, the waiting lounge at Aguas Calientes station was more secluded and refined than the one in Poroy.
Hiram Bingham, A Belmond Train Check-in at Aguas Calientes Station
Hiram Bingham, A Belmond Train Check-in at Aguas Calientes Station
Hiram Bingham, A Belmond Train Check-in at Aguas Calientes Station
Hiram Bingham, A Belmond Train Check-in at Aguas Calientes Station
Hiram Bingham, A Belmond Train Check-in at Aguas Calientes Station
Hiram Bingham, A Belmond Train Check-in at Aguas Calientes Station
As someone whose primary mode of transport is flying, I find train journeys nostalgic and exotic, well, not all train journeys but you know what I mean... It’s almost like going to a theme park, where the level of luxury becomes secondary to the ability to escape from reality. This is my first luxury train trip, and now I’m hooked. It was way too short of a trip. Ever since we returned from this trip, I’ve been researching all kinds of luxury trains around the world like a drug addict. Even if you only take the Hiram Bingham one-way, it’s truly an experience worth splurging for.