At the appointed hour just shy of 8 a.m., our car & guide from tour company Belmond — now owners of Orient Express — drove us to the Rio Segrado (Sacred River) train station, about 75 minutes away. Beginning in May the trains depart from the closer station to Cusco, but for now we must go to this station. We boarded the Hiram Bingham train, which is often listed among the best in the world — and it is clearly deserving of that designation. Linen, china, silver, fresh flowers, bar and entertainment is the only way to travel. I won’t say the 2:20 minute journey “flew” by, but it was certainly a luxurious way to pass the time. After an elegrant, 3-course brunch, we arrived at Aguas Calientes for the 25-minute bus ride to the park entrance.
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| View of the “road” up |
After our two-hour guided tour by Camila (who has been to MP more than
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| The hubby and guide Camila |
1,000 times), we enjoyed high tea at The Sanctuary outside the entrance prior to the bus ride back down, the train ride back (with another wonderful meal and wine) and then finally the drive to Cusco.
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| Park staff actually using a toothbrush to maintain the stone! |
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| Surprised to have an orchid “fix” here! |
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| Natural habitat … |
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| Got anything for me??! |
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| Afternoon tea |
