The Best Way to See Peru Is by Luxury Train — How to Plan Your Trip

"Ascending from Aguas Calientes by a shaded, corkscrew bus route, I arrived at Machu Picchu and was struck by terraces groomed down toward a sea of forested hills and small temples bathed in bright light, a sight that gave me goose bumps. Guided by Fátima Silverio Carbajal, I learned that Pachacútec likely built the city around 1450 as a strategic link between the Andes and the Amazon, housing perhaps 500 royals, philosophers, astronomers and climate scientists and serving political, religious and agricultural functions; the site is also a place of homage to Pachamama, the earth mother. While touring I watched viscachas scurry atop walls and wild llamas gather on lawns, and in a solitary moment I imagined the Incas honoring their sun god Inti amid the cool, resonant stone." - Monisha Rajesh Monisha Rajesh Monisha Rajesh is a London-based travel journalist and author whose work has appeared in publications like Time and Vanity Fair. She’s written three books, "Around India in 80 Trains," "Around the World in 80 Trains," and "Epic Train Journeys." Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines