The Sacred Valley has several notable must-sees. First is the market of Pisac, where the indigenous vendors gather dressed in colorful, traditional clothing to sell their produce to one another and their crafts to you. Next, why not try Peruvian Paso-style horseback riding to a wondrous archaeological site, Moray, while traveling across the hilltops above the awe-inspiring Valley surrounded by the snowcapped Andes in the distance. This trip is based in Urumbamba (Perol Chico Ranch). Finally, there’s the picturesque and mysterious village of Ollantaytambo and its ruins, said to contain the most impressive Inca stonework anywhere in Peru. Trains leave in the morning from Ollanta Station, however whether you stay in Pisac, Urubamba or Ollantaytambo, accommodation is abundant and the station is no more than 15 minutes away. Highly recommended is the InkaLand Hotel in Urubamba, just down the road from the Perol Chico Ranch.

So what else is there? Mucho! Peru is one of the world’s most bio-diverse countries. So after Machu Picchu, head back to Cuzco and hop on a train to Puno, gateway to Lake Titicaca. The train leaves from a different Station, Wanchaq, so make note of that, as the schedules are punctual. The route is quite lovely and PeruRail has added an observation car to the route for photo taking and added enjoyment. Once there, be prepared for an even higher altitude and a much cooler climate. Take an excursion on the lake to the Uros Islands (floating islands where you can purchase splendid handicrafts) and to Taquile Island, but be prepared for the 500 steps, which must be tackled to get to the village (well worth the effort for the view alone). Many travelers opt to stay a night on the island with a local family; not a bad idea after the strenuous climb. Don’t expect toilets or running water during your overnight stay, but do expect a truly special visit. Another wonderful side trip from Puno is a half-day excursion to Sillustani and its chullpas (pre-Columbian funeral towers) scenically set high above pristine Lake Ayumara.

From there, hop on yet another train to Arequipa, Peru’s second largest city and intellectual capital (well, that’s what the Arequipians say). Arequipa is called Cuidad Blanca (White City) because the nearby volcanoes, primarily the spectacular Misti, turned the rock - used to build the buildings in the Plaza de Armas - white. The main attraction within the city for many is the Monasterio de Santa Catalina, undoubtedly the most beautiful convent anywhere where you can get lost amongst the passageways which resemble Spanish cities of days gone by. Arequipa is also the base for adventure tours to the Colca Canyon, arguably the deepest canyon in the world, which mirrors a Southeast Asian scene with terraces developed by the pre-Incan cultures through the utilization of the water from the volcanoes and an astonishing irrigation system. The terraces create stunning scenery within the Canyon, which is unexpectedly lush after traveling through the desert of the Altiplano. . If traveling by rail to Arequipa, a jaunt to the Colca can be more efficiently achieved by merely jumping off at the Sumbay Station. From there, buses await to take travelers into the Colca Valley and further on into the Canyon. A visit to Colca Canyon is not complete without a stop at the Condor Cross, a viewpoint overlooking the valley. Everyday, particularly between 9 and 10:30am, the fabulous Colca Condors fly by seemingly purposely showing off their grandeur to the few busloads of tourists waiting. The Colca landscape is virtually covered with over 200 varieties of plants, 117 species of birds (including the colibri andino, the world’s largest hummingbird), and many alpacas, llamas and vincunas; and the trip to Condor Cross offers an opportunity to see many of these.

So there you have it: Peru’s most stunning attractions – all neatly connected by inexpensive and manageable rail journeys. The trains are comfortable, the service is splendid and the views are unmatched. It is an unparalleled way to travel within Peru.