The 5 Best Treks with a Train Ride Worldwide

1.Tour with the Mountain Train, Trek to Mystic Forest and Castle

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 101 reviews · 8 to 13 hours (approx.) · from $181Our pick

Leave Nice at 7:30 am for a full day in the southern Alps. Ride the small Provence train along the Var River, explore Entrevaux and its hilltop Vauban citadel, then visit Annot’s medieval lanes, caves, and forest trails. Guide Carmela may lead the day, with lunch included and hiking adjusted for weather and fitness.

“Incredible scenery and enjoyable hikes. Our guide Carmela was wonderful. She did her very best to make our experience exceptional.”

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2.Machu Picchu: 5-Day Salkantay Trek with Panoramic Train

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 79 reviews · 5 days · from $655

Spend five days crossing Peru’s Salkantay route from Cusco to Machu Picchu. You’ll hike to Humantay Lake and Salkantay Pass, camp at Llactapata with views of the citadel, share Pachamanca and coffee in Lucmabamba, and return by Vistadome or 360° train. Guides such as Cesar, Roger, José, and Miguel are praised for care and encouragement.

“Very good service and excellent guides. Food was amazing and everything was well organised. Well recommended for sporty and adventurous people.”

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3.Cusco: 4-Day Lares Trek to Machu Picchu with Panoramic Train

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 20 reviews · 4 days · from $690

This four-day route pairs a demanding high-altitude trek with Andean village visits, Lares hot springs, Maras salt pools, Ollantaytambo, and Machu Picchu. An English- or Spanish-speaking guide leads you, while muleteers carry up to 7 kilograms of camping gear. Guides such as Manolo and Filio have been praised for their care and steady pacing.

“Un excellent trek a faire en famille ou entre amis, la difficulté est abordable. Cependant il faut noté que le manque d’oxygène et le froid la nuit diminuent nos capacités physiques. Il fait déjà être sportif ou à minima en bonne condition physique. Les paysages sont époustouflants et le guide suit notre rythme (vous pouvez faire autant de pauses que nécessaire) ! Nos chefs cuisiniers étaient excellent, je recommande vivement !!”

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4.Cusco: 4-Day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu, Panoramic Train

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 17 reviews · 4 days · from $552

You’ll hike from Humantay Lake over the 4,630-meter Salkantay Pass, then descend through cloud forest to Machu Picchu. The trip includes glamping, Andean huts, a 3-star hotel, a Pachamanca barbecue, coffee-making, trail meals, guides in English or Spanish, and a Vistadome or 360° train return. Guides such as Alex, José, and Filio have been praised for careful group support.

“Thank you so much for this truly unique experience! Our guide, Filio, was incredible; he took care of us with such patience, professionalism, kindness, and was clearly passionate about his job and providing us with cultural and historical information. I really appreciated the attention to detail and warmth Filio and the team provided during our trek. Our chef, Dionissios, was very good and made sure all our needs were taken care of, serving us delicious hearty meals and surprise treats! Another team member that was always ready to help and always with a smile was Alberto- thank you as well! I would highly recommend Filio as a guide and Trexperience…”

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5.5-Day Classic Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu return by Train

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · 5 days · from $699

You’ll hike the classic five-day Salkantay route from Cusco to Machu Picchu, crossing Abra Salkantay, visiting Humantay Lagoon and Llactapata, and spending nights in glass huts, domes, and an Aguas Calientes hotel. An English or Spanish-speaking guide leads the trek, with horses carrying up to 6 kilos of your gear.

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