The timing of our Machu Picchu trip was fortunate. Less than a week after we left, torrential rains closed the rail line, the only way in and out of Aguas Calientes besides hiking the Inca trail. Stranded tourists were airlifted out by military helicopter, though some were stuck for over a week.
Back in the 70’s, Paul Theroux (in The Old Patagonian Express) was able to ride trains from Boston almost all the way to Argentina. Today, few passenger trains are still running in South America. We’ve met plenty of new friends on trains (including one on PeruRail), but we have yet to find a new pal in an airport lounge.
