It was a cold morning, a gray day in Lima this last Tuesday 21st November 2006 when I attended the official opening of the new services of the Central Andes Train.
During the last 15 years I have witnessed many announcements, developed lots of expectations and enjoyed some moments of glory when the train ran, as well as bitter feelings of frustration when the train did not run after being programmed and promoted with the best intentions, but that was not enough. I have to thank many people who believed during all these years in the dream of getting this train back on its tracks, especially regarding the passenger train.

BIG THANKS TO Samuel Rachdi and all the members of AIFFLA, Peter Lais, Simone Probost, Philip Wormald, Michael Grimes and many more wonderful people whose names are part of this effort to make the people in the world understand the importance and the beauty of this great railroad. Special thanks to those writers who took the time to report and make the world interested in this project which, even when it was not my complete responsibility, I assumed as such with passion as a motivator and sometimes the one who kept the fire going even when many thought it was a useless fight… Some said, “The era of the train is over”, “These are modern times…”, “Don´t waste energy…. It is not going to run anymore”. I thought always that for that to be true Machu Picchu would have to be out of fashion… Or even worse we might forget those who made with their example and tenacity a wonderful train journey despite all the problems: the difficulties of the geography of the Andes, a war against Chile, lack of economic resources… but finally they made it! Thanks to: Matthew Parris from The Times Online and Jono David from Kansai Scene, and Joachim Gutjahr from Eisenbahn Kurier(Germany).


Some years ago this train changed my life for the better, just like one of my good friends who really helped me, this train gave me a different, and I believe a better, life.

Therefore when the Central Andes train collapsed, I promised to myself that I would do all that would be necessary to get it back working… How foolish I was with no money and not much life experience, but only good intentions and passion! From the time the train was privatized in 1999 I thought for sure that all services would improve. It took some years to get the train tracks changed and some new recycled engines, but there was not much for the passenger train. Still most of the train stations along the way from Lima to Huancayo need to be repaired. It was a cold gray day last Tuesday, but I arrived in the train station and the colorful coaches decorated with stripes of traditional weaving designs were a bright sight as Jaime Blanco from the Commercial Department was announcing the new passenger train service for 2007!! There were many Travel Agents, and people with cameras filming, and the old 206 locomotive was standing proud at the front. I felt happy, almost feeling like running to the Steam Loco 206 to sing to it like in the little train engine kid’s book: “I know you can do it… I know you can do it…” Yes, I was there, I did not talk much with all the rest except with Pedro at the bar and Felipe, son of Juan de Dios Olaechea, the President of the Train Company (at first I thought he was a tourist), a good boy who listened well to some ideas that I have mentioned before to Ferrovias’ people that were not considered very much…. He promised me that he will get me in touch with his father… I hope so.

The new coaches are very comfortable, there are nice clean toilets; the best parts are the bar and the open coach at the back. Surely they will be popular.
Ferrovias has made a good investment as Ms. Diana Tamashiro mentioned. Now Ms. Tamashiro is in charge of the Tourism Department at Ferrovias. It is great that now there is a special office to take care of this part.
I believe new winds are blowing, the sun will shine and the new coaches, together with the old ones, will get up and across the Andes again. Incas del Peru will continue promoting the service, and now the most important part is that all of you people in the world visit us to enjoy this wonderful historical journey, which surely will be a memorable one.


WHY OUR CENTRAL ANDEAN TRAIN IS ALWAYS THE HIGHEST IN THE WORLD ?

Finally it is confirmed by FERROVIAS that the train service will run for sure in all the detailed Itinerary for 2008 and 2009. We have a letter of compromise from the current Comercial Manager of the passenger train service as guarantee for the 2008 and 2009 calendar.

• Tourist (Buffet Class) Tickets. Lima - Huancayo - Lima
• Transfer to your Hotel in Huancayo from the train station.
• Maps and useful information about the train trip and the Central Andes.
• One T- shirt


• One welcome dinner with Folk Music and dances at La Cabaña
• Full day Artesan Circuit
• Full day Historical Circuit
  
• Three nights accommodation in a Hotel in Huancayo (Good comfort,3 stars, clean, safe and good location).

a) Presidente Hotel     b) Turismo Hotel 

• For travelers interested in train trips, we can offer a two days trip to Huancavelica, by the famous Tren Macho Accommodation will be at Presidente Hotel in Huancavelica. This option would be instead of the other trips in the Mantaro Valley.
  * Single supplement will be charged to single travelers.

• Classic (Economic Class)Ticket delivery to your hotel in Lima
• Train Tickets from Lima - Huancayo - Lima
• Transfer to your Hotel in Huancayo from the train station
• Maps and useful information about the train trip and the Central Andes.
• One welcome dinner with Folk Music and dances at La Cabaña
• Full day Artesan Circuit
• Full day Historical Circuit
  
• *Three nights accomodation in a Hotel in Huancayo (Basic comfort, clean, safe and good location).
  a) La Casa de la Abuela    b) Las Lomas Hostal
  

• For travelers interested in train trips, we can offer a two days trip to Huancavelica, by the famous Tren Macho Accommodation would be in a basic hotel in Huancavelica. This option would be instead of the other trips in the Mantaro Valley.
  *Single supplement will be added to single travelers.

A voucher with detailed services will be sent to you by email.
Please fill up a Booking Form for Train 2008 Packages (one per person) and send it to us.

• Tourist (Buffet Class)Ticket  Lima - Huancayo  OR   Huancayo - Lima
• Transfer to your Hotel in Huancayo from the train station.
• Maps and useful information about the train trip and the Central Andes.
• One welcome dinner with Folk Music and dances at La Cabaña

• For travelers interested in Tours around the Mantaro or Huancavelica  train trips, we can offer a two days trip to Huancavelica, by the famous Tren Macho (Train circuit)  Accommodation will be at Presidente Hotel in Huancavelica.  This option would be instead of the other trips in the Mantaro Valley.
  

Cost : $75.00 USD per/person

Price includes:

• Classic Economic Tickets Lima - Huancayo or Huancayo - Lima
• Transfer to your Hotel in Huancayo from the train station.
• Maps and useful information about the train trip and the Central Andes.
• One welcome dinner with Folk Music and dances at La Cabaña

• Travelers interested in Tours around the Mantaro or Huancavelica  train trips, we can offer a two days trip to Huancavelica, by the famous Tren Macho   Accommodation would be in a basic hotel in Huancavelica.  This option would be instead of the other trips in the Mantaro Valley 

A voucher with detailed services will be sent to you by email.

Please fill up a Booking Form for Economic One Way  Packages 2008 (one per person) and send it to us

• Arrive early to the train station. 
• Bring water for the trip.
• To prevent altitude sickness, take a Sorojchi tablet (available at pharmacies).
• Book your lodging in Huancayo in advance as this is a very busy time of year.
• Contact us if you need help finding a place or if you would like to make a reservation with us.

Details
Departure from Lima to Huancayo
The train will leave from Lima at 7:00 a.m. from the Desamparados Train Station (behind the Government Palace, Central Lima).

Arrival:
The train will arrive in Huancayo at around 7:00 p.m. (the journey takes about 12 hours).

Departure from Huancayo to Lima

When the train departs in the morning it leaves at 7am. You will arrive to Lima at about 7pm to Desamparados Train Station

When the train leaves in the evening it leaves at 6pm. You will arrive in Lima at about 6am. To Desamparados Train Station.  

CONDITIONS

• Tickets and vouchers will be dent to you by email.
• When passengers are leaving from Huancayo the voucher will be handed at Huancayo Train Station or at their hotel
• Incas del Peru will issue a Service Voucher by email and you will show the Voucher and your passport at the Train Station to get placed in your couch and numbered sit.
• We will not be able to postpone or hold tickets for passengers arriving late or not arriving to the departing Train Station on the date and time scheduled for the train trip. There will be no refunds for services not used. There will be no refunds for services not used.
• We include with the ticket maps and useful information about the train trip, Huancayo and the Central Andes.
• Single supplement will be added to single travelers.

2009
Month	Departure (Desamparados)	Train Station - Hyo	Cost
	Lima - Huancayo	Huancayo - Lima	CLASSIC	TOURIST
Jan	Friday 23th 07:00 hrs	Sunday 25th 18:00 hrs	US$185	US$ 285
Febr	Friday 20th 07:00 hrs	Sunday 22nd 18:00 hrs	US$185	US$ 285
Mar	**Friday 20th 07:00 hrs	Sunday 22nd 18:00 hrs	US$185	US$ 285
Apr	Thursday 9th 07:00 hrs	Sunday 12th 07:00 hrs	US$185	US$ 285
	Friday 24th 07:00 hrs	Sunday 26th 18:00 hrs
May	Friday 1st 07:00 hrs	Sunday 3th 18:00 hrs	US$185	US$ 285
	Friday 22nd 07:00 hrs	Sunday 24th 18:00 hrs
Jun	Friday 12th 07:00 hrs	Sunday 14th 18:00 hrs	US$185	US$ 285
	Friday 26th 07:00 hrs	Sunday 28th 18:00 hrs
Jul	Friday 10th 07:00 hrs	Sunday 12th 18:00 hrs	US$185	US$ 285
	Saturday 25th 07:00 hrs	Tuesday 28th 07:00 hrs
Aug	Friday 14th 07:00 hrs	Sunday 16th 18:00 hrs	US$185	US$ 285
	Friday 28th 07:00 hrs	Sunday 30th 18:00 hrs
Sep	Friday 11th 07:00 hrs	Sunday 13th 18:00 hrs	US$185	US$ 285
	Friday 25th 07:00 hrs	Sunday 27th 18:00 hrs
Oct	Thursday 8th 07:00 hrs	Sunday 11th 07:00 hrs	US$185	US$ 285
	Friday 23th 07:00 hrs	Sunday 25th 18:00 hrs
Nov	Friday 6th 07:00 hrs	Sunday 8th 18:00 hrs	US$185	US$ 285
	Friday 20th 07:00 hrs	Sunday 22nd 18:00 hrs

 

 

A voucher with detailed services will be sent to you by email.

Please fill up a Booking Form for Train Trip Packages 2009 (one per person) and send it to us