All Aboard! Trivia Quiz

Answer: Hiram Bingham

In 1905 Bingham received a doctorate degree from Yale, after which he taught at Harvard and Princeton, as well as Yale. In 1907 he was given an appointment by Yale as a lecturer in South American history. That is when he became interested in rediscovering an area in Peru, which had been forgotten except for the native people (and perhaps a couple of Christian missionaries) who lived nearby.

The Hiram Bingham is an exclusive luxury Orient Express service operated by PeruRail. There are two dining cars, an observation/bar car and a kitchen car, all looking after the needs of up to 84 passengers.

Answer: Cusco

From the 13th century until 1532, Cusco was the capital and largest city of the Inca empire, the "Tahuantinsuyu", which at the height of power occupied most of today's Ecuador, Colombia, Bolivia, Peru, and the northern part of Chile. For that reason, it is considered the Archaeological Capital of South America. Today it is possible to walk the streets and see Inca walls, on top of which the Spanish built churches and monuments. For example, the Koricancha Temple was an ancient Inca temple that was dedicated to the sun god. After the Spanish conquest, the Santa Catalina Church and its convent was built on top of the temple.

Your ticket price on the Hiram Bingham Orient Express will vary due to season; there is also a choice as to a one-way or round trip ticket. A round trip ticket during the high season will cost $757 per person (2013). Reservations can be made online.

Answer: A battle was fought against the Chanca tribe.

Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui, or Pachacutec, was the ninth ruler of the Inca state. Although he had not been designated as his father's successor, he led a military defense against the Chanca while his father and brother are said to have fled. This victory led to his recognition as successor around 1438.

Purchasing the round trip ticket on the Hiram Bingham Orient Express includes the following: welcome aperitifs upon arrival at Poroy station (Cusco), brunch and excellent selection of Peruvian wines, on board entertainment, tourist guide for every group of 14 passengers, and more!

Answer: Maize

As the train passes on from Pampa de Anta we arrive at ancient agricultural terraces that are all that remain of a city that was destroyed during the Spanish Conquest. The fertile soils are said to have been transported from the villge of Yucay to Jaquijahuana. The local people today still celebrate a corn festival, a mixture of local traditions with Catholicism, that gives offerings in exchange for a successful harvest.

When planning your trip, it is important to remember that the railway company may close certain portions of the tracks after the rainy season and for safety reasons.

Answer: Rio Urubamba

The river is divided into the Upper Urubamba and Lower Urubamba. Our journey is taking us on the Upper Urubamba. There are a number of Inca ruins to see in the river valley, as well as a suspension bridge on the Inca Trail that hikers must cross.

It is possible to purchase a rafting package that will take you on some parts of the Rio Urubamba. The white water rafting season lasts all year, and from December to March, the river is Class IV. The rest of the year the rapids are either Class II or III.

Answer: Sacred Valley

This valley was known as 'Vilcamayo' to the Incas, and was very important to them due to its location and climate. One of the most important citadels along the Urubamba River was Ollantaytambo, which was the royal estate of Emperor Pachacuti. The valley was one of the empire's main sites for the extraction of salt, as well as the production of maize. Large scale maize production began there about 1400.

This may be the perfect location to enjoy brunch on the Hiram Bingham Orient Express. You may begin with a traditional Peruvian appetizer, before moving on to a delicious main course followed by dessert and coffee. Peruvian wine and fresh-squeezed orange juice are also available.

Answer: True

Ollantaytambo is both a town and an archaeological site. In ancient times it was the royal estate of Emperor Pachacuti himself. At the time of the Spanish Conquest, it was the home of the leader of the Inca resistance, Manco Inca Yupanqui.

If you prefer to hike instead of riding the train, you may want to visit Ollantaytambo. It is the starting place for a three or four-day hike on what is known as the Inca Trail. In addition, don't forget to visit the awesome Inca buildings at Temple Hill, the terraces, and the storehouses.

Answer: Hummingbird

The giant hummingbird (Patagona gigas) is the largest member of the hummingbird family. It weighs 18-24 g, and has a wing-span of approximately 8-1/2". In the area around Qente, the birds are attracted by orchids and bromeliads, as well as bright flowers that bloom all year round.

The luxury train is moving closer to its destination, and shortly after leaving Qente you will see the magnificent ruins of Winay Wayna, which means "forever young" in the Quechua language. It was built in a steep hillside overlooking Rio Urubamba. Upper and lower house complexes are connected to fountain structures by a staircase.

Answer: Grain storage

The colcas at Choquesuysuy are well-preserved. They were built high in the hills to promote proper ventilation. A temple, some administrative buildings, and the living quarters of the aristocrats are still visible, as well as the remains of a small village that was the living quarters of the common people.

Wait! You can see the green mountains that surround the lost city that you really came to see!

Answer: Old Peak

Most archaeologists believe this site was built as an estate for the Inca emperor, Pachacuti, around 1450. It was abandoned as an official site of Inca rulers within a hundred years of its completion. Many of the original structures have been reconstructed so that visitors may see how they originally looked.

Once we reach Machu Picchu, our train ticket also entitles us to: tickets and transportation to Machu Picchu, tea time in the Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge hotel by Orient Express, and a gourmet dinner on the trip back to Cusco. Please remember that since 2011, in order to reduce the impact of tourism on the site, entrance has been limited to 2500 guests a day. You need to make your reservations early!