Belmond Andean Explorer

A luxury sleeper train journey across the high Andes in southern Peru.

Journey Time: 2 nights onboard, with daytime off-train excursions built into the programme.

Best Time to Go: May to September is generally the driest period in the southern Andes, with clearer skies and sharper mountain views.

Tickets & Costs: Sold as an all-inclusive journey rather than a simple point-to-point ticket. Prices vary by cabin type and date, and it is a premium product.

Classes: Private cabins in a few categories, typically including bunk-style cabins, twin cabins and a larger suite. There are lounge and observation areas for all guests.

Boarding: Board in Cusco at the train station used by the service; arrive early as check-in is more like a small cruise than a commuter train.

The Belmond Andean Explorer runs on the historic southern railway network that links the former Inca capital with the high plains around Lake Titicaca and onward to Arequipa. The modern concept is a land-cruise: a fixed, guided itinerary with dining, sleeping cars and organised stops, rather than a regular public service.

Much of the route sits on the Altiplano, climbing to high passes and rolling through open puna grasslands dotted with grazing animals and small settlements. As the train approaches Arequipa, the scenery shifts towards drier valleys and wide horizons under big skies, with distant volcanic peaks often visible in clear weather.

• Cusco - Departure is usually in daylight, with early views of the city’s outskirts before the line begins to climb.
• Sacred Valley - The train skirts parts of the valley system on its way towards higher ground; keep an eye out for terraced slopes and river bends.
• La Raya Pass - One of the highest points on the route, where the landscape becomes treeless and expansive. Light and weather can change fast at altitude.
• Puno - The gateway city for Lake Titicaca. You are close to the shoreline plains here, with broad, open views.
• Lake Titicaca - A highlight section for wide water-and-sky vistas; sit where you get the clearest view away from glare, which varies by time of day.
• Juliaca - A rail junction area on the plateau; watch for busy tracksides and a sense of everyday high-Andes life.
• Arequipa - Arrival into the “white city” region, where the air feels drier and the scenery starts to hint at the volcanic south.
• Colca Canyon - Some itineraries include an organised visit in the wider Arequipa region; this is typically by road as part of the package, not a rail segment.

May to September typically brings the clearest weather across the Altiplano and around Lake Titicaca, which helps with long-distance views and makes time in the open-air observation areas more comfortable.

Because the train is built around scheduled sightseeing stops, daylight matters: choose dates when daylight hours are longer if you want more time seeing scenery from the windows. Exact operating dates and weekly patterns can change seasonally, so check the current calendar before locking in flights and hotels.

Most travellers reach Cusco by air via Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport and stay at least one night to adjust to altitude before boarding. The departure station is in Cusco city, and transfers are often coordinated around the train’s check-in window.

From Arequipa, flights and long-distance buses connect onward within Peru, and Rodriguez Ballon International Airport is the main air gateway. This is not a hop-on, hop-off service - the journey is run as a set itinerary, so treat intermediate stops as guided excursions rather than independent stopovers.

Cabins are sold in a small number of categories, with more space and privacy as you move up. Expect an all-inclusive format that bundles accommodation, meals and guided off-train activities rather than a simple rail fare.

Book well ahead if you have fixed dates, especially in the drier season, as capacity is limited by the number of cabins. If you are travelling with rail passes, note that this service is generally not treated like a standard pass-covered train, so confirm inclusions and reservation rules directly when you enquire.