SerpApi.Org
Aboard Belmond’s Andean Explorer, guests experience gourmet dining, high-altitude adventures, and some of Peru’s most dramatic landscapes.
Few forms of travel capture the romance of the journey quite like a train. From bustling cities to rolling countryside and dramatic coastlines, the scenery unfolds at a pace that invites you to slow down and take it all in. While highways and air travel have made getting from point A to point B faster than ever, rail journeys remind us that the space in between can be worth exploring.
Travel + Leisure readers highlighted their favorite rail experiences around the world in the 2026 World’s Best Awards, naming everything from storied European routes to epic adventures through Canada. But this year—the fourth year trains were included in the survey—one journey rose above the rest to claim the No. 1 spot: the Belmond Andean Explorer.
Launched in 2017, the all-inclusive Andean Explorer is South America’s first luxury sleeper train and traces one of the world’s highest rail routes through the Andes. The journey links Cusco, Lake Titicaca, and Arequipa, carrying travelers through landscapes that feel both remote and cinematic. While many visitors to Peru make a beeline to Cusco for Machu Picchu, far fewer venture to Lake Titicaca and Arequipa. On the Andean Explorer, however, the road less traveled—or rather, the rail line less traveled—proves to be an essential adventure when visiting Peru.
T+L climbed aboard to see what all the fuss was about. Here’s what the journey is really like.
The Journey
I experienced the 189-mile journey from Cusco to Arequipa, which felt like a carefully choreographed adventure. It began at Monasterio, a Belmond Hotel, where the experience eased into motion before I stepped on board. After handing over my luggage, I settled into the hotel’s lobby with snacks and Champagne while a live pianist set the mood. Soon, we were shuttled to the train—a quick 10-minute drive—and welcomed with an overview of the days ahead before being escorted to our cabins.
Following brunch on board, our first stop was the Raqchi Archaeological Center, a striking Inca site dating to the 15th century. Back on the train, afternoon tea bridged the time until we reached La Raya, a dramatic mountain pass in the Peruvian Andes that marks the border between the Cusco and Puno regions. At 14,170 feet above sea level, it was also one of the highest points of the journey.
As the sun dipped behind the mountains, cocktails and canapés gave way to dinner service and the train continued toward Lake Titicaca. That first night, I drifted off to sleep with the train gently in motion—a soothing experience for some, though light sleepers may want to pack earplugs.
The next morning began with an optional sunrise excursion overlooking Lake Titicaca. In keeping with the train’s approach to hospitality, the crew had arranged blankets, warm drinks, seating, and a crackling fire against the morning chill. After breakfast, we set off for a full day exploring the lake. A boat carried us to the floating Uros Islands, where we hopped on to see the lives of the locals, before continuing to a private beach on Taquile Island, where lunch was served alongside daybeds, lawn games, and sweeping views of the water. Along the way, I spotted countless Titicaca grebes—the lake’s endemic diving ducks—skimming beneath the surface with surprising speed and grace.
Returning to the train felt almost ritualistic. We arrived just in time for afternoon tea before departing for Saracocha. As on the first evening, cocktails and canapés preceded dinner, creating a welcomed routine.
That night, the train remained stationary beneath some of the clearest skies in Peru. We stepped outside to stargaze before turning in, and the following morning rewarded early risers with one of the trip’s most memorable moments. A short climb to a nearby viewpoint revealed the train below, framed by mountains and the still waters of Saracocha Lake. It was serene, dramatic, and reminded me of just how remote this corner of Peru remains.
Altitude is a constant companion throughout the journey. Cusco, at 11,152 feet above sea level, served as the starting point, but the route only climbed higher from there. Lake Titicaca—the largest freshwater lake in South America and the highest navigable lake in the world—sits at 12,507 feet, while La Raya reaches more than 14,000 feet.
The final day’s journey winds through the Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reserve, where vicuñas, llamas, and alpacas roamed the high-altitude plains. Around every bend, the scenery seemed to shift, eventually revealing a trio of volcanoes on the horizon. The day’s off-train excursion took guests to the Sumbay Caves, home to more than 500 prehistoric rock paintings estimated to be between 6,000 and 8,000 years old.
What are vicuñas?
Vicuñas, Peru’s national animal, are wild relatives of the llama and are believed to be the ancestors of modern alpacas. Once nearly extinct, they have rebounded thanks to conservation efforts and are now protected by law. They are also prized for producing the world’s most expensive natural fiber—an exceptionally soft, lightweight wool that can only be harvested once every three years.
Afterward, the journey moved toward its conclusion. Travelers continuing to Arequipa, Peru’s second-largest city, remained on board, while others disembarked at the Km. 93 station to visit Colca Canyon. If your schedule allows, take the detour and book a stay at Las Casitas, a Belmond Hotel, Colca Canyon. The scenic two-hour drive is spectacular and Colca Canyon—one of the deepest canyons in the world and home to soaring Andean condors—provides a fitting finale to South America’s most remarkable rail journey.
The Onboard Experience
Life on board is thoughtfully designed around both the journey and the scenery. At the very rear of the train, an open-air observation car offers uninterrupted views of the landscape—and plenty of opportunities for photos and fresh mountain air. Two bar cars, including a piano bar, provide natural gathering spots between excursions and meals.
The train also has a dedicated spa car, where treatments range from obsidian stone massages to a “tired leg revival” therapy tailored to weary hikers. During my trip, sunset arrived just before 6 p.m., making a pre-dinner treatment the perfect way to unwind without feeling like I was missing any of the action.
Accommodations are spread across three cabin categories: bunk-bed cabins (59 square feet), twin-bed cabins (80 square feet), and suites (140 square feet). While compact—as train cabins tend to be—they are well appointed, with en-suite bathrooms, storage space, a coffee station, and daily housekeeping. Guests traveling with extra luggage can also store bags they won’t need during the journey, freeing up valuable cabin space.
What truly elevates the experience, however, is the staff. From servers and guides to the onboard nurse, every team member seems to anticipate guests’ needs before they’re voiced. The operation runs with such ease that it’s easy to forget the logistical feat unfolding behind the scenes—until you stop and realize you’re crossing some of the most remote landscapes in Peru in a luxury hotel that happens to be moving.
Accessibility
Much of the route travels through high-altitude regions, but support is readily available. An onboard nurse and oxygen tanks help guests manage elevation-related discomfort, and participation in excursions is optional. Walking sticks are also provided for those who would appreciate extra support. As one guest put it: “I probably used half the train’s oxygen supply, and I have no regrets. Even if I couldn’t get off the train, the views alone would have been well worth it.”
Food & Drink
Dining on board strikes a balance between familiar comforts and regional specialties. Breakfast, for example, included classics like eggs Benedict or yogurt parfaits alongside local dishes that reflect the train’s location. In Puno, the bread basket featured chapla, a regional bread, while the route to Arequipa included traditional Arequipeñan tamales. Adventurous eaters can sample local flavors, while those craving something familiar won’t feel out of their comfort zone. That guest-first philosophy extends beyond the menu itself. (Case in point: the train never let me run dangerously low on Coke Zero.)
Between meals, guests can gather for a daily afternoon tea service featuring local teas and canapés, while the bar remains stocked with cocktails, mocktails, soft drinks, and regional favorites. (If you’re in Peru, there’s really only one question: did you try an Inca Kola?)
Book Now
The Andean Explorer operates weekly from March through January, with departures from Cusco and Arequipa. Travelers can choose either the signature two-night journey between the two cities or a shorter one-night itinerary that begins or ends in Puno. Fares start at $4,095 per person and include accommodations aboard the train, all meals and beverages, guided excursions, and bus transfers.
Belmond also offers several curated itineraries that incorporate the Andean Explorer, including The Best of Peru (Lima–Arequipa–Cusco or Lima–Cusco–Arequipa), The Great Food Adventure (Lima–Cusco–Arequipa), Feel the Andes (Cusco–Arequipa or Arequipa–Cusco), and Highlands Journeys (Cusco–Arequipa).
Reservations can be made at belmond.com.
Read the original article on Travel & Leisure
