THE CHARMING CITY OF AREQUIPA
South America’s only luxury sleeper train, offering unparalleled comfort and service on a beautiful journey through the Andes.
The most luxurious high-altitude train journey in the world, the Belmond Andean Explorer is the perfect way to experience some of South America’s most spectacular scenery, whilst staying on the continent’s only sleeper train.
Travelling between the ancient Inca capital of Cusco and the charming city of Arequipa, the Belmond Andean Explorer offers a lavish way to combine two of Peru’s most impressive cities. En route you will stop at another of the country’s most recognised attractions, the stunning Lake Titicaca. Dependent on the itinerary and its length, there are also additional stops along the way and even an option which can include the hugely impressive Colca Canyon.
Each day your knowledgeable Belmond guide will take you on different activities, discovering the attractions en route. When back on board, guests can relax in one of the beautifully decorated lounge carriages or take in the sights and sounds of the Andes in the open-viewing carriage at the back of the train. There is even an on-board spa, where you can indulge in a treatment using natural ingredients from the Altiplano!
A la carte meals created with fresh, colourful and seasonal ingredients are served in the two elegant dining carriages and a special afternoon tea is included for guests taking one of the longer two-night itineraries. For early risers, optional sunrise activities are put on and accompanied by freshly brewed coffee and hot-chocolate, as well as a fire pit to keep the fresh Andean air at bay.
In the evening and after a delicious three course dinner, guests are invited to relax to the soothing sounds of Belmond’s on-board musician. Accompanied with a nightcap, it’s the perfect way to end a day before retiring to bed.
On board sleeping arrangements are comfortable and guests can choose between three cabin categories. Suites are the largest and most luxurious and are the only cabins with a double bed. They measure approximately 13m2 and have a small lounge area. The twin bed and bunk bed cabins are decorated in the same style as the suites but are slightly smaller. Light colours and bright and bold textiles feature in all the cabins and each has a large window and en suite bathroom with shower.
Whilst on board you will be looked after by an incredibly professional team, who pride themselves in their attentive, yet personalised service. Along with the Belmond guide there is also an on-board nurse in case any guests are unwell due to the altitude.
Click here to read South America specialist Jonny’s experience on the Andean Explorer.
BELMOND ANDEAN EXPLORER, CUSCO, LAKE TITICACA & AREQUIPA
Andean Explorer, at a glance
- The only luxury sleeper training in South America
- Cabins decorated using traditional Peruvian textiles and bathrooms fashioned using local stone
- Experience the best of Peruvian cuisine in the elegant dining carriages
- Relax with a freshly made pisco sour in one of the sophisticated lounge cars
- Discover the wonders of this part of Peru with Belmond’s hand-picked guides
- Indulge yourself with a spa treatment in the Picaflor spa carriage
- Take a walk down to the open viewing carriage, where you will be greeted to first class views on the world’s highest rail route
- Nurse on board and oxygen supply if guests are unwell
Where will the Belmond Andean Explorer take you
The Andean Explorer has four different itineraries to choose from. The longest and most popular are the three day / two night routes between Cusco and Arequipa. There are also two shorter options, which only involve one night on the train and operate between Cusco and Lake Titicaca. The train runs year-round, except for February.
The latest itineraries are as followed, please not exact timings and schedules may vary.
3 day / 2 night ‘PERUVIAN HIGHLANDS’ Itinerary – Cusco to Arequipa
Day 1 – Cusco to Lake Titicaca
11:00 – Depart from Cusco – Wanchaq Station
12:30 – Lunch on board
13:55 – Tour of Raqchi archaeological site
15:30 – Canapés in the bar car
17:45 – Tour of La Raya (the highest point of the journey)
19:00 – Pre-dinner cocktails
19:30 – Dinner on board
22:30 – Arrive at Puno – Lake Titicaca Station
Overnight stay at Lake Titicaca Station (Puno)
Day 2 – Lake Titicaca
Sunrise at Lake Titicaca
06:00 – Breakfast on board
08:30 – Board boats to explore Lake Titicaca. Visit Uros and Taquile islands
12:30 – Private lunch at Collata Beach, Taquile. Dance and artisanal craft displays
15:45 – Arrive back at Lake Titicaca Station (Puno)
16:00 – Teatime at the station
16:50 – Depart to Arequipa
19:00 – Pre-dinner cocktails
19:30 – Dinner on board
Overnight stay at Saracocha
Day 3 – Continue to Arequipa*
06:00 – Breakfast on board
06:45 – Depart to Arequipa
09:40 – Tour of Sumbay Caves
11:30 – Station Km. 93: Passengers going independently to Colca Canyon disembark
12:30 – Light lunch on board
15:30 – Arrive at Arequipa – Arequipa Station
*For guests staying in the Colca Canyon, there is the option of disembarking the train early at KM93 (which is a shorter journey).
3 day / 2 night ‘ANDEAN PLAINS AND ISLANDS OF DISCOVERY’ Itinerary – Arequipa to Cusco
Day 1 – Arequipa to Lake Titicaca
19:00 – Welcome cocktails at Arequipa Station
20:00 – Depart from Arequipa
20:30 – Dinner on board
Overnight on board (the train will continue travelling)
Day 2 – Lake Titicaca
Sunrise at Lake Titicaca
06:00 – Breakfast on board
08:30 – Board boats to explore Lake Titicaca. Visit Uros and Taquile Islands
12:30 – Private lunch at Collata Beach, Taquile. Dance and artisanal craft displays
15:45 – Arrive at Lake Titicaca Station (Puno)
16:00 – Afternoon tea at the station
16:50 – Depart to Cusco
19:00 – Pre-dinner cocktails
19:30 – Dinner on board
Arrival and overnight stay at Marangani
Day 3 – Continue to Cusco
Sunrise at Marangani
06:00 – Breakfast on board
07:30 – Depart to Cusco
08:30 – Raqchi tour
11:30 – Brunch in the bar car
13:30 – Arrive at Cusco – Wanchaq Station
2 day / 1 night ‘SPIRIT OF THE WATER’ Itinerary – Cusco to Lake Titicaca
Day 1 – Cusco to Lake Titicaca
11:00 Depart from Cusco – Wanchaq Station (Cusco)
12:30 Lunch on board
13:55 Raqchi tour
15:30 Canapés in the bar car
17:45 La Raya tour
19:00 Pre-dinner cocktails
19:30 Dinner on board
23:30 Arrival at Puno – Lake Titicaca Station
Overnight stay at Puno – Lake Titicaca Station
Day 2 – Arrive at Lake Titicaca
Sunrise at Lake Titicaca
06:00 Breakfast on board
08:00 Disembark at Lake Titicaca Station (Puno)
2 day / 1 night ‘SPIRIT OF THE ANDES’ Itinerary – Lake Titicaca to Cusco
Day 1 – Lake Titicaca to Cusco
12:00 Depart from Puno – Lake Titicaca Station
13:30 Lunch on board
18:00 La Rafa tour
19:00 Cocktail
19:30 Dinner on board
21:00 Arrive at Cusipata (Cusco)
Overnight stay at Cusipata (Cusco)
Day 2 – Arrive into Cusco
05:30 Depart to Cusco
06:00 Breakfast on board
07:35 Arrive at Cusco – Wanchaq Station
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