Peru's first luxury sleeper train. Cusco to Arequipa via Lake Titicaca and the Colca Canyon at 4,800 meters — the highest luxury train on Earth. Alpaca wool, Pisco sours, and Andean panoramas.
The Belmond Andean Explorer operates at altitudes up to 4,800 meters above sea level — higher than any other luxury train in the world. The route from Cusco to Arequipa crosses the La Raya Pass at 4,321 meters, where the air is thin and the views are breathtaking. The train is designed to operate at high altitude with oxygen enrichment systems in the cabins and a medical team on board. The train itself is a masterpiece of engineering — built to withstand extreme temperature variations, from the tropical heat of the Sacred Valley to the freezing temperatures of the altiplano.
Launched in 2017, the Andean Explorer was Peru's first luxury sleeper train. The carriages were built by the Spanish company Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles (CAF) and shipped to Peru. The interior design by Inge Moore of The Gallery HBA draws from Peruvian textiles, colors, and patterns — alpaca wool throws, handwoven fabrics, and ceramics from local artisans. The train has 24 cabins, two dining cars, an observation car, and a spa car. The observation car, with its open-air deck, is the social heart of the train — where passengers gather for Pisco sours as the Andean sunset paints the mountains in gold and pink.
The signature route runs from Cusco to Arequipa via Puno (Lake Titicaca) over 3 days and 2 nights. The outbound journey includes a stop at Raqchi (the Temple of Wiracocha), a visit to Lake Titicaca (including the floating Uros islands and Taquile Island), and a descent into the Colca Canyon. The return journey from Arequipa to Cusco includes the same stops in reverse. The train also operates a shorter 2-day route from Cusco to Puno. All routes include guided excursions, meals, and accommodation in the train's cabins. The journey is designed to showcase the best of southern Peru — Inca history, colonial architecture, and natural wonders.
The Andean Explorer's cuisine is overseen by Executive Chef Diego Muñoz, formerly of Astrid y Gastón (one of Latin America's best restaurants). The menu features Peruvian ingredients — quinoa, alpaca, trout, and native potatoes — prepared with modern techniques. The two dining cars are named after local flowers: the Muña and the Capuli. Meals are served with Peruvian wines and, of course, Pisco sours. The train also features a spa car offering treatments using local ingredients — coca leaf massages, Andean salt scrubs, and aromatherapy with native herbs. Evening entertainment includes traditional Peruvian music and dance performances.
Lake Titicaca + Colca
Reverse Route
Lake Titicaca
Sacred Valley
"The Andean Explorer is not just a train. It is a journey through the soul of Peru."— Belmond Official