The Andean Explorer Journal

You'll travel between the former Inca capital of Cusco, the lakeside city of Puno on the shores of Lake Titicaca, and the volcanic, UNESCO-listed White City of Arequipa — the exact sequence depending on your chosen itinerary. Along the way the landscape shifts from Inca heartland to windswept altiplano dotted with alpaca herds, then down toward Arequipa's dramatic backdrop of Misti, Chachani and Pichu Pichu volcanoes. It's a journey best watched from the open-air observation deck, where the changing light over the plains is as much a part of the experience as the destinations themselves.

If you want to see the Peruvian Andes, Lake Titicaca and Arequipa without the logistics of long overland drives or domestic flights between them, this train turns that transit time into one of the trip's best experiences rather than a chore. It particularly suits travellers who value slow, scenic travel, thoughtful regional cuisine, and small-scale luxury over big-ship extravagance. If your priority is simply reaching Machu Picchu quickly, this isn't that train — but if you want the wider story of southern Peru, it delivers it beautifully.

The simplest way is to contact Palace Trains directly — we work with Belmond to check live availability across all four itineraries, match the right cabin category to your travel dates, and build out any pre- or post-train time in Cusco, the Sacred Valley or Arequipa. Call us toll-free at 1-800-724-5120 or email travel@palacetours.com and we'll take it from there.

It's South America's first luxury sleeper train, and unlike most overnight services it doesn't actually run through the night — the train stops at a secure location while you sleep, and all movement happens in daylight so you never miss the scenery. That's a deliberate choice given the route: between Cusco, Lake Titicaca and Arequipa you're crossing some of the highest rail terrain on earth, and Belmond wants every dramatic mile seen, not slept through. It's part of what makes this journey feel more like a curated Andean expedition than a conventional train transfer.

The Andean Explorer crosses the high plains of the Andes at altitudes reaching roughly 4,800 metres, making it one of the highest rail routes anywhere in the world. To manage this, every cabin has a built-in oxygen supply plus a complimentary portable canister for use off the train during excursions. Guests with heart or respiratory conditions should still check with their doctor before travelling, and our team at Palace Trains can advise on which itinerary carries the gentlest altitude profile.

There are four options: the two-night Peruvian Highlands journey from Cusco to Arequipa, the two-night Andean Plains & Islands of Discovery from Arequipa to Cusco, and two one-night journeys — Spirit of the Water (Cusco to Puno) and Spirit of the Andes (Puno to Cusco) — for travellers with less time. The two-night routes let you experience all three destination cities and the full excursion program, while the one-night options are a good way to sample the train if you're combining it with independent time in Cusco or the Sacred Valley. Contact Palace Trains toll-free at 1-800-724-5120 or travel@palacetours.com and we'll help match the itinerary to your trip.

Off-train excursions include a visit to the Uros Islands, extraordinary man-made islands built entirely from woven totora reeds where communities have lived on the lake for generations. Standing at over 3,800 metres, Titicaca is the highest navigable lake in the world, and the light on its water is genuinely different from anywhere else on the route. Our guests often say this stop, paired with the train's own lounge and spa car, is the most memorable pause of the whole journey.

Arequipa is Peru's volcanic White City, so named for the sillar stone used in its colonial architecture, and it's a UNESCO World Heritage Site in its own right. From here, guests can extend into the Colca Canyon, one of the deepest gorges on earth and prime territory for spotting the Andean condor in flight. Some itineraries also include a visit to the 8,000-year-old cave paintings at Sumbay, adding a layer of ancient history to the volcanic scenery.

The Andean Explorer carries just 48 guests across 24 en-suite cabins, split into three categories: 8 Double Bed Suites (13.1 m²) with a proper sitting area and full bathroom, 11 Twin Bed Cabins (7.4 m²) that convert nightly from a daytime banquette into two single beds, and 5 Bunk Bed Cabins (5.5 m²) with upper and lower berths, all with en-suite shower and WC. It's an intimate ratio for a luxury train, which is part of why the onboard atmosphere feels more like a private lodge on rails than a large-scale operation.

The cabins and public spaces were designed by Inge Moore of The Gallery HBA, who drew on Peru's hand-woven textile traditions to create a palette of soft alpaca wool tones against Andean slate greys. The result feels distinctly Peruvian rather than generically luxurious — a deliberate nod to place rather than an imported style. It carries through into the two dining cars, the lounge car with its baby grand piano, and the Picaflor Spa Car.

Yes — the Picaflor Spa Car is one of the Andean Explorer's signature features, offering treatments designed to complement a high-altitude journey, from massages to therapies aimed at easing the effects of elevation. It's an unusual amenity for a train of this size and one many guests don't expect until they board. We'd suggest booking a treatment for your first day on board, since it also doubles as a gentle way to acclimatize.

Meals are served across two elegant dining cars and built around gourmet Andean cuisine, with menus that draw on Peru's celebrated culinary heritage — think Andean potato varieties, quinoa, fresh Titicaca trout, and Peruvian classics reimagined with fine-dining technique, paired with Peruvian wines and pisco-based cocktails. Dining is included in your fare and forms a central part of the onboard experience rather than an afterthought. Expect the pace to be relaxed, with courses timed to the passing scenery.

Yes — the observation car has a large open-air deck specifically built for uninterrupted panoramic views, and it's arguably the best seat on the train for watching the altiplano, volcanoes and lake scenery pass by. Guests tend to gravitate here at both sunrise and sunset, when the light on the high plains is at its most dramatic. It's a highlight worth planning your day around rather than a corridor you pass through.

The Andean Explorer is operated by Belmond, the company behind some of the world's most storied luxury trains, and it holds the distinction of being South America's first luxury sleeper train. It brought the tradition of elegant long-distance rail travel — long associated with routes in Europe and Asia — to one of the most extreme and beautiful rail environments on the continent. That combination of heritage service standards and genuinely high-altitude Andean terrain is what sets it apart from any other train on the continent.

The Peruvian Andes have a dry season roughly from May to October, which tends to bring clearer skies and easier travel, and a wetter season from November to April when the highlands turn a vivid green but afternoon showers are more common. Both seasons have their appeal — dry months are best for uninterrupted mountain views, while the wet season rewards travellers with lush, dramatic landscapes and thinner crowds. For exact scheduling and to check which dates are currently open, reach out to Palace Trains at 1-800-724-5120 or travel@palacetours.com.

Because the Andean Explorer carries only 48 guests per departure, cabins — especially the Double Bed Suites — can sell out well ahead of peak dry-season months. We recommend booking as early as possible once your travel dates are set. Palace Trains can check live availability, walk you through itinerary options, and secure your reservation; call us toll-free at 1-800-724-5120 or email travel@palacetours.com.

It works well for solo travellers who want a social but unhurried trip — the dining cars, lounge and observation deck naturally encourage conversation with fellow guests, while the compact scale of the train (just 24 cabins) keeps things intimate rather than overwhelming. Single occupancy of a Twin or Bunk cabin is generally available for a supplement. Ask our team about current solo-traveller options when you book.

The Andean Explorer leans toward a refined, adult-oriented atmosphere, and the high-altitude nature of the route means it suits older children and teens better than very young ones. Families considering the trip should also factor in altitude adjustment time in Cusco beforehand. We're happy to talk through whether this train or a different itinerary better fits a family trip — reach us at 1-800-724-5120.

Layers are essential — days at altitude can be bright and warm in the sun, while mornings, evenings and the open-air observation deck can turn sharply cold, so bring a warm jacket, hat and gloves alongside lighter daywear. Comfortable walking shoes matter for the off-train excursions to the Uros Islands and Sumbay caves, and sun protection is important given the intensity of high-altitude sun. Onboard dress is smart-casual and relaxed; there's no strict formal dress code, though many guests like to dress up slightly for dinner.

The Hiram Bingham is a shorter, day-service train focused specifically on the Cusco–Machu Picchu route, while the Andean Explorer is an overnight sleeper covering a much longer, higher-altitude journey between Cusco, Puno and Arequipa with full cabin accommodation. Many travellers combine both: the Hiram Bingham for Machu Picchu, then the Andean Explorer to see the rest of southern Peru in comfort. Our team can help sequence the two into a single seamless Peru itinerary.

Given the remoteness of the route — much of it through high, sparsely populated altiplano — connectivity on board is limited, and that's part of the appeal for many guests who use the journey to properly disconnect. Onboard staff can assist with any urgent communication needs. We'd suggest treating this trip as an intentional break from constant connectivity rather than planning to stay online throughout.

Fares include your cabin accommodation, all meals in the dining cars, select beverages, and the off-train excursions built into your chosen itinerary, such as the Uros Islands visit. Gratuities for onboard staff and local guides are customary but not included in the fare, and porters or guides on excursions are typically tipped separately. Palace Trains can confirm the exact inclusions for your specific itinerary before you travel.

Cabins, particularly the Bunk Bed and Twin categories, are cosy rather than spacious, so it's best to travel light and store any excess luggage with your pre- or post-train hotel in Cusco or Arequipa rather than bringing everything on board. Onboard storage is designed for the essentials of a one-to-three-night stay. Our team can advise on luggage logistics as part of your overall Peru itinerary planning.