Belmond Andean Explorer: Luxury Train
Book South America’s first luxury sleeper train, linking Cusco, Lake Titicaca, and Arequipa across the high Andes.
Most ways to get from Cusco to Lake Titicaca involve a bus seat and a long day. This is the alternative: a genuine sleeper train, the first of its kind in South America, that turns the crossing itself into the destination. You’ll pass through Raqchi’s Inca ruins, climb over La Raya — the highest point on the route at 4,335 meters — and watch the Altiplano roll by from an open-air observation car, all before a multi-course dinner and a night’s sleep in a private cabin with its own bathroom.
This isn’t a Kondor Path private tour in the usual sense — it’s a booking service for Belmond’s own scheduled train, which means fixed departure days, fixed routes, and pricing set by the train operator rather than a private vehicle we charter for your group. What we handle is the reservation, the logistics around it, and folding it into the rest of your Peru itinerary.
| 💰 Price from | $1,229 USD per person (Bunk Bed cabin, 8 travelers) |
| ⏱️ Duration | 1, 2, or 3 days depending on route |
| 👥 Capacity | 35 cabins, up to 70 guests total on board |
| 🥾 Physical level | Easy — this is a train journey, not a trek |
| ⛰️ Max. altitude reached | 4,335 m / 14,222 ft (La Raya pass) |
| 📍 Routes | Cusco, Puno (Lake Titicaca), and Arequipa, in either direction |
| 📅 Operating season | Year-round, with a scheduled pause in February (exact dates vary by year) |
| 🍽️ Meals | All meals and select beverages included on board |
| 🛏️ Cabin types | Suite (13.1 m²), Twin Bed (7.4 m²), Bunk Bed (5.5 m²) |
The Belmond Andean Explorer is South America’s first luxury sleeper train, connecting Cusco, Lake Titicaca (Puno), and Arequipa across four scheduled weekly routes. The journey includes stops at the Raqchi archaeological site and the 4,335-meter La Raya pass, with all meals, select beverages, and cabin accommodation included in the ticket price. Kondor Path Tours handles the reservation and fits the train into your broader Peru itinerary.
The Belmond Andean Explorer is South America’s first luxury sleeper train, running scheduled routes across southern Peru that connect Cusco, Lake Titicaca (Puno), and Arequipa. As the definitive luxury train from Cusco to Puno, it’s a fixed-departure service — the train runs on set days each week, with a set itinerary, dining, and cabin service included in the ticket price.
Four routes are currently offered, each running on its own weekly schedule:
The train tops out at 4,335 meters crossing La Raya pass, one of the highest points reached by any passenger train in the world, before descending toward Puno on the shores of Lake Titicaca — the world’s highest navigable lake.
Since this is a scheduled train rather than a private tour, the itinerary follows Belmond’s own fixed timing for each route. Below are the two most commonly booked one-night routes.
11:00 — Depart Cusco-Wanchaq Station. Boarding begins ahead of departure at Cusco’s Wanchaq Station, where your cabin is ready, and the journey southeast toward Lake Titicaca begins.
12:30 — Lunch on board: The first of several meals served during the journey, prepared with Peruvian ingredients in one of the train’s two dining cars.
Early afternoon — Raqchi archaeological site: A stop to visit Raqchi, a significant Inca-era complex, adding a cultural stop to the scenic crossing.
Late afternoon — La Raya: The train reaches La Raya, the highest point of the route at 4,335 meters, with sweeping views over the surrounding peaks.
Evening — Cocktails and dinner on board Pre-dinner canapés in the bar car lead into a full dinner service in the dining car as the train continues toward Puno.
23:30 — Arrival at Puno-Lake Titicaca Station, overnight on board. The train stops for the night directly at the lakeside station, with passengers sleeping in their cabins.
Day 2 — Sunrise, breakfast, and disembarkation. Breakfast on board precedes disembarkation at Lake Titicaca Station the following morning.
Midday — Depart Puno-Lake Titicaca Station. The return route begins at midday from Puno, heading north toward Cusco.
Afternoon — Lunch on board, then La Raya. Lunch is served early in the journey, followed by a stop at La Raya later in the afternoon.
Evening — Dinner on board, overnight at Cusipata. Cocktails and dinner precede an overnight stop at Cusipata, closer to Cusco than the Spirit of the Water’s overnight point.
Day 2 — Early breakfast, arrival in Cusco. An early departure from Cusipata brings the train into Cusco-Wanchaq Station by mid-morning, with breakfast served on board along the way.
| 🍽️ Food | All meals included on board |
| 🥾 Physical level | Easy |
| 🚶 Walking distance | Minimal — short walks to dining/lounge cars, occasional stops off the train |
| 📍 Starting altitude (Cusco) | 3,350 m (10,990 ft) |
| 🏁 Ending altitude (Puno) | 3,827 m (12,555 ft) |
| ⛰️ Highest altitude reached | La Raya: 4,335 m (14,222 ft) |
Longer routes (Peruvian Highlands, Andean Plains and Islands of Discovery) extend this pattern across an additional day, continuing to or from Arequipa with further stops along the way.
Yes
Easy
A light walk
5 to 10 min. to car train restaurant
Cusco: 3,350m (10,990 ft)
Puno City: 3,827m (12,555 ft)
La Raya: 4,335m (14,222 ft)
This is a booking service for Belmond’s own scheduled luxury train — the departure days, route, and onboard experience are fixed by the train operator, not customized like our private day tours. Kondor Path handles your reservation and fits it into your broader Peru itinerary.
Peruvian Highlands (Cusco–Puno–Arequipa, 3 days/2 nights, Thursdays) and Andean Plains and Islands of Discovery (Arequipa–Puno–Cusco, 2 days/2 nights, Saturdays) are the longer routes connecting all three cities. Spirit of the Water (Cusco–Puno, Tuesdays) and Spirit of the Andes (Puno–Cusco, Wednesdays) are shorter, one-night versions between just two of the cities.
No — the Andean Explorer does not operate in February. For the 2026 season specifically, the confirmed pause is from February 4 to March 4; exact dates can shift slightly year to year, so we recommend confirming when you book.
Suite cabins are the largest at 13.1 m², with a double bed and a sitting area. Twin Bed cabins (7.4 m²) offer two single beds in a day/night configuration. Bunk Bed cabins (5.5 m²) are the most compact, with a banquette that converts to upper and lower berths.
Puno itself sits at 3,827 meters, but the train’s actual highest point is La Raya pass, at 4,335 meters, reached during the crossing between Cusco and Puno — that’s the figure to plan around for altitude comfort.
Yes, all meals during the journey are included, along with a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, served in the train’s two dining cars.
It can be, since the train crosses 4,335 meters at La Raya. Cabins are equipped with oxygen, and the onboard crew is prepared for altitude-related discomfort, but travelers with heart or respiratory conditions should consult a doctor before booking.
Each route is sold as a complete package with its own fixed itinerary — Peruvian Highlands and Andean Plains and Islands of Discovery aren’t typically split into shorter segments, but ask us about your specific travel dates if you have a particular routing in mind.
As early as possible. The train has only 35 cabins and a limited weekly schedule, and departures connecting all three cities tend to sell out well ahead of the date, especially in high season.
Children age 5 and up may travel with a guardian 21 or older. It’s worth noting the journey has a fairly adult, unhurried luxury pace, which is a different rhythm than a typical family activity.
As a remote train journey through the high Andes, expect limited or no phone signal and WiFi for significant portions of the route — most travelers treat it as part of the appeal rather than an inconvenience.
Yes — this luxury train Cusco to Puno service functions as genuine transport between the two cities, just with a significantly more immersive, multi-hour scenic and dining experience built in compared to a standard bus or flight.
There’s no strict dress code, though many travelers choose smart-casual attire for dinner to match the train’s elegant dining cars — comfortable daywear is fine for the rest of the journey.
Yes, this pairs naturally with a Cusco-based Machu Picchu itinerary, since routes depart from and return to Cusco’s Wanchaq Station — ask us about combining both into one seamless Peru itinerary.
| Number of Travelers | Price per Person |
|---|---|
| Solo traveler | $2,723 |
| 2 travelers | $2,550 |
| 3 travelers | $2,549 |
| 4 travelers | $2,505 |
| 5 travelers | $2,504 |
| 6 travelers | $2,492 |
| 7 travelers | $2,491 |
| 8 travelers | $2,484 |
| Number of Travelers | Price per Person |
|---|---|
| Solo traveler | $2,450 |
| 2 travelers | $1,795 |
| 3 travelers | $1,970 |
| 4 travelers | $1,753 |
| 5 travelers | $1,868 |
| 6 travelers | $1,740 |
| 7 travelers | $1,823 |
| 8 travelers | $1,733 |
| Number of Travelers | Price per Person |
|---|---|
| Solo traveler | $2,240 |
| 2 travelers | $1,280 |
| 3 travelers | $1,557 |
| 4 travelers | $1,245 |
| 5 travelers | $1,420 |
| 6 travelers | $1,235 |
| 7 travelers | $1,360 |
| 8 travelers | $1,229 |
Pricing reflects the 2026 season and Kondor Path Tours’ booking structure. Given the train has limited cabins and a seasonal timetable, we recommend booking well in advance, especially for departures combining all three cities.
Belmond Andean Explorer Train
Belmond Andean Explorer Lake Titicaca Train
Andean Explorer Train Peru
