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Cusco, Titicaca & Arequipa

Peru Train Journeys & Itineraries

A short but spectacular high-altitude sleeper link unites three essential Andean regions and fits naturally between Sacred Valley and Colca Canyon stays.

Rail journeys in Peru

A richer way to understand the destination.

A short but spectacular high-altitude sleeper link unites three essential Andean regions and fits naturally between Sacred Valley and Colca Canyon stays.

A well-chosen rail journey can become the centerpiece of a wider holiday. Consider the season, route direction, service class and comfortable time before and after boarding. Email our travel specialists with your priorities and we will help shape a journey that feels complete rather than simply assembled.

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A scenic railway journey through the Peruvian Andes
Travel atmosphere · illustrative photography

Choose the right journey

High Andean landscapes at a considered pace

Andean Explorer links the Cusco, Lake Titicaca and Arequipa regions on its flagship journeys. This is a high-altitude sleeper experience with a different purpose from a day train to Machu Picchu. Plan the two experiences separately if you wish to include both.

Allow time to adjust to altitude and discuss individual health concerns with a qualified clinician before booking. The order of your wider Peru journey matters: arrival city, acclimatization, rail direction and onward arrangements should work together.

Explore the train guides: Andean Explorer · Hiram Bingham.

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Cities along the journey

Cities to consider in your Peru holiday

Plan time for the city as well as the train. These guides suggest sights and local flavors for a separately arranged stay; they do not promise included excursions.

Peru

Arequipa

Arequipa brings a distinctive architectural and culinary identity to a Peruvian rail holiday. Pale volcanic stone gives much of the historic centre its character, while Santa Catalina's internal lanes and courtyards create a more intimate setting for exploration. The city's picantería tradition offers an equally compelling reason to stay. Give both the buildings and the table sufficient time rather than treating Arequipa as a brief transfer between the coast and the Andes. A well-paced visit can be based around the centre, with longer journeys into the surrounding region reserved for genuinely additional days.

A taste of the city. Arequipa's picanterías connect regional cooking with a long tradition of sociable meals. Rocoto preparations, solterito de queso and substantial soups or stews offer different introductions, with recipes and availability varying by kitchen. Ask about the heat of a dish and its filling rather than assuming a pepper-based speciality is vegetarian. Give lunch adequate time, and choose a modest selection if unfamiliar flavours or a forthcoming train departure make a large meal less appealing.

Explore sights, food and arrival planning

Peru

Puno

Puno is a gateway to Lake Titicaca and a living highland city, not a synonym for every island or archaeological site in the region. A stay can bring together lakeside scenery, community-led visits and an introduction to the Altiplano's history. The surrounding landscape is extensive, so choose an excursion that matches your interests rather than trying to cover every celebrated name. The high-altitude setting also calls for a measured schedule. Around a rail journey, an extra night provides breathing space for boat arrangements and local transfers, helping the city feel like part of the experience rather than an overnight necessity.

A taste of the city. Puno's regional cooking belongs to the broader Andean tradition, with soups, grains, potatoes and meat preparations reflecting highland life. A warm, uncomplicated meal can be especially appealing after time on the lake. Ask about local dishes such as chairo and the ingredients used in that kitchen's version. Portions and recipes vary, so begin with a manageable order. A restaurant meal also gives time to learn about regional produce without turning every food experience into a formal tour.

Explore sights, food and arrival planning

Peru

Cusco

Cusco deserves time as a destination, not simply as the approach to another famous site. Inca stonework, later religious architecture and a living Andean city meet within streets that reward careful observation. Qorikancha offers one introduction to that layered history, while Sacsayhuamán places monumental building in the surrounding landscape. The high-altitude setting is an important part of planning, particularly after a flight from lower elevations. Build a gentler arrival day and avoid an overly ambitious opening itinerary. For rail travellers, the precise departure station may be outside the centre, making an organised connection essential to a relaxed start.

A taste of the city. Andean cooking makes generous use of corn, potatoes, beans and regional herbs, with soups and stews offering approachable introductions. Corn with cheese or a small serving of another local preparation can be a useful first taste. Choose meals according to your appetite rather than trying to cover the whole regional repertoire at once. Ask about meat stocks, dairy and sauces when discussing dietary requirements, and leave more elaborate dining for a day when you feel settled.

Explore sights, food and arrival planning

When to consider traveling

Seasonality shapes the journey.

April to October for drier conditions; the train pauses in February.

2relevant trains8itinerary options9 September 2026reviewed

Trains in this collection

Compare the right style of rail journey.

Published routes

Peru itinerary options.

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Peru 1 day; no overnight accommodation

Cusco to Machu Picchu Roundtrip

Hiram Bingham

A full-day excursion combining the rail approach to Machu Picchu with a guided visit and an evening return. The published itinerary starts at Poroy outside Cusco and includes connecting buses to the citadel. This is a dining and sightseeing day trip, not an overnight rail holiday.

Poroy (Cusco) Machu Picchu Poroy (Cusco)
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Peru 3 days / 2 nights

New Year’s Eve Journey

Andean Explorer

A special two-night departure following the Peruvian Highlands axis with an onboard New Year celebration and sunrise by Lake Titicaca.

Cusco Puno Lake Titicaca Arequipa
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South America 3 days / 2 nights

Peruvian Highlands

Andean Explorer

The fullest Andean Explorer journey runs from Cusco across the altiplano and Lake Titicaca region to Arequipa, with two nights aboard.

Cusco La Raya Lake Titicaca Arequipa
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Peru 2 days / 1 night

Spirit of the Andes

Andean Explorer

A one-night Puno-to-Cusco journey across one of the world’s highest mainline rail routes.

Puno La Raya Cusco
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Peru 2 days / 1 night

Spirit of the Islands

Andean Explorer

The reverse one-night route travels from Arequipa to Puno and the shore of Lake Titicaca.

Arequipa Saracocha Puno Lake Titicaca
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Peru 2 days / 1 night

Spirit of the Valley

Andean Explorer

A one-night journey from Puno to Arequipa through secluded Andean valleys and the Saracocha landscape.

Puno Saracocha Arequipa
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Peru 2 days / 1 night

Spirit of the Water

Andean Explorer

The one-night Cusco-to-Puno route concludes at Lake Titicaca after crossing the altiplano.

Cusco La Raya Puno Lake Titicaca
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Plan your rail journey through Peru.

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Email our luxury rail experts Share your journey details WhatsApp 1-702-900-9975