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Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

Machu Picchu & the Andes

15-day Peruvian Andes loop from Lima to Machu Picchu on two PeruRail trains

Illustration of Machu Picchu & the Andes

Great Rail Journeys operates this 15-day escorted tour of Peru, beginning in Lima and concluding in the Sacred Valley near Cusco. The journey combines colonial cities, Andean highlands, and famous Incan sites, with two named trains anchoring the experience. After exploring Lima's historic centre and Arequipa's colonial architecture, you travel by coach into the high Andes to Colca Canyon, where condors soar above dramatic terrain. The itinerary then descends to Lake Titicaca, where you sail to floating reed islands and UNESCO-listed Taquile before boarding the PeruRail Titicaca Train, a vintage-style journey through the highlands with dining cars and an open-air observation platform. A second train, the Vistadome, carries you through the Sacred Valley to Aguas Calientes for a guided visit to Machu Picchu. The tour finishes with coach excursions to Ollantaytambo, Chinchero, and Pisac. A UK Tour Manager leads throughout, and guided tours by local experts are included at each major stop. The package suits history lovers, repeat rail travellers, and those seeking structured comfort in high-altitude Peru.

What to know before you look closer

  • Single supplement from GBP 5599 is nearly 22% above half the base double price, reflecting limited single rooms.
  • The tour departs from London Heathrow; UK rail connections are available as optional extras only.
  • Maximum group size is 40 people.
  • Cancellation and travel insurance are not included and must be purchased separately.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Lima

    Arrival in the Peruvian capital, Lima

    Holiday begins at London Heathrow, meeting the Tour Manager and group ahead of the flight to Lima. After a short stop in Madrid, fly across the Atlantic Ocean to South America, arriving in Lima in the early evening. Transfer to a modern four-star hotel in the Miraflores district. Convene in the hotel restaurant for the first meal together.

    Meals: Dinner

  2. Day 2overnight: Lima

    Discover Lima, the city of conquistadors

    Guided tour of Lima's historic heart, discovering UNESCO-listed colonial buildings including the Basilica and Convent of San Francisco. Visit Casa de Aliaga (built 1535) and Huaca Pucllana pre-Incan pyramid. Lunch at the on-site restaurant. Free time to explore Lima or relax by the Pacific shores. Free evening to dine independently.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  3. Day 3overnight: Arequipa

    To the 'White City' of Arequipa

    Short internal flight to Arequipa after breakfast. Lunch of regional cuisine at a local restaurant. Panoramic view from Carmen Alto viewpoint, sightseeing tour including the Church of St John the Baptist in Yanahuara, Plaza de Armas and the Compañia de Jesús Church. Rest of day at leisure.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  4. Day 4overnight: Arequipa

    Santa Catalina Monastery and Arequipa at leisure

    Guided tour of the remarkable Santa Catalina Monastery, founded in 1579. Rest of the day free to explore Arequipa at leisure. Evening free to enjoy the city's celebrated culinary scene.

    Meals: Breakfast

  5. Day 5overnight: Colca Valley (Yanque)

    Crossing the pampas to the Colca Canyon

    Coach journey into the Andes, passing through the National Reserve of Pampa Cañahuas with alpacas and llamas. Pass the Nevado Chucura crater and viewpoints Mirador de los Andes and Mirador de Patapampa. Stop in the village of Chivay. Arrive at Yanque in the Colca Valley. Time to unwind in hot springs and thermal spas before dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  6. Day 6overnight: Colca Valley (Yanque)

    Admiring the condors of Colca Canyon

    Excursion to the Colca Canyon, the world's second-deepest canyon. Travel to Mirador Cruz del Cóndor to watch Andean condors soaring above dramatic scenery. Continue along the southern edge of the canyon for lunch in a traditional restaurant. Visit pre-Inca villages of Coporaque and the Colcas at Chininia. Short walk to ruins of ancient Uyo-Uyo from Ocolle viewpoint. Free evening.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  7. Day 7overnight: Puno

    Into the high plains to Lake Titicaca

    Drive into the high plains of the Andean plateau, reaching heights of up to 14,700ft above sea level. Picnic lunch provided with scenic stops. Pass volcanoes, forests and sky-blue Lake Lagunillas with white flamingos. Arrive at Puno on the shores of Lake Titicaca. Free evening to explore.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  8. Day 8overnight: Puno

    Sailing to the floating islands of Titicaca

    Set sail on Lake Titicaca, the world's highest navigable lake. Visit the floating Uros Islands constructed from totora reeds by the pre-Incan Uru people. Sail to UNESCO-listed Taquile island, known for handwoven textiles. Lunch in a restaurant on Taquile. Return to Puno for a free evening.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  9. Day 9railovernight: Cusco

    An Andean journey on the Titicaca train

    Full-day rail journey on the PeruRail Titicaca Train from Puno to Cusco, crossing the Peruvian Highlands in elegant 1920s Pullman-style carriages with dining cars, bar car and observatory car with open-air viewing platform. Typical Andean lunch served on board with traditional music and dance show. Train pauses at La Raya Pass (14,000+ feet). Arrive in Cusco and transfer to a charming hotel in a 17th-century colonial mansion near the main square. Independent dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  10. Day 10overnight: Cusco

    Sacsayhuamán and the capital of the Inca Empire

    Half-day tour of Cusco. Visit the Incan Temple of the Sun (Qorikancha) and the astonishing Sacsayhuamán fortress. View Cusco's impressive cathedral overlooking the Plaza de Armas. Lunch at a nearby restaurant. Free afternoon and evening to explore Cusco at leisure.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  11. Day 11railovernight: Yucay (Sacred Valley)

    Lost city of Machu Picchu by rail

    Depart Cusco after breakfast on the Vistadome train to Aguas Calientes through the Urubamba River valley (Sacred Valley). Coach to Machu Picchu for a guided tour of the 'Lost City of the Incas' including the Main Square, Royal Quarters, Temple of Three Windows and Sacred Sundial. Return to Aguas Calientes, then travel by train to Ollantaytambo and on to the hotel in Yucay (a former colonial monastery). Three-course dinner tonight.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  12. Day 12overnight: Yucay (Sacred Valley)

    Into the Sacred Valley

    Coach excursion to Chinchero for a guided tour of the historic town with archaeological remains, craft market and the first Catholic church in Peru. Lunch in a local restaurant. Return to Ollantaytambo for a guided tour of the ancient fortress including the Sun Temple and Princess Baths fountain, and the Inca-era cobblestoned Old Town. Transfer back to hotel in Yucay. Free evening.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  13. Day 13overnight: Lima

    From the Sacred Valley to Cusco via Pisac

    Explore the archaeological remains of Pisac, including impressive mountain terraces and the Intihuatana ritual stone. Depart Pisac and transfer to Cusco airport for a short flight back to Lima. Check in to hotel for the night.

    Meals: Breakfast

  14. Day 14overnight: In transit (Madrid)

    Homeward bound

    After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the flight to Madrid.

    Meals: Breakfast

  15. Day 15

    Landing at London Heathrow

    Arriving at Madrid airport in the early morning, catch a short connecting flight back to London Heathrow where the holiday draws to a close.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 6Mirador Cruz del Cóndor: watch Andean condors soar above the Colca Canyon, the world's second-deepest canyon.
  • Day 8Lake Titicaca sailing: visit the floating Uros Islands, constructed from totora reeds by the pre-Incan Uru people, and sail to UNESCO-listed Taquile island.
  • Day 9PeruRail Titicaca Train: cross the Peruvian Highlands from Puno to Cusco in 1920s Pullman-style carriages with observatory car and open-air viewing platform, pausing at La Raya Pass above 14,000 feet.
  • Day 11Machu Picchu by Vistadome train: travel through the Sacred Valley on the Vistadome train to Aguas Calientes, then tour the Lost City of the Incas including the Main Square, Temple of Three Windows, and Sacred Sundial.
  • Day 12Sacred Valley: guided tours of Ollantaytambo fortress, Chinchero's historic town and craft market, and Pisac's mountain terraces.

Included

  • Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 13 nights' 3 & 4-star hotel accommodation
  • Standard Class rail travel
  • All rail and coach travel throughout the tour
  • Return flights from London Heathrow to Lima
  • All internal flights
  • Breakfast each day
  • 8 lunches
  • 3 dinners
  • All guided tours and excursions

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance

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Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in the price?
Yes. The package includes Standard Class rail travel on the PeruRail Titicaca Train from Puno to Cusco and the PeruRail Vistadome from Cusco to Aguas Calientes, plus all coach and internal flights.
What is the tour operated by Great Rail Journeys?
Great Rail Journeys operates this as a fully escorted tour. A UK Tour Manager accompanies the group throughout, and all major sites include guided tours.
How many nights are included?
The tour includes 13 nights in 3 and 4-star hotels: two in Lima, two in Arequipa, two in Colca Valley, two in Puno, two in Cusco, two in Yucay (Sacred Valley), and one in Lima on the return.
What meals are included?
Breakfast is included every day. The package also includes eight lunches and three dinners. Most other meals are not included.
How much walking is involved?
The tour includes guided walking tours of archaeological sites such as Machu Picchu, Cusco, Sacsayhuamán, and Pisac. The itinerary also features a short walk to ruins near Colca Canyon. Most other travel is by coach or train.
When does the tour operate?
Great Rail Journeys has confirmed departures in April, May, June, and October 2027, and October 2026.

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