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Cox & Kings · Tailor-Made Journey

Peru: A Belmond Andean Explorer Rail Journey

14-day Peru journey by luxury sleeper train from Lima to Machu Picchu

Illustration of Peru: A Belmond Andean Explorer Rail Journey

Cox & Kings operates this 14-day, 13-night tailor-made journey through Peru, starting in Lima and ending at Machu Picchu, supported if needed by an English speaking local representative rather than a guide leading the days throughout. The route flies from Lima, with its colonial centre and Cordano's Tavern, to Arequipa for visits to the Santa Catalina convent, then continues to the Colca Canyon, where an early morning outing to the canyon rim looks for Andean condors before boarding the Belmond Andean Explorer, described as South America's only luxury sleeper train, for a two-night journey past volcanoes and altiplano scenery to Lake Titicaca and on to Cuzco. From there the trip continues to the Sacred Valley and the Inca fortress at Ollantaytambo, then to Machu Picchu by Vistadome train for the overnight stay, before returning to Cuzco for a final city tour of the cathedral and the Inca temple of Koricancha. It suits travelers who want a flexible, upscale route through Peru's Andean highlights built around one signature sleeper train journey.

What to know before you look closer

  • Several hotels have named alternates or upgrade options depending on availability, including the Wyndham Costa del Sol Arequipa (or the boutique Cirqa), the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel (or the Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel), and the Aranwa Cuzco Boutique Hotel (or an upgrade to the Palacio del Inka or Belmond Hotel Monasterio).
  • This is a tailor-made journey with only the support, if required, of an English speaking local representative, not a guide leading the trip throughout.
  • International flights between the UK and Lima, plus a domestic flight to Arequipa, take up parts of days 1, 3, 13, and 14.
  • The evidence lists two seasonal price bands, November to February and April to October, rather than specific departure dates; confirm exact scheduling with Cox & Kings.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Lima

    Fly from the UK to Lima.

    Fly from London to Lima and transfer to the Country Club Lima Hotel for 2 nights.

  2. Day 2overnight: Lima

    Lima

    Explore the city's colonial centre on a half-day tour and stop at the historic Cordano's Tavern.

  3. Day 3overnight: Arequipa

    Fly to Arequipa

    Fly to Arequipa and stay 2 nights at the Wyndham Costa del Sol Arequipa (or upgrade to the boutique Cirqa).

  4. Day 4overnight: Arequipa

    Arequipa

    Discover the "White City" and its fine colonial architecture. Visit the 16th-century Santa Catalina convent, and the Juanita mummy museum.

  5. Day 5overnight: Colca Canyon

    Colca Canyon

    Journey to the Colca Valley and stay overnight at the Colca Lodge Spa & Hot Springs. The afternoon is free to unwind in the hotel's thermal pools beside the river.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Andean Explorer, A Belmond Train, Peru

    Luxury train to Lake Titicaca

    Early morning visit to the rim of the canyon to watch Andean condors in flight. Continue to board the Belmond Andean Explorer, South America's only luxury sleeper train, for a 2-night journey to Cuzco via Lake Titicaca. Spot vicuñas and soak up spectacular views of volcanoes and altiplano scenery.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Andean Explorer, A Belmond Train, Peru

    Lake Titicaca • Luxury train to Cuzco

    Watch the sunrise over Lake Titicaca before visiting the floating Uros reed islands and Taquile Island. Later, enjoy canapés and drinks in the piano bar as the train continues through the Andes.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Sacred Valley

    Luxury Train • Sacred Valley

    After breakfast, visit the pre-Incan site of Raqchi and travel past high Andean peaks and cultivated terraces before disembarking the train in Cuzco. Continue to the Sacred Valley and stay for 2 nights at the Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba.

  9. Day 9overnight: Sacred Valley

    Sacred Valley

    Visit the superbly preserved Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo, once a strategic military, religious and agricultural centre. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure.

  10. Day 10railovernight: Machu Picchu

    Machu Picchu

    Take the Vistadome train (or upgrade to the Belmond Hiram Bingham) to Machu Picchu for a guided exploration. Overnight at the Inkaterra Machu Picchu or Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel.

  11. Day 11railovernight: Cuzco

    Cuzco

    Morning at leisure or further explore the site. Return by rail to Cuzco and stay 2 nights at the Aranwa Cusco Boutique, or upgrade to Palacio del Inka or Belmond Hotel Monasterio.

  12. Day 12overnight: Cuzco

    Cuzco

    Take a half-day city tour, including the cathedral and the Inca temple of Koricancha. Visit the old quarter of San Blas dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries.

  13. Day 13

    Fly back to the UK via Lima

    Fly to Lima and connect to your overnight flight to London.

  14. Day 14

    Arrive in the UK

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 6An early morning visit to the rim of Colca Canyon to watch Andean condors in flight is followed by boarding the Belmond Andean Explorer, South America's only luxury sleeper train, for a two-night journey to Cuzco via Lake Titicaca.
  • Day 7The train journey continues with a sunrise over Lake Titicaca, a visit to the floating Uros reed islands and Taquile Island, and canapes and drinks in the train's piano bar.
  • Day 8The train passes the pre-Incan site of Raqchi and travels past high Andean peaks and cultivated terraces before disembarking in Cuzco.
  • Day 10The Vistadome train, or an upgrade to the Belmond Hiram Bingham, carries travelers to Machu Picchu for a guided exploration and an overnight stay.
  • Day 12A half-day city tour of Cuzco takes in the cathedral, the Inca temple of Koricancha, and the old quarter of San Blas.

Included

  • Accommodation, itinerary & meal basis as described
  • Local Transfers in a private chauffeur-driven vehicle
  • The support (if required) of an English speaking local representative
  • Local guides & entrance fees where applicable
  • International flights (and domestic flights if applicable)
  • UK departure and overseas airport taxes

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in the price of this trip?
Yes. The Belmond Andean Explorer, a luxury sleeper train with 35 cabins, runs from the Colca Canyon area past Lake Titicaca to Cuzco over two nights, and a Vistadome train runs on to Machu Picchu, with an upgrade to the Belmond Hiram Bingham train available.
Is this trip escorted or independent?
It is a tailor-made journey with private chauffeur-driven transfers and the support, if required, of an English speaking local representative, rather than a guide accompanying the trip throughout.
Which trains are used on this trip?
The Belmond Andean Explorer, a luxury sleeper train, and the Vistadome train, with an optional upgrade to the Belmond Hiram Bingham train to Machu Picchu.
What hotels does the trip use?
The Country Club Lima Hotel, Wyndham Costa del Sol Arequipa, Colca Lodge Spa & Hot Springs, Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba, Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel, and the Aranwa Cuzco Boutique Hotel, with several named upgrade options.
How much walking is involved?
The evidence lists the activity level as 'Moderate,' with city walking tours in Lima, Arequipa, and Cuzco, plus a canyon-rim excursion at Colca Canyon and a guided visit to the Inca fortress at Ollantaytambo.
How much does this trip cost?
Cox & Kings prices this trip from GBP 6,595 per person for November to February departures, rising to GBP 6,795 for April to October.

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