Published 13th Jul. 2026
Written by Charlie Reid
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From luxurious sleeper trains to high-altitude railways, Peru’s rail network is a thing of beauty. Whether you want to marvel at ancient ruins in Machu Picchu, navigate Lake Titicaca by boat, or traverse one of the world’s deepest canyons in Arequipa, travelling by train is the way to go. One of our Latin America specialists, Charlie, has travelled extensively around Peru and experienced some of the country’s popular rail routes. Read on for his insider’s guide…
When it comes to bucket-list rail routes, the high-altitude adventure from Lima to Huancayo fits the bill. This 12 to 14-hour journey crosses 70 bridges, reaches altitudes of up to 15,600ft above sea level, and winds through the Andes. Although the route isn’t as luxurious as some of the trains you’ll find in Southern Peru, the Ferrocarril Central Andino train travels along the second-highest railway in the world (and the highest in the Americas), making it a popular option for intrepid travellers.
The rail service doesn’t boast luxury amenities like PeruRail and Belmond but it does offer panoramic views of snowcapped Andean mountains from the comfort of your seat. Fancy a drink while you traverse the Andes? Head to the observation carriage for a pisco sour or Inca Cola while admiring the surroundings.
Image by Mark - stock.adobe.com
The most sought-after of Peru’s railroad journeys, Cusco to Machu Picchu lives up to expectations. Luxury hotel company, Belmond, operates the Hiram Bingham train, named after the American explorer who rediscovered the Incan citadel in the 20th Century. The journey transports guests through the Sacred Valley between Aguas Calientes, the small pueblo that acts as a starting point for Machu Picchu visitors, and Belmond’s Rio Sagrado property, perched outside Cusco. For travellers seeking a more economical option, PeruRail offer different packages, suitable for all travellers looking to enjoy the Andean peaks while venturing to the Peruvian wonder.
During the damper months (January – April), railway excursions to Machu Picchu begin in the Sacred Valley at either Urubamba or Ollantaytambo. It takes two to four hours to reach Aguas Calientes depending on your departure station, an optimal timeframe for admiring the panoramic views as you descend through the valley from Cusco. During the drier months (May – October), it’s possible to book the longer train journey from Poroy, just a stone’s throw away from Cusco, giving travellers more time to savour the experience.
Image by Pia Riverola
Exclusive and elusive, the Cusco to Arequipa rail route transports travellers through some of Southern Peru’s finest landscapes. Belmond’s Andean Explorer is the sole tourist train to run this course, on a two-night adventure departing from Cusco, the ancient Inca capital. The first day of the trip sees you journeying through the sweeping landscapes of the Peruvian Altiplano, stopping off to admire the ancient Incan archaeological site of Raqch’i, before pausing in Lake Titicaca for the night.
On day two, there’s time for a boat trip across the lake to visit islands built by the indigenous Uros community out of intricately woven reeds. Then on the final day, you disembark in Arequipa, a city flanked by three towering volcanoes, but not before a final excursion to the Sumbay Caves, where you can see cave paintings that are over 8,000 years old. If that’s not enough to impress, there’s an option to disembark early to visit the Colca Canyon, the world’s second-deepest canyon. Now Peru is just showing off.
Image by Belmond Andean Explorer
Short on time? PeruRail and Belmond also operate one-night trips from Cusco to Lake Titicaca. Depart Cusco in the morning and spend the day coasting past Andean peaks, while enjoying gourmet Peruvian cuisine and expertly prepared cocktails in the bar car. Around the La Raya mountains – a stunning section of the Peruvian Andes – the journey has an interlude, giving passengers the opportunity to take in the surroundings at a standstill.
The route then continues to Puno, the laidback lakeside town popular for its swift access to the Uros floating islands. Here, passengers have the chance to enjoy dinner and drinks before resting for the night. This overnight journey is the perfect middle ground option for travellers short on time but yearning to witness Peru’s dramatic landscapes in the lap of luxury.
Image by Galyna Andrushko / Fotolia
Header image by Charlie Reid
Leave tour buses and jostling crowds behind on a tailor-made adventure to Peru. Whether exclusive access to art collections or walks with local Andean farmers (and their llamas) in the Sacred Valley sound more up your street, every detail of your holiday is designed for you. We’ve got your accommodation covered, too, be it listening to the sounds of the jungle from a remote eco-lodge or chatting with locals in a homestay on Lake Titicaca’s shores. And thanks to our experienced in-country team and passionate Concierges (who are just a WhatsApp message away), your trip will run like clockwork from start to finish.
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