Peru: Grand Andean Journey(Luxury Train Andean Explorer) 2027 | 12 Days |

Begin in Lima’s historic center, where the Plaza de Armas introduces a city shaped by centuries of change. Grand colonial architecture surrounds the square, but this is only one chapter in Lima’s much longer story.

The Convent of Santo Domingo, one of Lima's oldest religious complexes, offers a glimpse into the city’s colonial and spiritual heritage. Step through its historic cloisters and uncover the stories of some of Peru’s most revered saints.

At the Larco Museum, the perspective changes completely. Its remarkable collection takes you thousands of years beyond the Inca Empire, revealing the civilizations, beliefs, and artistic traditions that shaped Peru long before Machu Picchu existed. Here, the deeper story of Peru begins to unfold and provides context for everything that follows.

Fed by a natural spring, thousands of salt pools cascade down the mountainside at Maras. The salt is still harvested using techniques passed through generations of local families.

The remarkable concentric terraces of Moray reveal the sophisticated ways the Incas understood agriculture, altitude, and the Andean environment.

Enjoy lunch at historic Hacienda Huayoccari, a traditional family estate surrounded by the landscapes of the Sacred Valley. Afterwards, experience the elegance of the Peruvian Paso horse, celebrated for its distinctive smooth gait and graceful movement.

Walk through one of the Andes’ best-preserved Inca towns, where original stone streets, canals and centuries-old foundations remain part of everyday life.

All Aboard the Belmond Hiram Bingham! Travel in refined style aboard this iconic train, with first-class service, gourmet dining, and panoramic views along the way. As the Sacred Valley narrows, watch the high Andes gradually give way to lush cloud forest, steep mountains, and the winding Urubamba River on the journey toward Machu Picchu.

Explore Machu Picchu at a more leisurely pace along the Royal Route, taking in the citadel’s ceremonial and royal sectors while appreciating its remarkable architecture and mountain setting.

For the adventurous, take on the steep ascent of Huayna Picchu, rising dramatically above the citadel for a challenging climb and a striking perspective over Machu Picchu and the mountains beyond.

For a more active experience, follow the trail toward Inti Punku-the Sun Gate, climbing above the citadel for a different perspective across Machu Picchu and the surrounding mountains.*

Begin above the city at Sacsayhuaman, where enormous stones were assembled with extraordinary precision into some of the most impressive surviving examples of Inca engineering.

Discover the rich heritage of Andean textiles at the Sullca Textile Museum. Learn about the traditional techniques of spinning, dyeing, and weaving, then visit the on-site camelid farm, home to llamas, alpacas, and vicuñas. This experience offers an authentic introduction to Peru's enduring textile traditions.

Stand in Cusco itself, where Qorikancha perhaps reveals the city’s transformation most clearly: once among the most sacred temples of the Inca Empire, its stone foundations later became incorporated into the colonial complex of Santo Domingo.

Experience another side of the city at San Pedro Market, filled with produce, local ingredients and the rhythms of everyday Cusco.

Step inside one of the city’s most important colonial landmarks, where grand architecture and celebrated works of the Cusqueña School reflect the blending of European and Andean artistic traditions.

Settle into the rhythm of a two-night journey across the Peruvian Andes, where elegant cabins, refined dining and open-air views accompany you through sweeping highland plains, remote villages and dramatic mountain scenery. More than a way to travel, life aboard the train becomes an experience of its own.

Step off the train at Raqch’i, an important Inca settlement once positioned along the empire’s great road system. Walk among its monumental remains, dominated by the soaring walls of the Temple of Wiracocha, whose immense scale and distinctive architecture reveal another side of Inca engineering, spirituality and life beyond the empire’s great capitals.

Pause at La Raya, the highest point along the rail journey between Cusco and Puno. At approximately 14,150 feet above sea level, this spectacular mountain pass opens to sweeping views across broad highland plains framed by snowcapped Andean peaks.

Venture onto the extraordinary Uros Floating Islands, built entirely from layers of native totora reeds. Meet members of the community and see how the reeds remain central to their homes, boats and distinctive way of life on the lake.

Across the deep blue waters lies Taquile Island, where centuries-old textile traditions remain an important expression of community and culture. Meet local islanders, share a traditional lunch and take in expansive views across Lake Titicaca and the distant Andes.

Experience a quieter side of Lake Titicaca at Collata Beach, where the open shoreline and brilliant blue waters reveal the lake on a grander, more peaceful scale.

Far from the lights of the city, Lake Saracocha offers a remarkable setting beneath the Andean night sky. When conditions are clear, look upward for a memorable display of stars before retiring to your cabin aboard the train.

Hidden among the highlands, the Sumbay Caves preserve thousands of years of human history through ancient rock paintings depicting hunters, camelids and scenes of everyday life. These remarkably preserved images offer a rare glimpse into the people who inhabited the Andes long before the Inca.

The Andean Explorer reaches its final stop at KM 93, bringing your two-night rail journey across the Peruvian Andes to a close. From here, trade the rails for the open road and set out toward the Colca Valley.

The journey into Colca Valley reveals a changing landscape of sweeping mountains, agricultural terraces and traditional Andean villages. Settle into an intimate retreat tucked within the valley, where your private casita provides a peaceful base for the experiences ahead.

Stand at one of the Colca Canyon’s most dramatic viewpoints, where sheer canyon walls plunge into the valley below. With a little luck, watch Andean condors ride the thermal currents overhead, their immense wingspans silhouetted against the mountains.

Spend time in Maca, a small Andean village surrounded by agricultural terraces and mountain scenery, where its colonial church and traditional character offer a glimpse into everyday life in the Colca Valley.

Centuries-old traditions remain woven into daily life in Yanque, set against the striking backdrop of the Colca Valley. Its historic church and central plaza reflect the enduring blend of Andean and colonial influences found throughout the region.

The road toward Arequipa climbs through Patapampa, reaching more than 16,000 feet above sea level at one of the highest points of the journey. From this extraordinary elevation, volcanic peaks rise across the horizon before the road begins its descent toward Arequipa.

Descend from the high Andes into Arequipa, dramatically set beneath a skyline of volcanoes. Known as the White City for its distinctive pale volcanic-stone architecture, Arequipa introduces a different face of Peru after the remote landscapes of the highlands. Settle in for the evening at a beautifully restored historic retreat in the heart of the city, where Arequipa’s architectural heritage becomes part of your stay.

Behind imposing walls lies a remarkable world of narrow lanes, hidden courtyards and vividly painted cloisters. Founded in the 16th century, Santa Catalina Monastery feels almost like a city within a city, offering an intimate glimpse into centuries of religious and colonial life.

At the heart of the White City, Plaza de Armas is framed by elegant arcades, historic façades and the imposing Arequipa Cathedral. Much of its distinctive architecture was built from pale volcanic stone, giving the historic center the character that earned Arequipa its celebrated nickname.

Take in a final panorama of Arequipa from Yanahuara, where traditional sillar-stone arches frame views across the city toward the surrounding volcanoes, a fitting final perspective on your time in Peru.