Belmond Andean Explorer
peru, peru · ★★★★★
The Verdict
Worth it for your honeymoon?
Belmond Andean Explorer is South America's first luxury sleeper train — and one of the most cinematic honeymoon experiences in the Americas. Across 24 wood-paneled cabins it traces a route that no road can match: Cusco at 3400m, up the Altiplano to Lake Titicaca at Puno, across the world's highest railway pass, down to the white volcanic city of Arequipa beside the Colca Canyon. Honeymooners ride for two or three nights in cabins that feel like a moving boutique hotel — king beds with crisp linen, soft alpaca throws, en-suite bathrooms, and panoramic windows that turn the high Andes into a slow film. The observation car opens to the wind and the stars; the piano bar pours pisco-paired cocktails as condors circle overhead; and the Spa Car — yes, a full spa carriage — offers couples massages while the train climbs to over 4300m. Excursions are baked into the itinerary: a private Uros floating-island visit on Lake Titicaca, a sunrise condor watch at the Cruz del Cóndor viewpoint over Colca Canyon, and the colonial Plaza de Armas in Arequipa. For honeymooners who want a journey rather than a destination, this is the most romantic train in the Americas.
- ✓Trust couples-verified reviews
- ✓Prioritise spa & wellness
- ✓Are willing to invest in once-in-a-lifetime
- →Need a strictly adults-only resort
- →Have a budget under $1,000/night
- →Want a direct beachfront
- →Prefer boutique & intimate properties
Score Breakdown
93/100
Book Your Stay
Check availability
We compare Belmond Andean across partners and redirect to the cheapest option.
At a Glance
Room Recommendation
Which room to book
Book a Suite Cabin with double bed and en-suite — these are the most spacious cabins, with a small lounge area and panoramic-window beds, and they sell out first. Twin Cabins convert to a king but are tighter; Bunk Cabins are the entry tier and excellent value but lack the romance of a double bed. For honeymoons, the Suite is the only choice if budget allows.
No Surprises
True cost breakdown — 7 nights for two
Based on mid-range rooms, premium-economy flights from Europe, full dining and signature experiences. Adjust for your actual travel profile.
| Item | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Room (7 nights avg $3,500/nt) | $24,500 |
| Flights (2 pax, economy/premium) | $1,800 |
| Airport transfers / seaplane | $200 |
| Dining & drinks (beyond room) | $36,750 |
| Excursions & experiences | $700 |
| Spa / signature treatments | $300 |
| Tips & service (8%) | $4,900 |
| Total estimated | $69,150 |
Day by Day
Your 7-night honeymoon itinerary
Lima arrival
Land in Lima, overnight at a Miraflores or Barranco boutique hotel. Cliffside walk, ceviche dinner, early night before the Cusco flight.
Fly to Cusco, acclimatize
Morning flight to Cusco (3400m). Check in at Belmond Monasterio or Palacio Nazarenas. Slow afternoon — coca tea, gentle Plaza de Armas stroll, no climbing.
Cusco day, board the Andean Explorer
Morning private tour of Qoricancha and the cathedral. Late afternoon transfer to Wanchaq station, board the Andean Explorer with welcome pisco sour. Dine on board as the train climbs onto the Altiplano.
La Raya pass and Lake Titicaca
Cross the La Raya pass at 4321m — the highest point of the journey — with a brief platform stop for photos in the snow-capped highlands. Afternoon arrival at Puno on Lake Titicaca, private launch to the Uros floating reed islands at sunset.
Lake Titicaca to Colca Canyon
Sunrise on the lake, board the train south for the long climb across the Altiplano toward the Colca region. Spa Car couples treatment as the train rolls. Overnight on board near Colca.
Colca Canyon and condors, on to Arequipa
Pre-dawn excursion to the Cruz del Cóndor viewpoint to watch Andean condors ride the morning thermals out of the canyon. Re-board for the descent to Arequipa, arriving by mid-afternoon. Disembark and overnight at a Casa Andina or Cirqa boutique in the Arequipa historic center.
Arequipa and depart
Morning at the Santa Catalina monastery and the Plaza de Armas. Lunch on a colonial sillar courtyard, afternoon flight Arequipa-Lima for international departure that evening.
Honest Assessment
What to know before you book
The route crosses 4321m at La Raya pass — altitude is significant; hydrate, drink coca tea, skip alcohol on day one. Oxygen is available on board.
Departures run on a fixed seasonal calendar (typically May-November) — confirm dates and routing well ahead. Operations pause for the wet season.
Excursions are pooled in small groups, not strictly private — for fully private touring at each stop, book add-ons through Belmond's concierge.
Cabins are compact (8-13 sqm) — beautifully designed, but smaller than a hotel room; pack a soft bag, not a hard suitcase.
Pre-Arrival
Email to send the hotel
Subject: Honeymoon booking inquiry — Belmond Andean Explorer Dear Belmond team, We are honeymooning in Peru for [DATES] and would like to ride the Andean Explorer on the Cusco to Arequipa southern route in a Suite Cabin. Could you share availability, departure dates, rates including all excursions, and pricing for a Spa Car couples treatment? We would also love to combine the journey with Belmond Sanctuary Lodge at Machu Picchu and Belmond Hotel Monasterio in Cusco — any joint package would be appreciated. Thank you, [Names]
Send 2 weeks before arrival. Fill in names, dates, and preferences. Hotels respond to personalised requests.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is the Andean Explorer good for honeymooners?
Outstanding — a Suite Cabin with a double bed, the Spa Car, the observation deck under the stars, and the piano bar make it one of the most cinematic honeymoon journeys in the world. Best paired with Machu Picchu before boarding.
Will we get altitude sickness?
Possibly — the train crosses La Raya at 4321m and stops in Puno at 3800m. Acclimatize in Cusco first, hydrate, drink coca tea, and request the on-board oxygen if needed. The Spa Car staff are trained for altitude care.
Train or fly between Cusco, Lake Titicaca, and Arequipa?
Flights exist, but the Andean Explorer is the only way to do the route as a single luxury journey. It replaces 2-3 separate flights and hotel transfers with a continuous experience.
When is the best time to ride?
May to November is the dry season and the operating window — clear high-altitude skies and the best condor sightings. The train pauses in the wet season.
How does it pair with Machu Picchu?
Most honeymooners do Lima > Cusco > Sacred Valley > Machu Picchu first, return to Cusco, then board the Andean Explorer for the southern leg. The full itinerary runs 9-12 nights.
How far in advance should we book?
6-9 months for May-November dates, especially for Suite Cabins. Departures sell out earliest in the dry-season peak (June-August).
Same Vibe, Different Destination
