Travelling across Peru is fun, it’s easy (especially if you speak a few words of Spanish), and it’s a great way to see the country, but if you really want to do it in style, there is one special journey you simply shouldn’t miss, and that is the Andean Explorer Train from Cusco to Puno.

A magical train ride across the Andes, the Andean Explorer is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure for intrepid travellers, and if you like the idea of sipping ice-cold Pisco Sour’s while watching the world go by from the window of a 1920s Pullman style dining car, then this ten-and-a-half-hour journey from the cosmopolitan Inca Capital of Cusco to the azure waters of Lake Titicaca could be the perfect addition to your South American itinerary.

Described by many travel magazines as one of the most beautiful train rides in the world, the Andean Explorer offers panoramic views of the quintessential Andean landscapes, and to ensure you always have the best view and an unforgettable experience, there is an open-air observatory car with traditional music and dances of the Peruvian highlands.

Map courtesy of the Andean Explorer (perurail.com/trains/andean-explorer/)

While on board this prestigious train, you can expect delicious snacks, a gourmet lunch, and access to the fully stocked bar (payable), which caters for every taste, so you can enjoy a glass of Argentinian or Chilean wine with your lunch, and tantalise your taste buds with a refreshing G&T as the train approaches its final destination in the early evening.

Available throughout the year on specific days of the week, the Andean Explorer is ‘a must’ for anyone travelling through Peru, and if you plan on visiting Lake Titicaca after trekking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, we think there’s no better way to get there!