PERU 2026 : PERURAIL to CUSCO

Saturday 7th March

Two years ago this train journey - in the opposite direction - was a highlight of our trip.  Up early and at the station in Puno by 7.15pm, our train departed on time at 7.50am for the 10.5 hour luxury train journey over the Andes to Cusco. 

From your seat in the dining car or from the lounge car and open air viewing deck you can see breathtaking scenery.

Or marvel at close quarters at daily life as the train passes through the towns.

There a stop at the highest point  - nearly 4400m above sea level.

Gourmet lunch and teas, Peruvian wine, cocktails and local entertainment. Luxury train journeys are one of our favourite ways to travel.

PERU 2026 : PUNO AND LAKE TITICACA

Thursday 5th March

I arranged this leg of the trip through Rumbo Explora Tours. I like to go directly to local travel agents wherever possible and  now I can highly recommend David and his team. Dulio drove us from Arequipa to Puno; 6 hours over the Andes. Highest point 4400m above sea level. 

Guanacos and Vicunas are the wild cousins of Llamas and Alpacas. 

Casa Andina is a chain of tourist hotels in Peru. The Premium in Puno has great lake views but according to Fred, lousy background music in the restaurant.

Friday 6th March

Neil is still man down with a bout of norovirus that is getting our group one by one. The rest of us did a great day boat trip on Lake Titicaca.

We visited the man-made floating islands of Uros.

And the island of Taquile.

Fred, Coenraad and Mylene took a taxi into town for the late afternoon and dinner but Neil and I are very cosy back at the hotel.

PERU 2026 : AREQUIPA

Tuesday 3 March

The final leg of our epic 1100km journey is inland to Arequipa. It's an easy 3 hours drive but recent flooding in the city has caused road closures that make reaching our hotel nearly impossible. We meet up with Mylene who has flown in from Lima.

Our hotel, San Agustin Posado del Monesterio, is very well located in the centre of the old town, so after a drink we are off to explore Plaza de Armas, the cathedral and the surrounding old city, which is a world heritage site.

The Company of Jesus Church and Cloisters is worth a visit.

Coenraad tries the local street food.

The hotel bar, 13 Monjas ( meaning nuns ) serves good cocktails and wine. Dinner at Zig Zag is great. We try a trio of steaks; including alpaca.

Wednesday 4 March

For a change we have a lie in and then it's over the road for a late morning visit at Monesterio Santa Catalina; interesting history and very photogenic.

Neil and I strolled over to the Mercado San Camilo. I love visiting food markets and especially if they haven't been touristified.

We shared a roast pork sandwich for lunch.

Later we all met up at rooftop bar Waya for sundowners and dinner at Tanta particularly to try local fried guinea pig!