How do you see Peru in luxury? Hop aboard the Andean Explorer

By Aaron Millar, CNN
5 minute read
Updated 9:51 AM EDT, Tue June 13, 2017
<strong>South America's first luxury sleeper train: </strong>Belmond's new Andean Explorer, a South American version of Europe's Orient Express, takes guests across the spine of the Peruvian Andes through the cities of Cusco, Puno and Arequipa.
South America's first luxury sleeper train: Belmond's new Andean Explorer, a South American version of Europe's Orient Express, takes guests across the spine of the Peruvian Andes through the cities of Cusco, Puno and Arequipa.
courtesy Belmond
<strong>Breathtaking scenery: </strong>The 16-carriage train cuts through some of the most stunning places in Peru, including the La Raya mountain range.
Breathtaking scenery: The 16-carriage train cuts through some of the most stunning places in Peru, including the La Raya mountain range.
Matt Crossick/Belmond
<strong>Colca Canyon: </strong>The Colca Canyon is the world's second deepest gorge, almost 14,000 feet from base to tip at its highest point, nearly twice the height of the Grand Canyon.
Colca Canyon: The Colca Canyon is the world's second deepest gorge, almost 14,000 feet from base to tip at its highest point, nearly twice the height of the Grand Canyon.
Matt Crossick/Belmond
<strong>Condor spotting: </strong>It's also the best place in the world to see condors, the largest flying bird on the planet.
Condor spotting: It's also the best place in the world to see condors, the largest flying bird on the planet.
Aaron Millar
<strong>Belmond Las Casitas, Colca Canyon hotel: </strong>Belmond group also has a 20-room hotel in the Colca Valley with views of the Andes.
Belmond Las Casitas, Colca Canyon hotel: Belmond group also has a 20-room hotel in the Colca Valley with views of the Andes.
Matt Crossick/Belmond
<strong>Traditional Peruvian meal: </strong>Guests staying at Belmond Las Casitas, Colca Canyon hotel can enjoy pachamanca, a traditional Peruvian pit-cooked meal.
Traditional Peruvian meal: Guests staying at Belmond Las Casitas, Colca Canyon hotel can enjoy pachamanca, a traditional Peruvian pit-cooked meal.
Matt Crossick/Belmond
<strong>Ceremony: </strong>Blessing ceremonies by local shamans take place at night at the hotel.
Ceremony: Blessing ceremonies by local shamans take place at night at the hotel.
Matt Crossick/Belmond
<strong>'Taste the landscape':</strong> Peruvian chef Diego Munoz creates food on the journey that fuses local recipes with gourmet twists. "I want you to taste the landscape that we pass through," Munoz says.
'Taste the landscape': Peruvian chef Diego Munoz creates food on the journey that fuses local recipes with gourmet twists. "I want you to taste the landscape that we pass through," Munoz says.
Matt Crossick/Belmond
<strong>Taquile island: </strong>At Lake Titicaca, passengers are greeted by Quechua dancers -- bright feathered hats, pan pipes and drums -- off Lake Titicaca.
Taquile island: At Lake Titicaca, passengers are greeted by Quechua dancers -- bright feathered hats, pan pipes and drums -- off Lake Titicaca.
Aaron Millar
<strong>Lake Titicaca: </strong>At 12,500 feet, Lake Titicaca is the highest navigable lake in the world.
Lake Titicaca: At 12,500 feet, Lake Titicaca is the highest navigable lake in the world.
Aaron Millar
<strong>Excursion: </strong>Taquile Island and Lake Titicaca can be visited as a full-day excursion for passengers on the Belmond Andean Explorer luxury sleeper when it stops in Puno.
Excursion: Taquile Island and Lake Titicaca can be visited as a full-day excursion for passengers on the Belmond Andean Explorer luxury sleeper when it stops in Puno.
Matt Crossick/Belmond
<strong>Uros floating islands: T</strong>housands of people live on on Titicaca on a series of loosely connected platforms made entirely from totora reeds.
Uros floating islands: Thousands of people live on on Titicaca on a series of loosely connected platforms made entirely from totora reeds.
Aaron Millar
<strong>Educational tour: </strong>Belmond Andean Explorer travelers can learn about the community -- from how they construct their houses to how they hunt for food.
Educational tour: Belmond Andean Explorer travelers can learn about the community -- from how they construct their houses to how they hunt for food.
Aaron Millar
<strong>La Raya: </strong>The La Raya valley marks the highest point of the journey at 14,000 feet.
La Raya: The La Raya valley marks the highest point of the journey at 14,000 feet.
Matt Crossick/Belmond
<strong>Ollantaytambo:</strong> From La Raya, the train passes through rarely visited Inca ruins and villages along the Urubamba River, such as Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley region.
Ollantaytambo: From La Raya, the train passes through rarely visited Inca ruins and villages along the Urubamba River, such as Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley region.
Aaron Millar
<strong>Pisac: </strong>Also a village in the Sacred Valley region, Pisac is known for its handicraft market.
Pisac: Also a village in the Sacred Valley region, Pisac is known for its handicraft market.
Aaron Millar