Peru’s Andean Explorer Is Named the World’s Best Train for 2026
Travel
Key Facts
—The award. Peru’s Belmond Andean Explorer was named the world’s best train by Travel + Leisure.
—The vote. It topped the magazine’s 2026 World’s Best Awards, based on a reader survey.
—The route. The train links Cusco, Lake Titicaca and Arequipa across the high Andes.
—The first. Launched in 2017, it was South America’s first luxury sleeper train.
—The owner. Operator Belmond has been part of the French luxury group LVMH since 2019.
—Why it matters. It boosts Peru’s push to sell high-end travel beyond Machu Picchu.
The Andean Explorer world’s best train title is a marketing coup for Peru. It puts a spotlight on a side of the country that reaches well past its most famous ruin.
Peru’s Belmond Andean Explorer has been named the best train in the world. The honour came from the travel magazine Travel + Leisure in its 2026 awards.
The ranking is reader-driven. The magazine’s World’s Best Awards are based on an annual survey of its audience, which lends the title weight in the industry.
The recognition lands well for Peru. Officials framed it as proof of the country’s standing as a world-class destination.
What makes the Andean Explorer world’s best train
The setting does much of the work. The train crosses the high Andean plateau, climbing above four thousand metres on one of the world’s loftiest rail routes.
The route is a highlight reel. It connects the old Inca capital of Cusco, the vast Lake Titicaca and the white-stone city of Arequipa, a UNESCO heritage site.
Onboard, it aims for slow luxury. Guests get en-suite cabins, two dining cars, a lounge, a bar and even a spa carriage as the scenery drifts past.
The journeys run one or two nights. Excursions along the way take in the Uros floating islands on Titicaca and Andean markets and temples.
The design leans local. Cabins use alpaca wool and hand-woven textiles, and each carriage is named for Andean flora and fauna.
Altitude is handled with care. The train can fit an oxygen system on request, and the pace is set to help guests acclimatise gently.
Why the award matters for Peru
The timing is useful. Peru is trying to spread its tourism beyond Machu Picchu, where ticket shortages cap how many can visit.
The train points the way south. It draws travellers toward Arequipa, Puno and Colca Canyon, regions with room to absorb more visitors.
The luxury tag also lifts spending. High-end travellers stay longer and spend more, a segment Peru is keen to court.
There is corporate muscle behind it. Operator Belmond has been part of the French luxury giant LVMH since a 2019 takeover worth around three billion dollars.
The award caps a strong stretch for Peru. It lands alongside fresh global recognition for the country’s food scene, another pillar of its appeal.
Our reporting has shown that Peru’s gastronomy boom is now a primary tourism driver in its own right. Lima’s Maido was named The World’s Best Restaurant in 2025, following Central’s top win in 2023, and the capital is set to host the World’s 50 Best Restaurants ceremony in November 2026—the first time the event has been held in South America. The Andean Explorer’s rail accolade reinforces a broader narrative: Peru is no longer just a Machu Picchu stopover but a multi-pillar luxury destination where high-end rail, fine dining, and cultural depth work in tandem.
The backdrop is a recovery still under way. Peru received 4,157,469 international visitors in 2025, close to but still below its pre-pandemic peak.
For a traveller from London or Munich, the read is simple. The train pairs a bucket-list journey with a wider trip through southern Peru.
Booking rewards the organised. Cabins in the higher categories are limited on each departure, and peak months fill early.
The wider payoff is reputation. A single global title can shape how travellers picture a country, and this one casts Peru as a place to journey slowly and spend well.
The competition it beat was stiff. The category pits it against storied routes across Europe and Asia, which makes a South American winner all the more striking.
What makes the Andean Explorer world’s best train?
It was voted the best train in the world in Travel + Leisure’s 2026 World’s Best Awards, a ranking based on a reader survey. Judges point to its high-altitude route across the Andes, its slow-luxury service and its links between Cusco, Lake Titicaca and Arequipa.
Where does the Andean Explorer go?
The train runs across the southern Peruvian Andes, linking Cusco, Lake Titicaca near Puno and the UNESCO city of Arequipa. Journeys last one or two nights and include excursions such as the Uros floating islands.
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Why does the award matter for Peru?
It boosts Peru’s push to sell high-end travel beyond Machu Picchu, where visitor numbers are capped. Luxury travellers spend more and stay longer, helping spread tourism to regions like Arequipa and Puno.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which train was named the world's best train for 2026?
Peru's Belmond Andean Explorer was named the world's best train by Travel + Leisure in its 2026 World's Best Awards. The award is based on an annual reader survey.
What route does the Belmond Andean Explorer travel?
The train links Cusco, Lake Titicaca and Arequipa across the high Andean plateau. It climbs above four thousand metres on one of the world's loftiest rail routes.
What is historically significant about the Belmond Andean Explorer?
Launched in 2017, it was South America's first luxury sleeper train. Operator Belmond has been part of the French luxury group LVMH since 2019.
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