FIRST CLASS TRAIN Across Peru on the “Andean Explorer”

Welcome aboard the most luxurious night

train

in South America. Come with us for three days and two nights through Peru enjoying stunning views and five-star service along the way. This is one of the highest

train

s in the world. We will climb to over 14,000 feet in the Andes Mountains, it is also one of the most luxurious in the world and offers luxurious accommodations, craft cocktails and excellent meals. You won't believe this is a train, join us on our most amazing train ride yet. Hello jet setters and railroad fans I'm Jeff Brooks from greenergrass.com right now I'm aboard the Andean Explorer join my wife Suzanne and I as we discover the islands of Peru and the absolute luxury we fly to the ancient Inca capital of Cusco.

One day before our train leaves tomorrow we will leave this bustling city behind and head south towards Lake Titicaca located high in the Andes. From there we will move west towards the second most populated city in Peru and our terminal Arequipa. This train is different than most in that it stops overnight to ensure we don't miss any scenery while still enjoying uninterrupted sleep. Unlike the trains to Machu Picchu that leave from a different station, the Andean

explorer

leaves from the Wanchak station, about a five-minute drive from the heart of Cusco, from here the tracks lead. All the way to Arequipa the train was absolutely beautiful and with our

first

look at the observation car at the back we knew where we planned to spend most of our three days on board, the festive atmosphere matched the enthusiasm of the 60 guests on board. the train and It turned out that by pure chance we had booked the

first

official trip for this train in over two years.

As soon as we sat down, we were offered a fermented fruit drink as a means of celebrating the beginning of our trip. Well, greetings, here it is. a big train ride there must be about 15 or 20 cars on this train this thing is huge and we just found out it's full so it's going to be quite an exciting adventure whose sense of adventure was further developed when the dancers joined the musicians and all of us know what came next suzanne of course join in the fun this is always an exciting moment when you get on a train and guaranteed to be one of our most epic journeys but boarding was quite a process Simple, half of the passengers were invited to a lounge located towards the front of the train and the second half, the lucky half, including us, were able to go to the observation car.

Now, of course, we headed straight to the back, where we found these two seats, so it was at this point that it was gone. Not sure we will ever move from this place here officially on board we are on board outside we are about to leave the station outside how crazy is it that with another toast after 24 months our train left Wanchak station only around six minutes late but who cares this is an adventure our two locomotives slowly take the 20 cars of this train out of cusco and almost immediately the incredible landscape that we would experience over the next three days appeared and there is no doubt that Peru offers some of the most beautiful countryside in the world and if you want to see even more transportation experiences with scenes like these from around the world, consider subscribing to the channel and don't forget to hit the bell icon too, we eventually remembered that we hadn't even seen.

Our room, however, this 1300 foot long train includes 35 cabins divided into three types of accommodation, there are bunk rooms, rooms with two single beds, which is what we booked and these absolutely over the top suites. All rooms on this train have private bathrooms with showers and each car is named after a local animal plant or other important element. Our car is called totora, which are the reeds that we will see all over Lake Titicaca tomorrow morning. Let's take a look at our double room in its daytime configuration. Welcome, it's time to take a tour of the room. spoiler alert it's amazing, well there's one thing I can say for sure, this is very different than an Amtrak room, as nice as it is, it's spectacular, so the couch and seat fold up at night and They convert into two single beds, there are many additional beds. towels and pillows, there are even extra sheets and blankets, there are outlets everywhere and in this closet you will find robes, a safe and even slippers, not to mention the bathroom, let's take a look here, it is small but mighty, with more amenities than what you would expect on a train and the shower was bigger than I would have thought it would be easy to get comfortable here for three days with no details too small you bring your water bottle as a case very luxurious welcome gift it is a small duffel bag the room too I had this box that contained hand sanitizer, but the best part, the best part, was these views, they never stopped.

This is a truly luxurious experience. You have practically everything you could want. Am I missing Amtrak right now as we continue? the huatane river on our ascent to the andes we decided to return to the observation car, it is important to have the legs of the train under us and because of these narrow corridors, it helps to learn words like permisso sorry sorry we begin our climb we' We are around sixteen hundred, The highest we'll get on this train is around fourteen grand and change. Unfortunately, there is oxygen on the train. If you need it, there is a nurse here to administer it.

I think we'll be fine, but. You're definitely feeling the altitude at this point, it was time to check out the lounge space inside the observation car. Here you will find a fully stocked bar with a bartender who is ready to prepare almost anything you can think of and everything. Eating and drinking on board is included in the ticket price. There is also another well-equipped bathroom here and in addition to this public space there is another lounge, the piano bar, which we will visit just before dinner. There are also two dining cars in the train suddenly, although the train manager appeared and asked us to follow him, we were just in the observation car and the train manager approached us and we just got an upgrade to the nicest room. big on this train.

I think it is. just because someone didn't show up, I mean they don't know we're doing this video or anything, it was just luck, this is amazing, okay, we were in a double room and now we're in the suite. let me show you how it works on this map this was our room and now all of this is now our room it's time for the tour of room number two all the same amenities in the last room just laid out a little differently so I got a double bed which is amazing along with two chairs that we can move to maximize the views.

There is a dresser and a table. This room has an additional benefit. In fact, you can open a window to see the other side of the train. In this, this is incredible despite our residual shock at our good luck, it was time to head to one of the train's two restaurant cars, now that our train was full, the passengers divided into two groups to eat, we They gave the second seat, which meant yes. Do not eat until after two for each meal. Passengers are presented with menus plus one or two appetizers. There will be two options for a main course.

In this case we both chose the sea bass. I wasn't sure if looking at the scenery or the food it was incredibly beautiful and the food really was five star in every way, the chefs work on both the trains and bellhop hotels all over Peru and the quality was not affected in no way due to the small spaces within this kitchen and also the service. It was spectacular, it was efficient, but nothing rushed, it was just what I always imagined first class service should be. We just arrived in the little town of Loriah, so let's get off the train because this at 14,200 feet is the highest it'll be on this entire trip, so let's go see it, plus it's a great place to stretch our legs and visit the local church.

Loria also had a small market where Suzanne bought some gloves they had broken into. useful as we continue on this trip I made a purchase at the market for my new gloves the altitude was one of my big concerns on this trip and here we are at the highest point of the train trip. I'll say I feel 100, but I don't feel that bad, our doctors put us on altitude meds because that might be it, but we're also trying to stay really well hydrated, plus some wine and gymnastics like I'm not ready to run a marathon, that's for sure, but in general.

I know it's not that bad, but our time in Loriah was coming to an end, so it was time to get back on the train and leave. It was here as we left Loriah behind and the moon rose as the sun set that the scenery truly became extraordinary. This was just one of those moments where a camera barely does it justice, so it's time to go out for cocktails and then dinner. The dress code on this train is smart-casual. Whatever that means, I put on a different shirt and Jeff, what did you do? Well, always smart and casual, this one here I feel a little judged for my choice of uniform.

We headed to the piano bar where a musician on board was playing. Yes, that's right, this train has its own baby grand piano. After cocktails and tapas we headed to one of the two dining cars for dinner we had been given the menu earlier in the afternoon to choose the meat main course for the two of us again everything is included and there is a red wine option or white with each meal or you can order from at the bar not only were the first courses spectacular and there were two, but the meat was perfectly cooked again, particularly impressive given the obvious limitations of cooking on a train, it's about 9: 45, the train will stop in 45 minutes or an hour or something like that. that, but it's time to close our eyes because tomorrow is early, we are going to see the sunrise over Lake Titicaca, so look, in the morning of the next day we wake up at 12,500 feet on the shores of the highest navigable lake in the world , suzanne.

I was grateful for her gloves despite the cold air the sunrise over lake titicaca one of my favorite places on earth was just perfect we were very lucky with the weather our trip in mid april came right at the end of the rainy season but no Would you? I don't know, we didn't see a drop during our time here. I love this lake for many reasons, but mainly because it has so much history and meaning. It is considered the birthplace of the Incas and the Tiwanaku who preceded them. There is also fascinating biodiversity. This is even the only place you will find Bolivia, a completely landlocked nation, because of the way its navy operates.

Once the sun rose, we would return aboard for breakfast before getting off the train once again to travel to one of the most famous places in South America. unusual neighborhoods on the horizon, this is not a traditional train trip where we are simply trying to get somewhere, but built-in excursions like the one we are about to experience give passengers the opportunity to see a slice of Peru as part of the itinerary Well, that was one of the most beautiful sunrises I remember seeing anywhere and having this happen here on Lake Titicaca, one of my favorite places on the planet, made it even more special.

Now let's start the rest of the day. As? Did you sleep last night? I slept very well. In fact, I think the altitude helps me sleep. And you? It was a short night but it was a good night. While we were preparing for this train trip. Suzanne did some. I did some research and found out that the carriages on this train are actually reconditioned in Australia and there is a plaque we just found that highlights what makes you want to come back to Australia and take a train. Oh, totally, that's on the list. We should do it? the indian pacific or the gan or both when we got back on board it was time for breakfast, which caught the attention of at least one local my omelet was great and suzanne was also happy with her scrambled eggs now everything that is consumed on this train, Each ingredient is loaded in Cusco according to the train manager, their quality expectations are so high that they won't just go to a local supermarket here in Puno to fill in some missing ingredient.

The complex logistics required to get this train running really blows your mind. This train is long and the stations are short, so we always leave by the piano bar, so we're heading now. Puno has around 140,000 inhabitants and perhaps the most interesting part of the city is the one located on the coast of this lake. train passengers boarded boats to explore something we can only see here the oros islands are artificial floating islands where the oros have made their homes for thousands of years at 12,500 feet above sea level lake titicaca is the highest navigable lake in the world world The lake is also the mostlargest of South America and these islands made of woven floating reeds have provided a safe haven for the people who call them home for at least 4,000 years.

You have a disagreement with your neighbor. Just cut them off. We take the opportunity. traveling in one of their more traditional reed boats - I even had to row, believe me, it's harder than it looks - almost three miles above sea level, and seeing these islands and meeting their people reminded me that the way that you and I live is just one way. Humans have made the world their home. Our stay here was brief, but it certainly offered a perspective on the world that most traditional train travel simply cannot. People sometimes ask about Amtrak if you can go out and explore the area and you can, but you have to. waiting for the next train to arrive at those stops just isn't enough, while on this trip, well, our train hasn't moved since 11 o'clock last night, we're not scheduled to leave here for a while, at least after . lunch so this is really designed to experience these parts of the world we left the floating islands behind to get back to the train or so we thought there was no train where he would go I don't know but it's really strange that he was here this morning his train had left, so we're not scheduled to leave here for a few hours so we're not that worried because apparently something on the train broke and they sent it to be fixed.

No one on staff seemed too concerned and the plan from the beginning was to have a buffet lunch. here at the private station the bellman has been there for almost two hours since we returned from our lake excursion there is still no train but we had lunch and we think we may have heard the train horn so it is possible that the train is arriving. Now wait, he's back, that's reassuring, yeah, when I said he'd be back, did you doubt me a little? I like it. I like the feeling of being here a little better. Despite that setback, we were still on schedule.

The plan was to stay here. for a little longer so I decided to cleanse myself, do you know what it is? This is a guy who needs a shower and luckily this amazing room has an amazing shower. I'm going to go in there and hopefully look a little different just a Second good news I feel a lot better bad news the shower won't stop working they're bringing in the mechanics to try to fix it as a reminder this is the first time this train runs in two years, so naturally, there will be some reopening paintings, this is one of the 38 crew members on board, several are maintenance professionals and two of them came to work in the shower, they had I had to remove some fixtures and just like that, it was back up and running thanks to Those Amazing Guys who came in, fixed it and fixed it right, stopped it and then fixed it.

I for one can't believe how lucky we are to be experiencing this to see the world for what we are and who cares about a little broken shower? It really didn't take much time or effort and in fact it certainly took no time or effort on my part and again thanks to the guys who made it work again, but remember to be patient as we all get back into the world of the travel cocktail. in hand we left puno on our way to sarakocha for our second overnight stay, a stay that would position us for another incredible sunrise with the sun below the horizon, we headed back to the piano bar before dinner, which was not no surprises for tonight.

The food was excellent. Suzanne's highlight was this broad bean cappuccino, but she just couldn't get enough and I was delighted with the duck she had chosen as my main course. That's a wrap on day two, we just caught up with Sarah. kocha and we are at about 14,000 feet, it's about 10 in other words, time to go to sleep. Look, I slept pretty well in the morning. I think sleeping at this altitude makes a big difference. I just sleep better, but the sun is out, so let's go outside and see the last of the sunrise. You know, it looks like a big hill, but climbing it at 14,000 feet is not easy, but like most challenges, the view from the top is worth it being between two mountains.

The lakes of Sarakocho were the perfect place to wake up and watch the sun rise. Suddenly Suzanne appeared, her case of fomo overpowered her drowsiness and it leaves you breathless, huh?, the altitude or we went down the hill and onto the train, where we found some warmth. coffee in the observation car just in time to get away from this picturesque surroundings and find some of the most stunning scenery we had seen yet, but first it was necessary to flip the switch on the mine trains that also used this track bellmond operates luxury hotels and trains around the world including the orient express and the royal scotsman this scenery along here almost made us feel like we had boarded that train through the highlands of scotland the

andean

explorer

started in 2017 as the South America's first luxury sleeper train, it is owned by Peru Rail, it is a 50-50 joint venture between Bellmond and Lorenzo Souza, the founder and president of Peru Rail, these tracks have been vital to Peru's transportation network for a long time. and opening them in this way has been a welcome addition to the country's well-established tourism economy.

I've said it before and I'll say it again South America is my favorite continent. There is so much to see here and this train is just one example of the tremendous opportunities for exploration and discovery on this magnificent continent our stomachs brought us to. reality and we continued on for breakfast, as delicious as the food was and it was always delicious the seemingly endless horseshoe curves on this morning's walk were much more fascinating, it was impossible not to daydream while looking at this landscape and being here it's hard not to reflect about the fact that Peru and indeed much of South America has been a cradle of civilization for thousands of years, although most tourists focus on the Incas, it was a relatively young empire when the Spanish arrived, in fact, it only lasted about 100 years the year before.

Civilizations also adopted the incredible technology known to the Incas, such as advanced architecture, deeply meaningful art, even irrigation. In fact, the Tiwanaku people were able to produce 21 metric tons of potatoes per acre in this region. Modern techniques, even with 21st century fertilizers, can only produce a mere 14 metric tons in the same area. We like to think we are very smart, but it is also true that a lot of knowledge has been lost over time. Now is the time to keep an eye out for wild pecunias, unlike their cousins, llamas and alpacas. These beautiful animals cannot be domesticated.

They have wool that is so fine during the time of the Incas that only royalty could use it. We head to the piano bar because we have another excursion, now the last one of the trip we are on. I am going to explore some caves near the Clues here, seeing this volcanic eruption was a reminder of how volatile this part of our planet can be. Fortunately, our caving experience wouldn't be too deep underground. Time for some caving and a short hike down. in this canyon he introduced us to cave paintings dating back over 10,000 years, another reminder of how old this part of the world is, never trust a height that descends first, that's good advice, probably for life too, the train moved away from the stop, maybe We were kicked out at least that's the story this dog would tell other passengers on this train including families, groups, honeymooners and even some solo travelers, most of them were for South America, Europe or North America, but overall there was a friendly atmosphere on board, it was easy.

To strike up a conversation over a pisco sour in the observation car, we never had to share a table during an onboard meal, although it wasn't as stuffy as other first-class experiences can be, and we saw a variety of clothing on board. Smart casual was interpreted broadly, as many of our fellow travelers wore jeans to dinner, but others opted to dress more formally. No one seemed uncomfortable or out of place. We stopped here near the Colca Canyon. Belmont has a hotel here, so many passengers take the train from Cusco and then stop here and stay at that property, we will continue to Narakipa, the train terminal, of course, because well, we like trains and we want to see all the route, so there is still time for lunch.

Um, but I guess we have a few more hours on the train and then we'll head to our Arequipa. You can also book this trip with just one night and leave in Puno, but we were happy with it. I have come all the way, you definitely cannot miss the landscape that reaches Araquipa, this is the first time I have tried the Peruvian line, it is from a vineyard about four hours south of Lima and it is really very pleasant, there is no doubt Of course, it was a bittersweet meal while it was like all the other spectacular ones, in fact, it might have been our favorite.

It was also a sign that this experience was reaching its culmination. The end of almost any trip is sad, of course, but this one was incredibly perfect despite the slight. Setbacks on the second day. We couldn't have asked for a better experience. Every aspect of this trip was amazing. I feel like I've used that word too many times to describe this experience, but there is no better one, but what topped it. The best thing that made it so special was, of course, the people who worked on board, their passion for service was unlike any we have encountered.

There were 38 crew members on board to ensure the comfort of 60 passengers, many of them operating behind the scenes. I saw them and it was hard to miss the warmth of the Peruvian people, many greeted enthusiastically as the train passed by. For many here this train is a source of pride and we consider it an honor to have been part of the first group that helped. Bringing it back to its glory after two years away, this train quickly became our home and we can't wait to get back aboard the Bellman Train sometime soon, from now until next time, see it on the rails, that's a mistake, the toilet and the shower, oh.

They're two separate things wait what I'm not 100 sure if this is a prune it could be a raisin it was a raisin it was early in the morning but one of the most beautiful sunsets I remember seeing you'll have more information than us, We have to know where to look, but yeah, it's more complicated than people realize, sure, Suzanne, guess what the train is here you want to be on this, uh no, okay, well the train is here. Here, I am the brains of the operation. What can I say? What is it in a couple of hours?

Which uh seracopa is like that? saracopa not sarakocha