Peru in Motion: A Journey with Belmond’s Trains and Hotels
copy and images by Belmond
There is something about Peru that seems to shift time. Ancient cities, sacred peaks, and jungles pulsing with life, all unfolding at their own rhythm. For the traveler who prefers to move with intention, Belmond offers a rare lens into this storied country: one that balances curated comfort with soul-stirring wonder.
Most journeys begin in Lima, where Belmond Miraflores Park offers a breezy perch above the Pacific in the capital’s most stylish district. The hotel is steps from the city's famed clifftop parks and perfectly placed for culinary exploration. Lima has become a gastro capital of South America—home to some of the best restaurants in the world, including Central, currently ranked #1 globally. Whether you're booking months in advance or following the scent of street food into a hidden alley, Lima is a place where flavor leads.
At Huffman Travel, we have long trusted Belmond to turn travel into something more enduring. In Peru, they have created a collection of journeys and stays that feel less like a vacation and more like a passage through the extraordinary.
Cusco: Where the Journey Begins
Perched high in the Andes, Cusco is more than a gateway to Machu Picchu – it is a city alive with colonial charm and Incan roots. Belmond Hotel Monasterio, a former 16th-century monastery, wraps guests in hushed elegance, with oxygen-enriched rooms and a tranquil courtyard that quiets even the busiest mind. Just across the way, Belmond Palacio Nazarenas blends ancient stones with modern indulgence – think in-suite butlers, a heated outdoor pool, and a hidden pisco bar.
From here, your path through Peru begins to unfurl.
All Aboard the Hiram Bingham
Machu Picchu may be one of the world’s most photographed sites, but few arrive in such style. The Belmond Hiram Bingham train is part moving time capsule, part rolling celebration. With polished wood interiors, white-linen dining, and live Peruvian music, the journey itself becomes a memory. Guests arrive at the lost city of the Incas not rushed or rattled – but elevated, ready to absorb the mystique in full.
Sacred Valley: Slowness with a View
Before or after Machu Picchu, many pause in the Sacred Valley – a place that invites deeper breath and wider perspective. Belmond Rio Sagrado rests along the Urubamba River, with terraced gardens and alpacas grazing nearby. It is a place to rest, reconnect, and let the landscape do its quiet work.
Southward on the Andean Explorer
If the Hiram Bingham is Peru’s most glamorous shortcut, the Belmond Andean Explorer is its slow, cinematic counterpoint. This luxury sleeper train is one of the highest-altitude rail journeys in the world, traveling from Cusco to Arequipa with unforgettable stops at Lake Titicaca and along the dramatic landscapes near Colca Canyon. Picture this: a sunrise over the Altiplano, a flute echoing through the observation car, and a bed awaiting you just steps away.
This is Peru, not just seen – but felt.