13-Day Southern Americas Cross-Country Rail Journey: Peru, Bolivia & Chile in April
Embark on a sophisticated trans-Andean adventure that redefines travel in the Southern Americas. This 13-day journey is designed for the discerning traveler who seeks the romance of the rails combined with the ultimate in luxury escapes. From the culinary height of Lima to the crystalline horizons of Uyuni and the cosmopolitan flair of Santiago, you will experience the continent's most dramatic landscapes through the lens of premium service.
Traveling in April offers a unique window: as the southern hemisphere shifts into autumn, the Andean highlands remain lush and blooming from the recent rains, providing a vibrant backdrop for your scenic train transits. Expect world-class dining, private expeditions, and the unparalleled comfort of South America's most prestigious rail lines.
Day 1: Lima, Peru - Coastal Elegance & Arrival
VIP Arrival at Jorge Chávez International
Upon arrival in Lima, bypass the standard queues with a private airport meet-and-greet service that whisked you through immigration and into a waiting luxury sedan.
Check-in at Belmond Miraflores Park
Settle into your ocean-front suite overlooking the Pacific. Enjoy a complimentary Pisco Sour as you watch the paragliders drift over the Costa Verde cliffs.
Tasting Menu at Central
Experience the world's best restaurant (Virgilio Martínez’s flagship). A pre-booked 17-course tasting menu explores Peru’s biodiversity across various altitudes.
Evening Walk in Barranco
Take a short private transfer to the bohemian district of Barranco to see the Puente de los Suspiros illuminated under the April moon.
Day 2: Lima to Cusco, Peru - Into the Heart of the Andes
Morning Flight to Cusco
Board a short, 1-hour flight to the ancient Inca capital. Opt for a window seat on the left side for breathtaking views of the rising Andean peaks.
Oxygen-Enriched Luxury Arrival
Arrive at Palacio del Inka, a Luxury Collection Hotel. The hotel offers oxygen-enriched rooms to help you acclimatize comfortably to the 11,000ft altitude.
Private Tour of Qorikancha
Explore the Temple of the Sun with a private historian who will detail the architectural fusion of Inca foundations and Spanish colonial structures.
Dinner at MAP Café
Dine inside the courtyard of the Museum of Pre-Columbian Art in a sleek glass house serving modern Andean cuisine.
Day 3: Cusco, Peru - The Sacred Valley Expedition
Private Transfer to Pisac
Depart Cusco for the Sacred Valley. Visit the Pisac ruins early to avoid the crowds, admiring the blooming wildflowers that carpet the terraces in April.
Farm-to-Table Lunch at Hacienda Huayoccari
Enjoy an exclusive lunch at this private estate, featuring ingredients grown on-site and a stunning collection of folk art.
Maras Salt Mines & Moray
Witness the thousand-year-old salt evaporation ponds and the mysterious circular agricultural terraces of Moray.
Overnight in Urubamba
Check into the Belmond Rio Sagrado, where the sound of the Urubamba River provides a soothing backdrop for a luxury spa treatment.
Day 4: Cusco to Machu Picchu, Peru - The Hiram Bingham Experience
Boarding the Belmond Hiram Bingham
Step onto the 1920s-style Pullman carriages at Rio Sagrado station. This luxury rail journey includes a three-course brunch and live music on board.
Private Guided Citadel Tour
Arrive at Machu Picchu. Your private guide will lead you through the Lost City, explaining the astronomical significance of the structures.
Afternoon Tea at Sanctuary Lodge
Enjoy a refined tea service at the only hotel located adjacent to the citadel entrance before the park closes.
Gourmet Dinner on the Return Train
Savor a multi-course dinner with wine pairings as the train winds back through the Sacred Valley toward Cusco.
Day 5: Cusco to Puno, Peru - Crossing the Altiplano
Departure: Belmond Andean Explorer
Board South America's first luxury sleeper train for a two-day journey across the high Altiplano toward Lake Titicaca.
Lunch with a View
Dine in the elegant 'Llama' dining car as the train ascends to La Raya, the highest point of the route at 14,150 feet.
Cocktails in the Observation Car
Head to the open-air deck for cocktails as the sun sets over the vast Andean plains, spotting herds of wild vicuñas.
Stargazing in the Highlands
The train stops for the night at a quiet siding; step outside for unparalleled views of the southern constellations.
Day 6: Puno, Peru to La Paz, Bolivia - The High Altitude Border
Sunrise over Lake Titicaca
Disembark in Puno. Take a private hydrofoil across Lake Titicaca, visiting the Uros floating islands and the spiritual Sun Island (Isla del Sol).
Cross-Border Lunch on the Lake
Enjoy a traditional 'Apthapi' (community lunch) on the shores of the lake before proceeding to the Bolivian border at Kasani.
Private Transfer to La Paz
Descend into the valley of La Paz, a city that looks like a bowl of lights. Check into the Casa Grande Hotel in the upscale Zona Sur.
Modern Bolivian Dining
Experience the culinary revolution at Gustu, founded by Noma co-founder Claus Meyer, highlighting indigenous Bolivian ingredients.
Day 7: La Paz, Bolivia - Cities in the Clouds
Mi Teleférico Sky Tour
Navigate the world's highest cable car system. A private guide will take you across the Red, Yellow, and Green lines for bird's-eye views of the city.
The Witches' Market (Mercado de las Brujas)
Explore the fascinating stalls selling traditional Andean medicines, amulets, and dried llama fetuses used in local rituals.
Moon Valley (Valle de la Luna)
Drive to the outskirts of the city to walk through a maze of canyons and giant spires carved by erosion.
Cocktails at Jallalla
Savor craft cocktails made with Singani (Bolivian grape brandy) in a stylish bar frequented by the city's elite.
Day 8: La Paz to Uyuni, Bolivia - The Mirror World
Flight to Uyuni
A short 45-minute flight takes you to the edge of the world’s largest salt desert. In April, parts of the flats may still have a thin layer of water, creating a mirror effect.
Train Cemetery Visit
Before entering the flats, visit the Colchani train cemetery, where 19th-century steam locomotives sit abandoned in the salt air.
Luxury Picnic on the Salt Flats
A private table set in the middle of the white expanse, featuring gourmet local dishes and chilled wine.
Check-in at Kachi Lodge
Arrive at your luxury dome perched on the salt flats. These high-end domes offer plush bedding and transparent panels for stargazing from bed.
Day 9: Uyuni Salt Flats, Bolivia - Islands and Infinity
Sunrise Photography Session
Wake up early for the ultimate photography experience as the sun rises over the geometric salt crust.
Incahuasi Island Expedition
Explore this hilly outpost covered in giant cacti, some over 1,000 years old, offering 360-degree views of the white desert.
Tunupa Volcano Base
Visit the Coquesa mummies and observe flamingos in the lagoons at the base of the colorful Tunupa Volcano.
Andean Astronomy Night
Join a local expert to learn about the Aymara constellations while peering through a high-powered telescope.
Day 10: Uyuni, Bolivia to Santiago, Chile - The Trans-Andean Leap
Private Transfer to Calama (Border Crossing)
A long but stunning private drive through the Eduardo Avaroa Reserve, crossing the border at Hito Cajón into Chile.
Flight from Calama to Santiago
Fly from the Atacama gateway to the Chilean capital. The descent over the snow-capped central Andes is spectacular.
Check-in at The Ritz-Carlton Santiago
Retreat to the luxury of El Golf district. Enjoy the rooftop pool with views of the Costanera Center.
Late Dinner at Boragó
Ranked among the best in the world, chef Rodolfo Guzmán serves an 'Endemic' menu showcasing Chile's unique flora and fauna.
Day 11: Santiago, Chile - Valparaiso & The Coast
Private Drive to Valparaiso
Visit the UNESCO-listed port city. Ride the historic 'ascensores' (funiculars) which are the Chilean equivalent of the rail theme.
Seafood Lunch in Concón
Enjoy fresh razor clams and Chilean sea bass at a restaurant overlooking the crashing Pacific waves.
Casablanca Valley Wine Tasting
On the return to Santiago, stop at a premium winery like Kingston Family Vineyards for a private tasting of cool-climate Syrah.
Relaxation at the Hotel
Spend the evening enjoying the club lounge amenities and preparing for your departure.
Day 12: Santiago, Chile - The Maipo Valley Vineyards
Visit to Concha y Toro
Tour the historic 'Casillero del Diablo' cellar and the beautiful gardens of this world-famous estate.
Exclusive Lunch at Viña Santa Rita
Dine at the Doña Paula restaurant, a national monument, followed by a private tour of the Andean Museum on the grounds.
Sky Costanera Sunset
Visit the tallest building in South America for 360-degree views of the Andes as the city lights begin to flicker.
Farewell Dinner at Mestizo
Located in Bicentennial Park, this architectural marvel serves upscale Chilean fusion in a stunning outdoor setting.
Day 13: Santiago, Chile - Departure
Last Minute Shopping in Alonso de Córdova
Browse high-end boutiques and art galleries in Santiago's most exclusive shopping district for premium lapis lazuli jewelry.
Farewell Pisco & Ceviche
Enjoy a final light lunch at the hotel before your transfer.
Private Transfer to Arturo Merino Benítez
Your driver will escort you to the airport for your international flight home, concluding your South American rail and luxury odyssey.
Departure
Board your first-class cabin and reflect on a journey through the heart of the Andes.
Best Time to Visit Americas
April is a transitional month in the Southern Americas, making it one of the best times for this route. In the Peruvian and Bolivian Andes, it marks the end of the rainy season; the landscapes are extraordinarily green and 'spring-like' with blooming wildflowers, yet the heavy rains have subsided, ensuring the luxury trains run on schedule. In Chile, April is autumn (fall), offering crisp, sunny days and the spectacular sight of vineyard leaves turning golden and red, perfect for wine enthusiasts.
Visas & Border Crossings
Crossing between Peru, Bolivia, and Chile requires careful preparation. Most Western travelers (US, UK, EU, Canada) do not need a visa for Peru or Chile for short stays, but Bolivia requires a visa for US citizens, which should be obtained in advance or at the border (check current reciprocity fees). Always ensure your passport is stamped correctly at the Kasani (Peru/Bolivia) and Hito Cajón (Bolivia/Chile) crossings. Using private transfer services significantly simplifies these high-altitude border formalities.
Getting Around Americas
This itinerary utilizes a mix of high-end transport to maximize comfort and scenery. The highlight is the **Belmond Andean Explorer**, one of the world's most luxurious sleeper trains. Between major hubs like Lima, Cusco, La Paz, and Santiago, domestic flights are the most efficient method, given the rugged Andean terrain. Within cities, private chauffeured cars are recommended for safety and punctuality, while the **Mi Teleférico** in La Paz offers a unique, efficient, and scenic way to navigate the mountainous urban landscape.
