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News > Refurbished Orient Express Train Serves Cusco To Lake Titicaca
Saturday, June 01, 2002
Refurbished Orient Express Train Serves Cusco To Lake Titicaca
The train across the altiplano (high plains) between Cusco and Puno (Lake Titicaca) is now operating with Peru Rail after being taken over and refurbished by the Orient Express company. The new carriages have more spacious and comfortable seating along with new bathroom facilities and a fully redecorated interior. The seat configuration has been changed to offer groupings of two and four, with reduced seat capacity from 52 to 36 seats in each carriage for greater passenger comfort. The introduction of observation platforms is an entirely new concept for the railways of Peru.
Within each carriage is a bar/relaxation area and small boutique, while the rear half of the car is an open-sided observation platform, enabling passengers to move freely for the best views of the unique high Andean environment through which they are passing. The food and beverage services have been greatly improved with the introduction of a hot breakfast and a three course lunch served at the table (not included).
The train takes 8 hours without any stops for disembarkation and touring other sites along the way. There is also an express, Pullman bus service to Puno that takes 6 to 7 hours including lunch and English-speaking guided stops at ruins sites and villages en route. The train from Cusco to Puno operates four times a week on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, and from Puno to Cusco on Mondays, Wednesday Thursday and Saturday. There is also flight service between Lima and Juliaca (near Puno) but no flights between Cusco and Puno.
