Victorian Rail Adventure 2027
19 March 2027
3 September 2027
12 November 2027
From the tango salons of Buenos Aires to the sacred heights of Machu Picchu, this extraordinary fully-escorted 21-day expedition spans over 3,500 km from the Río de la Plata to the Pacific Ocean on one of South America’s most spectacular overland and rail journeys, augmented by air, road and boat travel. Spanning Argentina, Bolivia, and Peru, the Andean Expedition traces the legendary backbone of the continent — through wine valleys, salt deserts, Andean villages, and Inca citadels — revealing a tapestry of cultures and landscapes unlike anywhere else on Earth. This tour blends comfort and adventure, and showcases iconic rail experiences like the Train to the Clouds, the Titicaca Train, and the Belmond Hiram Bingham, all complemented with boutique accommodation, immersive cultural experiences, many meal inclusions and expert local insight throughout.
Welcome to Argentina’s capital. Private transfer to your boutique hotel in San Telmo and orientation with your Tour Leader.
Overnight: Hotel Anselmo, Buenos Aires
Explore Recoleta, La Boca, and Plaza de Mayo. Evening dinner and private tango performance.
Overnight: Hotel Anselmo, Buenos Aires (B, D)
A relaxing boat journey through the canals of the Paraná Delta and lunch in charming Tigre. Return by suburban rail.
Overnight: Hotel Anselmo, Buenos Aires (B, L)
Morning flight to Tucumán, then travel by road through the Calchaquí Valley to Cafayate, surrounded by vineyards.
Overnight: Hotel Asturias, Cafayate (B, L, D)
Visit renowned wineries and enjoy a gourmet lunch among the vines. Afternoon at leisure.
Overnight: Hotel Asturias, Cafayate (B, L)
Marvel at the red canyons and surreal formations of this scenic valley. Lunch en route.
Overnight: Design Suites, Salta (B, L)
Drive from Salta to San Antonio de los Cobres, board the Tren a las Nubes for the spectacular run to the Polvorilla Viaduct (4,200 m), then return to San Antonio and drive back to Salta.
Overnight: Design Suites, Salta (B)
Visit the UNESCO-listed valley of multicolored hills and overnight in the charming village of Purmamarca.
Overnight: Hotel Las Marias, Tilcara (B, L)
Cross into Bolivia and continue by train through dramatic mountain scenery to the remote town of Tupiza.
Overnight: Hotel Mitru, Tupiza (B, L, D)
Travel through surreal Andean landscapes to Uyuni, visiting the eerie Railway Cemetery before reaching your unique salt hotel.
Overnight: Hotel Palacio de Sal, Colchani (B, L, D)
Explore the vast white desert, visit a traditional salt-processing village, and enjoy a picnic lunch surrounded by endless horizons.
Overnight: Hotel Palacio de Sal, Colchani (B, L, D)
Fly to La Paz and discover the city’s colonial center, Witches’ Market, and panoramic viewpoints.
Overnight: Hotel Europa, La Paz (B, L)
Experience La Paz from above on its aerial cableway system, then visit the otherworldly Moon Valley.
Overnight: Hotel Europa, La Paz (B, L, D)
Drive to Lake Titicaca and sail to Sun Island, sacred in Inca mythology. Traditional Andean lunch and gentle exploration.
Overnight: Hotel El Rosario del Lago – Copacabana (B, L, D)
Morning at leisure, visit Copacabana’s basilica, and continue along the lakeshore into Peru.
Overnight: Hotel Jose Antonio, Puno (B, L)
Board the Perurail Titicaca Train for a full-day ride through magnificent Andean scenery.
Overnight: Novotel, Cusco (B, L)
Explore Chinchero, Moray’s circular terraces, and the salt mines of Maras.
Overnight: Novotel, Cusco (B, L)
Travel to Aguas Calientes by scenic rail, ascend to Machu Picchu, and return aboard the Belmond Hiram Bingham with gourmet dinner.
Overnight: Novotel, Cusco (B, L, D)
Visit Qorikancha, Sacsayhuaman, and San Blas before an afternoon at leisure.
Overnight: Novotel, Cusco (B)
Morning flight to Lima. Enjoy a special farewell lunch upon arrival, followed by an afternoon city tour of the historic center and the coastal Miraflores district.
Overnight: DoubleTree Pardo, Lima (B, L)
Private transfer to Lima Airport for onward flights.
(B)
Full support before, during & after your trip
Fully escorted by Rail South America and English-speaking local guides
3 nights Hotel Anselmo - Buenos Aires
2 nights Hotel Asturias - Cafayate
2 nights Design Suites - Salta
1 night Hotel Las Marias - Tilcara (Purmamarca)
1 night Hotel Mitru - Tupiza
2 nights Palacio de Sal - Colchani
2 nights Hotel Europa - La Paz
1 night Hotel El Rosario del Lago - Copacabana
1 night Jose Antonio - Puno
4 nights Novotel - Cusco
1 night DoubleTree Pardo - Lima
All internal domestic flights (Economy Class: Buenos Aires - Tucuman, Uyuni - La Paz, Cusco - Lima)
All scenic train tickets including the 'Tren a las Nubes' and the Belmond Hiram Bingham train
All meals, transfers, entrance fees, and train tickets (as per itinerary)
One checked bag up to 15kg / 33lb per person on internal flights
International flights to Buenos Aires and from Lima
Travel insurance (highly recommended)
Entrance visas (if applicable)
Other services not mentioned
Tips and gratuities to guides and drivers
Personal Expenses (drinks, some meals not specified, incidentals)
The best train trips possible, private luxury coach for off-train travel, guided walking where suitable, and other appropriate and appealing options to make exploration easy
Hand-picked hotels and resorts based on location, customer feedback, value and atmosphere. Please Note: Hotels of a similar standard may be substituted.
Hear from some of our adventurers that have already ridden the rails with us.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur. Tincidunt convallis magna eu ac eu cursus. In duis fusce risus nec eget habitant massa pharetra. Eros a gravida faucibus lorem.
Reserve your place on this exciting exploration of Buenos Aires To Lima: an Andean Expedition.
Train traveller, well known TV personality and travel company owner, Scott McGregor, has travelled on some of the world’s most inspiring railway tours and led the most exclusive group adventures to numerous exotic destinations over the years.
“Rustic, character-filled, zig-zagging railways of Burma, opulent hotels on wheels in India South Africa and Sri Lanka, steam-hauled heritage trains in some of the most staggeringly scenic parts of the world, dinky little rail-cars in outback Queensland, bullet trains in Japan, cliff-hugging lines in Switzerland and Norway—if it travels on a rail track, I’m there!”, exclaims self-confessed train travel tragic, Scott McGregor. “In my mind, travelling by rail is still the most wonderful way to immerse yourself in the country you’re visiting. It’s romantic, relaxing and about as much fun as you can have!”.
Aa a child of the last days of steam trains in the busy junction town of Orange, NSW; trains heading in all directions offering temptations and dreams of faraway places, left an indelible impression on a young, inquisitive boy and Scott has been riding the rails in one form or another ever since. While Scott’s acting career of 30 years kept him busy starring in numerous TV shows and stage plays and then as an on-air presenter on programs such as Better Homes and Gardens, Room for Improvement and various pay-TV programs, his passion for railway tours was ever-present. “Presenting a series of Railway Adventure travel programs for Channel 7 was a career highlight”, he says with as much enthusiasm now as he had then.
In 2012 Scott decided to combine three of his passions; travel, trains and presenting, and launched Railway Adventures. Not only does he get to expand his own horizons and indulge his love of train travel, he gets to use his extensive hosting experience and love of people to lead other like-minded travellers on escorted train tours around the world. Since then, Railway Adventures has mounted more than 50 tours from Sweden to Sri Lanka, Tasmania to Transylvania, Britain to Burma and Venice to Vietnam, thrilling over 1,000 travellers. New tours are launched regularly, inspired by new trains, new routes and the growing interest in taking a train to some of the world’s most fascinating places. But you don’t have to be a train ‘nut’ to enjoy a Railway Adventures tour – there’s something for everyone!
Just one example of how Scott finds inspiration for a tour can be found in Outback Queensland. “There you find some of Australia’s most eccentric and appealing trains and together with a mail-plane flight over the Gulf and some interesting local coach and boat trips you have the essence of a quintessential Aussie outback adventure. The sleeper train, The Spirit of the Outback, the Savannahlander and the Gulflander (which has been running on the same timetable for more than 125 years!) are all iconic trains that traverse various parts of the wild Outback, Savannah and tropical rainforest landscapes of the vast state of Queensland. Along with some other special treats not available to the ordinary traveller, Railway Adventures passengers get to do it all!.
One of his favourite journey’s is by private train in Sri Lanka. For 2 weeks every year Scott charters the Viceroy Special heritage train to tour the island on a gentle rail cruise with a lucky group of travellers. Staying in luxury resorts and hotels along the way, his special train travels to almost every corner of the scenic island. “Having a private train at your disposal for an adventure around this magic island is a rare treat and a great way to immerse yourself in the scenery and culture of the country.”, he enthuses. “Our Vietnam tour makes use of private carriages attached to regular trains to explore that great country in comfort and in South Africa we use a variety of trains including the luxurious Rovos Rail and the Royal Livingstone steam train to move from one incredible adventure to another”.
Apart from the obvious joy of seeing a country by train, travelling in a small group of like-minded travellers with a dedicated, experienced tour leader and knowledgeable, English-speaking local guides is what really sets Railway Adventures apart. “The camaraderie that comes from both shared purpose and shared experiences on tour is an important aspect of the journey” Scott adds. “We’ve seen many people become life-long friends from the time they shared together along the line. The best feeling in the world is when I welcome these same people on repeat journeys”.
Along with popular destinations like Switzerland, Scandinavia, Outback Queensland and Sri Lanka, a new breed of more unusual destinations has gained great interest. Java, Cuba, Southern Africa, India and the New England region of NSW are just some of the newer adventures on offer. As for Scott’s next escape, it’s most likely some quality time at Ruwenzori Retreat, his own personal train on the Great Dividing Range near Mudgee, Central NSW. Built from a collection of vintage railway carriages it’s now a boutique tourist accommodation, comprising exclusive Orient Express style comfort for up to 13 guests. “When the travels are done, coming back to my own train in the beautiful Mudgee mountains is the most restorative and magical time for this committed rail romantic”, Scott says.