Posted 06 Jul 2010

Travellers exploring Peru have been advised to take the train from Puno to Cusco to enjoy some unforgettable scenery.

Writing in the Telegraph newspaper, writer James Studholme said there are faster ways to get to the ancient heart of the Inca Empire, but none are quite as interesting as taking the ten-hour rail journey.

He described it as a "wholly enjoyable and meditative way of travelling" and claimed that the sights visitors will see along the way are "superlative".

"The best moment comes in Juliaca, known as Peru‘s Taiwan," he insisted. "The market here, where allegedly you can buy anything, is so huge that it engulfs the train tracks that run through the middle of the town."

He explained that since the train only runs three times a week, market traders set up their stalls along the tracks, moving back to let the vehicles pass.

Another highlight of the journey is its highest point in La Raya, which is more than 4,000 metres above sea level.

As the historic capital of the Inca Empire, Cusco was declared a Unesco World Heritage site in the 1980s and is one of Peru’s major tourist destinations.

Category: South America