How To Travel From Cusco To Puno

Michael
3 min readJun 9, 2022

Going from Cusco to Puno is relatively easy. Several methods of transport range from an hour and a half to just over eight hours. The most scenic way of getting from Cusco to Puno is through a six-hour tour called the Route Of The Sun. Why travel to a destination when you can take a guided tour showcasing beautiful landscapes, Incan fortresses, and pre Incan architecture constructions on the same day? Let’s go over the route of the Sun and the other methods of travel between the two destinations.

The Cusco to Puno tour is called the “Ruta Del Sol” or Route Of The Sun. The trip starts in the city of Cusco with an early morning pick-up at your hotel. After that, the bus ride has pre-determined stops along the way to Puno and onto the city of Juliaca.

Route Of The Sun Outline

  • Andahuaylillas
  • Raqchi
  • La Raya
  • Pukapukara museum
  • Sicuani

Andahuaylillas Chapel

The first stop on our route extending from Cusco to Puno is The Andahuaylillas district, where we’ll visit the Andahuaylillas chapel. IT is considered one of the most beautiful chapels in the Americas. The chapel’s construction dates back to the 16th century during the colonialization period in Peru.

Raqchi

Raqchi is our next stop on the way to Puno. The archaeological is in the Canchis Province, San Pedro District. This Incan construction is known as the Temple of Wiracocha and has increased in popularity in recent years. It gets well over 150,000 visitors each year.

La Raya

We then move on to “La Raya” pass and the Raya Occobamba thermal baths. These natural spring waters reach a temperature of 126 degrees Fahrenheit (52 Centigrade) and are said to have healing properties. We use la Raya as a midpoint in the trip and will schedule a break at this point.

Pukapukara Archaeological Complex

Puka Pukara is our next stop on our way from Cusco to Puno. The name is in the Quechua language, “Red Fortress.” This Inca construction has a red, almost copper color due to the materials used for its build. It is located in the Puka Pukara archaeological complex in the province of Cusco.

Sicuani

We then travel through the beautiful Andean town of Sicuani, which is the capital of the Canchis region in Cusco. It is known for impressive views and rides on horseback through the countryside.

The entire route of the sun tour will take around 8 hours before we eventually arrive in the province of Puno. We will then continue on our way to Lake Titicaca.

Is Touring From Cusco To Puno Safe?

Yes, the “route of the sun” from Cusco to Puno is a safe tour, entertaining, and visually appealing way to reach your destination.

The best part about taking the Route Of The Sun Tour is adding it to a 10-day Peru itinerary that includes destinations like Lima, Cusco, The Sacred Valley, Aguas Calientes, Machu Picchu, and Lake Titicaca. Continue Reading…

--

--

Michael
0 Followers

I’m Michael, a small business owner living in Lima, Peru. I am a fan of food, travel, and hiking. https://www.journeymachupicchu.com