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The Sun Route: Cusco – Puno – Cusco

The Sun Route: Cusco – Puno – Cusco

DIFFICULTY
Easy
Region
Cusco
Tour Size:
1-10 pax
Days:
1 Day
Max. Height:
3827 m.a.s.l.
Pickup & Drop-off
Hotel in Cusco - Hotel in Puno (and in reverse)
Duration
07:00 AM - 5:40 PM

Tour Highlights

  • This tour gives you the opportunity to travel from Cusco to Puno or vice versa, enjoying a cultural journey through the landscapes and history that connect these two cities.
  • Explore the Sistine Chapel of Andahuaylillas, known for its impressive frescoes and colonial art—a cultural gem in the Vilcanota Valley.
  • Discover the Raqchi Archaeological Complex, a site dedicated to the god Wiracocha, boasting monumental architecture that reflects the grandeur of the Inca Empire.
  • Admire the spectacular Andes views at the La Raya Pass, located at over 4,000 meters above sea level, with the imposing Chimboya Glacier in the background.
  • Learn about the ancient Pucará civilization at the Pucará Museum, which houses a fascinating collection of sculptures and ceramics reflecting a rich cultural heritage.
  • Enjoy a typical buffet lunch in Sicuani, savoring the region’s culinary diversity.

Tour Overview

Tour Overview

The “Ruta del Sol” (Route of the Sun) is a cultural and tourist bus journey designed to offer a unique experience between Cusco and Puno. This route includes strategic stops and guided visits to sites of great historical and cultural value, combining comfort, learning, and breathtaking scenery.

During the trip, passengers can enjoy:

  • The Andahuaylillas Chapel, known as the “Sistine Chapel of the Americas,” famous for its colonial architecture and artwork.
  • The Wiracocha Temple, an imposing structure dedicated to the god Wiracocha.
  • La Raya Pass, the road border between Cusco and Puno, where you can admire the majestic view of the Chimboya snow-capped peak.
  • The Pucará Lithic Museum, a mystical place preserving the history and culture of the Pucará civilization.

The tour includes:

  • A trip on buses equipped exclusively for tourism.
  • A typical buffet lunch to sample local flavors.
  • High-quality service with onboard assistance, including hot and cold beverages served by a cabin attendant (terramoza).

This tour is ideal for travelers looking for a rich experience, combining culture, history, and the magic of the Peruvian highlands’ landscapes, while enjoying a comfortable and well-organized journey.

You can also take this trip from Puno to Cusco, visiting all the itinerary stops in the reverse order.

Itinerary

The tour begins with pickup from your hotel in Cusco at approximately 6:20 AM to be transferred to the bus station. The bus will depart punctually at 7:00 AM. The first stop will be at the Andahuaylillas Sistine Chapel, known as the “Sistine Chapel of the Americas,” at 8:00 AM. This 17th-century church, modest on the outside, is famous for its impressive interiors. The stop here will be about 25 minutes.

Then, at 10:30 AM, we will arrive at the Raqchi archaeological complex, dedicated to the god Wiracocha, the creator of the universe according to Inca mythology. We will spend approximately 40 minutes exploring Raqchi. At 12:30 PM, we will head to a tourist restaurant in Sicuani, La Pascana, where you will enjoy a buffet lunch for 45 minutes.

At 2:00 PM, we will arrive at La Raya Pass, a high-altitude point at 4,355 meters above sea level, which marks the border between Cusco and Puno. During this 10-minute stop, you can admire the impressive views, including the Chimboya Glacier. Later, around 4:00 PM, we will visit the Pucará Museum, featuring sculptures and ceramics from the ancient Pucará civilization. This stop will last about 30 minutes.

Finally, at around 5:40 PM, we will arrive in the city of Puno, ending the tour.

Short Itinerary:

  • 6:20 AM: Pickup from your hotel in Cusco and transfer to the bus station.
  • 7:00 AM: Bus departs from Cusco to Puno.
  • 8:00 AM: Stop at the Andahuaylillas Sistine Chapel (25 minutes).
  • 10:30 AM: Stop at the Raqchi archaeological complex (40 minutes).
  • 12:30 PM: Buffet lunch at a tourist restaurant in Sicuani (45 minutes).
  • 2:00 PM: Stop at La Raya Pass (10 minutes).
  • 4:00 PM: Stop at the Pucará Museum (30 minutes).
  • 5:40 PM: Arrival in the city of Puno.

You can also take this trip from Puno to Cusco, visiting all the itinerary stops in reverse order.

Included/ Not Included

Included

On the Cusco to Puno route:

  • Pickup from your hotel in Cusco and transfer to the bus terminal (private terminal)
  • All entrance tickets: Andahuaylillas Sistine Chapel, Raqchi Archaeological Complex, Pucará Museum
  • Modern buses, comfortable transportation
  • The following services on the tourist bus: internet (only in areas with internet coverage), air conditioning, heating, air purifier, odor extractor, chemical toilets on board, sunshades, and polarized windows with UV filters.
  • Professional bilingual guide (English and Spanish)
  • Hot and cold beverages
  • Buffet lunch in the town of Sicuani
  • Medical oxygen and first aid kit

No Included

On the Cusco to Puno route:

  • Transfer from the Puno terminal to your hotel in Puno
  • Terminal boarding fee (TAME)
  • Hotel in the city of Puno
  • Breakfast, dinner
  • Personal expenses

We Recommend You Bring

We Recommend You Bring

  • Your luggage if you wish to travel from Puno to Lima, as the vehicle has a storage compartment for luggage.
  • Light clothing and warm clothing. Mornings are cold, midday is hot, and afternoons are windy.
  • Hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses
  • Comfortable shoes or sneakers for walking
  • Peruvian soles in cash (credit cards are not accepted in the places visited)
  • Rehydrating drinks such as water
  • Snacks
  • Waterproof jacket or rain poncho, only for the rainy season, from November to March.)

Cultural Facts

Cultural Facts

The Andahuaylillas Sistine Chapel

This 17th-century church is famous for its nickname, the “Sistine Chapel of the Americas,” due to the impressive quality of its interior frescoes. The exterior of the church may appear modest, but once inside, you’ll be amazed by the vibrant colors and biblical scenes depicted on its walls and ceiling, created by anonymous artists during the colonial era. Andahuaylillas is located in the Vilcanota Valley, a place that preserves the history of the fusion between indigenous beliefs and the European art brought by the colonizers.

The Raqchi Archaeological Complex

This site is known for its imposing temple dedicated to Wiracocha, regarded as the creator god of the universe in Inca mythology. According to beliefs, Wiracocha emerged from Lake Titicaca, creating the sun, stars, and moon. Raqchi is famous for its monumental architecture, including large stone walls that reflect the magnificence of the Inca Empire. The Wiracocha temple is a clear example of the advanced engineering that characterized the Incas, and the site also includes storehouses, plazas, and rooms that were part of a religious and administrative complex.

La Raya Pass

Situated at 4,355 meters above sea level, this pass marks the border between Cusco and Puno. It is known for its breathtaking views of the mountains and the Chimboya Glacier, a sacred site for local communities. Additionally, it is believed that the Amazon River has its source in the Chimboya Glacier, giving it both mythical and geographical significance. This pass is also a connection point between two major tourist destinations in Peru, Cusco and Puno, offering travelers a spectacular view of the majesty of the Andes.

Pucará Museum

The Pucará Museum is dedicated to the ancient Pucará civilization, which flourished between 1600 BC and 400 AD. The Pucará were known for their skills in pottery and sculpture, and the museum houses a rich collection of artifacts, including ceramic figures and lithic sculptures. These artistic representations reflect the worldview and religious practices of the civilization, which centered on earth worship and agriculture. The museum is an excellent place to learn about the culture and legacy of the Pucará, a civilization that had a significant influence on the Andean highland region.

Photos


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