Puno to Cusco Scenic Day Trip with Lunch (Route of the Sun)
Description
Discover Peru’s most iconic road trip! Travel from Puno to Cusco in style aboard the official ‘Route of the Sun’ touristic bus. Along this full-day journey, you’ll stop at 4 cultural landmarks—like the Andean Sistine Chapel and an ancient Inca temple—while enjoying breathtaking mountain views and insight from expert guides. With over 24 years of experience, our modern luxury buses include onboard service, daily departures, and an authentic connection to Peru’s living traditions. ✔️ Scenic stops in the Andes ✔️ Guided visits to cultural heritage sites ✔️ Buffet lunch included ✔️ Comfortable transport with onboard facilities
Tour Options
Itinerary
Step Into the Ancient World of Pucará. Discover one of the most important pre-Inca cultures in the Andes! Pucará is more than a stop—it’s the birthplace of highland civilization in the Lake Titicaca region, dating back to 500 BC. At its peak, this thriving city stretched across a full square kilometer, home to priests, artisans, farmers, and warriors. But what makes Pucará truly unforgettable are its stunning monolithic sculptures and colorful ceramics. You’ll see intricate designs—geometric, animal, and human—that still captivate archaeologists and visitors alike. Wander through temples, feel the ancient energy of this sacred site, and witness the artistry of Peru’s earliest cultural pioneers.
Welcome to the highest point of your journey—Abra La Raya, a breathtaking mountain pass that marks the natural border between Cusco and Puno. Perched at 4,335 meters (14,200 feet) above sea level, this spot delivers 360° views of the snow-capped Andes, glacial streams, and endless skies. Keep your camera ready—you’ll often spot peaceful alpacas grazing beneath towering peaks. Feel the crisp mountain air, take in the silence of the highlands, and experience the raw beauty of Peru’s Altiplano. It’s more than a photo stop—it’s a moment you’ll remember forever.
Midway through your journey, you’ll enjoy a relaxing 1-hour buffet lunch—a flavorful highlight of the tour. Set in a scenic Andean town, this meal showcases the rich culinary traditions of the highlands. Sample a wide variety of authentic local dishes, including quinoa soups, grilled meats, native potatoes, fresh vegetables, and traditional sauces made from regional spices. There are plenty of options for vegetarians, and the buffet is served in a clean, comfortable dining hall with friendly staff and great views. It’s more than just a meal—it’s a cultural experience that will leave you satisfied, energized, and ready for the next leg of your adventure.
Step into one of the most sacred and impressive Inca sites on the Route of the Sun. Raqchi, officially recognized as one of the Best Tourism Villages, is home to Wiracocha Temple—a massive, 15-meter-tall was built by an Inca emperor to honor Wiracocha, the Andean people’s invisible Superior God Explore crumbling walls, ceremonial halls, and ancient storage silos that once supported a bustling Inca settlement. The scale, symmetry, and stonework are truly astonishing, offering insight into both the spiritual beliefs and engineering genius of the Inca Empire. Whether you’re a history buff or simply curious, Raqchi is one of those places that lingers in your memory long after the journey ends.
Our journey ends with a showstopper—the stunning Church of Saint Peter the Apostle, better known as the “Sistine Chapel of the Andes.” Tucked inside a quiet village, this humble-looking 16th-century church hides an interior of pure visual drama: gold-leaf altars, ornate wood carvings, and ceiling-to-wall frescoes that blend Andean traditions with European baroque style. Built by Jesuits atop a sacred Inca site, the church is a powerful symbol of Peru’s layered spiritual history. It’s the perfect finale—rich in color, meaning, and wonder.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(81)
It does what it says it will do. It takes you on time between Puno and Cusco, it stops along the way (and the sites are pretty nice, you wish you had more time, in particular in Pukara and in Raqchi), the guide does speak english and spanish and is knowledgeable, and the perfectly nice lunch is included. When you arrive in Cusco, if you wish, they will call a taxi for you. Or you could call your own Cabify... If I had to do it again, I would !
Hi Lauret, Thank you so much for your thoughtful review! We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed the journey from Puno to Cusco and appreciated the balance between comfortable transportation and the opportunity to explore some of the region's most fascinating sites. We agree that Pukara and Raqchi are incredible places, and it's easy to wish for even more time there! It's also wonderful to know that you enjoyed the lunch, found our bilingual guide knowledgeable, and appreciated the assistance upon arrival in Cusco. Your comment that you would choose to travel with us again is the greatest compliment we could receive. Thank you for choosing Inka Express, and we hope to welcome you back on another journey through Peru in the future!
A very nice way to travel from one city to another! Instead of renting a car, being taken care of, stopping at key places, and having additional information about the country and the cities we visit is really great! The chosen activities (with minimal additional costs) were worth the expense!
Hola Anne, ¡Muchas gracias por compartir su experiencia! Nos alegra mucho saber que disfrutó de la ruta entre Puno y Cusco y que la experiencia fue una excelente alternativa a viajar por cuenta propia. Nos encanta ofrecer a nuestros pasajeros la oportunidad de conocer lugares importantes del camino, disfrutar de los paisajes y aprender más sobre la historia y cultura de nuestro país junto a nuestros guías. También nos complace saber que las actividades adicionales fueron de su agrado y que consideró que valieron la pena. Agradecemos mucho que haya elegido viajar con nosotros y esperamos tener la oportunidad de recibirla nuevamente para otra inolvidable experiencia en Perú.
Great tour. Of course, the time during the stops is very limited, but it is reasonable considering the distance between Puno and Cuzco and potential road delays. The guide is very knowledgeable.
This was the best bus ride I had in Peru. The bus was roomy with very comfortable seats as well as free wifi. There were a lot of interesting stops along the way and it didn’t feel like a 11 hour bus ride. The only thing I would say to be aware of, is that we were told it’s easy to get a taxi when arriving in Cusco. I didn’t find that the situation. Many people on the bus had drivers waiting for them. I would suggest maybe organising a driver before you arrive. Apart from that it was a wonderful experience.
Hi Michelle, Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience! We are thrilled to hear that your journey from Puno to Cusco was one of the best bus rides you had in Peru. It's wonderful to know that you enjoyed the comfort of our bus, the onboard Wi-Fi, and the carefully selected stops along the way. We always aim to make the journey as enjoyable as the destination itself, and we are happy that the 11-hour trip felt pleasant and engaging. We also appreciate your feedback regarding transportation upon arrival in Cusco. We understand that finding a taxi can sometimes be more challenging during busy periods. Thank you again for choosing Inka Express and for your valuable feedback. We hope to welcome you again on another memorable journey through Peru!
The day with the InkaExpress has been really good. The guide was simply amazing, full of information and a clear love for his land and its history. The tour was rich and very interesting. We had a grand time. The bus is modern and extremely comfortable with large, plushy reclining seats. All in all a grand experience!
Hi there, Thank you very much for your wonderful review! We are delighted to hear that you had such a great experience traveling with Inka Express. It is fantastic to know that you enjoyed the tour, the fascinating information shared by our guide, and his passion for Peru’s history and culture. We are also happy that you found our bus comfortable and enjoyed the spacious reclining seats throughout the journey. Our goal is to make the route between Puno and Cusco not only a transfer but a memorable experience filled with discovery and comfort. Thank you for choosing Inka Express and for sharing your kind words. We hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you again on another unforgettable journey through Peru!
It is the best way to travel from puno.to cusco while stopping in a few important and interesting site to stop the monotony of the trip.
Hi Franceso, Thank you very much for your kind review! We are happy to hear that you enjoyed traveling with Inka Express and that you found our route from Puno to Cusco to be a great way to discover the highlights along the way. Our goal is to make the journey more than just a transfer by allowing our passengers to explore important historical and cultural sites while enjoying a comfortable trip. We truly appreciate your feedback and are grateful that you chose to travel with us. We hope to welcome you again on another memorable journey through Peru!
The excursion was long for reasons beyond both of our control; however, it was an unforgettable experience in landscapes. Although the excursion could not be carried out as such, it was attempted to fulfill it. But if you take this route, it is beautiful.
Hola Ariana, ¡Muchas gracias por compartir su experiencia! Nos alegra saber que, a pesar de las circunstancias fuera de nuestro control, pudo disfrutar de los increíbles paisajes y valorar la belleza de esta ruta. Lamentamos que la excursión no se haya podido desarrollar exactamente como estaba planificada, pero agradecemos mucho su comprensión y que reconozca el esfuerzo de nuestro equipo por brindar la mejor experiencia posible. Esta ruta ofrece paisajes únicos y momentos inolvidables, y nos complace saber que pudo disfrutar de parte de esa magia. Gracias por elegirnos y por recomendarnos esta experiencia. Esperamos tener la oportunidad de recibirlo nuevamente en una próxima aventura por Perú.
Very comfortable coach and great stops for visits, highly recommended.
Had a great experience traveling with my mom on a full day Ruta del Sol trip and we saw a lot of places we otherwise would never have nor had we heard of them. Traveled from Puno to Cusco with one of the most knowledgeable guides (Elizabeth) and nice and careful driver who got us through a safe journey. Such great value for cost, the bus was well organized, clean, passengers were all so polite and classy. Highly recommend and would do this again.
Great trip ! Detailed explanation at scenic places, lunch was excellent.
