Cusco to Puno Scenic Day Trip with Lunch (Route of the Sun)
Description
Get ready for the most scenic road trip through the Andes. This isn't just a transfer from Cusco to Puno — it's the legendary Route of the Sun, and it more than lives up to its name. Travel in comfort aboard a luxury comfortable bus with onboard service as you journey through breathtaking landscapes and make four unforgettable cultural stops. You'll visit one of the Inca’s largest surviving temples, step inside the "Sistine Chapel of America", and immerse yourself in the deep history and traditions of Andean Peru. With over 24 years of experience, we’re proud to be the official Ruta del Sol operator, offering daily departures and a seamless blend of comfort, culture, and panoramic beauty. Why settle for a basic ride when you can turn your journey into an epic Andean adventure? ✔️ Scenic stops in the Andes ✔️ Guided visits to cultural heritage sites ✔️ Buffet lunch included ✔️ Comfortable transport with onboard facilities
Tour Options
Itinerary
Our journey begins in Andahuaylillas, home to the breathtaking Church of Saint Peter the Apostle — often called the “Sistine Chapel of America.” Built in the 16th century by Jesuit missionaries atop a sacred Inca site, this architectural treasure blends Spanish Baroque style with Andean symbolism. From the outside, its adobe-and-brick façade is modest. But step inside, and you're surrounded by gold-leaf altars, vivid frescoes, and intricate paintings that make this one of the most stunning religious sites in South America.
Next, we explore Raqchi, a remarkable Inca archaeological site and official “Best Tourism Village.” The highlight here is the Temple of Wiracocha - one of the largest Incan structures still standing. According to ancient chronicles, this grand temple was built by an Inca emperor to honor Wiracocha, the invisible Supreme God of the Andean people, this massive temple stood 15 meters tall and showcases the Inca’s masterful engineering. Surrounded by ancient ruins and rich spiritual legacy, Raqchi is a powerful step back into the heart of Inca civilization.
Midway through the journey, we’ll stop for a relaxing 1-hour buffet lunch featuring the best of traditional Andean cuisine. This is more than just a meal — it’s a chance to savor local flavors like quinoa soup, roasted vegetables, Andean potatoes, fresh salads, and regional meats, all prepared with highland ingredients. Set in a peaceful highland town, the restaurant offers stunning mountain views and a warm, welcoming atmosphere — the perfect break to recharge before continuing on to Puno.
We pause at Abra La Raya, the dramatic mountain pass that marks the natural border between Cusco and Puno. At over 4,300 meters above sea level, it’s the highest point of the journey and a breathtaking showcase of the Andes in full glory. Surrounded by snow-capped peaks and endless sky, this is a perfect moment to stretch your legs, take photos, and feel the vastness of Peru’s highlands.
Our final stop is Pucará, the earliest major settlement of the Titicaca Basin, dating back to 500 BC. Once a thriving highland center, Pucará housed thousands — from priests and artisans to farmers and warriors. Today, it offers a rare window into pre-Inca civilization, known for its monolithic stone sculptures with striking geometric and animal forms, and vibrant multi-colored ceramics used in both daily life and sacred rituals. A fascinating glimpse into the roots of Andean culture.
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(295)
I thoroughly enjoyed this trip with Inka Express!! Our guide Felix was engaging, funny and absoltely committed to us learning about the places we visited. Although the journey is long it is broken up well with stopping to get out and walk through archeological sites, or have lunch. I chose this trip so I could experience the Peruvian landscape and it didn't dissapoint - spectacular! I highly recommend this tour!!! The bus was super comfortable and it was nice to let someone else do the driving.
Super comfortable bus with snacks and teas and coffee too! The stops ere perfectly paced and interesting, saw and leant lots . Our guide, Lenin was very friendly and knowledgeable. Highly recommend the trip! 10/10
Very comfortable bus, knowledgeable guide, and well-organized trip with food and drinks. Very beautiful and interesting places. Excellent value for money.
Unfortunately, during our trip to Peru, our passports and wallets were stolen on the very day of our departure with Inka Express. Days after the trip, I contacted Inka Express support to explain what happened, and they promptly refunded the entire amount even though I was outside the period for having the right to request a refund. Nice, kind, and absolutely professional. A more than safe company that protects the customer/traveler above all else. Highly recommended
It was a beautiful day that allowed us to appreciate many important places located along the road that connects Cusco to Puno. Our guide was excellent, very kind and attentive, and the driver was very good at driving.
The bus trip from Cusco to Puno with Inkaexpress went by very quickly considering the distance covered. Indeed, the stops throughout the day allowed us to explore while moving along. The bus was comfortable and the guide was very good. The timings were perfectly respected.
Five different stops, really interesting places to visit along the way, best buffet lunch including trout. Totally worth it. Best way to travel between Cusco and Puno.
Very beautiful way to combine business with pleasure, with charming stops and an "all-inclusive" that allows you to leave with a free mind.
Max was our guide throughout the day. The experience was very warm without losing professionalism. Delighted with the experience. I am left above all with the meaning of Ayni as a principle of the Andean community ❤️
We have just Finished 4 amazing weeks in Peru and the only two bad experiences we had, both involved Inca Express. First we had booked a 6 hour bus from Arequipa. This bus was actually okay with good wide, reclining seats. However the temperature in the bus was 35 degrees Celsius for more than 5 hours of the trip, which was unbearable. When we asked the bus guide there was nothing to do about it… A couple of days later we had a booking for Route of the Sun (Puno-Cusco). The day before, we received a mail from the agency that we had to pay an extra 20 US dollars for pick up and drop off, even though we had booked and paid for everything on their own website. It made no sense, but at that time we didn’t really feel we had no other option than just paying. However, have we knew from the beginning that we would have had to pay 40 dollars, we wouldn’t have booked this, as a taxi is like only 4-5 dollars. Well, we paid the extra 20 dollars as we wouldn’t risk to miss this trip. Tickets are popular and it was supposed to be a beautiful trip. Booking for this trip was made 10 months prior, so we were really surprised to experience that we had gotten the worst 4 tickets in the bus, with almost no view or leg space. The bus service lady didn’t really care about our complaints, but we were lucky that the guide gave up his two seats, so at least we got two okay seats. The trip itself was okay, with some interesting shops, but also some stops lwhere it only felt like we “had” to spend some money. When we arrived to Cusco, surely the only ones who hadn’t a driver waiting was us, even though we had been forced to pay extra. After some complaints and some phone calls, a driver arrived and drove us to the hotel. He didn’t know where we were going, so it was just a driver the guides had called. When we got to the hotel I wrote Inca Express customer service and complained. They apologized and informed us, that their booking department would get back to me within some days on mail. Today, three weeks later I have heard nothing from them and my messages on WhatsApp are not looked at…… surprise 🙄 Best advice is to stay away from Inca Express and look somewhere else
