Colca To Puno, Scenic Stops

Turist Bus Colca Canyon (Chivay) To Puno. Rated 4.7 across 88 reviews. Runs ~6.5 hours. From $41.03.

Overview

This is a bus transfer from Chivay, at the Colca Canyon, to Puno that doubles as a sightseeing day. Rather than sitting through roughly six and a half hours of empty road, the route breaks the journey with stops at a national reserve and a lake. Nativa Express runs the service with an on-board guide who speaks Spanish and English.

The route passes the Patapampa pass, where the bus takes in the Mirador de los Andes viewpoint with volcano and mountain views. It then continues through the Aguada Blanca National Reserve, stopping around 15 minutes at Patahuasi, where vicunas, llamas, and alpacas are commonly seen. Further along, the bus passes Laguna Lagunillas, a small lake with Andean flamingos. The bus itself is air-conditioned or heated depending on conditions, has reading lights, phone and laptop chargers, and a chemical toilet on some units.

The tour suits travellers who need to get from the Colca Valley to Puno anyway and would rather see the altiplano on the way. Hotel pickup in Chivay is included as detailed at booking, and one reviewer noted that a transfer to their hotel on arrival in Puno was also arranged. It is a group tour with up to 40 travellers, so expect a shared, scheduled day rather than a flexible private ride.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Hotel pickup in ChivayPickup is included, as detailed at booking. The bus departs Chivay heading toward Puno.
2. Abra Patapampa viewpointA pass-by of 8 minutes at the pass, with free admission. The Mirador de los Andes viewpoint offers views of volcanoes and mountains along this stretch.
3. PatahuasiA 15-minute stop, free admission, inside the Aguada Blanca National Reserve. Vicunas, llamas, and alpacas are often spotted nearby.
4. Laguna LagunillasThe bus passes by this small lake, known for its reflections and Andean flamingos, with a 15-minute pass-by and free admission. Views are taken from the bus or roadside rather than on a longer stop.
5. Arrival in PunoThe bus reaches Puno after roughly 6.5 hours of travel, though one reviewer reported construction traffic extending the day. A transfer to the hotel on arrival was arranged for at least one traveller.

What To Expect From The Tour

A long day spent mostly on the bus, with short stops along the route.

• Bring your own water. The listing includes a bottle of water, but one reviewer reported that water was never offered and they had to buy it at a stop at a high price. Bring extra water to be safe. Snacks are also worth carrying, since no meal is mentioned in the itinerary.
• Do not count on wifi. Free wifi is listed as included, but a reviewer said it was never provided and they could not do the work they had planned. Treat any connectivity as a bonus rather than a plan. The bus does have chargers for phones, tablets, and laptops.
• Altitude and pace. The route crosses high passes, including Patapampa, and the stops are short, around 8 to 15 minutes each. The listing says the tour is not recommended for pregnant travellers.
• Group feel. Up to 40 travellers share the bus, with a bilingual guide on board. Reviewers described the guide as very nice and competent, and one traveller noted the guide helped sort out onward connections and accommodation questions for guests. Infants must sit on laps.
• Weather and timing. The experience requires good weather, and the operator may cancel or reschedule in poor conditions. One reviewer got caught in construction traffic and the trip took about 7.5 hours, so build slack into any onward plans in Puno.
• Photography. The stops at Patapampa and Lagunillas are brief, so have a camera ready as the bus approaches. Patahuasi is the place to look for vicunas, llamas, and alpacas, while the Andean flamingos are found at Laguna Lagunillas.

Common issues. The listing promises bottled water and free wifi, but one reviewer said neither was offered on their trip, so do not rely on them. The same reviewer hit construction traffic and the journey took about 7.5 hours instead of the stated 6.5, which made for a long day. The bus is not wheelchair accessible, infants must sit on laps, and the tour is not recommended for pregnant travellers. The chemical toilet is only available on some bus units, and the group can be as large as 40 travellers.

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