Route Of The Sun, Buffet Lunch

Cusco: Scenic Route of the Sun to Puno with Buffet Lunch. Rated 4.7 across 633 reviews. Runs ~11 hours (6:10am-5:30pm). From $50.

Overview

This is a full-day bus transfer from Cusco to Puno that turns an eleven-hour drive into a guided sightseeing run. InkaExpress departs from its terminal on Alameda Pachacuteq at 6:10 in the morning and reaches the Puno bus terminal by 5:30 in the evening, with four sightseeing stops and a buffet lunch built into the day. A bilingual guide rides along and explains each site, so the time between cities becomes part of the trip rather than dead hours.

The route is the well-known Route of the Sun. First comes Andahuaylillas, a 16th-century Jesuit church nicknamed the Sistine Chapel of America for its frescoes and gold leaf, built on top of an older Inca sacred site. Then Raqchi, where the Temple of Wiracocha stands with walls fifteen meters high. After a buffet lunch of Andean dishes, the bus climbs to Abra La Raya, the high pass that marks the border between the Cusco and Puno regions, before a final stop at the Lithic Museum of Pucara.

It suits travellers who want the Cusco to Puno leg to include sightseeing rather than a straight ride. Reviewers describe it as a restful way to cover the distance, thanks to reclining seats, onboard drinks, heating, air conditioning and an oxygen tank on board. It is a long day, so it rewards people who like scenery and short guided visits over long free exploration.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet at Cusco terminalPassengers gather at Alameda Pachacuteq 499-B in Cusco, arriving 30 minutes before the 6:10 am departure.
2. Andahuaylillas churchA 45-minute stop at the Church of Saint Peter the Apostle, the 16th-century Jesuit church known as the Sistine Chapel of America. Entry ticket is paid in person, not included.
3. Raqchi temple visitA one-hour guided stop at the archaeological complex, with the Temple of Wiracocha and its 15-meter-high walls. Entry ticket is paid in person, not included.
4. Buffet lunch in SicuaniA 50-minute buffet lunch in Marangani, Sicuani, with Andean dishes, salads, desserts and herbal infusions. Lunch is included.
5. Abra La Raya passA 10-minute photo stop at the highest point of the route, the natural border between the Cusco and Puno regions, with views of snow-capped Andean peaks.
6. Pucara MuseumA 45-minute stop at the Lithic Museum of Pucara, covering a settlement that thrived from roughly 500 BC to 200 AD. Entry ticket is paid in person, not included.
7. Arrive in PunoThe bus finishes at the Terminal Terrestre in Puno, on the shores of Lake Titicaca, at about 5:30 pm.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will help you plan the day, from what the bus offers to what you still need to pay for.

• Comfort on board. The bus has heating, air conditioning, a clean bathroom and an oxygen tank. Travellers mention deep reclining seats that make napping easy between stops, and hot and cold drinks are served on board.
• Pace of stops. Each stop is short and guided, from ten minutes at La Raya to an hour at Raqchi. Some reviewers feel the visits are rushed, so treat this as a transfer with introductions to each site rather than deep exploration.
• Food and drink. Lunch is a buffet with beef, chicken, fish, sides, salads, desserts and infusions, and reviewers repeatedly call it good. Tea, coffee, coca tea, soft drinks and water are served on the bus.
• Altitude. Abra La Raya is the highest point of the journey, and an oxygen tank is carried on board. Coca tea is served on the bus, and the frequent stops give you a chance to move around.
• Cash for entries. Entrance tickets for Andahuaylillas, the Raqchi complex and the Pucara Museum are not included. The listing puts the total at 53 soles, roughly 13 dollars, paid in person at the sites.
• Early start. Departure is at 6:10 am and you need to be at the terminal 30 minutes before. Plan an early night, since the day runs until the late afternoon.

Common issues. The main complaint in reviews is that the stops feel short, with some travellers wanting more time at key sites. Entrance tickets for Andahuaylillas, Raqchi and the Pucara Museum are extra and must be paid in person on arrival. It is also a long day on a bus, roughly eleven hours door to door, so anyone who dislikes road travel should weigh that. Hotel pickup is listed as included, but the listing details exactly how it works at booking, so read that section before assuming your hotel is covered.

Before You Book A Tour