English and Spanish-speaking guide
Group tour
Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
Check the Dates
This fully guided Cusco to Puno bus tour transforms the 10-hour inter-city transfer into a rich cultural journey along the “Route of the Sun.” The tour stops at five essential historical sites, including the famous “Sistine Chapel of the Americas” and the ancient Temple of Wiracocha at Raqchi. Book this tour and enjoy a comfortable ride, a professional bilingual guide, and an included buffet lunch.
Highlights:
- Transform your long transfer into a cultural journey with a professional bilingual guide.
- Visit the Church of San Pedro in Andahuaylillas, the “Sistine Chapel of the Americas.”
- Explore the monumental Inca site of Raqchi, which housed the Temple of Wiracocha.
- Discover the Pukara culture through the artifacts at the Museo Lítico de Pukara.
- Enjoy a delicious buffet lunch featuring regional dishes in the city of Sicuani.
About this tour:
This full-day, 10-hour Cusco to Puno bus tour is the most comfortable and enriching way to travel between the Incan capital and the gateway to Lake Titicaca, following the historic “Route of the Sun”. This scenic journey transforms a simple transfer into a fully guided, cultural expedition, stopping at key archaeological and historical sites along the way.
The adventure begins when you board the comfortable tourist bus at the bus station in Cusco for the journey to the south valley. The first major stop is the village of Andahuaylillas, where you will visit the beautiful 17th-century Church of San Pedro, famously known as the “Sistine Chapel of the Americas” due to its incredible Baroque-style artwork, gold leaf accents, and ceiling paintings.
The bus tour from Cusco to Puno continues to the archaeological site of Raqchi, a fascinating Inca complex that once housed the Temple of Wiracocha and large circular storehouses (colcas) used for grains like quinoa and corn. After exploring the temple ruins, the journey pauses in the city of Sicuani for a comprehensive buffet lunch at a local restaurant, featuring local and regional dishes and hot drinks.
Following lunch, you will ascend to the highest point of the tour, the La Raya Pass, which serves as the border between the Cusco and Puno regions, offering a brief stop for breathtaking photos of the snow-capped Chimboya mountain. The final cultural stop is the Museo Lítico de Pukara, which houses an excellent collection of monoliths and ceramics belonging to the ancient Pukara culture. The tour then concludes with the final 2-hour drive, passing through the heart of the Andes before arriving at the bus station in Puno around 5:00 PM. The package includes professional guiding, on-board service, and a buffet lunch, with the option to include entrance fees.
Included:
- English and Spanish-speaking guide
- Transportation by tourist bus from Cusco to Puno
- Service on board with hot and cold drinks
- Buffet lunch at a restaurant in Sicuani
- First aid kit
- Ticket entrances to the places visited (if the option is selected)
Essential Information:
- Meeting point in Cusco: The meeting point depends on the package chosen: view the meeting point for Cusco to Puno bus without entrance fees and view the meeting point for Cusco to Puno bus with entrance fees included.
- Exclusions: Entrance fees are NOT included in the base price, but you can select an upgraded version of the package. Transfer to and from the bus station is excluded. Cold drinks at the buffet lunch and gratuities are also excluded.
- Terrain: You must be able to walk on unpaved or uneven terrain at the sites.
- What to Bring: passport, cash (for entrance fees/gratuities), warm clothing, hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen.
- Not Suitable For: Activity is not wheelchair accessible.
Activity provider: Tangol
Frequently Asked Questions
What does this Cusco to Puno bus tour include?
This comprehensive 10-hour transfer experience includes travel aboard a comfortable tourist bus following the historic “Route of the Sun,” making your journey educational and efficient. You are provided with the services of a professional bilingual guide, and the package features an excellent buffet lunch with local and regional dishes in Sicuani. Onboard service with hot and cold drinks is also included, along with a first aid kit for safety throughout the trip.
What is not covered by the tour price?
Please note that entrance fees are NOT included in the base price of the tour; these cost S/. 53.00 Peruvian soles total per person and must be paid locally, though an optional package including these fees is available at the time of booking. Also excluded are private transfers to and from the bus station, cold/alcoholic beverages at the buffet lunch, and gratuities for the guide and driver. You must arrange your own transport to the departure and from the arrival bus stations.
Where and when does this bus tour from Cusco to Puno begin?
What should I bring for this tour?
You must bring your passport, as well as enough cash (Peruvian soles) to cover the entrance fees (S/. 53.00 if not included in your package) and any gratuities. Given the high-altitude stops like La Raya Pass, warm clothing, a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen are all highly recommended to ensure your comfort throughout the day.
What should I know before going on this tour?
You should know that this long, 10-hour journey transforms a standard transfer into a full day of sightseeing along the “Route of the Sun,” making it a highly efficient way to travel between the two cities. The journey will reach a high altitude at La Raya Pass (4,335m/14,222ft), so be prepared for cold weather and potential effects of altitude. Finally, you must be capable of walking on uneven or unpaved terrain at the archaeological sites, as the activity is not wheelchair accessible.
What will I experience during this Cusco to Puno bus tour?
The tour’s first major stop takes you into the beautiful south valley to visit the village of Andahuaylillas, where you will tour the magnificent Church of San Pedro, affectionately known as the “Sistine Chapel of the Americas.” Your guide will explain the incredible history and point out the exquisite Baroque artwork, gold leaf detailing, and detailed ceiling paintings that make this site truly unique and worth the stop. The bus will then continue its journey to the monumental Inca site of Raqchi, where you will explore the complex that once housed the great Temple of Wiracocha, admiring the large circular storehouses known as colcas.
The journey continues toward the city of Sicuani, where you will stop to enjoy a satisfying buffet lunch featuring a variety of local and regional Peruvian dishes, ensuring you are refreshed for the afternoon portion of the trip. After lunch, you will ascend to the breathtaking La Raya Pass (4,335m), the highest point of the route, offering stunning photo opportunities of the surrounding Andean peaks and the snow-capped Chimboya. The final stop is the Museo Lítico de Pukara, where you will view an excellent collection of monoliths and ceramics belonging to the ancient pre-Inca Pukara culture before arriving in Puno.