English and Spanish-speaking guide
Group tour
Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
Pickup included
Check the Dates
This premium 11-hour Cusco to Puno tour offers the most comfortable way to cross the Andes along the “Route of the Sun.” The journey includes four guided stops at key historical sites, such as the Temple of Wiracocha at Raqchi and the magnificent Andahuaylillas Church. Travel in a private luxury bus with a bilingual guide, complimentary drinks, and an included buffet lunch.
Highlights:
- Travel the 11-hour route on a luxury bus equipped with heating, A/C, and a clean bathroom.
- Visit Raqchi’s Temple of Wiracocha, known for its impressive 15m-high walls.
- Explore the Pucara Museum to learn about the origins of Andean civilization (500 BC-200 AD).
- Discover the “Sistine Chapel of America” at the colonial Andahuaylillas Church.
- Enjoy a delightful buffet lunch featuring traditional Andean cuisine and desserts.
- Receive attentive service with complimentary hot and cold drinks on board.
About this tour:
Embark on an 11-hour, comfortable, and historically rich journey with this luxurious Cusco to Puno tour along the famed “Route of the Sun.” Traveling on a private, luxury bus equipped with heating, A/C, clean bathrooms, and an oxygen tank, you can relax and enjoy the stunning Andean landscape. The full-day trip features four expertly guided stops to interpret the rich tapestry of Inca and colonial history, all with a professional bilingual guide.
Your journey begins with check-in required at 6:10 AM (6:40 AM departure) at the starting terminal in Cusco. The first guided stop is the enchanting Church of Saint Peter the Apostle in Andahuaylillas. Known as the “Sistine Chapel of America,” this 16th-century colonial masterpiece mesmerizes visitors with its vibrant frescoes and intricate gold leaf designs, built atop an ancient Inca sacred site. The tour continues to the captivating archaeological site of Raqchi, where you will marvel at the grand Temple of Wiracocha, distinguished by its colossal 15-meter-high walls and impressive ruins.
Midday brings a well-deserved pause for a delightful buffet lunch in Marangani – Sicuani. You will savor a traditional Andean feast featuring a variety of options, including meat, fish, salads, desserts, and complimentary hot and cold drinks (tea, coffee, soda, and water). After lunch, the Cusco Puno tour continues to Abra La Raya, the highest point of the journey, where you can step out to take in breathtaking, panoramic views of the majestic, snow-capped Andes mountains, marking the natural border between the Cusco and Puno regions.
The final guided stop is the Pucara Museum, offering a deep dive into the origins of Andean civilization. Here, you will uncover the fascinating history of this ancient hub (500 BC to 200 AD) by exploring artifacts left by its priests, artisans, and warriors. Your seamless Cusco to Puno bus tour concludes with your arrival at the Puno bus terminal at approximately 5:30 PM, leaving you rested and enriched by the history and beauty experienced along the “Route of the Sun.”
Included:
- Luxury bus transfer from Cusco to Puno
- Guided visit to Andahuaylillas, Raqchi, La Raya, and the Pucará Museum
- Professional bilingual guides
- Buffet Lunch in Marangani – Sicuani
- Service on board (Hot Drinks: coffee, tea, coca tea, and other herbal infusions; Cold Drinks: Inca Kola, Coca-Cola, and mineral water)
- Heating & A/C
- Clean bathroom in the bus
Essential Information:
- Start Time & Location: Departure is 6:40 AM from the terminal: Alameda Pachacuteq 499b. Passengers must check in 30 minutes prior (6:10 AM). View the meeting point.
- End Location: Terminal Terrestre Puno (Puno Bus Terminal). Estimated arrival is 5:30 PM.
- Exclusions (Key Point): Entrance Tickets are NOT included and must be paid in cash directly to the communities on arrival. The total cost is 53 Soles (approx. $13 USD) for Andahuaylillas, Raqchi Complex, and Pucara Museum. Breakfast is also excluded.
Activity provider: InkaExpress
Frequently Asked Questions
What is included in this Cusco to Puno tour?
This luxury Cusco to Puno tour includes private bus transfer along the Route of the Sun with premium amenities like heating, A/C, a clean onboard bathroom, and an oxygen tank. The price covers a professional bilingual guide, all four guided historical stops (Andahuaylillas, Raqchi, Abra La Raya, and Pucara Museum), a full buffet lunch in Marangani – Sicuani, and complimentary hot and cold drinks service on board.
What is not covered by the tour price?
The tour price specifically excludes the entrance tickets for the three main sites: Andahuaylillas Church, Raqchi Complex, and the Pucara Museum. The total combined cost is 53 Peruvian Soles (approximately $13 USD), and this must be paid in cash directly to the communities upon arrival. Breakfast is also not included in the tour price.
Where and when does this Cusco to Puno bus tour begin?
What will I experience during this Cusco Puno tour?
The 11-hour journey is an immersive historical and scenic experience. You will visit the Andahuaylillas Church, often called the “Sistine Chapel of America,” and the impressive Raqchi Temple of Wiracocha, marveling at its 15-meter-high Inca walls. Midday includes a traditional Andean buffet lunch in Sicuani.
The scenic portion of the trip takes you to Abra La Raya, the highest point on the route, for spectacular panoramic views of the Andes. The final stop is the Pucara Museum, where you will delve into the origins of Andean civilization. You will travel in comfort on a luxury bus with a professional guide interpreting the rich history along the entire “Route of the Sun.”