Cusco to Puno: Honest Review of the Route of the Sun Tour

Okay, so you are thinking about that Cusco to Puno trip, is that right? It’s almost sure that the “Route of the Sun” tour probably popped up. It’s, like, a popular way to travel between these two places, very popular because, let’s face it, that bus ride is pretty lengthy, isn’t it? It makes sense to do it in a way that, too it’s almost like, you get to experience stuff, doesn’t it? This review is just my thoughts, really straightforward and from my experience, about that one-day tour. We are going to touch on everything that goes on, to help you choose if it’s actually something for you.

What to Expect on the Route of the Sun Tour

First off, let’s look at what that tour has on offer. Is that what you are interested in? Generally, it’s more or less a full day, from, maybe, 7 AM to 5 PM-ish, that gets you from Cusco to Puno (or the other way if that’s what you prefer) with a handful of stops at spots along the way. A typical tour, seemingly, will include a guide, transport, and entrance fees to some, but arguably not all, the sites. The usual suspects on the itinerary go something like this: the Church of Andahuaylillas (often called the Sistine Chapel of the Americas – big claim!), the ruins at Raqchi, the mountain pass of La Raya (it’s cold so you are best advised to pack appropriately!), and the Pucara Lithic Museum.

The idea, at the end of the day, is to change what could be a rather tedious bus trip into a chance to check out more of Peru’s scenery and history. Does that sound like what you’d want? However, just a little word to the wise; tours can, to be honest, vary. Some may focus much more on the historical parts, that sort of thing, while some may focus more on shopping opportunities – that depends, that’s something that it tends to be dependent on who you use, or at least that’s what I noticed. Do a little looking around to find a tour that feels right for what you would enjoy, okay?

Highlights and Hidden Gems Along the Way

Now, let’s, in some respects, talk about the places you’ll visit, alright? First, is the Church of Andahuaylillas, also known as the Sistine Chapel of the Americas. Did you ever expect to see something like that in the middle of, like, the Peruvian countryside? Well, that one does not disappoint. I would really tell you to bring your camera; no matter what, the inside, which, obviously, features super intricate murals and gold leaf everywhere, is simply remarkable.

Raqchi, you know, offers a super interesting contrast. So? We are talking about old ruins, like what’s left of a temple to Viracocha, the creator god. Seeing those big walls, in a way, too it’s almost, allows one to begin to realize how old all this stuff is. Then there’s La Raya, the highest point on that road between Cusco and Puno. Arguably, this stop is mostly to stretch your legs, buy a couple of souvenirs, and to snap a photo of all of those mountain views, just like in all the photos you see all over Instagram. The air is definitely thin and the winds are chilly, anyway, that’s really something to consider. Lastly, there’s the Pucara Lithic Museum. Full of stone statues and pottery that give you a tiny peak into pre-Inca times. The collection there gives some clues about the origins of people around that area, alright?

What I Really Liked (and What Could be Improved)

The very best thing, for instance, of that Route of the Sun tour has to be how that allows you to break up a long travel day with stuff that are genuinely interesting. Usually, that’s not a given, is it? Seeing Andahuaylillas was totally a highlight, honestly; I went nuts taking all those pics! La Raya, despite getting quite nippy, was really worth a stop just to appreciate the views. And those ruins? Seriously, you just cannot get that anywhere else.

If I had, in some respects, to call out areas for development, could be that some of those stops do feel a little rushed. And it would, like, depend. Now and then, you may wish you would have had, let’s say, just a bit longer in one spot before it’s already “all aboard!”. As a matter of fact, a tiny more free time would have been so great. Also, you realize that that “buffet lunch” you’ll get included may not be as posh as that sounds. Don’t go in expecting five-star eating, okay? Also, if you hate the touristy sales pitches, basically you may find the stop-offs for shopping just a little tiresome. Is that understandable?

Is the Route of the Sun Worth It? Some Final Thoughts.

Alright, so let’s wrap it up then, shall we? That Route of the Sun tour between Cusco and Puno? I’d guess that it probably lands, basically, in the “worth it” side of the spectrum, especially when you factor that in against doing that monotonous regular bus transit. You’ll spot some quite cool sites, split up that lengthy trip, and get a tiny sample of the area, honestly. Just go into it aware there can be some rushing about, and that every part of that day will not, as a matter of fact, blow your mind.

If you’re more interested in checking out historical sites in detail, could be you may find this kind of whistlestop a little frustrating. But, arguably, if you would just like to add some experiences to what would, generally, be just transit time, this, too it’s almost, tends to be the thing for you. Really do weigh what suits you to then choose wisely!

Key Takeaways

• Scenery and Sites: It lets you discover various spots, such as the Church of Andahuaylillas and Raqchi ruins.
• Time Saver: In this tour, you split up the bus transit to make the most of the trip.
• Things to keep in mind: The schedule may feel rushed.
• Suggestions: That experience fits great if you would love to add things to your transfer time.

So what are your thoughts now? Will you do this tour? Remember to prepare appropriately with warm clothes and a camera. Have an awesome adventure on the Route of the Sun!.

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