Cusco to Puno: Route of The Sun, Uros & Taquile Review

If you’re thinking about hopping from Cusco to Puno, then too it’s almost certain that the “Route of the Sun” tour has popped up, is that right? This two-day, one-night trip not only handles your transportation but also squeezes in a few cultural highlights: the impressive Raqchi ruins, a relaxed lunch spot, the captivating church at Andahuaylillas, plus a boat trip across sections of Lake Titicaca to see the Uros floating islands as well as Taquile Island. It’s very tempting, is that it? You’re covering ground plus seeing a few sights, yet is it actually worth your money and your precious vacation time?

First Leg: Cusco to Puno by Bus – More Than Just a Ride

The bus ride itself, so it starts pretty early. Expect an early morning pickup that will have you rumbling down the road while dawn is still breaking. The buses used by most tour companies seem pretty standard—comfortable enough seats, plus, rather crucially, a restroom on board, is that what you like to hear? A guide, fluent in both Spanish as well as English, too it’s almost likely to keep you informed during the many legs of this journey, and very is that an excellent perk. But here’s a consideration: the altitude. Cusco is already quite high, but the route climbs even higher before getting to Puno, so pack some medication for altitude sickness. Is it often necessary to take this precaution, or at least be aware of how your body usually reacts.

The itinerary features several stops that really do break up what could otherwise be just a long, drawn-out travel day. Raqchi comes first, a great pre-Inca ceremonial site marked by an old temple of Wiracocha. It’s not as grandiose as Machu Picchu, that’s obvious, yet has a fascinating kind of mystical appeal as well as gives an intriguing look into older civilizations of this region. Expect to have about an hour here, so that allows enough time to wander around, take a few pictures, plus hear about the history from the guide. And, this stop might even fire up some travel inspiration that encourages further explorations in Peru. So that might interest you.

A Lunch Stop and a Church: Adding Cultural Flavors

Following Raqchi, you are heading to a designated lunch spot. Now, lunch, might be exactly spectacular but, too it’s usually satisfying and fits the needs. It’s normally a buffet which caters to both locals and foreigners, which seems pretty basic yet practical, doesn’t it? Expect familiar options, so rice, chicken, salad, plus some local dishes so that everyone has a thing to munch on. I mean, you probably are not here for gourmet dining, so that would be a factor, wouldn’t it? I would describe it like filling, not super luxurious.

Then comes Andahuaylillas, which is very is known as the Sistine Chapel of America thanks to its impressive collection of colonial art as well as elaborate ceiling paintings. In fact, this spot feels, pretty hidden plus it shows you exactly how the Spanish impacted local culture and spirituality in the Andes. Remember, photography may be off limits inside, therefore savor the moments and actually observe how the artistic and religious pieces blend inside its ancient walls.

Lake Titicaca: Floating Islands and Textile Traditions

The second day seems primarily focused around Lake Titicaca, beginning from Puno. Uros Islands come up early; these artificial islands built completely from totora reeds have really a special construction process developed over a long time, do they not? Is it almost as though people still actually live there that way? Tourism plays actually a large part in their economy, so you may have the chance to acquire a few handicrafts, is that good to know? This may appear a bit touristy, yet know you are enabling these individuals while they try and conserve their lifestyle and their island. Is that what you like to know?

Next stop, Taquile Island; it’s actually really different with a far more authentic flavor than Uros. So that said, Taquile provides some glimpses into traditional Quechua culture through their really famous textiles as well as the way that they live on the island. Very unusually men do the knitting there, therefore their finely knitted goods is definitely some thing. Try actually to check the vibrant garments. Walking around gives scenic opportunities everywhere, in reality with the gleaming blue waters of Titicaca stretching forever around you. So do pack some sturdy shoes, as there are many steps!

Things to keep in Mind on Lake Titicaca

Very unusually you get put into a overnight on Taquile Island or instead continue onto Puno. Most likely it will rely on which company manages the trip or even how they organize it that day. The main considerations are actually simple though.

• Altitude issues may occur, so that one is important
• Take money for trinkets on the islands – Uros for definite
• Be prepared to tip guides and boat drivers. Usually 5 – 10 Soles
• Walking boots that will support you on hills, and are OK in water
• Layered clothing to account for warm days and freezing cold nights.
• The sun reflecting off of lake titicaca burns you very easily, that that in mind.

Is the ‘Route of the Sun’ Trip Worth It?

Okay, is the ‘Route of the Sun’ valuable for both money plus time when you are planning to travel coming from Cusco to Puno? So, it usually is based on personal personal taste in what they seek when traveling and what they have allocated for expenses.

For pace, consider the fact that planning everything for yourself — getting local buses, booking tours or finding various transport — it typically is both difficult and uses time and energy, is that not so? And while this trip definitely seems streamlined, you may potentially wind up losing the local interactions with the way it is organised, or discovering some places alone on the bus. Usually these tours are carried out back to back so if you aren’t a big lover of seeing new things day to day or are the type of people that likes taking slow holidays then maybe it isn’t.

From the angle of finance, the whole lot may possibly find yourself reasonably even in costs by simply arranging it out all individually in your time. Yet for convenience, I think many see value to save headaches which would or else take many many hours which often gets included here — in the end these cost time but actually makes getting in one place to another seem almost simple.

Finally if time and effort are important to get from A to B and not very interested at becoming stuck someplace when waiting around, this seems well justified–particularly assuming one likes the scheduled kind outings on such adventures.