Buffet Lunch, Route To Puno

Make the journey from Cusco to Puno on a scenic day trip that follows the Route of the Sun. The trip runs for 10 hours in all.

Overview

This is a scenic day transfer from Cusco to Puno run by Inka Express, built around five stops along the so-called Route of the Sun. The listing gives the duration as 10 hours, and the idea is that someone else focuses on the road while a guide leads visits to the church, ruins, pass and museum along the way, with lunch arranged at a buffet stop. The listing confirms air-conditioning, an onboard restroom, an oxygen tank, and hot and cold drinks served during the ride. Several reviewers mention WiFi and snacks on board, and one describes USB charging points and large reclining seats.

The route breaks up the drive with stops at the church of San Pedro Apostol in Andahuaylillas, the archaeological park at Raqchi, a buffet lunch at Andes Peru in Marangani, Sicuani, the pass at La Raya, and the Lithic Museum of Pucara. The listing allows an hour at most stops and 30 minutes at La Raya, though one traveller described the actual time at each stop as around 30 to 40 minutes. Entrance tickets at Andahuaylillas, Raqchi and the Pucara museum are not included and cost 53 soles per person, collected in cash.

It suits travellers who need to get from Cusco to Puno anyway and would rather see something on the way, and reviewers call it a good way to cover the route between the two cities. It is less suited to anyone who wants unhurried time at each site, since the day is long and the stops are short.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet at Alameda PachacuteqPassengers should be at the station, Alameda Pachacuteq 499b in Cusco, by 5:40 am, 30 minutes before the 6:10 am departure, looking for the Inka Express sign.
2. Andahuaylillas churchA guided one-hour visit to San Pedro Apostol de Andahuaylillas. The admission ticket is not included in the tour price.
3. Raqchi archaeological parkA one-hour guided stop at Parque Arqueologico de Raqchi. Admission is again paid separately.
4. Buffet lunch in SicuaniOne hour at Andes Peru in Marangani, Sicuani, for an Andean buffet lunch, with trout among the options according to reviewers. This stop is included.
5. La Raya PassA 30-minute stop at the pass. No admission ticket is needed here.
6. Pucara Lithic MuseumA one-hour visit to the Museo Litico Pukara. The entrance ticket is not included.
7. Arrive at Puno terminalThe day ends at Terminal Terrestre Puno on Jiron primero de Mayo 703, the end point of the trip.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points shape the day, and most of them come up again and again in traveller reviews.

• Bring cash. Entrance tickets for Andahuaylillas, Raqchi and the Pucara museum are not included and total 53 soles per person, payable in cash. One reviewer said the guide collected the full amount at the start of the trip, so have the money ready when you board. Budget for it before the day begins.
• Long day, short stops. The listing puts the trip at 10 hours, and one traveller counted about 11 hours on the road. The listing allows an hour at most stops and 30 minutes at La Raya, but that same traveller described the time at each stop as around 30 to 40 minutes. Go in expecting a transfer with sightseeing built in rather than a deep guided tour of each site.
• Comfortable coach. Several reviewers describe the coach as very comfortable, with large reclining seats and WiFi, and one mentions USB charging points and a bottle of water. The listing also confirms hot and cold drinks, a restroom and air-conditioning. Snacks come up in more than one review as well.
• Health warnings. The bus carries an oxygen tank on board. The listing advises against the trip for travellers with back problems, pregnant travellers, and anyone with heart problems or other serious medical conditions. Most travellers can participate, and infants must sit on laps.
• Seating confusion. Some seats on the bus are reserved through certain bookings, and one reviewer reported being moved at the last minute without any signage explaining the system. That reviewer was among the first on the bus and still had to give up the seat. This was a single reported incident, but it is worth knowing before you choose a seat.
• Food and drink. The buffet lunch in Sicuani is included and reviewers call it a good spread, with one singling out the trout. Snacks and a bottle of water are mentioned on board as well. Still, with a 5:40 am arrival at the station, eat something before you leave Cusco.

Common issues. The honest downsides are the length of the day and the pace. One reviewer counted roughly 11 hours on the road with only 30 to 40 minutes at most stops, and found the commentary rehearsed with a fair amount of promotion and souvenir encouragement. Entrance fees of 53 soles per person are collected in cash and are not part of the ticket price, which caught at least one traveller off guard. The bus is not wheelchair accessible, the group can run to 40 travellers, and the trip is not recommended for people with back problems or for pregnant travellers. One reviewer also described confusion over reserved seats at departure, with no signs explaining which ones were taken.

Common Questions