Cusco to Puno “Route of the Sun” Tour Review with Hotel

Alright, so you’re thinking about traveling from Cusco to Puno and maybe taking the “Route of the Sun” tour? It’s almost a pretty common way to do it, yet picking the correct tour and hotel could be quite the puzzle. I’m going to share my review to give you a better idea about what’s involved, and so you could see if this sounds like the kind of adventure you might want. As a matter of fact, you should know upfront that I had a fantastic time, still there were parts I wish I had known more about ahead of time. This review is really to help with that.

First Impressions: Kicking off the Route

So, first things first, I started the “Route of the Sun” tour from Cusco. Very early start, to be honest, like super early, which, you know, is fairly typical for tours in Peru. Anyway, the bus was comfy enough – just a bit, honestly better than some others I’ve experienced. Also, it’s good to know that they usually pick you up straight from your hotel in Cusco, which is convenient, like so you don’t need to stress over getting to a meeting point at some ungodly hour.

As I was saying, before you even start, get a handle on Cusco’s altitude. It’s really quite high, and also a bit intense if you are not prepared, yet taking a day or two to get used to it is seriously helpful. Also, they say drinking coca tea helps a lot, and, well, maybe it does? It could be partly psychological, yet I was drinking it just in case! The landscape on the drive out of Cusco is actually stunning – really impressive views of the valleys, and the mountains kind of set the stage for what’s coming. Just a little insider tip, if you are sensitive to motion, like your travel partner, maybe grab some travel sickness pills. In fact, the roads are twisty, yet they will keep you from being green the whole day.

The Stops: Culture and History Coming Alive

Okay, so the “Route of the Sun” has these stops along the way, which break up the long drive. First, you stop at Andahuaylillas, which has this church, almost known as the Sistine Chapel of the Americas. Anyway, the artwork in there is quite something – extremely intricate and very ornate. The guide pointed out all these details, that, well, I would have missed on my own, I guess.

Next up is Raqchi, sometimes called the Temple of Wiracocha. Anyway, you see the remains of this really important Inca structure. I mean, it’s pretty amazing to see what is still standing, you know? Also, there’s some local people selling handicrafts, yet they weren’t pushy, that’s why it’s cool if you feel like browsing.

As a matter of fact, after that, we stopped for lunch. Typically, it was at a touristy restaurant, still the food was surprisingly good. It tends to be a buffet situation with a range of local dishes, so you can actually try a bit of everything. What’s more, La Raya Pass is next, so it is the highest point on the drive between Cusco and Puno. That is, the views are something, and that’s why people will usually get out and take photos. It’s almost super cold up there, actually, just dress warmly, very warmly in fact! The altitude can, of course, get to you here as well.

Pukara is your last stop, basically an pre-Inca site with these interesting stone structures and, so, museums. I was a bit tired by this point to be honest, still it was worth pushing through, you know, really to soak in the history, because it’s rather neat to see what came before the Incas. By the way, the guides give explanations at each site, plus you often get time to explore a bit solo, yet it can be a little rushed, which I feel is kind of standard for group tours. Actually, to see the highlights quickly isn’t necessarily bad though.

Arriving in Puno and the Hotel Situation

Finally, you roll into Puno in the early evening, that is, a long day behind you, I suppose. So, depending on the tour package, and I guess mostly with an inclusive tour package, you’ll have a hotel already booked. To be honest, this can seriously vary. My hotel was pretty solid, but it wasn’t super fancy, so you might wanna look up the place where you’re staying so you can see what it’s like for yourself. Usually, these hotels are closer to the city center, therefore walking to shops or places to eat tends to be very simple.

As a matter of fact, some travelers opt for higher-end stays. Anyway, you might like to spend the night at one of the hotels that overlook Lake Titicaca – talk about views!, actually. The only issue might be that getting into the city can be a bit expensive and also slightly slow from there. As I was saying, make sure that you know what’s included when you are booking, such as whether or not the hotel’s included, how many stars the hotel has, how much do people seem to like it, etc.. Seriously, look at some travelers’ comments.

Lake Titicaca: The Main Attraction

Puno is that, well, the gateway to Lake Titicaca, yet chances are pretty high that you will explore it the next day. As I was saying, I can write about all of that here since it wasn’t really technically a part of the “Route of the Sun” tour. You know, seeing the lake the following day will really leave you with an impressive memory. Of course, Lake Titicaca is almost the main event for visiting Puno. Actually, make plans for a boat tour over to the Uros Floating Islands; it will make for a very unique adventure!

The Uros people basically built their homes on islands made of reeds, therefore stepping on the island and also meeting them is unforgettable. It’s that you learn how they build the islands, and as well hear about their culture. Also, visiting Taquile Island is extremely cool – to shop local textiles. The views of the lake are just gorgeous! Just be prepared for a hike, very! As a matter of fact, the altitude makes even just climbing stairs something of a workout.

What to Expect From the Tour Guides

So, typically, you get different guides at the archeological sites and yet one primary tour manager on the bus. Anyway, some guides are much better than others, just depends really. What I liked most about our primary guide is that he kept things on schedule and that he was super prepared, kind of gave off a reliable feeling.

I have noticed a couple of problems during all the times I was on tours. Anyhow, that one site guide’s English wasn’t so solid, so I wish I had brushed up on some common historical points beforehand. Almost all were clearly knowledgeable about Peruvian culture and history and gave an impression that they liked what they were doing for a living, yet sometimes you still need to pay close attention to fully get what they are saying. That is, it can also depend a lot on the kind of group dynamic you have on any particular day, as well, so, it really could affect your overall experience with them and then therefore the tour overall.

What Should You Pack?

Alright, packing, let’s do this. You will want to pack for various climates, that is, from sunny viewpoints down to those very windy and high mountain stops along the road, and of course that means packing clothes you could layer. Pack lightly, so you aren’t carrying an elephant on your shoulders all day while running for the bus. A small daypack comes in really useful. Pack snacks. Basically, I needed some granola bars for some of those moments, as that kept my energy levels just up there. Be sure you pack extra water too, so you can hydrate as the altitude will affect you.

Seriously, bring sunscreen, basically, that sun at altitude is pretty intense, as I mentioned. Also, I always take some meds, I use Advil and some stomach remedies, that just keeps those worries away. I also recommend to have a power bank because it will be a super long travel day and because you won’t be around any outlets.

Is the “Route of the Sun” Worth It?

So, wrapping it all up: is the “Route of the Sun” really worth doing? As a matter of fact, I will vote YES, you know! It is convenient to see quite a lot as you are going between Cusco and Puno, still it’s a long day, I suppose, just be mentally set up for it. The stops are historically really neat. Of course, what you get for your money can vary by tour, but that is the main deal, really to look into, really. Just plan, pack the correct way, and also stay flexible; so that this adventure from Cusco down to Puno will make memories that will last. That’s it, you know, enjoy your trip!

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