Route of the Sun: Puno to Cusco Review & Guide

So, you are pondering a trip from Puno to Cusco, and I think you may have heard talk of this interesting “Route of the Sun,” correct? It is almost like a guided bus excursion which transforms a simple transfer into something a bit more immersive. It strings together historical sites, little cultural experiences, and scenic vistas that, without it, you may have completely skipped. Here’s what it’s like, a kind of breakdown if you like, from somebody who has experienced this particular transit route.

What Exactly is the Route of the Sun?

That Route of the Sun, which sometimes people just shorten to “La Ruta del Sol,” is more or less a tourist bus service running between Puno, home of Lake Titicaca, and Cusco, the previous capital of the Inca, yet? Very unlike your everyday bus hop, it’s meant to become a full-day experience, one that mixes travel with guided visits to some terrific locations along the way. The trip typically lasts about 10 hours or thereabouts, depending mostly on road conditions plus how long each visit to the stops takes, right?

Key Stops Along the Way

Now, talking about those particular stops, there are, of course, some key attractions. Expect these few:

Andahuaylillas: This tiny town hosts the Church of San Pedro Apóstol, now very often dubbed the “Sistine Chapel of the Americas” because its walls have so many vivid murals.
Raqchi: Basically, also named “The Temple of Wiracocha,” this location has the remains of what may have once been an very important Inca temple. A particularly prominent highlight are those big walls plus a lot of cylindrical columns.
La Raya Pass: Situated roughly 14,222 ft (4335 m) above sea level, the pass functions as the altitude high point between the route and happens to offer pretty awesome panoramic views associated with Andes.
Pukara: Prior to the Incas, there was a culture known as Pukara that flourished within the place. It happens to feature some really cool archaeological spots, for instance, the Lithic Museum in Pukara displaying ancient monoliths.

What Makes it Different From the Regular Bus Ride?

In that instance of price, you’ll pay just a bit more compared to taking a regular, point-A-to-point-B sort of bus. You may well ask, exactly what do I get extra for the extra cost? Nicely, it boils down to comfort, information, as well as a curated experience. You’ll likely ride with other tourists. So too, you’ll be going on board an air-conditioned bus that happens to come equipped with onboard toilets, plus the tour guide could actually give commentary in both English and Spanish. Also, the admission fees to those historical sites are, a lot of the time, factored into your ticket amount, more or less.

The Cultural Aspect

It isn’t just all looking at historical spots; you more or less get little slices associated with local life also. From the stops for food to simply watching landscape change, there’s seemingly an appreciation for your cultural parts this is not merely about viewing something through some window. That Route provides, literally, that bit additional to simply consider some view, and so actually places the views to their particular circumstance through that guide’s tales plus those nearby encounters.

My Experience on the Route of the Sun

For my bit, that tour managed to exceed whatever expectations that I already had. I didn’t actually just would like to simply shuttle in between Puno and Cusco; I seriously wished to witness everything. So too, this turned out great, as it eliminated what could easily have happened to be some logistics complications since that business already organizes your seats and it buys a lot of the entrance passes. This pace ended up pretty much perfect, as I experienced the possibility to snap photos, listen to some tales, yet, even stretch my legs for a while as well.

Memorable Moments

I think one particular thing this stands out is seeing which ornate interior belonging to the church during Andahuaylillas; this imagery has gotten very firmly locked into my brain now. The chilly, lean air through La Raya was completely exhilarating, offering a reminder that you are undoubtedly within a number of of that highest peaks of your Andes, and stuff, seriously. It did not just all seem “packaged,” though; at each location you happen to be viewing stuff this includes any actual relevance. That felt like an honest, a little bit enhanced, form associated with witnessing parts of Peru which you couldn’t actually simply observe from simply speeding by.

Things to Keep in Mind

Right, several planning is helpful prior to getting started. Listed below are aspects you may wish to check out.

Altitude: As it happens to involve some very substantial elevations, if perhaps you happen to be predisposed, allow some time to be able to acclimatize within Cusco, or maybe in Puno initially, to assist in averting altitude illness. It’s usually sensible to keep hydrated, not consume an excessive amount food items, or simply consume coca teas so as to minimise those unwanted side effects.
What to Pack: Regardless of what that period happens to be, place garments for a number associated with temps, so too! The Andes will alter significantly. Really do layering; the chilly could come right away! It could be prudent so as to have sunscreen, your hat, plus sunglasses, really.
Booking in Advance: Particularly when moving within that busy months, reserving chairs might be wise; that way you could actually secure your seat whilst stopping aggravation. A lot of companies permit it via the internet.
Snacks and Water: However foods happens to be catered towards (usually buffet-style), in order to carry additional h2o as well as things you can actually nibble, in any case it becomes useful, seriously.

Is It Worth It?

The actual short solution could be, pretty much, certainly, very much! If perhaps you wish in order to include various exploration on a journey which you must take anyhow between Cusco and Puno, this might be virtually ideal, very much! That extra expenses is worth what that experience produces by giving you educational knowledge plus comfort on the typical journey.

Who Should Consider the Route of the Sun?

Therefore, if perhaps all that pertains to you really pertains to:

Those that have only small amount of free time nonetheless you like maximising that travel.
People interested about society plus old past and want to be really actively watching.
Vacation goers, for example households, lovers, or individual people who want secure, simple, but yet educative escapade between crucial locations.

Some potential drawbacks?

However often really beneficial, you can get points that it’s advisable to start thinking about. So, assuming you simply tend to be limited financially plus that price is absolutely vital, regular shuttles tend to be less costly. On that grounds that timetable gets put, so much flexibility probably won’t usually become a feature when looking into staying more time in locations, too.

Route of the Sun: The Alternatives

As a result, that ‘Route’ probably will not just get on your particular needs? Never worry! There might actually still be some other options also. There is generally that usual coach trip option to give thought to, to commence. More frequently than not this might mean the less cost means with no extras that include instructions. So, still you might find that you would probably travel fairly efficiently linking Puno directly up to Cusco through a lot of transport agencies, really. For other people there could come up that method in which traveling individually by hiring particular cars or local busses is desirable due so that one could possibly make your personal path. However always, there does comes even so responsibility concerning organizing most sections alone then this alternative is generally less pricey if perhaps a part relating to a more substantial type.

Final Thoughts

To get from Puno to Cusco on the Sun Route happens to feel way additional than just switching a point that can actually connect A up to point B. That’s generally how they will give any cultural, historical plus panorama views, too. To obtain these parts built during this will likely allow one for you yourself will never become that very easy yourself. By combining advantages ease, academic advice along scenic amazement for this all does provide for actually amazing in how they provide transport. That for you yourself who will then not choose something basic however what something who really really help anyone enjoy their actual trip: after that that particular plan generally, gets a plan everyone you must really will give some thought so. And now to be found anyone what it calls.