Puno to Cusco bus tour: Route of the Sun with Raqchi

Raqchi's massive temple columns rise from the highlands between Puno and Cusco.

This full-day bus tour travels from Puno to Cusco along the Route of the Sun, stopping at three major Andean sites: Pucara pottery village, Raqchi temple with its distinctive two-nave structure, and the ornate San Pedro de Andahuaylillas church. The journey includes a professional guide in English or Spanish, an air-conditioned bus, buffet lunch with vegetarian options, and hotel pickup in Puno. The route crosses La Raya Pass at 4,335 meters above sea level.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. La Raya Pass10m · entry included
2. Raqch'i40m · entry included
3. San Pedro de Andahuaylillas30m · entry included

Bus tour from Puno to Cusco

• Visit Pucara village of potters
• Stop at La Raya Pass
• Enjoy buffet lunch on board
• Explore Raqchi Temple of Wiracocha
• Visit Andahuaylillas church
• Arrive at Cusco bus station

The experience

The bus leaves downtown Puno hotels and climbs toward Cusco over ten hours, stopping at four distinct points that frame the ancient Andean world. Pucara comes first: a pottery village named after the region's earliest civilization, with a site museum holding archaeological remains and ceramics. From there the route continues to La Raya Pass, the midpoint between the two cities at 4,335 meters, where the landscape opens across the high plateau.

Raqchi is the centerpiece: the Temple of Wiracocha, the Andean god, stands with two naves and bases of eleven massive columns, originally covered in wood and thatch. The structure dominates the site and shows the scale of pre-Inca construction. After Raqchi, the bus descends toward Cusco and stops at San Pedro de Andahuaylillas, a church so richly decorated with indigenous religious art that it earned the name "Sistine Chapel of America." Buffet lunch with hot coca tea, coffee, fresh vegetables, regional dishes and desserts is served at a tourist restaurant partway through the day.

An on-board guide narrates in English or Spanish throughout, and the air-conditioned bus handles the altitude and distance. The route arrives at Cusco's bus station after the full journey, so you travel with your luggage and do not need to arrange separate transport between the two cities.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup in downtown Puno.
• air-conditioned modern bus.
• professional guide in English or Spanish.
• buffet lunch with vegetarian option and hot drinks.
• soda and pop on board.
• entry to the sites along the route.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (7 to 85 years) · Under 7: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleStroller friendly

Operated by Pachakutik Tours Perú

Is this one for you?Book this if you're traveling between Puno and Cusco and want a guide explaining the archaeological sites en route, rather than arriving with no context for the region's history.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

What is Raqchi and why does it matter on this route?

Raqchi is the Temple of Wiracocha, an Inca-era religious structure with two naves and eleven massive column bases that originally supported a wood and thatch roof. It stands as one of the most significant archaeological sites between Puno and Cusco and is the main stop on this tour.

Does the tour include meals and drinks?

Buffet lunch is included at a tourist restaurant midway through the journey, with a spread of national and regional dishes, fresh vegetables, appetizers, desserts, and hot drinks like coca tea, coffee and tea. Soda and pop are provided on the bus. Alcoholic drinks are available to purchase.

What is the highest point on this route?

La Raya Pass sits at 4,335 meters above sea level and marks the midpoint between Puno and Cusco. It is the highest elevation on the journey and the place where the landscape shifts as you descend toward Cusco.

How does pickup work in Puno?

The bus picks you up from your hotel in downtown Puno and departs from there, so you do not need to get to a separate terminal. The tour ends at Cusco's bus station after the ten-hour journey.

Is there a vegetarian meal option?

Yes, the buffet lunch includes a vegetarian option. Let the operator know at the time of booking if you need it.