Ruta del Sol: Cusco to Lake Titicaca by Road

From the Inca capital to Lake Titicaca, with the Andes in between.

• Duration: 10 - 11 hours (full day)
• Format: shared

A full day across the high Andes, from Cusco to Puno, with the stops that make it a journey rather than a transfer: the baroque church of Andahuaylillas, called the Sistine Chapel of the Americas, the Temple of Wiracocha at Raqchi, the roadside town of Pucara with its centuries-old ceramics tradition, and the La Raya pass at about 14,200 feet, the highest point of the trip. A guide, lunch and oxygen travel with you over roughly 240 miles of open highway, with mountain, farmland and altiplano scenery the whole way.

Why we chose it

• It turns a transfer into a full day of sightseeing, with four real stops instead of hours staring out a bus window.
• La Raya pass is a legitimate high-Andes moment -- snow-capped peaks at nearly three miles above sea level, reached by paved road rather than a trek.
• Pucara and Andahuaylillas are two very different flavors of Andean culture, folk ceramics and colonial religious art, back to back on the same afternoon.

Highlights

• Andahuaylillas, the 'Sistine Chapel of the Americas'
• Temple of Wiracocha at Raqchi, with its 46-foot-tall central wall
• Pucara, home of the traditional ceramic 'toritos' and a small lithic museum
• La Raya pass, the highest point of the route at about 14,200 feet
• Arrives in Puno by late afternoon

Ideal for

• travelers continuing to Lake Titicaca
• those who prefer daylight scenery to a flight

Practical information

Duration

10-11 hours door to door, with an early-morning departure from Cusco (around 6:30-7:00 AM) and arrival in Puno by late afternoon; the day is broken up by four stops plus a lunch stop, not one long drive.

What to bring

Warm layers (mornings and the pass are cold even on a sunny day), sunglasses and sunscreen for the altitude, a bit of cash for the craft stalls at Pucara and La Raya, and your camera -- the bus windows open at most stops.

Good to know

This is a long day of seated travel with stops, not a hike. La Raya sits close to 14,200 feet, noticeably higher than Cusco itself, so guests still adjusting to altitude should mention it to their guide. The route runs the opposite direction as well, Puno to Cusco, on the same stops. Altitude sickness (soroche) is a real risk on this route -- La Raya pass sits at about 14,200 feet, and both Cusco (about 11,150 feet) and Puno (about 12,500 feet) are already high enough to affect unacclimatized travelers. It is strongly recommended to spend at least 1-2 days in Cusco or Puno beforehand to acclimatize before taking this tour, rather than flying in from sea level (e.g. Lima) and departing the same or next day -- that combination is the most common cause of serious altitude sickness we see. Walk slowly, stay well hydrated, avoid alcohol and heavy meals the day before, and consider coca tea or altitude medication (consult a doctor beforehand). This applies especially to older travelers and anyone with heart, lung or blood pressure conditions, who should also consult their doctor before this trip and mention any symptoms to the guide immediately -- altitude sickness can escalate quickly and is not something to push through.

Difficulty

Easy -- almost entirely seated bus travel, with short, level walks at each stop (church plazas, a town square, a museum, roadside market stalls). No hiking or steep terrain involved.

Accessibility

The bus itself and most stops (paved plazas, roadside stalls) are manageable for most mobility levels; the church interiors and museum have a few steps. Confirm specific needs with the operator in advance.

Frequently asked questions

How high is the La Raya pass?

About 14,200 feet above sea level -- noticeably higher than Cusco, and the highest point of the entire route.

Is this the same route as the Andean Explorer train?

It follows a similar corridor between Cusco and Puno, but by road rather than rail, with different stops and a lower cost -- see the Andean Explorer for the train alternative.

Is lunch included?

Yes, a stop for lunch is included along the route, in addition to the four sightseeing stops.

Can I do this tour in the opposite direction, from Puno to Cusco?

Yes -- the same route and stops run both directions, so it works equally well as a way to travel from Lake Titicaca back to Cusco.

Is altitude sickness a concern on this tour?

Altitude sickness (soroche) is a real risk on this route -- La Raya pass sits at about 14,200 feet, and both Cusco (about 11,150 feet) and Puno (about 12,500 feet) are already high enough to affect unacclimatized travelers. It is strongly recommended to spend at least 1-2 days in Cusco or Puno beforehand to acclimatize before taking this tour, rather than flying in from sea level (e.g. Lima) and departing the same or next day -- that combination is the most common cause of serious altitude sickness we see. Walk slowly, stay well hydrated, avoid alcohol and heavy meals the day before, and consider coca tea or altitude medication (consult a doctor beforehand). This applies especially to older travelers and anyone with heart, lung or blood pressure conditions, who should also consult their doctor before this trip and mention any symptoms to the guide immediately -- altitude sickness can escalate quickly and is not something to push through.