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From Cusco to Puno and Titicaca Lake

One of the most fascinating routes in Peru is from Cusco to Puno. After exploring the ancient capital of the Inca Empire, Machu Picchu, and the Sacred Valley, a perfect next step is to head to Puno to discover the legendary Titicaca Lake.

Departure from Cusco to Puno

The bus ride from Cusco to Puno takes around 8 hours. Along the way, you’ll stop at several cultural and scenic highlights, such as:

The Colonial Temple of Andahuaylillas
The Inca Temple of Raqchi
La Raya Pass at 4,335 meters
The Pukara Museum, dedicated to the Inka and Aymara cultures

Colonial Temple Andahuaylillas (3122 m)

In this small town, you’ll visit the Church of St. Peter the Apostle, famous for its impressive murals and golden decorations.

Often called the “Sistine Chapel of America,” this church is a masterpiece of colonial art. It features stunning altarpieces carved in wood and covered in gold leaf, as well as paintings from the Cusqueña School of the 17th century. Among the artists, Luis de Riaño stands out for bringing the Contramanierista style to Cusco.

Raqchi – Temple of Wiracocha (3450 m)

The main highlight of Raqchi is the Temple of Wiracocha, a massive two-story structure measuring:

92 meters long
25.5 meters wide
Nearly 10 meters high

Its central wall is made of finely carved stone, while the rest of the building is constructed from adobe bricks, which are 1.65 meters thick at the base.

La Raya (4335 m)

This is the highest point on the journey. La Raya marks the natural border between Cusco and Puno.

Here you’ll find:

Typical Puna vegetation like ichu grass
Wildlife including alpacas, llamas, and vicuñas
Snow-capped peaks of the Andes Mountains

La Raya is also a hydrological divide: rivers on one side flow toward Cusco and the Amazon, while those on the other feed into Lake Titicaca.

Pukara (3900 m)

This is the most important ceremonial center of the Altiplano.

In the local museum, you’ll discover the Pukara culture through ancient sculptures and ceramics, offering a glimpse into the early civilization of this region.

Arrival to Puno (3800 m)

Your final destination is Puno, the gateway to Lake Titicaca. From here, many travelers choose to continue their adventure to La Paz, Bolivia.

Tours to Visit Cusco, Machu Picchu, Puno, and Titicaca Lake

We have some great travel programs to explore these iconic destinations in Peru. One of our top recommendations:
555 – Lima, Cusco, Machu Picchu, Puno, Titicaca Lake, La Paz & Uyuni

Looking for something else? No worries. We offer many other options to explore Peru and South America.

For more information, just contact us at info@ripioturismo.com

Thank you!