Traveling through Peru can go far beyond arriving in this historic country and visiting some of its main attractions, because in every corner of Peruvian land, there is much more to discover, about our history, culture, and natural heritage. That’s why we always like to point out that, if you have time in your journey, it’s wonderful to travel through Peru on the country’s roads!
To demonstrate this to all those curious who are planning their trip to the ancient country of the Incas, we decided to bring a recommendation of an unmissable route to explore other points of view on the same country. Have you ever imagined traveling from Cusco to Puno by bus or on a luxury train journey?
Here we will talk about the Sun Route, which connects two incredible Peruvian destinations, known as “The Imperial Capital of the Incas”, the famous Cusco, and the “Folkloric Capital of Peru”, Puno City. Don’t worry, this is not a route to be done only by car, as there are other ways to complete this route between some of the most beautiful destinations in Peru. We’ll explain everything you need to know throughout this article, so read on and travel before you even leave home!
The Sun Route
The Sun Route is a route that connects the home city of Inti Raymi, Cusco city to Puno region, where the largest and highest navigable lake in the world is located. This route is carried out by travelers interested in discovering attractions different from the most common trips through Peru because along the way it is possible to visit cities, ancestral sites, and many more places that will surprise you.
This path was named after the Inca people’s birth legend. For those who don’t know, there is a story that tells that Lake Titicaca is the cradle of this famous civilization, as this was the place where Manco Capac and Mama Ocllo, sons of the Sun God or Inti Sol, emerged. These two beings were assigned to find the place that would become the capital of this great empire, which was established in Cusco.
Therefore, “La Ruta del Sol” recreates the path taken by the first Incas in search of the ideal city. Along the way, it is possible to make stops at 4 of the main points that are part of the ancient and modern history of the country. So, if you’re curious to know more, keep reading as we’ll introduce them next!
Sights on the way
Andahuaylillas
This small town is the first stop on the route between Cusco and Puno and is an interesting stop as it is home to one of the most famous baroque buildings in all of the Americas. This village houses the San Pedro Church, whose structure was built on the foundations of an Inca construction whose functions have not been identified.
It is believed that this church was built between the 16th and the 17th century, having a very rich Baroque style that enchants all visitors with its grandeur, marked by a facade with a painted mural and two stone columns that stand out.
Raqchi
The second stop will be at the Site of Raqchi, where the Temple of Wiracocha, or the Sun God is located, which is a structure built by the Inca civilization to, according to some research, honor the main god of this culture.
Raqchi has an area of approximately 1000 hectares, in which it is possible to visit numerous buildings that refer to the Inca people.
La Raya
La Raya is the third stop along the route of the Rota del Sol, in this case, it is a mountain range that is located on the border between the departments of Cusco and Puno. At this stop, it is possible to observe the magnificence of nature, at an altitude of approximately 4,335 meters above sea level.
In La Raya, if you are a big lover of llamas, alpacas, and vicuñas, it will be the perfect chance to enjoy them in their habitat. In addition, for whoever wants to take a souvenir that refers to this travel experience, this is the ideal place.
Pukará
Finally, the last stop is in the city of Pukara, which has the Pukara Ancestral Site as its main attraction. This place refers to a civilization that preceded the Incas in Peruvian lands, however, there is little confirmed information about what happened in this place.
Some hypotheses indicate that, within the two sectors that divided the place, one was dedicated to residential functions, while the other was destined for ritual functions.
Doing the Sun Route
To carry out the Ruta del Sol, it is possible to rent a car and travel the entire route between Cusco and Puno, however, for those on a smaller budget, some tourist bus companies like Cruz del Sur.
Although they are good options by train from Cusco to Puno, Belmond Andean Explorer brings the highest point in luxury, which includes: Comfortable seats, room bar car, high-quality beds, gourmet food, entertainment, etc.
It is impossible not to be surprised by Peru, here your trip becomes more enriching with each step. So be sure to check out our Peru travel packages and find the best destinations in the country. Also, get in touch with our team of Viagens Machu Picchu that are always available to serve you.
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