After a week or so in the Cusco area, exploring Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley, I needed to get a move on to the rest of the country. I only had another week left and wanted to see as much as possible. To get from Cusco to Puno, the gateway to Lake Titicaca, I booked an all-day bus with Inka Express.
It was far from the cheapest option but I knew it would be comfortable and it included stops at some attractions as well as lunch. Some places required an additional fee but were optional. There weren’t many other backpackers like myself, but rather older travelers from Europe and North America.
Church of Andahuaylillas
Called the “Sistine Chapel of South America,” San Pedro Apóstol de Andahuaylillas was built by the Jesuits in the 16th century. It was built in the Spanish style of the time, with brick and adobe, on top of an Inca sacred site. It features stunning paintings and gold leaf on nearly every surface.
No photos are allowed inside to preserve the murals, and entry costs an additional 15 soles ($4.50). They give you a CD of photos of the interior, but my computer doesn’t have a disc drive.
Temple of Wiracocha, Raqchi
The second stop of the day was the Wiracocha Temple complex in Raqchi, but I’ll admit that I’d started to have ruins fatigue at this point. I paid the 20 soles ($6) entry anyways since everyone else on the bus seemed to be and there was nothing else to do.
The temple was built by the Incas in honor of the God Apu Kon Titi Wiracocha. You can still see some of the restored stone pieces, including the
Lunch in Marangani
The trip included a buffet lunch at a random restaurant in Sicuani, a town surrounded by mountains. It seemed that we were there with other buses, so it got a bit crowded and people were aggressive in line. The food was standard in Peru, some meats, vegetables, rice, and desserts. Any drinks beyond the tea and coffee served cost more.
La Raya
One of the stops mid-way through the day was a brief one, a quick break at Abra La Raya, an artisan market on the side of the road at the bottom of snow-capped mountains. There were bathrooms, but based on how it looked I decided to skip them. We didn’t really have time to shop, but plenty of people tried. I don’t recommend getting carried away because if you get left behind, it would be difficult to find your way to Puno.
Pukara
I skipped the Pukara Museum and instead chose to wander around the town. I shopped for souvenirs, enjoyed a coffee, and walked to the top of a building for a viewpoint. The town was setting up for some sort of celebration, so there were groups decorating a car. This is also the home of “
If You Go
The Cusco to Puno bus from Inka Express costs $53 USD and takes around ten hours. The price includes a guide and lunch, but you’ll need extra money for entry into the attractions, souvenirs, and snacks. I recommend bringing your own breakfast before you go.
The Inka Express bus picks up from Avenida Alameda Pachacuteq 499-B at 6:50 am, a long walk from Kokopelli, so I took an 8 sol ($2) taxi. They say they drop off at the Puno bus terminal, but I remember getting dropped off at my hotel or close to it.
There are, of course, alternatives to getting to Puno. Cruz del Sur has a much cheaper option that doesn’t make all the stops for around $15. Peru Hop includes the route in its passes, although without as many stops. There are also local buses.
The Inka Express was an easy way to fit in a few extra attractions that I otherwise would have missed. It’s certainly expensive if you’re on a budget, but is still cheaper than the scenic train.
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