Ruta del Sol tour is not just a transfer from one city to another but includes visits to fascinating tourist places on the way.
Tour Location: Cusco/Puno, Peru.
Type Tour: Day tour.
Tour Duration: 10 hours.
Start/End Tour: The tour starts from the bus terminal Cusco to the private bus terminal Puno.
Advice: Comfortable shoes, hat, sunglasses.
Highlights: Andahuylillas, Raqchi, La Raya, Museum Puka Pukara.
Overview
This tour is very popular in that it is not just the transfer from Cusco to Puno but includes visiting the most important places in the two regions.
During your trip Ruta del Sol you will visit such places:
- The Church of Apostol San Pedro in Andahuaylillas
The Spanish established the temple in the XVII century. It is also known as a Sixtine Capella of Andes, due to its Barroco decoration and represented the paintings of the famous School of Art of Cusco. This church is interesting in that in front is written the phrase “I baptize you in the name of Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen” in the different languages: Latin, Spanish, Quechua, Aymara, and Puquina. That means that it was one of two translation centers for the indigenous languages of the Archdiocese of Cuzco.
- The archeological site Raqchi
The site is as well as the principal temple of the God of the Sun – Wiracocha. The Inca Huayna Capac ordered to establish here the temple, because here Wiracocha appeared for the local people, due to the Incas mythology.
The main building the Temple of Wiracocha is famous for, it had the biggest roof among other Incas buildings. The complex consists of a great number of colcas(storage) round form, that is specific only for this place. As well here you can see the rest of the administrative buildings and leaving quarters, that served to feed and shelter the militaries and travelers. The whole complex was surrounded by the 4 km wall for defense.
Some buildings here reached up to 20 meters, with 4 meter stone base and adobe bricks until the top. Scientists believe that it was one of the principal defensive and administrative centers of the Incas Empire, as it was close to the Qapacnan(the red of Incas roads).
- The highest point La Raya
There will be a short stop at the highest point of your travel calls La Raya. The altitude here is almost 4400 meters above sea level. Here you can observe the magnificent views of the Peruvian Andes. The local people set here a small market where you can find souvenirs and mostly warm cloth such as sweaters and hats.
- The lithic museum of Pukara
The museum represents the artifacts of the culture Pukara, which settled here before the Incas between 1,600 B.C. hasta los 400 A.C. Among the lithic sculptures, you can find as well zoomorphic figures, mostly the main one the Bull.
