Distance: 395 Km.
Driving time: 7 hrs.
Good roads. (only bad roads in Juliaca town).
A route with mountains, small towns, rivers and lakes.
You have to drive from the center of Cusco to La Cultura avenue to go out of the city, the road goes parallel to Urubamba river and it goes through small towns and lakes.
Going out of Cusco you will pass Saylla town, Huarcapay lake (good for birdwatching) Tipón town (here you can visit the Tipón Inca ruins) and Oropesa, famous for their bread. Once you are out of Cusco you can make a stop at Pikillacta pre-inca ruins (30 Km. from Cusco) and then Andahuaylillas colonial town (50 Km. from Cusco).
After pass Andahuaylillas you will see Urcos lake and then go through Urcos town, there is usually a nice street market on the main square.
Aftear leave Urcos you will drive about 70 Km. more to get to Raqchi, an Inca temple built by Inca Pachacutec for their god Wiracocha. This temple is located very close to the road and it´s easy to go and visit.
Just a few Km. after Raqchi you will get to Sicuani town, one of the main towns on this routes , located at 2 1/2 hrs. from Cusco (146 Km.) . Here you can find gas stations, shops and places to make phone calls (locutorio). Going into Sicuani just go via right on Santa Rosa signs (over the railway lines) and then go again via right to the main road to go out of town. The next big town after this will be Juliaca (about 200 Km )
1 hr. from Sicuani you will get to La Raya, the border between Cusco and Puno, located at 4312 mts. high.
At La Raya you can make a toilet stop, buy some snacks or just take pictures of the Andes.
From La Raya to Juliaca ( 2 1/2 hr) you will pass small towns like Santa Rosa, Ayaviri (turn right on round about) , Pucara (famous for ceramics and also a good toilet/coffee stop). Then you will get to Juliaca, you have to go through this city and then go out and take the main road to Puno. Roads are really bad here and it´s a very dodgy city as well.
From Juliaca to Puno it´s just 49 Km. and you will make it in 1 hr. Just get out of Juliaca and take the main road. Getting into Puno you will have a nice view of Titicaca Lake from the top of the mountains, then just go downhill until get to the center.
Off the beaten track: From Juliaca you can also take the road to go to Sillustani ruins, an old pre Inca cementery, located in front of Lake Umayo, then you have to go back to the main road and continue to Puno. From Sillustani is about 19 Km. to Puno.
Puno is a city with about 119,000 people and located at 3800 meters high. The main attraction here is Titicaca Lake, with 70 Km. wide and 165 Km long, here you can visit the islands Uros, Taquile and Amantani and see the local communities. Carnaval is a big party in Puno, they have thousands of dancers and musicians on the streets, this is on February and it´s called Virgen de la Candelaria festival.
Puno is a city with about 119,000 people and located at 3800 meters high. The main attraction here is Titicaca Lake, with 70 Km. wide and 165 Km long, here you can visit the islands Uros, Taquile and Amantani and see the local communities. Carnaval is a big party in Puno, they have thousands of dancers and musicians on the streets, this is on February and it´s called Virgen de la Candelaria festival.
