About 390 km
By road between Cusco and Puno, through the Vilcanota Valley and the Altiplano.
Cusco–Puno
Ruta del Sol
The journey between Cusco - Puno - Cusco crosses valleys, villages and the Altiplano. Marangani is its lunch stop.
The journey
A journey between two regions
The Ruta del Sol (Route of the Sun) links Cusco and Puno by road, following the Vilcanota Valley up to the Altiplano and Lake Titicaca. It is one of the most traveled tourist routes in southern Peru: along the way, travelers visit temples, archaeological sites and high-altitude landscapes, and the trip usually takes most of the day.
Marangani is located in Canchis Province, on the middle stretch of the route. That makes it the natural place for the lunch stop, both for groups traveling from Cusco to Puno and for those making the journey in the opposite direction.
What the stop in Marangani offers
- A buffet lunch of Andean cuisine to help you recharge.
- A visit to the Willkauta Museum, included in the stop.
- A comfortable space to rest before continuing your journey.
By the numbers
Key facts about the journey
About 10 hours
How long the trip usually takes by tour bus, including the visits and lunch.
4,335 m
At the Abra La Raya pass, the highest point of the route and the border between Cusco and Puno.
Midway
Marangani is on the middle stretch of the route: the natural place for the lunch stop.
Approximate figures: the duration varies depending on the operator, the stops and road conditions.
From Cusco to Puno
Stops along the way
The most common visits on the route, listed from Cusco to Puno; in the opposite direction, they come in reverse order. Marangani, on the middle stretch, is the lunch stop.
Andahuaylillas
Its colonial-era Church of San Pedro Apóstol is known as the “Sistine Chapel of the Americas” for its murals, gilded altarpieces and painted ceilings.
Raqchi
The Inca Temple of Wiracocha retains a great central wall of stone and adobe, surrounded by enclosures and qolqas, the ancient circular storehouses.
Marangani
Our lunch stop: a buffet of Andean cuisine in one of the three dining rooms with landscape views, and a visit to the Willkauta Museum.
Discover the place
Abra La Raya
At 4,335 m, the highest point of the route and the border between Cusco and Puno: snowcapped peaks, high-altitude grasslands and Andean textile stalls.
Pukará
Birthplace of one of the Altiplano’s oldest cultures, with its lithic museum, and of the little ceramic bulls that protect the region’s rooftops.
Puno
The end of the journey, on the shores of Lake Titicaca: the starting point for visiting the Uros floating islands and Taquile Island.
The stops and their order vary depending on the operator and the direction of travel.
Canchis, Cusco
Marangani
Marangani is a district in Canchis Province, in the Cusco region, located in the upper Vilcanota Valley. Its history is tied to Altiplano farming and herding and to the travelers passing between Cusco and the Collao.
Today, besides being a waypoint on the Ruta del Sol, it preserves customs and traditions that the Willkauta Museum helps introduce to those who stop at the restaurant.
Before you go
Travel tips
Traveling across the Altiplano is more comfortable with a few simple precautions.
Take it easy at altitude
The route stays above 3,000 m almost the whole way and reaches 4,335 m. Walk slowly, eat light and drink fluids; if you have a health condition, see your doctor before you travel.
Dress in layers
On the Altiplano the weather changes quickly: strong sun at midday, and wind and cold in the shade or at dusk. Bring warm clothes even if you set out in good weather.
Protect yourself from the sun
At this altitude, solar radiation is very intense, even on cloudy days: wear sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat.
Bring water and some cash
Keep water on hand for the road and some cash in soles for handicrafts and small purchases at the stops.
Where to find us
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