Peru: Puno?

Have not been to Puno, but remember that one reason for staying in Cuzco is for altitude acclimatization. I'm older that you may be, but we had to stop briefly every ten stair-steps at Macchu Picchu, and we took medication.

We did a wonderful four day tour with Peruagency of Cuzco, the sacred valley and Machu Picchu. Sorry, but I am unfamiliar with Puno and the Uros Islands.

We spent two days in Cuzco, which is about all you need for that city. However, we spend another full day in our travels visiting Incan sites between Cuzco and MP.

Be sure and take altitude sickness pills for this area.

I visited Puno/Lake Titicaca back in August, as part of my longer Peru trip this year. It's an area that's definitely lesser well known to North Americans, it was mainly fellow European and Latino Americans tourism over there.

If you have some time to spare after Cusco I think it's worth it, we spent 3 nights. Getting there is an all day affair though, we went on the train, so you'll need multiple days. While at Puno I also day tripped to see the Uros islands, very fascinating.

Here's an excerpt from my trip report:

Puno / Lake Titicaca
We then traveled 10 hours by train from Cusco to Lake Titicaca at 3800 meters. Located between Peru and Bolivia it is the largest freshwater lake in South America and the highest of the world's large lakes.
Lake Titicaca has 38 islands, but the most interesting are the floating ones made by the Uros, they are unique people and one the oldest ethnic groups in South America, one theory has them originating from Polynesia and they escaped to the lake when the Incas conquered the area. Now, thanks to tourism income and technology they have even electricity thanks to solar panels.

There are other two ethnic groups on the lake, the Quechua and the Aymara. Their languages and culture are completely different and until recently it was forbidden to marry between the two groups.
We stayed in Hotel Lago Titicaca on a little island in front of the main city of Puno. Very picturesque and well-maintained hotel but we found sleeping difficult due to the altitude.

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/peru-august-2022-trip-report

Thank you for the responses. It seems our tour will take us by bus to Puno not train.
We will be in Cuzco as well but it seems after the tour of the city and the surrounding Sacred Valley area, that is it. We have an afternoon free. What else is there to do in Cuzco besides horseback riding? (that is what is listed as an option for the afternoon)

We spent two days in Cusco and there is much to do there.
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g294314-Activities-Cusco_Cusco_Region.html

Warning, the highways can be very poor outside of Cusco, travel will be slow. There is a lot to see in the Sacred Valley on your way to Machu Picchu.