Tours Puno

Location:

The department of Puno is located in the Southeast of the country in the Plateau of the Collao, it borders Lake Titicaca with an area of 72 012.27 km2., its capital city bears the same name. Puno's altitude is 3,827m, the rainy season is from December to April and temperatures vary between 19º C max. and 2º C min, the average being 10º C.

Access routes:

Land: Recommended route is Puno-Arequipa-Juliaca-Puno (1,335 km) approx 24 hours by car.
Air: Daily flights to Juliaca from Lima and Arequipa, 1hour 45 min and 45 min respectively.
Rail: From Arequipa there are departures to Puno (258 km and 8 h approx) passing through Crucero Alto 4 490m.

Brief historical review:

Puno was host to one of the most important cultures of the pre-Inca period, the Tiahuanaco culture, the most significant expression of the Aymara culture. According to legend the first Inca Manco Capac and his wife Mama Ocllo emerged from Lake Titicaca with the mandate of their father the Sun God to found the Empire of the Tawantinsuyo that was divided into four regions, occupying Puno the region of the Collasuyo that extended

From the Plateau of the Collao.

When the Spaniards arrived in Cusco (in the middle of XVI century), they discovered the great mining wealth of this region, particularly in gold and silver. Around 1660 the bloody fights for possession of the mine in Laikakota (to within 1 mile of the actual present day city of Puno) forced to the Virrey Conde de Lemos to travel to the zone to pacify it, which lead to the creation of the city of Puno on the 4th of November of 1668. Spanish priests who, in their eagerness to convert the native populations to Catholicism, constructed beautiful churches in which the imagination and skill of the puneños (Puno natives) were shaped with their own racially mixed style.

Floating islands of the uros.

Located in the bay of Puno. The floating islands are constructed of totora or reeds, perhaps constituting one of the oldest towns in the Americas. Throughout the passage of time the people of the Uros islands have remained true to their customs, beliefs and communal organization. The main activities of its inhabitants are fishing, hunting and in recent times craft and taxidermy.

Isla taquile.

Located 35km from the city of Puno, its main attraction is its communal organization, where the beliefs and customs remain from the time of the Inca; their clothing and daily lives stay true to their ancestral traditions.

Isla Amantani: Located 38km from the city of Puno, the lives and customs are similar to those found on Isla Taquile. Impressive agricultural terraces are one of the most attractive yet peculiar features of the island. One of the characteristics of the island is the skill of its inhabitants in cutting and carving volcanic rocks to construct tables, chairs, etc.

Isla suasi.

Located 70 km from the city of Puno, this small island is developing an important ecotourism project involving land ecology, rest and recreation.

Tour to Sillustani:

This excursion to see the "chullpas" of Sillustani (circular stone funery towers of Pre-Colombian architecture) is over three hours in duration and generally takes place in the evening.

The Chullpas await the sunrise and sunset on special days of the zenith, for the arrival of the spirits of political and spiritual leaders, was an important event of its time.
An ideal place for contact with nature and the mystical Peruvian Plateau.
Private Service is recommended for those who wish to do specific activities such as meditation, visiting the island of Umayo, appreciating the local biodiversity including vicuñas and birds, etc.
This archaeological zone is in the district of Atuncolla, 34km from the city of Puno, on a peninsula which borders the lagoon of Umayo at 3,840m in altitude.

This is one of the most impressive necropolis' in the Americas and the world. The chullpas funery towers are monumental structures, some over twelve meters in height, constructed by familial clans of regal lineage from the Collas kingdoms, destined to carry out the rituals of burial.

The construction of the towers with the diameter of the base being smaller than the top as seen in the "chullpa of the Lizard" (7.2m and 7.6m respectively, with a height greater than 12m) challenged the designers of these constructions and the laws of balance in lifting such enormous stones into place.

Description:

• Puno to Sillustani by road approximately 40 minutes, arriving at the archaeological center where we will make a visit of 2 hours before returning to Puno in the evening.
• Departs: 14:30 hrs
• Return: 17:30 hrs
• Frequency: Daily

Transport, entrances fees and guide.

Tour to the Islands of Lake Titicaca:

Leaving the port of Puno by boat we travel approximately 40 minutes before visiting the Floating Islands of the Uros. We then continue our journey over the wonderful and calm waters of Lake Titicaca for 3 hours before we arrive at the Island of Amantaní to a reception by the islanders including food and accommodation. Throughout the afternoon we will visit the archaeological sites of the island.

DaysSees us return to Puno via the Island of Taquile where we will visit and take a 45 minute walk around the island to truly appreciate its' beauty. After a visit of approximately 2 hours, including lunch, we make our return to Puno.

Return: Day 2 at 16:30 hrs