Puno is the folklore capital of the highlands, and it is the party and legend of the Titicaca coast. The Puno area “settled on the Andean plateau,” dominated by Lake Titicaca. Lake Titicaca is the holy land of the Incas and consists of natural and artificial islands.
It has a dome of pre-Spanish archaeological sites, and from their origin, chullpas are called “tombs.” Its church features evident colonial architecture. Puno is a town proud of Quechua and Aymara’s past. During Candelaria’s Maiden’s Day, folk traditions flourish yearly in dances and ceremonies.
A trip to Puno and Lake Titicaca lets you learn more about your perfect itinerary, accommodation options, and prices. The recommended minimum time for essential visits to Puno and Lake Titicaca is three days. A single trip is not enough to discover all the wonders of the Puno Andean highlands due to the convenient flight or bus service connection. For lovers of ancient culture, we recommend Tiwanaku. We also offer tours and travel packages from Puno, Peru, to the best locations in Cusco, organized by destination, trip, or combination.
Puno Travel & Lake Titicaca, Peru
Cusco to Puno Bus Tour – Full-Day Scenic Journey with Cultural Stops
Aramu Muru Portal Tour – Visit the Gate of the Gods Near Lake Titicaca
Uros and Taquile Island Tour from Puno – Lake Titicaca Full Day
Uros Floating Islands Tour from Puno – 3 Hour Lake Titicaca Experience
Amantani Island 2 Day Homestay Tour by Speedboat
Cusco to Lake Titicaca Extension – 4 Days
Chucuito Temple of Fertility Tour from Puno
Cutimbo Inca Ruins Tour from Puno
Sillustani Half-Day Tour from Puno
Tiwanaku Tour from Puno – Full Day Trip to Bolivia
Belmond Andean Explorer Luxury Train to Lake Titicaca
Information on Puno (City)
Puno is a “city of holy lakes” because Lake Titicaca is located on its land and is famous for the myths that originated from the legends of Manco Capac and Mother Ocllo.
Among the tourist attractions in Puno, the Plaza of Arms and other places are recognized, and in the center, you can find a statue reproducing Francisco Bolognese’s image. Influential political and religious sites in the area surround the square. One is the Puno Cathedral, built under the protection of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception in the seventeenth century. It is today part of the country’s cultural heritage.
Another engaging resource for religious tourism in the city is the San Juan Temple, also known as the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Candelaria, which is now considered a national cultural heritage and is only 300 meters from the Plaza de Armas. Many museums near Puno Square, including the Carlos Dreyer Museum, are 100 meters from Plaza de Armas. This museum is a two-story building with 08 rooms, which houses the Inca Room, the Regional Archaeology Room, the “Treasures of Sillustani,” Carlos Dreyer’s paintings, and Laykakota Circle, etc.
PUNO Titicaca Lake 3820 M/ 12,532 Ft
Puno is located in southeastern Peru, on the Shore of Titicaca Lake. The capital of Puno is Puno City, with a population of 110,000. The town was established in 1668 by Viceroy Pedro Antonio Fernandez de Castro as the capital of the province of Paucarcolla with the name San Juan Bautista de Puno. Later, the name was San Carlos de Puno, in honor of King Charles II of Spain. Puno has several churches dating back from the colonial period, and they were built to serve the Spanish population and evangelize the natives.
Puno is an important agricultural and livestock region, particularly in the southern plains. Much like surrounding cities, many homes in Puno are half-finished, particularly in the South, so the inhabitants do not have to pay taxes. Much of the city’s economy relies on American camels (llamas and alpacas), which graze on its immense plateaus, and the black market, fueled by cheap goods smuggled in from Bolivia. Puno has become a Special Economic Zone by one of Peru’s presidents. Puno is served by the Inca Manko Capac International Airport located in Juliaca.
Climate: With significant temperature variations between day and night. The ideal time to visit is between May and October when the days are sunny, there is sporadic rainfall, and the daily temperature reaches 25°C / 77°F. The nights are cold (though rarely below 0°C / 32°F).
Access:
There are scheduled flights to Juliaca, about an hour’s drive to Puno.
By road from Cusco to Puno, 8 hours 345km
By road from Arequipa to Puno, 7 Hours
Services: The infrastructure (accommodation and meals) is abundant in Titicaca Lake.
Titicaca Lake
This incredible Lake is the highest navigable Lake globally (3808 Masl /12,493 Ft.). It measures 194 km / 120.28 miles long and 40.3 / 65 km wide, occupying 8.710 km2 / 5,400.2 miles (2,139 / 3.450 in Peru, Bolivia 3,261.2 / 5.260) and has a maximum depth of / 281 m—921.91 ft. One can hardly imagine crossing by boat taking at least a day.
The area offers extraordinary fauna composed of ducks and fish such as search, the Capache, trout, alpacas, and llamas. The flora comprises reeds used as food and building material to pair houses and canoes.
The Uros
Uros is a small islet of reeds ancestrally inhabited by traders and fisherfolk; it is a beautiful community located six kilometers into Titicaca. Today, it sustains its tradition and receives tourist groups who observe its particular way of life and customs.
The Taquile Island
This is a peaceful Island on Titicaca Lake, situated 35 Km / 21.7 miles (4 hours by boat) east of Puno. There are no roads or electricity in Taquile, but plenty of hills, archaeological ruins, and temples. Tiered platforms dominate the landscapes with potatoes, corn, quinoa, and broad beans cultivated; ceremonial sites host rituals imploring abundant harvest and fishing and the hospitality of the Aymara people, which are so outstandingly organized. The textile industry is this island’s main activity, and the garments they manufacture relate to their daily chores.
Amantani Island
This island is 36 kilometers from Puno City and is characterized by bushes. It is interesting to visit the two natural views. You can see the remains of the pre-Hispanic Pacha Tata temple of Pacha Mama, Inca Chinkana, Tihana, and Inca mummies Cemetery.
Sillustani
Sillustani is located 34 km / 21.08 miles from Puno city. Famous for the Chullpas: circular stone towers erected to house the remains of the prominent leaders of the early settlers of the Collao. A short distance from the resort, the site museum preserved various parts of Kolla, Inca, and Tiawanaco cultures.
Juliaca
Juliaca is the largest city in the department of Puno and the famous commercial center of llamas and alpacas.
Chucuito
19 km / 11.78 miles from Puno city, this beautiful place has a magnificent church, Our Lady of Assumption, and a small Inca temple dedicated to fertility.
Inca Uyo
The temple of fertility is located 18 kilometers from Puno. Characterized building stone walls and carved almost two meters high. Inca Uyo is an essential ceremonial center (Mystical site).