Puno Tours

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).