Puno and The Lake Titicaca
The city of Puno is at 3,855 meters above sea level and has the major port on Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world. Puno is an important place to stop between Cusco and La Paz, Bolivia
Introduccion
The city of Puno is at 3,855 meters above sea level, and it is the main port on Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world. Puno is an important place to stop between Cusco and La Paz, Bolivia, and the travel between these places is one of the main reasons to spend a night there. It has a fine main square and a beautiful Cathedral which was built in 1657. The market is always interesting, and full of locals, especially women sitting behind piles of potatoes, fruits, and woolen clothes. Puno is also famous for its folk dances, the most colorful found in the Peruvian highlands; you can enjoy this magical folklore event called the "Virgen De La Candelaria". The islands surrounding Puno are a great place to visit including the famous Uros Floating Islands and Taquile and Amantani.
Note :: From Puno you can go to Cusco by train or airplane and to Bolivia by bus through Copacabana or Desaguadero. Via Copacabana it is easier and one can even spend the night there in order to visit the Sun Island, however going via Desaguadero you can visit the famous ancient site of Tiahuanaco. Places to see in Puno and Surroundings:
SILLUSTANI 1/2 DAY
Description
Between Puno and Juliaca is Sillustani (40 minutes by bus from each side), whose people are from the Pucara and Tiwanaku cultures. It sits on a hilltop overlooking Lake Umayo, with a good variety of flora and water birds like the Giant Andean Coot, the white tufted and Silvery Grebes, the Puna Ibis, the Andean Goose, the black crowned Night-Heron, the Speckled and Puna Teals, the Yellow-Billed Pintail, the Andean Gull and others. In Sillustani, we find hundreds of funerary towers called CHULLPAS, which were built by the Incas in the 15th century (they occupied this site at that time). The most important people were buried in the towers, while lesser people were buried in similarly-shaped places below ground. There is also a small island in the lake which is a reserve with herds of llamas and alpacas.
Itinerary:
If you are in Juliaca, you can visit Sillustani on your way to Puno, but, if you are already in Puno, we can organize a half a day tour for you from there.
Included:
- Professional English Speaking Guide
- Entrance fees
- Transportation
UROS FLOATING ISLANDS 1/2 DAY
DescriptionUros is a native community located on a man-made floating island on Lake Titicaca. The people there live completely interwoven with the TOTORA reed which grows abundantly in the shallow lake. The Uros must replace the reeds often on the top of the island so that it doesn´t rot away from the bottom. The Uros build canoes made from Totora, and they use these for transportation and fishing. You can also take this kind of boat to the islands; just tell us in advance so we can arrange it for your trip..
Itinerary:
Transfer from your hotel to Puno’s port. From there we will take a motorboat to the islands (25 min. trip, approx), where you will visit the islands with the guide. After 2 hours, our boat will take you back to Puno.
Included:
- Professional English Speaking Guide
- Entrance fees
- Transportation
TAQUILE ISLAND - FULL DAY
Description
Taquille is a fascinating island on lake Titicaca, 45km from Puno. It is about seven km long and one km wide and has several hills with Inca terracing. The scenery of the islands is beautiful; the soil is a deep earthy red color, which in the strong highland sunlight contrasts magnificently against the intense blue of the lake. The backdrop of the snow-capped Cordillera Real on the far side completes a splendid picture. The people here wear colorful traditional clothes which they make themselves. They speak Quechua rather than Aymara (the language of most Titicaca Indians), maintain a strong air of group individuality, and don't often marry with non-Taquile people.
We highly recommend spending one night in the island; a day tour is not recommended if you want to see the complete island.
Itinerary:
Early in the morning our guide will take you from your hotel to go to the Puno’s port. From there we will take a motorboat (2 hour trip) to go to Taquile island (we can also visit Uros on the way). Our guide will explain everything about these places; the traditions of their inhabitants, etc. We will return to Puno in the afternoon.
Included:
- Professional English Speaking Guide
- Entrance fees
- Transportation
Optional :Extra Night in Taquile US$ 25 per person
AMANTANI ISLAND 2D/1N
Description
Amantani Island is a very beautiful and peaceful island bigger than Taquile. It has 6 villages and ruins on both of the island’s peaks, Pachatata and Pachamama. From these peaks there are excellent views of the lake. There are temples on the shore and there is a throne carved out of stone. The local people here make beautiful cloths. This island is quite far from Puno, and for that reason there are not many tourists. We highly recommend staying one night on the island; a day tour is not recommended if you want to see the whole island.
Itinerary:
Early in the morning we will transfer from your hotel to the port in Puno. From there we will take the motorboat to Amantani, visiting Uros and Taquile islands on the way. In the afternoon we will arrive to Amantani, and spend the night in a local lodge with basic services, or spend the night with a local family, accompanied by a guide. The next day, after a guided tour of the Island, we will take a motorboat back to Puno..
Included:
- Professional English Speaking Guide
- Entrance fees
- Transportation
We Recommend to Bring:
- Personal sleeping bag for the over-night tours
- Day pack
- Water bottle, flash light, hat, sun block, sunglasses
- Warm clothes , Jacket
- Chocolates, candies or other snacks
- Photo Camera + Film, Video camera
Contact Us
Puno and Titicaca Lake, Puno tours, Titicaca tour
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