Puno.- Today, the city of Puno is the capital of Peruvian folklore and headquarters of the Fiesta de la Virgen de la Candelaria and rests on the banks of the Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world
Where is Puno?
Location: AL South of Lima
Capital: Puno City
Distance: 1,324 km from Lima
Altitude: 3,827 m.a.s.l.
Population: 1,245,508
Climate: The city of Puno rests on the shores of Lake Titicaca and is cold and semi-dry. The maximum annual average temperature is 14 ° C (58º F) and the minimum 3 ° C (37º F). The rainy season is from October to April.
How do I get to Puno?
Land: Lima-Arequipa-Juliaca-Puno: 1,324 km (18 hours by car).
Airway: Regular flights to Juliaca from Lima (1 hour 45 minutes, with stopover in Arequipa) and from Arequipa (25 minutes)
Inca Manco Cápac International Airport. Av. Aviation s / n Urb. Santa Adriana
Railroad: Puno – Cusco 384 km (10 hours)
What activities can be done?
Titicaca National Reserve
Protected Natural Area, created in 1978 in order to preserve the natural resources of the ecosystem of Lake Titicaca and the Puna and has an area of 36,180 ha. Dozens of bird, fish, amphibian species have been registered in the reserve and there are more than 60 species, among which are parihuanas or flamingos, huallatas, seagulls, keles, chullumpis and lequeleques (there are also endangered species). The flora of the lake is represented by twelve varieties of aquatic plants, among which the totora and the llacho stand out.
Titicaca lake
5 min. From the Plaza de Armas.
This lake is very important in Andean mythology because, according to legend, Manco Cápac and Mama Ocllo, sons of the Sun god and founders of the Inca Impero, emerged from its waters.
Peru and Bolivia share the sovereignty of this navigable lake, the highest in the world (3,810 m). It has an area of 8559 km2, a maximum depth of 283 meters.
Tours to the Floating Island of the Uros
5 km west of the port of Puno (20 minutes by boat).
The islands of the Uros (3,810 m.s.n.m) are located in the bay of Puno and are 20 communities approx. Each one is inhabited by about 3 to 10 uroaymara families, who build and roof their houses with totora mats, there are some that have replaced their traditional roofs with calamine. Among the main island communities, Tupiri, Santa María, Tribuna, Toranipata, Chumi, Paraíso, Kapi, Titino, Tinajero and Negrone stand out.
Tours Amantaní Island
36 km northeast of the port of Puno (3 hours and 30 minutes by boat)
Located at 3,817 m.a.s.l., Amantaní has an area of about 9 km2. The flora of the place is characterized by the presence of shrubby plants such as the muña, cantuta, sage, tola and patamuña. On the island there are eight communities that are especially dedicated to the cultivation of potatoes, corn, goose, quinoa, beans and peas and their most representative crafts are made of textile and stone carving. Among its natural attractions, there are two viewpoints in the highest part, from where you can see the lake in its entirety, as well as some pre-Hispanic remains, ceremonial centers and a cemetery of mummies.
Rural Tourism Taquile Island
35 km east of the port of Puno (3 hours by boat)
Its approximate extension is 6 km2 at a height of 3,950 m.a.s.l. They can be seen in the upper part. During the colony and until the first years of the twentieth century, the place was used as a political prison, but from 1970 the island became the exclusive property of the Taquileños. Taquile is characterized by its friendly settlers, who retain their customs, traditions and clothing. The locals stand out for their laborious and fine textiles with symbolic symmetrical decorations, of strong colors, which reflect their way of life, their customs and their Andean beliefs.
Tours Sillustani Archaeological Complex
34 km north of Puno (35 minutes by car).
This complex is located on the banks of the Umayo lagoon. It is famous for its chullpas, which are circular stone towers raised to house the funeral remains of the main authorities of the former settlers of the Collao. Some reach up to 12 meters high and are characterized because their base is smaller than the top. A short distance from the archaeological complex is the Site Museum, where various pieces of the Colla, Tiahuanaco and Inca cultures are preserved.
Llachón Rural Tourism
74 km northeast of Puno, on the shores of Lake Titicaca (2 hours by car).
This community of about 1,300 inhabitants still retains its native customs and cultural manifestations and its main activities are agriculture, livestock, fishing and handicrafts. Llachón can be reached by lake, by motor boats from the port of Puno and from the islands of Taquile or Amantaní, or by land from Puno and Juliaca. Here experiential tourism is offered, living with the families of this community.
Where to sleep?
There is accommodation for all budgets, from US $ 10 per night per person other from US $ 20 to US $ 200 per night per couple, in more central locations, such as the liberating hotel, 5-star Andean house and in general all are located in it city. Reference prices not valid for high seasons.