Puno, Peru:
Travel Guide

Destination Peru Puno Sillustani
Destination Peru Puno Sillustani

Introduction

Puno is a city, region, and department in southeastern Peru, which borders Bolivia to the east. The city of Puno, or the “Folkloric Capital of Peru”, is located on the shores of Lake Titicaca and is known for its extensive history and lake life where numerous inhabitants continue to live as their ancestors did.

Peru Destinations Puno Map

Where is Puno Located?

Puno, a department in Peru, rests on the Collao Plateau, where 70% comprises Andean mountains, while the remaining area is lush Amazon rainforest. Puno city is situated on Lake Titicaca’s shores, the world’s highest navigable lake, extending onto floating Uros islands within the lake. The city’s eastern side reaches into the Andes foothills, with some poorer areas climbing the hills.

To reach Puno, you can fly to the Inca Manco Capac International Airport in Juliaca, followed by a 30-minute taxi ride. Alternatively, budget travelers can take an 18-hour bus journey from Lima. The Andean Explorer Train from Cusco is another option, offering a scenic 10-hour ride through the Andean plains.

Destination Peru Puno Uros Island Lake Titicaca
Destination Peru Puno Uros Island Lake Titicaca

Climate As Well As Elevation

Puno is a reasonably high city located at 3,830 meters (12,566 ft) above sea level. The climate is described as both cool and temperate with an average temperature of around 8°C (47°F). The summer months, from November to March, tend to have a lot of rainfall, whereas the least amount of rainfall is during June with an average of about 11 mm (0.4in).

An important note is that the temperatures in the morning and night often drop to freezing, but during the day it’s usually sunny and warm.

Locations Worth Seeing

Uros Islands

Taquile Island

Amantaní

The Uros Islands are a unique collection of floating islands crafted by Uro-Aymara communities using totora reeds. These man-made islands have served as their homes for centuries. A short boat ride from Puno offers visitors a warm welcome and a chance to explore ancient traditions and culture. Highlights include the use of reed boats adorned with animal faces for fishing, the construction of islands using totora roots and reeds on clay bases, and the vibrant Uro people known for their handwoven clothing, weaving expertise, pottery, and hospitable nature. Visitors can arrange in advance to stay on these islands for a distinctive experience.

Taquile Island, in Lake Titicaca, is a 5.72 sq km island inhabited by around 2,200 Taquileños who speak Puno Quechua. It’s renowned for its fine handwoven textiles and clothing, with men exclusively engaged in knitting, while women spin wool and use natural dyes. The island features a lively market where villagers gather in traditional attire for dance, music, and vibrant celebrations. Its landscape includes eucalyptus and cypress trees, ichu grass for sheep feed and thatched roofs, and totora reeds lining the shores, offering visitors a unique cultural and natural experience.

Amantani, a larger Lake Titicaca island, spans 9 sq km and houses over 3,000 Quechua residents in adobe houses. Known as the “Island of the Kantuta,” it features the national flower of Peru and Bolivia. The island boasts two mountain peaks, Pachatata and Pachamama, with ancient Inca and Tiwanaku temple ruins. These temples are only accessible on the annual feast day. Agriculture thrives on terraced hillsides, cultivating wheat, quinoa, and potatoes. The island’s artisans craft intricate textiles and ceramics, offering visitors handmade alpaca hats, making cash essential for purchasing local souvenirs.

Destination Peru Puno Cathedral Puno
Destination Peru Puno Cathedral Puno

Things That Can Be Seen

Puno’s city center, anchored by the Plaza de Armas, features the ornate Cathedral of Puno and the Lima pedestrian walkway. The Don Carlos Dreyer Museum, founded by a German landscape painter, houses his artworks and treasures from Sillustani. La Casa Del Corregidor, a historic yellow building, is a prominent landmark.

Near Puno, Lampa offers insights into local life and features an impressive church. Lake Titicaca is the area’s centerpiece, known as the ‘Rock of the Puma’ in Aymara, and a nature reserve with diverse fish, frogs, ducks, geese, flamingos, Andean ibis, and seagulls.

Destination Peru Puno Sillustani
Destination Peru Puno Sillustani

Notable Points of Interest

Puno’s attractions include the Sillustani Cemetery, known for its cone-shaped tombs built by the Kollla culture, offering panoramic views of Lake Umayo. These tall towers, some 12 meters (40 feet) high, once served as burial sites for noble Kolla individuals, containing their remains, food, and personal items for the afterlife.

The Ichu temple complex, situated about 10 kilometers (6 miles) from Puno on the lake’s southern shores, offers tranquility and stunning 360-degree views over a lush valley.

The Fertility Temple, or Templo de la Fertilidad, located in Chucito, about 19 kilometers (12 miles) south of Puno, features large stone phalluses. Local legend suggests that young women sat on these carvings to enhance their fertility, making it an intriguing and unique site to explore.

The History of Puno

Evidence of human remains and artifacts show that the department of Puno has had hunter and gatherer nomads traveling through it for thousands of years prior to the arrival of the Incas. The first organized civilizations with the construction of long truncated pyramids were probably built by the Pucará in around 200-300 AD. From there, several independent cultures formed, including the Kolla and Llupacas. Puno was located in the middle of these two cultures with the Kolla (Quechua) to the north and Lupacas (Aymara) to the south.

When the Inca arrived, led by Inca Pachacútec, they destroyed the Kolla and left only the children, the elderly, and those compliant with their ways. They took over the area, calling it “The Plateau” and created a settlement with both Quechua and Inca customs. According to legend, it’s here where Manco Capc and Mama Ocllo, the mythical founders of the Inca Empire, were born. They rose from the waters with divine instruction to found the empire created from the amalgamation of the area’s main cultures in the name of peace and civilization. The Spanish arrived in 1657, and they officially founded the city of Puno on November 4, 1668 as San Carlos de Puno, when they realized the area offered huge silver mining potential.

Over time, Puno has become a commercial and communications center of the southern Andes, and trades in the wool of llamas and alpacas although it suffers badly from droughts and poor water management. Ecotourism has also become essential for the city’s survival. Due to its varied history, Puno is known as the folklore capital of Peru, as it has over 300 local dances that come from both the Inca and Spanish colonists. Even though the Spanish brought Catholicism with them that was adopted by the local population, they haven’t forgotten their roots and still ask Pachamama to bless their crops and harvest.

Destination Peru Puno
Destination Peru Puno

Which activities can you do in Puno?

Lake Titicaca offers various water sports like sailing, kayaking, and swimming. On land, visitors can hike to the Condor Viewpoint or Mirador Kuntur Wasi for panoramic views, or explore Huajsapata Park with statues of Manco Capac and a puma. Horseback riding is available at ranches on the city’s outskirts, such as Fundo Chincheros. Puno hosts numerous festivals, including the Festival of the Virgin of La Candelaria in February and the city’s anniversary in November. These celebrations feature folk dancing, music, colorful costumes, and cultural displays, highlighting Puno’s rich heritage.

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