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Puno is the capital
of the Puno region
and it is located on
the shore of Lake
Titicaca at
12,421 feet above
sea level. Lake
Titicaca is the highest navigable
lake in the world.
The natural and
artificial islands
located on Lake
Titicaca
are home to a few
Andean communities
where customs and
practices have
barely changed. The
inhabitants of the
Uros, Amantani,
Taquile, among
others, still follow
social, political,
economical,
organizational, and
religious rules and
customs practiced
hundreds of years
ago. The Uros
islandas are a total
of 41 floating
islands made out of
Totora reeds. Uros
is located 30
minutes from the
pier while Amantani
and Taquile islands
are located about 4
hours away. Amantani
is less visited than
Taquile. If you
decide to stay with
a local family, you
will get a basic
room used to
welcome visitors.
Please remember to
bring some gifts for
children such as
notebooks, pens,
colored pencils,
etc. Sunrise and
sunset at one of the
islands are memories
you will never
forget.
Puno was ruled by
the Pucara,
Tiahuanaco, Huari
and Inca
cultures. Pucara ruled the
area from 100 BC to
100 AD, Tiahuanaco from 200 AD to
1000 AD, and Huari from 1000 AD to
1200AD. The
Inca culture took
over after the Huari
culture and lasted
until 1532 when the
Spaniards arrived.
Surrounding Puno, there are several
archeological sites
where it is possible
to
observe the remains
of these cultures.
Downtown Puno is
less than ten
minutes away from the
main harbor of the
Peruvian side of the
Lake. The boulevard
offers several
options of
restaurants where
there are usually
folk bands and
dancers offering
shows. Puno is the
capital of the
Peruvian-Andean folk
music and dance. The
Virgen of the
Candelaria
celebration takes
place the first two
weeks of February
and there are daily
celebrations around
downtown Puno during
those two weeks.
The Cathedral of
Puno is a nice place
to visit and learn
about the mixture of
the Andean and
Hispanic cultures.
Pre-Inca and Inca
cultures left
several remains of
their presence in
the area.
The Chulpas of Colla
in Sillustani are a
tourist attraction
where visitors are
able to observe a
ceremonial center
and several tombs
destinated for the
royalty, priests,
and commoners. At
Sillustani, it is
possible to see the Umayo
Lake. Landscape
there is breath-taking.
From Puno to Cusco, a tourist bus will
drive you through
the Pre-Inca ruins
of Pukara, the Inca
ruins of Raqchi
where the Wiracocha
Temple is located,
and the town of
Andahuaylillas where
you will visit the
“Sistine Chapel of
South America,"
named Andahuaylillas
Church. From Puno,
it is possible to
travel to
Copacabana, Bolivia
and the Colca Canyon
in Arequipa or
Arequipa by bus.
In Puno, it is
possible to find
good accommodation
in the downtown area.
The best hotels are
located at the
Titicaca Lake shore.
At the private
Island of Suasi,
there is a beautiful
hotel that belongs
to the Casa Andina
Chain. Visits to the
island are usually
with small groups or
private and
arrangements need to
be made well in
advance. If you
would like to visit
the island, please
contact us.
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