PUNO: Puno, Perú is the capital of the province and department of the same name. Situated at 12,700 feet above sea level (3,827m), it has over 100,000 inhabitants and is accessible via rail, highway and air (the nearest airport is in Juliaca, only 40 minutes away by taxi or bus service). Puno is the largest port on the highest lake in the world, Titicaca. It is a catholic city, with a beautiful Baroque cathedral built in the 18th century, as well as others dating from the same time period. Local archaeological sites include Sillustani, the Incan burial towers, less than an hour away.

UROS: The floating islands of the Uros are in the Inner Puno bay. Each island has between 40 and 50 inhabitants. The Uru speaking people built these islands, as well as their houses, with totora reeds, a common plant found along the shores of the Lake Titicaca. Chulluni is the largest of the floating islands, and smaller islands are named Santa María, El Paraiso, La Toranípata, La Pacha Mama, Huaca Huacani, and La Tupiri. The Urus are also known as "Kostuña" and "Pueblo Lago". Their origins predate the local influence of the Inca. They subsist by fishing, making beautiful handicrafts and hunting lake birds. The islanders speak Aymara.

TAQUILE: Taquile Island is located beyond the Puno bay, in the large lake, surrounded by the peninsulas of Capachica and Chucuito. It is more than 6 km2 in size. The human remains on the island predate the Inca, many of which are located in the higher parts of the island itself. This island was used as political prison during the first years of the 20th century.Taquile is an attractive place to visit and explore, its people are beautiful and maintain customs, values and dress that are lost in other parts of the Andes today. Taquile is one of the most popular places for foreign visitors to the Lake region, who make the most of their experience by spending at least one night on the island. Unlike other islanders in the region, residents of Taquile speak Quechua.

AMANTANI: Amantaní island, located near the Capachica peninsula, is nearly 9 km2 in size, and is characterized by its bountiful wild plants, including la muña (an excellent herbal tea), kantuta (the national flower of Perú), and patamuña. There are eight (8) different communities on the island, all of which are dedicated to cultivating the local products. Among the most important attractions on the island, are two natural overlooks from the hilltops. From here you can see the expanse of the lake, as well as local pre-Hispanic ruins such as: the temple of Pacha Tata, la Pacha Mama, Inti Chincacan, Inca Tihana (stone chair), and the mummy cemetery.

CUTIMBO: The Archaeological complex of Cutimbo is a pre-hispanic cemetery that belonged to the Lupaca and Colla people. Here you may also find petroglyphs and other paintings dating back more than 8,000 years; however the principle structures in the area date from around 1100 to 2450 AD. These include Inca buildings, most of which are the chullpas or pucullos, large, round funerary towers that dot the landscape.

SILLUSTANI: The Archaeological complex of Sillustani is located along the shores of lake Umayo. It is famous for its chullpas, circular stone funerary towers, built to safeguard the remains of leaders of local tribes, such as the Collao. Some reach as high as 36 ft. (12 m). One curious detail is that the base of these towers is smaller than the top. A short distance away is a museum which holds various pieces from the cultures that used to live in the region, including the Collas, Tiahuanaco, and the Inca.

FERTILITY TEMPLE: Other principle tourist attractions include the Balcon del Conde de Lemos, the Museo Carlos Dryer, the Deústua Arch, Mt. Huajsapata, the National Reserve of Titicaca, Esteves Island, the Lithic Museum of Pucará, the Archeaological complex of Pucará , the thermals baths of Putina, and the archaeological remains of the Inca Uyo, that is also known as the "Temple of Fertility," made from perfectly carved and placed stones, is it a very important ceremonial center.

VIRGEN DE LA CANDELARIA: The Festival of the Virgin of Candelaria is celebrated on February 2 every year. It is one of the most important festivals of its type in the country. People from all villages and regions converge on Puno to pay homage to the virgin. Hundreds of people participate in the dancing and festivities, including local dances such as "Pandilla', Diablada", "Saya", an "Sicuri." Click on the folklore button to see examples of these dances!

please click on the map to enlarge it and see the principal tourist destinations in the Puno area.