PUNO & SURROUNDINGS

 

The city of San Carlos of Puno was founded by the viceroy Count of Lemos on November 4, 1668, which is located on the Plateau of Collao and the shores of Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world. Nestled in a vast highland plain in the department of Puno between Peru and Bolivia. Puno is a festive town particularly in honor of the Virgin of the Candlemas, known as the Folkloric Capital of Peru, with over 700 dances. Additionally, the people from Puno are quite skillful in the manufacturing of musical instruments, such as the siku or zampoña (different flutes put together), the drum and the charango (small Andean guitar). The main activities are textile industry, livestock, farming, tourism and fishing. The Spaniards arrived to Puno in 1534, where they discovered the mines of Laikakota. In addition we have the ships as Yavarí (1862) and Coya (1892) which were transported in peces from England to Lake Titicaca, thus starting the navigation between Peru and Bolivia in 1870.

LAKE TITICACA & ITS ISLANDS

Lake Titicaca cradle of Andean Civilization, from where emerged the incas Manco Capac and Mama Ocllo. It is also the habitat of birds, such as the flamingoes, ibis; native fish, like the carachi , suche, mauri, ispi and boga. Titicaca is the highest navigable lake in the world, at 3810m (12,500 feet), which covers an area of over 8,400 km2 (5,220 square miles). Uros Island: The lake is also home to the floating islands made of reeds that are populated by hunters and fishermen, considered one of the oldest native communities of America. Amantaní Island: This is another island approximately to 42km from Puno. There are interesting archaeological sites venerated each year. The inhabitants are mainly engaged in agriculture and fishing. Taquile Island: Located 37km, east of the City of Puno where there are plenty of archaeological ruins, pre-inca farming terraces, one of the most popular attractions in Taquile. The textile industry is the main activity which was declared by unesco heritage and is done exclusively by men. The peninsulas of Llachon and Luquina, besides the Island of Anapia also are visited, where there are guest houses, and you may participate with the locals in their daily activities.

QUECHUA ROUTE

 

Sillustani: The archaeological site of Sillustani is located 34 km north of the city of Puno, surrounded by Umayo Lake, where tumbs was built by Collas and incas. Used to bury the most important personalities of this nation, the tumb known as chullpa of lagarto and Intiwatana (sundial) are the most prominent. Puno offers to visitors magnificent pre-inca funerary monuments made of stone in the shape of circular towers. Lampa: Located in the northwestern part of the city of Puno (1:30hrs by car). One of the best constructions of colonial architecture is St. James temple built between 1685 and 1776, apparently the church was built over an Inca construction. In the church stands the chapel of Piety where lies the exact replica of the Pieta. Likewise this church has underground Inca catacombs in shape of tunnels. Pucará: Town famous for its Toritos de Pucará (Little Bulls from Pucará) where traditional sculpture in clay is worked by the natives of the nearby community of Santiago de Pupuja (15 km). Pucara town located 107 km northeast of Puno, where lies a museum with granite steles and monoliths of various sizes, also the archaeological site consisting of a set of six small pyramids built on stepped platforms which were used in ceremonies.

ROUTE OF CHURCHES (Aymara route)

  

Chucuito: Village located 18 km away south of Puno, on the road connecting to Bolivia, this town is known as the city of the royal boxes because it was the center of the tax collection in colonial times. In this town lies the temple of fertility called “Inca uyu”. In the main square there is a sundial worked in alabaster stone dating from 1610. Willca Uta or (jayu marka = city of spirits): Also known as Aramu Muro, located 75 km away from Puno, on the route connecting to Bolivia. Willca Uta is a rock where a door is carved into rock, the legend says that Aramu a god pre-inca would have disappeared in this door taking with him a solar disk of the Lemurias, for not to be stolen by the conquerors. Juli: Colonial town, located 79 km away from Puno, on route connecting to Bolivia. Juli is known as the little Rome of America, because here was built churches with similar names that in Rome (Italy) by the Dominicans (1539). This town was founded by the Jesuits in 1565. It is said the Spanish brought a printing press (1583). Pomata: A colonial town located 105 km away from Puno, founded by the Spanish in 1534, now known as the balcony philosophical of the high plateau. In 1576 was built the colonial church of Saint James Apostle, the style is Baroque built, in the church of Saint James Apostle lies underground catacombs where are the remains of bishops of this area.

GENERAL INFORMATION OF PUNO & LAKE TITICACA
PUNO	ALTITUDE	3,810 m / 12,550 f
	WEATHER	Rainy season (december to march) Rainy days & cold nights Dry season (may to october) Sunny days & cold nights (winter)
	POPULATION	180, 000 Inhabitants
	ACCESS ROUTES	By plane, train & bus (Tourist & local transportation)
	HOTELS	In Puno & Lake Titicaca (Guest houses on the Islands)
	TOURS / EXCURSIONS	Private tour & Group tours (shared basis)
	CLASSIC TOURS / MAIN ATTRACTIONS	City tour & surroundings, Uros, Taquile & Amantani islands
	CULTURAL TOURS	Llama trek, Horse riding, Fishing in Lake Titicaca & Lake Umayo, Homestay in Lake Titicaca, Bird watching tour and route of churches