Puno is one of the most important cities in the edge of the Titicaca, the most navigable and highest lake of the world. The city of Puno is considered the Folk Capital of America, beacuse of its 300 typical dances. The Sikuri and the Diablada are typical dances perfomed during festivities such as that of the Virgen de la Candelaria the city's patron. This festivity is held in February and gathers thousands of people. Puno is located on these cold high plains at 4000 MAMSL. The city also knwon as the land of camelidae, was the home of Tiahuanaco culture many thousands of years ago. This culture has some of the most beautiful legacies such as the Puerta del Sol (The Sun gateway), a temple sculpted in stone.
During the time of the Spaniards, Puno was very popular for its Laykakota mines. Centuries later, Puno together with Arequipa became the main textile center of Alpaca fibers. Many interesting places surround the lake and the city. One of them is Sillustani. This archeological site is approximately 30 minutes from Puno, across the Umayo lagoon and it is famous for its Chullpas, big-coned chaped towers made of stone. Chucuito and Pomata are cities that surround the south side of the lake and are an interesting circuit to admire magnificient renaissance-baroque style churches. On the way to the north is Juliaca, the only city with an airport and the most important of the region. Near there Pucara, famous for its miniature sculptures.
Enjoy the dances, lakes and beautiful landscapes of Puno, and don't forget to include in your itinerary the town of Lampa and Azangar, whose temples hold undiscovered treasures.
Location: 1320 km. aprox. southeast of Lima
Altitude: 3827 MAMSL
Important cities: Juliaca, Sillustani, Azangaro, Desaguadero, Uros, Takile, Amantani.
In a mystical equilibrium with the environment, Lake Titicaca shows its vast natural wealth. Its cold blue waters surround the city of Puno and show fantastic places that keep its history and tradition intact. This source of life and development seek, with tourism, to preserve its incredible culture and landscapes. In addition, the legend tells that this famous lake was born Manco Cápac and Mama Ocllo, founders of the Inca Empire.
Titicaca is the highest and navigable lake in the world, this Natural Heritage of Peru is located in the Puno region and is shared with the neighboring country of Bolivia. The islands that inhabit this majestic place are Taquile, Amantaní and Uros, the same ones that maintain their pre-Columbian traditions and customs.
Lake Titicaca is the highest navigable lake in the world and is accessed from Bolivia (Copacabana) and Peru (Puno). The tours to the Lake start from both sides.
It is recommended to visit each side of the Lake since each one has its own unique characteristics, so in order to understand the magnitude and nature of this incredible lake, it is highly recommended that you visit both sides.
In Puno, there are several tours available to visit the famous floating islands. There are many different islands, but the most famous ones are Los Uros, Taquile and Amantani. Copacabana is famous for the Isla del Sol, or more commonly known as the birthplace of the sun during Inca times, some of the views from the island are simply stunning.
The Peruvian side is presided over by the city of Puno, where every day numerous buses of tourists arrive from the cities of Cuzco and Arequipa. Therefore, as you can suppose, our visit to Lake Titicaca leaves from the port of Puno, where we can contract numerous excursions on the lake visiting the floating islands of the Uros and other islands such as Taquile.
Located 30 minutes by boat, from the shores of Lake Titicaca, the Uros are a floating island known for being built of totora, a reed that grows under these waters. Inhabited by Aymara, this place is considered one of the oldest Andean civilizations, having emerged long before the Incas. This area grows economically due to fishing, bartering and even their own crafts, also have extra income thanks to tourism. The inhabitants of the Uros live in a citadel made of totora and has 40 islands, which are accompanied by houses, churches and schools.
Taquile is known worldwide for its textile work. It is the perfect place to trek, having a ladder of 567 steps to be able to climb towards the top of the town. The island is inhabited by Quechua speakers who still make barter, an action that involves exchanging one product for another. However, agriculture, textile work and crafts are its main economic source. In Taquile you will not find any hotel, the residents are the ones who provide accommodation and food, learning with them more about rural or community tourism.
Known as the "island of love", Amantaní has majestic fields, eucalyptus trees and flowers like the cantuta that grows in the altiplano. This island is the largest of Lake Titicaca and is three hours by boat from the city of Puno. Being an isolated town, the inhabitants and travelers move from one place to another walking, since there is no means of transport such as motorcycle or taxi. In Amantaní, you will not find any hotel, the travelers sleep in the houses of the inhabitants doing experiential tourism. 300 meters up, is the Pachatata sanctuary, a space of stones from where the Pachamama or mother earth is worshiped.
Puno to Lima flight
The distance between Puno and Lima is 867 km, with an estimated duration of the flight of 1 hour, 6 minutes
According to the website of Cruz del Sur the journey lasts 6:30 hours, and there are two possibilities, leaving at 8 in the morning or traveling by night bus from 10 pm to 4:30 am, that is, you arrive at dawn to a city you do not know. The price in VIP (according to its website) approximately € 25.
I have not found information regarding this transport on the internet, I have only found the route from Cusco to Puno, the journey is approximately 8 hours.
It is the fastest option, approximately 1:30 hours, but also the most expensive, about $ 125, depending on the season. You can watch it on Lan.com
