Sillustani Complex
On an altiplano plateau at 3,900 meters above sea level and about 30 kilometers North of the town of Puno, is the site of Sillustani, one of the largest necropolises in the world. Surrounded by a landscape of striking beauty that seems to be summed up in the serene waters of the Umayo lake. The archaeological complex stands out for its gigantic “chullpas” (species of stone towers), built by Collas and Incas, to bury their dead. Some half-fallen, others standing like chess towers resisting the passage of time. The serene and desolate beauty of the puna surrounds these funeral mummers. Its architects, true masters in the art of erecting stone colossi, chose for its greatest work a spectacular scenery: a summit in front of the lagoon of Umayo. The “chullpas” seem to have taken the high-Andean plateau by assault. They are almost 90 and are scattered in an area of 150 hectares. Many of them exceed 12 meters in height and have a larger diameter in the upper part than in the base. A challenge to the laws of gravity and balance. A detail that makes them unique in the continent.
Uros Floating Islands
The Uru’s islands are located at 3810 meters above sea level, and just five kilometers west from Puno port. A group of artificial islands made of totora reeds, they float on Lake Titicaca. Its inhabitants are the Uros, an ancestral town. At the moment this twon is in the plateau of the Collao, In Peru they only inhabit the floating islands located in the bay of Puno. The subsistence in the floating islands floating islands in Lake Titicaca is based on a culture linked to the lake and the totora reeds that springs from the bottom of the lake. The construction of these islands is done by weaving the totora in the areas where it grows more tupist, forming a natural layer to which the uros call Khili; on this layer they build their houses, also of a mesh woven of totora to which they denominate mat. Each house is one room and they cook outdoors to avoid fires. The purpose of the island settlements was originally defensive; if a threat arose the floating islands could be moved. The largest island retains a watchtower almost entirely constructed of reeds.
Taquile Island
It is located on Lake Titicaca, Puno region, it is considered one of the 15 most beautiful lakes in the world and that every tourist must visit at least once in their life. The island of Taquile is located on the impressive Lake Titicaca at an altitude of 4,000 meters. It stands out for its people and the art it has to make fabrics, which is seen in the colorful ancestral clothing of men and women. With a maximum length of 5.5 kilometers and 1.5 meters wide, it is one of the most picturesque islands in Peru. Intika, the name of the island in Quechua, was part of the Inca Empire, so it is currently possible to see some of the archaeological remains of the time. Precisely the island of Taquile has an approximate population of 2,200 inhabitants. The main villa is at 3,950 meters above sea level and the highest point of the island reaches 4,050 meters. Visitors arrive at this place precisely because they do not find roads, cars, bicycles, dogs, or noise. The services are given by the comuneros themselves. Despite the tourist activity, the way of life of the inhabitants and their ancestral way of dressing have not been modified a bit. The place is reachable by boat from Puno bay.
Amantani Island
Located on Lake Titicaca, it has 15 km² of area and 3,663 inhabitants; Its population is Aymara and is basically dedicated to agriculture and is concentrated in the town of Amantaní. The ancestral customs of its inhabitants, the way of life and landscapes, will make your visit fascinating moments. As in Taquile, it is the custom of its inhabitants to offer their homes and food to visitors who wish to spend the night, to share the activities of the native communities. The flora of the place is characterized by the presence of shrub plants such as muña, kantuta, salvia, tola and patamuña.
On the island live eight communities that are dedicated especially to the cultivation of potatoes, corn, oca, quinoa, beans and peas and their most representative craft is constituted by textile and stone carving. Among its natural attractions there are two lookouts on the highest part, from where you can see the lake in all its extension, as well as some pre-Hispanic remains, ceremonial centers and a cemetery of mummies. The handcrafted works made in textiles, ceramics and leatherwork are magnificent. You can also find important archaeological remains belonging to the Tiahuanaco and Inca culture on the island of Amantaní. The landscapes are of indescribable beauty, especially the sunrises and sunsets, when the blue waters turn red red. The island of Amantaní is located approximately 40 km (24.85 miles) from the port of the city of Puno, from where you must take a boat to visit the island. In the same way, the boats that transport Amantaní make an intermediate stop to visit the floating islands of the Uros.
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Inca Manco Capac International Airport, Juliaca, Peru (Google Map)
3 Hours Before Flight Time
Visiting Puno and its imposing Lake Titicaca is an amazing experience, but also a way to get to know more closely the Quechua and Aymara communities that have managed to tear the subsistence of the highlands. The following destinations are waiting for you:
Arrival at the city of Puno and transfer to chosen hotel.
PM Exc. Chullpas de Sillustani: monumental pre-Inca funerary buildings, carved in volcanic stone, the tombs, which are built above ground in tower-like structures called chullpas. The entire archaeological complex is located on the shores of Lake UMAYO, the same underground that communicates with Lake Titicaca. At indicated time return to Puno and transfer your hotel.
Hotel night in Puno.
Breakfast at the hotel.
Exc. Uros Floating Islands, Taquile and Amantani: Transfer in the morning to the port of Puno to embark towards the Uros Islands, these Islands are not natural, they have been built by the tribes called Uros, adding periodically pieces of totora, a kind of vegetable fiber that grows in the lake, their houses and boats are also made with this material, the main activity of this tribe is fishing. After two hours of travel we will arrive at the island of Taquile, which represents a great cultural interest. Where the inhabitants live maintaining the traditions of their ancestors that were the Aymaras, lunch in a typical restaurant, in the afternoon we will visit the Amantani island, in this place we will spend the night in the house of the villagers.
HTL night Amantani.
Breakfast at Amantani.
At the indicated time return to Puno city by boat (Lancha).
HTL night in Puno.
Breakfast at the Hotel
At an indicated time transfer from the hotel to Juliaca airport.
End of services.
