Discover the hidden secrets, indigenous cultures and breathtaking landscapes of Puno Peru as we venture into Lake Titicaca and these unforgettable Andean regions.
Sandwiched right between Peru and Bolivia, this giant lake is the highest-altitude of its kind on earth. Ancient cultures from thousands of years ago took this region seriously, and today we can still see many ancient ruins of them dotted around the lake.
Puno Peru is located within the Andes, and as such will experience a range of weather. This includes hot daytime temperatures which you’ll need sunscreen to protect yourself from. However when the sun goes down, it can quickly get cold - so don’t forget to bring a jumper and coat out with you!
Once believed to be the birthplace of the Sun, many ancient civilisations once lived and fought throughout these southern regions. This includes the Uros (who outdated the Inca), who built floating islands which could be launched away into the lake to avoid conflicts.
Once built on the lakeside by the native Quilla tribe, these famous tower structures are actually burial chambers - and house the remains of their elite and leaders. Within this particular site we can see over 80 different chambers, which all vary in size and significance.
As already mentioned, these floating islands were first created by the ancient Uros culture who used the totora reed which is native to the lake. During our tour around Puno Peru we can walk around on these moving islands, and also meet the three communities who still live on them today - the Uru-Chipaya, Uru-Murato, and Uru-Iruito cultures.
Widely regarded as one of the most beautiful islands within the Andes and close to Puno Peru, here we can stay with a local family and learn their indigenous ways. As well as getting to try tasty Andean dishes and enjoy their company, we can also experience the unforgettable sunsets over Lake Titicaca.
The main plaza of Puno, this square is a perfect place for both culture and history. Here we can see the Puno Cathedral, as well as the network of colonial streets that weave in and out around the plaza. There are also plenty of restaurants and accommodation options near here too.
Located just above the city of Puno, this is by far the best place to come for sweeping views over the city and nearby Lake Titicaca. It’s roughly a 20 minute walk up from the Plaza Mayor, and once at the top we can also marvel at the statue of the Condor - which is the overall largest bird on the planet.
Given that Puno is located so far from the rest of Peru, flying here makes the most sense. The nearest airport is in Juliaca, which is just an hour drive away. From Lima we can find multiple daily flights to Juliaca which saves us time, and is the overall best and most comfortable option of getting to Lake Titicaca.
The other option of getting to Puno Peru is using overnight buses, which is an option for those already in the south of Peru who want to save on costs. From Arequipa the bus will take roughly 6 hours to arrive, whilst those in Cusco can expect a journey of around 7 hours.
Are you looking to explore Puno and the rest of Peru? Here at TravelBuddiesPeru we can help you plan your dream trip around this diverse country, where we will organise everything for you.
As well as having our expert team book everything in advance so you can fully relax and enjoy your trip, you’ll have an expert guide to show you around as well as private air-conditioned transport so you can ride more comfortably and customize your journey as you wish.
Not only can you explore the highlights of Puno Peru with a fully customisable TravelBuddiesPeru tour, this means you can also hike around Cusco, head on an unforgettable Amazon Jungle expedition as well as marvel at the colonial city highlights of Lima – all in just one trip!
