Around Puno City

Around Puno City

There are two important circuits, one which runs along the southern side of Lake Titicaca, with bucolic views, towns and villages with architectonic jewels maintaining their colonial splendor, from Chucuito, crossing Juli, the Peruvian Rome, Pomata and Yunguyo where reach the border with Bolivia, from where access to the citadel of Tiahuanaco or Copacabana and Sun Island.

The other circuit to north of Puno City, on the road that connects with Cusco, called the Corredor de Manco Cápac you can found Juliaca, Llachón, Lampa and Pucará.

Large areas of grazing alpacas and llamas and excellent scenic beauty of the high plateau.

Southern Circuit in Puno

Following the road from Puno city to Desaguadero, border with Bolivia (148 Km - 92 Miles)

Chucuito

Also known as the Ciudad de las Cajas Reales (City of the Royal Boxes), as it was the tax collection centre during colonial times. Highlights include the main plaza and the Renaissance churches of Santo Domingo (16th century) and the Assumption (17th century), the Mirador (lookout) 5 minutes walking distance from the main square, where the stone arches is the perfect frame for a Lake Titicaca picture. This area was the old capital of the pre-Inca town of the Aymaras Lupacas. Outside is located the pre-Hispanic altar of Inca Uyo, dedicated to the cult of the fertility. Fish-farm station for the upbringing of trout that were introduced in the Lake Titicaca. Located on the banks of Lake Titicaca, 18 Km (11 miles) south of Puno City (15 minutes by car).

Luquina Chico

A tinny rural community on the shores of Lake Titicaca, that still carry out traditional agricultural activities and rituals. Visitors can participate in sailing and rowing trips, traditional fishing and enjoy the viewpoints, homestay accommodation. Located in Chucuito Peninsula, 62 Km north-east of Puno city, on the shores of Lake Titicaca (1 hour 40 minutes by car).

Juli

A town founded by Dominican monks in 1534, who were later expelled by the congregation of the Jesuit mission established in Juli during the vice-royalty period, in order to prepare missionaries heading towards Paraguay and Bolivia. Also known as the "Little Rome of America" or "Aymara Rome" due to its many temples. The churches of San Pedro Mártir and the Santa Cruz de Jerusalén (Holy Cross of Jerusalem), the Inquisition or Zavala House and the San Juan de Letrán and Nuestra Señora de la Asunción museums are all highlights, and feature paintings from the Cusco school and Italian artists. Inside the churches, there are stone sculptures, wood carvings, and oil paintings by artists including the Jesuit Bernardo Bitti. Sunday fairs and livestock market which attracts thousands of visitors and people from remote communities, wool commercial center. The city is located on the banks of Lake Titicaca, 80 Km. (49.7 miles) southwest of Puno City (1 hour and 20 minutes by car).

Pomata

Is located on the banks of Lake Titicaca, in the gulf of Pomata. Of Spanish foundation, it harbors beautiful colonial churches outstanding among those "Nuestra Señora del Rosario" and "Santiago Apóstol" (XVII century). It has an amazing panoramic view of the lake and the Copacabana Peninsula. Their people are mainly indigenous citizens of Aymara descent. Located at 108 Km. (67.1 miles) southwest of Puno City.

Yunguyo

Yunguyo is located on a peninsula on the shores of Lake Titicaca, outstanding their commercial fairs that are carried out every Sunday. From here the access to Anapia Island. The border with Bolivia runs next to the town and a road connects it with the town of Copacabana and the Sun Island located a few kilometers away on the Bolivian side of the peninsula. Located at 128 Km. (83.3 miles) southwest of Puno City.

Desaguadero

Located at 148 Km. (83.3 miles) southwest of Puno City. Border city with Guaqui (Bolivia), and traditional highway pass used to travel between Peru and Bolivia. It is the way to visit the archaeological complex of Tiahuanaco, and La Paz (86 Km) in Bolivia.

Tiahuanaco

Tiwanaku (Spanish: Tiahuanaco and Tiahuanacu) is an important Pre-Columbian archaeological site of Tiahuanaco Culture located in western Bolivia, South America. The ruins of the ancient city state are near the south-eastern shore of Lake Titicaca.

Archeological ruins of Tiwanaku, which was declared a Patrimony of Humanity by UNESCO; it is known that many of the dwellings there were built with the stones of the ruins which were found by the natives and taken as “Good luck charms” in their homes. The town, it s main square and the amazing colonial church makes it a must for all visitors to see and go back in time to discover one of the most enigmatic venues of the Andes

The visit to the Archeological Complex of Tiwanaku, starts with a visit to the Regional Archeological Museum and then on to the Archeological Complex of Tiwanaku to end in the Ancestral Center, where you may acquire a number of souvenirs of replicas of the objects seen in the Museums such as monoliths, ceremonial vases, etc.

Distance from La Paz, Bolivia: 72 Km, and 45 Km from Desaguadero.

Northern Circuit in Puno

Following the road from Puno city to Cusco - Corridor of Manco Cápac (389 Km - 242 Miles)

Umayo Lagoon

This is a very beautiful attraction, located some thirty four kilometers north-east of the city of Puno, in the province and department of the same name. Sited opposite the Archeological Complex of Sillustani, it is surrounded by areas of marshland and pasture, which flood on a seasonal basis. It has a maximum depth of 27 meters and connects to Lake Titicaca via the River Illpa. In its central part lies the island of Umayo, which has its own flora and fauna as well as introduced species such as vicuñas, guanacos and deer. Its water level fluctuates, and is at its lowest during the months of July and September. Various activities related to tourist hospitality are available in the immediate vicinity of the lake, which allow visitors to learn more about the local way of life. Some families have adapted their homes to offer accommodation to tourists. They do demonstrations of sowing, weaving with alpaca and sheep wool, and animal husbandry. They also offer walking trips with llamas and boat trips on the Umayo lagoon, pastoral activities with domestic animals and reed cutting.

Location: 34 Km north of Puno City (35 minutes by car) deviation on the road Puno city to Juliaca.

Juliaca

Capital city of the province of San Román, population of 225,146 inhabitants, is the largest trade center in the Puno region, production of clothes, wool and fabrics are industrial processes. Among its attractiveness outstands the church of "Santa Catalina", the Temple of "La Merced" and the convent of "Los Franciscanos". There are hotels, inns, restaurants, bars, handicraft shops, ATMs, banks and commercial area in Av. San Román.

The city hosts Juliaca's Carnival each year between February and March. During this very popular event participants, dressed in colorful costumes, gather on the streets to dance in the style of the Collao Plateau. Saint Sebastian's feast occurs on January 20 of every year.

Here is located the International Airport Inca Manco Cápac, train and bus stations (terminal terrestre). Hub of the main highways in Puno. Located at 44 Km. (27.34 miles) north of Puno City, 3,825 m.a.s.l.

Llachón

Located 74 Km (46 miles) northeast of Puno City, on the shores of Lake Titicaca (2 hours by car). Llachón can be reached by motorboat from Puno harbor and from the Islands of Taquile and Amantaní or by land from Puno or Juliaca. A great cultural venture that could serve as a model, is located in the Quechua community of Llachón, to the north of Puno on the Capachica peninsula. Here, villagers welcome the travelers with their traditions and warmth; also they have the opportunity to navigate through the sacred lake thanks to the Titikayak project, put into place in association with a private company. Llachón has much to offer, and also, to teach.

Llachón is an ample community and it groups 1330 commoners who belong to 280 families. The agricultural and fishing traditions created a culture of labor based on the cycles of nature rather than on the market; therefore, the idea of offering tourist services that interrelate with a larger system with the participation of operators, promoters, and state entities, seemed to the villagers a difficult transition. Little by little, Valentin Quispe managed to create the Association for the Promotion of Tourism of Llachón, composed by the first families that were willing to turn part of their houses into lodging. This meant investing money in the construction of rooms and toilets, as well as buying furniture and utensils. It also implied learning a totally new and unknown know-how. In favor of this was the spirit of the Quechua people, very proactive and at the same time, cordial with visitors.

Lampa

Lampa is the capital of the province, and it is known as "Ciudad Rosada" (Pink City) for the color of its walls, colonial architecture. Their people are mainly indigenous citizens of Quechua descent. Highlights the Inmaculada Concepción Church and outstanding Santiago Apostle's church with beautiful facade like an altarpiece and in its interior is harbored a replica of the sculpture of Michelangelo's Pietá. It is the best replica in the world, and it was studied by the investigators and restorers of the original one when it was damaged some years ago for its restoration. Museo Kampac exhibits pre-Hispanic pieces. There, you find vast forests of queñua trees, Puya Raimondis, and chinchilla breeding grounds among other attractions. Located at 80 Km (50 miles) north of Puno City (1 hour and 30 minutes by car), 3,892 m.a.s.l.

Pucará

Pucará town is a district of Lampa province, their people are mainly indigenous citizens of Quechua descent, famous for its pottery, especially the well-known "Toritos de Pucará" (Little Bulls of Pucara). Several native houses and workshops offer to public classes where you can make your own ceramic. Famous by celebrations of Virgen del Carmen feast (July 16th). The Museo Alcra Pukara (museum), displaying a group of stone monolith-like sculptures, steles, zoomorphic sculptures, ceramics, and other objects, is also worth a visit. Archaeological complex of Kalasaya is located 1 Km from the town. Located 107 Km. (66 miles) north of Puno City (1 hour and 45 minutes by car), 3,860 m.a.s.l.

Following this route, in Cusco area, the next tourist attraction is Raqchi

Bird-watching in Puno

At the shores of Lake Titicaca and National Reserve of Titicaca you will find Andean birds species like flamingos or parihuanas, Andean goose, Andean gulls, ducks, Titicaca grebes, chullumpis and Andean lapwings as well as numerous endemic and endangered species.

Southern Route: The bird-watching route through the Southern region has always been the best known. This circuit is also known as the “Megadiversity Route”. It crosses the rich coastal waters of Paracas and the mysterious Nazca Lines; the Andes through Pampa Galeras (where vicuñas are protected), or through Arequipa and the Colca Valley, or Cusco, the so-called “navel of the world”; the high Andean plateau of Puno and Lake Titicaca until it reaches the plains of Manu and Tambopata National Reserve. This route is noted for having the best infrastructure of the three routes and for being the cradle of the Inca Empire. The main birds that can be seen along this route are those that live in the Polylepis or queñual forests, those birds that visit the clay licks (known as "Collpas"); bamboo specialists and ant-eating birds; as well as other specialist categories. The most emblematic birds are the Inca Wren (Pheugopedius eisenmanni), and the Andean Cock-of-the-rock (Rupicola peruviana).

  • Assumption Church - Chucuito

    Assumption Church - Chucuito

    © PromPeru - F. Ruiz

  • Luquina Chico

    Luquina Chico

    © PromPeru - F. Lopez

  • Juli

    Juli

    © J. Mazzotti

  • Andean Village

    Andean Village

    © J. Mazzotti

  • Umayo Lagoon - Sillustani

    Umayo Lagoon

    © PromPeru - F. Lopez

  • Natives of Llachon

    Natives of Llachon

    © PromPeru - R. Giraldo

  • Llachon - Titikayak project

    Llachon - Titikayak project

    © PromPeru - F. Lopez

  • The Pietá - Lampa

    The Pietá - Lampa

    © PromPeru - M. Pauca

  • Inmaculada Concepción Church - Lampa

    Inmaculada Concepción Church - Lampa

    © PromPeru - M. Pauca

  • Museo Alcra Pukara

    Museo Alcra Pukara

    © PromPeru - M. Pauca