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Puno Peru

What is it that attracts so many travelers to Puno, Peru?

For one thing, no matter where you are in the vicinity of the city of Puno, you will be within sight of stunning Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world..

As you move from one part of the area to another, the lake takes on a newdimension, bringing out aspects that you didn't see from your previous viewpoint.

On this page, you'll find the following information on Puno, Peru:

Getting There and Away

Hotels

Museums

What to See Near Puno

Puno Weather

Puno is the name of a departamento (state) as well as a city on the shores of Lake Titicaca.

The city of Puno is an attraction in itself with a wide variety and high quality of local textiles and handicrafts made from alpaca, llama, and sheep wool.

About 50% of Peru's alpaca herds are found in the Puno region. Alpaca is related to the llama family and produces an excellent soft and valuable wool. Puno, and towns nearby, are the place to find your alpaca textiles and handicrafts.

What to See in Puno Peru

Puno has a lot to offer. Of course, Lake Titicaca is the initial and biggest draw, but why not take the time to see other highlights while in the city of Puno?

Puno, Peru floating islands of Lake Titicaca Uros

Puno, Peru floating islands of Lake Titicaca Uros

Some of the interesting sights in the immediate vicinity of the city of Puno are:

Malecon Ecoturistico Bahia de los Incas
Plaza de Armas
Cathedra
Balcon del Conde de Lemos
Casa del Corregidor
Barco Yavari Museum
Municipal Museum Carlos Dreyer.

Along with the artifacts from pre-Inca cultures of defined periods, you can see the Sillustani Treasure Exhibition.

You also will want to visit the "Complejo Arqueológico Sillustani" (Sillustani Archaeological Complex) famous for its "chullpas" (mausoleums or burial towers), some of which measure 40 feet in height.

This pre-Inca site is on a small peninsula jutting out into the Laguna de Umayo (Umayo Lake), and 45-minute ride from Puno.

Puno, Peru - Sillustani Chullpas

These mausoleums preserved the deceased in a fetal position. Some contain the mummified remains of the upper classes of the highland ethnic groups, their clothes and some belongings.

Remember the Altitude!

You are at about 12,500 feet (3810 meters).

According to the highland people, you should drink plenty of coca tea and rest.,

Where to Go and What to See Around Puno Peru

Sillustani Archaeological Complex

(See description above)

Mirador (Scenic View) Kuntur Wasi

This scenic outlook is about 2 km. from the center of Puno Peru (10 min. by car or 45 min. on foot)

Kuntur Wasi means "house of the Condor" and offers an excellent view of Puno and Lake Titicaca (don't get this scenic view confused with the ruins of the same name near Cajamarca).

Cerro Huajsapata

Distance is 350 meters from the Plaza de Puno (5 min. by bus, 15 min. on foot)

This hill is 45 meters high (150 feet) and at its summit is a monument to Manco Capac (founder of the Inca Empire). It offers a great view over the city.

Juli

Juli is about 79 km. south of Puno Peru (1 hour and 20 min. by car)

Known as "Rome of the Americas" for the beauty of its colonial "templos" or churches, highlights include the Templo San Juan de Letran, San Pedro Martir and Santa Cruz de Jerusalen and the "Casa de la Inquisicion" (House of the Inquisition).
Within the churches you can see stone sculptures, wood carvings, and paintings by prominent artists.

San Juan de Letran Templo, Juli

Juli, Iglesia de Santa Cruz

Lampa

Lampa is about 80 km. north of Puno Peru (1 hour and 30 min. by car)

Lampa is the capital of the province of Lampa and is known as the "Pink City" for the color of its walls.

It features the Church of St. James, also called "the Sistine Chapel of America", containing a replica of the Pieta by Michelangelo.

In the surrounding area there are great forests of quenua (species of plant in the Rosaceae family), Puya Raimondi (a very tall plant also known as Queen of the Andes), and chinchilla farms.

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