The City of Puno is one of Peru's foremost tourist destinations and one of the most interesting spots on the continent. Few cities lie by the shores of such a extraordinary body of water as Lake Titicaca, the world's highest navigable lake.

Legend has it that from the waters of Lake Titicaca emerged Manco Cápac and Mama Ocllo, the mythical founders of the Inca empire. The area also gave rise to one of the greatest pre-Inca civilizations, that of Tiahuanaco, the maximum expression of the ancient Aymara people.

The Espanoles founded the city of Puno in 1668. It is a city rich in local mestizo art, the fusion of native and Spanish styles in its colonial balconies, weavings and pottery. However, a greater attraction lies a bare 10 blocks from the main square: Lake Titicaca, which covers an area of 8,560 square kilometers and which local fishermen row across on rafts made from totora, a type of reed that grows along the shore. There are also motorboats for hire for visitors.

The lake is also dotted with dozens of islands, each of them with their own characteristics and peculiarities. The floating islands of the Uros, whose inhabitants descend from one of the oldest known tribes in the Americas, feature typical native huts made from reeds. The inhabitants of Taquile island, meanwhile, still use traditional weaving techniques that tourists can learn if they decide to stay the night there and accept the traditional hospitality of the locals. In other cities around the department like Pucará, stand out for their superb pottery, while visitors can explore the chullpa stone burial towers at Sillustani, built by the Tiahuanaco culture. The area is also famous for its traditional festivals such as the Virgen de la Candelaria and dances like the Diablada, celebrated in February, an ideal time to visit the area. An unforgettable experience.

TITICACA LAKE TOURS AND PUNO TOURS AND TRIPS:

TITICACA LAKE TOUR ONE DAY-UROS & TAQUILE ISLAND

TITICACA LAKE TOUR 2 DAYS NIGHT IN TAQUILE

TITICACA LAKE TOUR 2 DAYS NIGHT IN UROS

TITICACA LAKE TOUR 2 DAYS NIGHT IN LLACHON

PUNO TOUR -CHUCUITO-JULY-POMATA (THE LOST VILLAGES)

PUNO TOUR  IN SILLUSTANI

PUNO TOURS-TOURS IN PUNO

Puno is not known for its food, the restaurants in general are modest however it is recommended to try the wild trout and the pejerreyes. Normally in some 3 star hotels they serve the Andean breakfast cereal of quínoa, it is also eaten as rice and in salads. Quínoa has more proteins than meat and it is not fattening. The Peruvians think that Quínoa will someday save the world from famine, as the potato did after the second world war.

The Titicaca lake is considered to be the highest navigable lake in the world, it is found in between two countries Peru and Bolivia, this lake is found at 3800 meters above sea level, it is more than 8560 kilometers squares in this lake there are numerous islands (36), peninsulas, and also the famous floating islands of the Uros (40 islands approximately).

The languages which are practiced in the City of Puno are Aymara, Quechuan and Spanish.

One of the characteristics from this region is that the people especially the women dress in typical skirts and a sombrero (Type of hat that the formal name from the French calls Melon).

The Pride of the Puneños is the big religious holiday of the virgin of the candelaria or called by the local people as MAMACHA of the candelaria. This holiday is appreciated by all every year in February, starting on February 2nd, the people of Puno surrender to their passion and great belief of this holiday which they celebrate for 18 days with more than 200 different dances,

They are grateful of the distinct miracles realized by this miraculous virgin. This holiday is considered to be like a punishment and sometimes due to the endless hours of dance they stop their bleeding feet with tripe. They ask for Miracles or they are grateful for miracles.

Distance between Puno and Cuzco 416 km.

MAIN TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IN PUNO:

Lake Titicaca: This is the highest lake in the world, here you can visit different islands, such as the floating islands of Uros, the islands Taquile and Amantani and on the Bolivian side of the lake you can visit the sun and moon islands (Sol and Luna). This lake is 227 meters deep, In the Titicaca lake there are 60 varieties of birds, 14 species of local fish from the lake, 18 species of amphibians and giant frogs which breathe through their skin and they can weigh as much as 3 kilograms.

We can also find archaeological remains inside the lake, walls and constructions belonging to the ancient cultures of Peru. In 1978, Lake Titicaca was declared as national reserve.

The floating islands of Uros: There are approximately 40 islands made from totora a type of reed, which is used initially by the UROS (people of this island). The customs of these islands are continued, however it is questioned that the current inhabitants of these islands are original.

At present only some islands are benefited by tourism, as they sell handmade products to the visitors which visit them. The floating islands that do not receive visitors are dedicated to fishing and selling of this product.

Isla Taquile (Taquile island): This is an island is known for its way of life, the men wear two types of hats, a type for bachelors and a different type for married men. Their style of work is very interesting, as they work as a community to produce textiles to the sell to the public and the profits which are made are distributed directly to the producers.

On this island you will be able to breathe pure air with a supreme sight of the main square. At present the inhabitants of the island give lodgings to tourists in their houses.

Isla Amantani: This island is very similar to Taquile island, here we can find on the highest part of the island, small archaeological remains where some ceremonies are practiced.

Las chullpas de Sillustani: This is found 34km from the City of Puno.  This graveyard is found top of the peninsula which is located at 3900 meters above sea level. Here we find cylindrical graves which belong to the Pre- Incan and Incan periods. Above all of here we can find circular constructions (funeral towers) and underground constructions. A good place to listen to the local guides talking about the magic religious aspects of ancient Peru.

Isla Suasi. If we compare this island with Amantani or with Taquile, there are no local inhabitants, only a luxury hotel the name is Suasi, at present it is administered by the hotel chain, Casa Andina. This island is similar to Taquile and Amantani in terms of its nature.

Peninsula of Capachica/Llachon: It is found 62 Km from the North-East of the city of Puno. Here it is possible to sleep in typical houses which have straw roofs; it is on the foot of the lake to 3800 meters of height. The best part of this community is they can show with pride and intelligence their culture: For example: the houses where the tourists sleep are typical from the roof to the ground. The people who live on this peninsula are quite content as the tourism helps them and at the same time they demonstrate their culture from when a visitor arrives until they say goodbye.

PUNO TOUR AND TITICACA LAKE TOUR, enjoy differents tours with our travel agency, explore and visit Taquile,amantani,uros and llachon with maximun 6 customers in our groups, yes like this you will more enjoy the titicaca lake, also visit with our travel company the lost villages in puno with maximun 6 people in the trip.