Let’s discover the charming places in the Folkloric Capital of Peru together. If you’ve already heard about the destinations this beautiful city offers, you’ll be surprised by this list of the 7 Puno tourist attractions. Certainly, the islands on Lake Titicaca, such as Uros, Taquile, and Amantaní, which fill Puno with pride and are highly visited by both domestic and foreign tourists, are on our list. But there is much more to delight in. Here, we mention some of those hidden gems. Unique and astonishing landscapes, overflowing culture, and real contact with warm people are just a sample of what Puno has for you.
Top tourist attractions in Puno
In this article, we present the best things to do in Puno
The Floating Islands of Uros
Let’s discover the charming places in the Folkloric Capital of Peru together. If you’ve already heard about the destinations this beautiful city offers, you’ll be surprised by this list of the 7 tourist places in Puno. Certainly, the islands on Lake Titicaca, such as Uros, Taquile, and Amantaní, which fill Puno with pride and are highly visited by both domestic and foreign tourists, are on our list. But there is much more to delight in. Here, we mention some of those hidden gems. Unique and astonishing landscapes, overflowing culture, and real contact with warm people are just a sample of what Puno has for you.
Taquile Islands
If there’s one thing Taquile offers, it’s undoubtedly tranquility and an unparalleled view of Lake Titicaca. From the beginning, you’ll feel a sense of peace, and your eyes will truly be captivated by the landscapes that seem like a magnificent work of art. Approximately 2.5 hours from the Uros Islands, this island, known as Intika in Quechua, with more than 2,000 inhabitants, will welcome you. You’ll see locals creating beautiful textiles by hand that reflect their ancestral culture, which is well-known worldwide. From the port, you’ll need to climb up to the Plaza, a beautiful place to rest and enjoy. On the island, you’ll also find ruins from the pre-Inca era, accompanied by unique views of the world’s highest navigable lake. There are also places to spend the night where you can get to know the local people a bit better. If you want to stroll around the island, take beautiful photos with the arches along the way.
Amantaní Islands
To the north of Taquile Island, with a population of around 4,000 people, this beauty will captivate you. If your goal is to have an enriching cultural exchange, Amantaní is the right island. You can spend the night there and share more with the local people, observing their daily lives, customs, and more. You’ll find dazzling mountains where the ceremonial centers of Pachatata (Father of the Skies), located on the summit of Cerro Coanos, and Pachamama (Mother Earth) on the summit of Cerro Llaquistiti, are located. During your visit, you’ll also see that the population is engaged in agriculture but also creates beautiful textiles that will catch your attention with their colors and designs reflecting their unique art. Boat trips, horseback rides, and participation in agricultural tasks are just some of the activities you can do on this island that will energize you.
Sillustani Chullpas
Mostly visited on the route to Juliaca Airport, about 34 km from the city of Puno. The Sillustani Chullpas were built by the Kolla culture. Their tubular constructions (tombs), which number in the hundreds, where the remains of priests and rulers were found, will simply leave you amazed. The height of these capsule-shaped tombs averages 4 to 6 meters, but you’ll find some that are up to 15 meters tall, which will truly astonish you. The preservation of this funerary complex to this day is due to the construction materials used by this culture, such as stone, ashlar, and clay. And if you’re in Sillustani, you’ll surely reach Lake Umayo, which will captivate you from beginning to end. Mystery and beautiful landscapes await you on your visit to the increasingly visited Sillustani chullpas.
Inca Uyo – Chucuito
This archaeological site, considered of Inca origin due to its construction characteristics, means “Inca dwelling” in Aymara. Known as the temple of fertility, it is located in Chucuito (18 kilometers from Puno). It has a rectangular shape and thick walls, and it is presumed that the enclosure was part of a larger set of ceremonial buildings. What attracts the most attention are the stone phalluses found inside. There are more than 80 phalluses, some complete, which catch the attention of thousands of curious tourists who visit this place. The locals believe that if a woman sits on a phallus, she will be able to have children; according to them, there is evidence of this. If you go with a guide, you’ll hear various theories about this place. One of them is that the locals themselves brought these phalluses and planted them there to make it a tourist attraction and generate more income. The truth is that it’s a unique site that you shouldn’t miss visiting.
Tinajani Canyon
About 150 kilometers from the city of Puno lies Tinajani Canyon (3953 meters above sea level). This majestic place with impressive rock formations in the shape of animals and people will leave you more than amazed. It is said that this stone forest was once the bottom of a great lake, and the wind has carved these shapes over time. The enormous reddish rock formations will keep you entertained for a long time, but you won’t only enjoy being in the middle of this forest, but also the spectacular surrounding landscape. Rivers, springs, and the sky contribute to making the view even more beautiful. Additionally, you’ll see the Puya Raimondi crowning the mountains, which can reach heights of 3 to 4 meters. Without a doubt, this place will allow you to have an authentic connection with nature and is one of the gems we told you about. If you have time, we recommend spending more than one day in this beautiful place.
Aramu Muru
Known as the “Portal to the Universe” or “Willka Uta” (Place of the Sun or Gate of the Gods), Aramu Muru is located in an impressive rocky forest. It is a sandstone structure of pre-Inca origin that resembles a door (approximately 7 meters wide by 7 meters high). It is undoubtedly a mystical place that you must visit to experience what you’ll hear about. This eight-angled door, accompanied by tall depressions on its sides, has a legend behind it. It is said that the Inca priest Aramu escaped from the Spaniards carrying the solar disk stored in the Qoricancha, placed the disk in the center of the door, and disappeared from the place. Rituals are currently performed, so you may see people kneeling in front of this portal with their hands outstretched to absorb energy. Being in front of this dimensional door is truly a unique experience.
We hope your visit to this magical city is truly memorable. Visit Puno and live an experience to remember!
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