This small city is one of the highest in South America. Puno is located at over 12,000 feet and will undoubtedly leave most travelers breathless. In addition to the high altitude, the site of Lake Titicaca is a location to behold. An excursion on the lake allows one to witness a variety of indigenous ways of life as well as offer a sighting of Bolivia, which shares the shore of the lake with Peru.

Puno Highlights:

Lake Titicaca
Known as the world's highest navigable lake, at over 12,000 feet, some other lakes might compete for the actual rights to this claim. However, it is South America's largest lake, and the largest at high altitude. The lake is also home to a variety of native people, still practicing their indigenous way of life on various islands dotting the lake.

Folk Dances
As many as 300 different folk dances abound in the Puno area. Some are performed only for specific festivals, while others can be witnessed in the streets of the city. The colorful costumes, often complete with masks and headdresses are exciting to see and the lucky tourist might wander down a street right into a dance celebration.


Puno Tours:

Half-Day City Tour
This half-day tour of Puno offers many of the sights of the city. You'll stop at the Museum of Popular Art, housing works by Peruvian artists. You'll also enjoy bargaining at the Indian market in the center of downtown where such goods as thick alpaca sweaters are available alongside more typical market fare, such as legumes and spices.


Half-Day Sillustani Tombs
Spend a half day examining the unique tombs of the ancient Aymara people. High priests were buried in these unique cylindrical towers, some of which are 25 feet tall. Contrasted against the landscape, with views of Lake Umayo, this is an experience you won't forget!



Half-Day Uros Islands
Spend two hours on a motorboat excursion on beautiful Lake Titicaca and meet the Uros people. The make their lives on islands constructed entirely of Totora reeds, which grow in the lake, and they are constantly weaving new reeds onto the islands to maintain them. They also use the reeds to build boats, buildings and crafts.

Half-Day Chucuito
This excursion takes you to a small village outside of Puno. This south shore town still looks as it did in colonial times. The main square continues to house the "Picota", a symbol of the Spanish Authority. You'll visit two colonial churches and admire the Ullo Temple, an Inca site with a sundial and huge phallic monuments.

Full Day Uros and Taquile Islands
A full day motorboat tour on the stunning Lake Titicaca begins with a stop on Taquile Island. The Quechua inhabitants will happily share their hand weaving techniques and show you around their home island, where they live much as their ancestors did in times past. Then, you'll meet the Uros people, whose islands are constructed of reeds growing in the lake. You'll watch as they weave new reeds into the ground as well as create boats, buildings and crafts.

Full Day Uros, Amantani and Taquile Islands
A packed full day motorboat tour on the stunning Lake Titicaca begins with a stop on Taquile Island. The Quechua inhabitants will happily share their hand weaving techniques and show you around their home island, where they live much as their ancestors did in times past. Then, you'll meet the Uros people, whose islands are constructed of reeds growing in the lake. You'll watch as they weave new reeds into the ground as well as create boats, buildings and crafts. Finally, visit Amantani Island, where the Quechua natives here produce ceramics and textiles while maintaining their sustenance way of life on one of the world's highest lakes.

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Further Peru Info:
For more information on Peru please go to the AR Tourism information site www.AllAboutPeruTravel.com:
AllAboutPeruTravel.com - Peru Travel Guide

Peru: Lima | Cusco | Machu Picchu | Puno & Lake Tikicaca | Nazca
Special Interest: Inca Trail

© 2007 AR Tourism, LLC