Description
Sitting on the shores of Lake Titicaca and the border with Bolivia, Puno is a magical place that blends nature with colorful Aymara traditions and floating islands, odd history, and ruins of pre-Inca civilizations to explore. Whether your interests are history, hiking or kayaking, ancestral markets, or walking with llamas, Puno has something to remember forever.
All tour packages described below can be done in a single day ranging from 3-9 hours. The price is per person, but if the tour is labeled “Private” then a minimum of two persons is required. The guides speak Spanish as their first language but are conversational in English.
- Meals and gratuities are not included unless noted.
- A minimum 48 hours advance notice is required.
Package Descriptions
Sillustani rests on the shores of Lake Umayo, and its ancient allure lies in its unique tower-shaped tombs called chullpas. These chullpas are the remnants of the Qulla people, who buried the family groups of their most elite class in these above-ground tombs. The dry environment inside the tombs unintentionally preserved the corpses for centuries, often found in a fetal position. Facing east, where the Sun was reborn, these chullpas symbolized the cycle of life and death in the Aymara culture.
Guides speak Spanish and English.
Departing at 14:00 (2 p.m.), the van will pick up guests from Puno hotels to make the journey to Sillustani, with the total trip taking 3.5 hours.
The tour also includes a visit to a traditional villager to learn about indigenous practices and customs.
Package Includes:
- Guide who speaks both English and Spanish
- Transportation
- Entrance fee to Sillustani
- Visit with local villager
Not Included:
- Other extra and optional costs along the way
- Tips
Schedule:
- Every day at 14:00 (2 p.m.)
Cancellation Policy:
| If you cancel: | Refund: | |
| 10+ days in advance | 90% | |
| 6-9 days in advance | 50% | |
| 5 days in advance | Not refundable | |
| Refund processing takes a maximum of four weeks. | ||
The Uros Islands are a cluster of floating islands made entirely of aquatic reeds called Totora. These unique islands have been home to the Uru people for centuries, preserving their customs, traditions, and lifestyle in isolation from the outside world. The Uru have ingeniously constructed their homes, boats, and even the islands themselves using layers upon layers of totora roots and reeds. This water-resistant plant, abundant in the lake, serves as the lifeblood of the Uros community. Originally positioned closer to the middle of Lake Titicaca, the islands were relocated or rebuilt nearer to the shore after a devastating storm in 1986. Approximately 2,000 Uros people inhabit these floating islands, with around 1,200 still living on them. Their primary sustenance comes from fishing, bird hunting, and gathering bird eggs from the reed beds.
Guides speak Spanish and English.
Departures daily at 9:00, 12:00, and 16:00 (4 pm). The van will pick up guests from Puno hotels to go to the port, where we will board a boat to make the journey to visit three of the Uros floating islands.
You can optionally take a short ride in a boat made of the same reeds that are used to build the island. If you wish to do this, you can pay the 15 Peruvian soles in cash at the island visit.
Package Includes:
- Guide who speaks both English and Spanish
- All Transportation to and from the islands.
- Entrance fee to the national park protecting the island culture.
Not Included:
- Other extra and optional costs along the way
- Tips
Schedule:
- Every day at 9:00, 12:00, or 16:00 (4 p.m.)
Cancellation Policy:
| If you cancel: | Refund: | |
| 10+ days in advance | 90% | |
| 6-9 days in advance | 50% | |
| 5 days in advance | Not refundable | |
| Refund processing takes a maximum of four weeks. | ||
Take a full-day trip to a variety of islands offshore from Puno. The Uros Islands are a cluster of floating islands made entirely of aquatic reeds called Totora. These unique islands have been home to the Uru people for centuries, preserving their customs, traditions, and lifestyle in isolation from the outside world. The Uru have ingeniously constructed their homes, boats, and even the islands themselves using layers upon layers of totora roots and reeds.
Our second visit will be to the tranquil beauty of Taquile Island, which at 5.5 x 1.6 kilometers has been large enough to host its own small civilization for centuries. Residents of the island are famous for their exquisite handwoven textiles.
Guides speak Spanish and English.
Departure at 7:30 a.m., this is an 8 hour trip. The van will pick up guests from Puno hotels to go to the port, where we will board a boat to make the journey to visit to one of the Uros floating islands for approximately one hour.
You can optionally take a short ride in a boat made of the same reeds that are used to build the island. If you wish to do this, you can pay the 15 Peruvian soles in cash at the island visit.
Then we continue to Taquile for a 40 minute walk uphill to the artisan center to see the daily work of island residents, catching incredible views along the way. Here we will serve you lunch and a dance demonstration, before we return to Puno.
Package Includes:
- Guide who speaks both English and Spanish
- All Transportation to and from the islands.
- Entrance fee to the national park protecting the island culture.
- Typical lunch
Not Included:
- Other extra and optional costs along the way
- Tips
Schedule:
- Every day at 7:30 a.m.
Cancellation Policy:
| If you cancel: | Refund: | |
| 10+ days in advance | 90% | |
| 6-9 days in advance | 50% | |
| 5 days in advance | Not refundable | |
| Refund processing takes a maximum of four weeks. | ||
Take a full-day trip to islands offshore from Puno and a traditional Aymara village.
Our first visit will be to the tranquil beauty of Taquile Island, which at 5.5 x 1.6 kilometers has been large enough to host its own small civilization for centuries. Residents of the island are famous for their exquisite handwoven textiles.
Our second stop will be to Luquina Chico, a small Aymara village nestled at an elevation of 3,812 meters above sea level, perched above the southeastern shores of Lake Titicaca. Here we will experience an authentic Aymara meal away from the larger tourist crowds and views of Lake Titicaca.
On our way back to Puno, we will finally visit the Uros, a cluster of floating islands made entirely of aquatic reeds called Totora. These unique islands have been home to the Uru people for centuries, preserving their customs, traditions, and lifestyle in isolation from the outside world. The Uru have ingeniously constructed their homes, boats, and even the islands themselves using layers upon layers of totora roots and reeds.
Guides speak Spanish and English.
Departure at 7:00 a.m., this is an 8-9 hour trip. The van will pick up guests from Puno hotels to go to the port, where we will board a boat to make the journey to visit all the locations mentioned above.
On Uros, you can optionally take a short ride in a boat made of the same reeds that are used to build the island. If you wish to do this, you can pay the 15 Peruvian soles in cash at the island visit.
Package Includes:
- Guide who speaks both English and Spanish
- All Transportation to and from the islands.
- Entrance fee to the national park protecting the island culture.
- Typical lunch
Not Included:
- Other extra and optional costs along the way
- Tips
Schedule:
- Every day at 7:00 a.m.
Cancellation Policy:
| If you cancel: | Refund: | |
| 10+ days in advance | 90% | |
| 6-9 days in advance | 50% | |
| 5 days in advance | Not refundable | |
| Refund processing takes a maximum of four weeks. | ||
The Aymara people are indigenous to the Andean region of modern-day Bolivia, Peru, and Chile and have a rich cultural heritage preserved through oral tradition. Everywhere between Puno and La Paz you will encounter their intricate belief system, mythology, and rituals that revolve around deities, heroes, and mythological creatures. Despite challenging conditions—poor soil and harsh climate—they engage in agriculture, and herding llamas and alpacas.
This 9-hour tour takes you to various places around Puno to learn more about Aymara culture and traditions. These include Chucuito to visit the fertility temple Inca Uyo, and the archaeological complex of Molloco. We will also stop to see and learn about the Waru Waru agricultural practice which are islands of land created in the middle of water for growing food. Then we visit the Amaru portal, a spiritual altar standing 5 meters tall. The final stop is Juli, where we will have lunch (not included in the price), and give you some free time to explore the town.
Guides speak Spanish and English.
Departure at 7:30 a.m., this is a 9-hour trip. The van will pick up guests from Puno hotels. Return to Puno at 16:30.
Package Includes:
- Guide who speaks both English and Spanish
- Transportation.
- Entrance fees to Chucuito, Molloco, and Aramamuru.
Not Included:
- Lunch or snacks
- Tips
Schedule:
- Every day at 7:30 a.m.
Cancellation Policy:
| If you cancel: | Refund: | |
| 10+ days in advance | 90% | |
| 6-9 days in advance | 50% | |
| 5 days in advance | Not refundable | |
| Refund processing takes a maximum of four weeks. | ||
What better way to go visit the Uros Islands than in a kayak!
The Uros Islands are a cluster of floating islands made entirely of aquatic reeds called Totora. These unique islands have been home to the Uru people for centuries, preserving their customs, traditions, and lifestyle in isolation from the outside world. The Uru have ingeniously constructed their homes, boats, and even the islands themselves using layers upon layers of totora roots and reeds. This water-resistant plant, abundant in the lake, serves as the lifeblood of the Uros community. Originally positioned closer to the middle of Lake Titicaca, the islands were relocated or rebuilt nearer to the shore after a devastating storm in 1986.
Approximately 2,000 Uros people inhabit these floating islands, with around 1,200 still living on them. Their primary sustenance comes from fishing, bird hunting, and gathering bird eggs from the reed beds.
Guides speak Spanish and English.
Departures daily at 7:00 a.m. The van will pick up guests from Puno hotels to go to the port, where we will equip you with a kayak to make the journey to visit three of the Uros floating islands, which takes about 1 hour.
Package Includes:
- Guide who speaks both English and Spanish
- All Transportation to and from the islands.
- Entrance fee to the national park protecting the island culture.
Not Included:
- Other extra and optional costs along the way
- Tips
Schedule:
- Every day at 7:00 a.m.
Cancellation Policy:
| If you cancel: | Refund: | |
| 10+ days in advance | 90% | |
| 6-9 days in advance | 50% | |
| 5 days in advance | Not refundable | |
| Refund processing takes a maximum of four weeks. | ||
This private tour is a half-day experience focused on the religious and spiritual centers of the region, including pre-Inca temples and some colonial churches. Many pilgrims seek these sites out for the continuing solace and healing energy they provide.
Our first stop will be the Chucuito circuit to visit the fertility temple Inca Uyo, the colonial-era churches, and the solar clock. We then travel to Aramamuru, also known as the “portal to the gods”, a center of spirituality and energy. There we will take a short walk to observe the the forest and panorama of Titicaca. You can learn and experience the principles of Andean cosmovision and partake in meditation if desired.
Guides speak Spanish and English.
Departure at 8:00 a.m. or 12 p.m., this is a 4-hour trip. The van will pick you up from your Puno hotel.
Package Includes:
- Guide who speaks both English and Spanish
- Transportation.
- Entrance fees to Chucuito and Aramamuru.
Not Included:
- Optional purchases made during the trip.
- Tips
Schedule:
- Every day at 8:00 a.m. or 12 p.m.
Cancellation Policy:
| If you cancel: | Refund: | |
| 10+ days in advance | 90% | |
| 6-9 days in advance | 50% | |
| 5 days in advance | Not refundable | |
| Refund processing takes a maximum of four weeks. | ||
If you’re in Puno on a weekend, visiting the Acora ancestral market on Sunday is a very worthwhile activity.
Located 35km outside Puno, Acora is one of the few place left where they practice bartering in the traditional way. In the backdrop are two colonial temples, one for the patron saint San Juan and the other for the other patron saint San Pedro. The San Pedro temple is the only temple in high Andes constructed in the Moorish architectural style.
Plan to bring extra cash in the Peruvian currency (soles) for buying souvenirs to take home.
On the way back to Puno you will be treated to a visit of the pre-Incan temple Inca Uyo in Chucuito.
Guides speak Spanish and English.
Departures on Sundays at 7:30 a.m. The van will pick you up from your hotel in Puno. The total trip takes 4 hours.
Package Includes:
- Guide who speaks both English and Spanish
- All Transportation.
- Entrance fee to Inca Uyo.
Not Included:
- Other extra and optional costs along the way
- Tips
Schedule:
- Every Sunday at 7:30 a.m.
Cancellation Policy:
| If you cancel: | Refund: | |
| 10+ days in advance | 90% | |
| 6-9 days in advance | 50% | |
| 5 days in advance | Not refundable | |
| Refund processing takes a maximum of four weeks. | ||
Take a full-day trip to Atuncolla for an in-depth day in the traditional ways of community life, including walking with llamas.
When we get to the small village of Atuncolla, we will be greeted with warm beverages before we are joined by alpacas or llamas to go on a walk around the village. You will be taken to the edge of the Umayo lagoon where you can appreciate beautiful vistas of the lake and landscape, and then onto an island in the lake that is a natural reserve for conserving the camelid variety of vicuñas.
We end our visit in Atuncolla with a traditional lunch.
On the way back to Puno we will visit the archaeological complex of Sillustani, a unique tower-shaped tombs called chullpas. These chullpas are the remnants of the Qulla people, who buried the family groups of their most elite class in these above-ground tombs. The dry environment inside the tombs unintentionally preserved the corpses for centuries, often found in a fetal position. Facing east, where the Sun was reborn, these chullpas symbolized the cycle of life and death in the Aymara culture.
Guides speak Spanish and English.
Departure at 8:00 a.m., this is an 7-8 hour trip. The van will pick you up from your Puno hotel, with an expected return around 4:00 p.m. (16:00).
Package Includes:
- Guide who speaks both English and Spanish
- All Transportation (includes the boat to the island on Laguna Umayo)
- Entrance fee to Sillustani.
- Lunch
Not Included:
- Other extra and optional costs along the way
- Tips
Schedule:
- Every day at 8:00 a.m.
Cancellation Policy:
| If you cancel: | Refund: | |
| 10+ days in advance | 90% | |
| 6-9 days in advance | 50% | |
| 5 days in advance | Not refundable | |
| Refund processing takes a maximum of four weeks. | ||