Puno Tour

Enjoy the magic of the highest altitude lake in the world and experience local life on a floating city….




TOUR DETAILS		DAY: 1 2 3 4 5
Daily Departures. Please contact us for specific dates. Our package includes: • Flights Lima-Cusco-Lima (If applicable) • All transfers and local transportation • All entrance tickets • Meals and drinks as stated in itinerary • Group Leader if requested for large Private Tours Not Included: • Air taxes, fees, and surcharges ranging from $69-$85 and varying by date, city, airport and number of legs in the itinerary. • Local ($5-6) and International ($29) departure tax of payable in local currency by each passenger at Lima International Airport upon departure. • Tips and gratuities. • Extra services at hotels. Accomodations Puno Hotels Cusco Hotels	Puno is one of the most underrated destinations in all of Latin America. You will have the amazing opportunity to spend the night with a local family in a unique cultural exchange. You will also see the spectacular Lake Titicaca, the highest elevated body of water in the world. Visit Puno directly from Lima or as an extension of our Magical Classic Tour directly from Cusco. The Cusco-Puno trip is a wonderful trip.
	DAY 1: Arrival to Puno & Sillustani Tour Sillustani is an ancient burial ground near Lake Titicaca. If you go to Puno, you have to visit Sillustani. The tombs are built above the ground, and filled with symbolism. The inside of the tombs are shaped like a woman´s uterus. The ancient people in Peru believed in a mother earth that created and regulated life. When a person died, they were mummified in the fetal position, just like they came into the world. The doors of the tombs face east, because it is believed that is where the sun is born from the mother earth each and everyday. Trip to Puno- Breakfast in Lima (if applicable). Transportation from Lima Hotel to Lima airport (if applicable). Flight Lima-Juliaca. Transportation from Juliaca airport to Puno hotel, visiting Sillustani in route.
	DAY 2: Uros Island & Amantani Island The residents of Uros Island are the Aimaras who have inherited the way of life of the long-gone Uros. Their livelihood is based on the benefits of a unique plant: the “totora” reed. They use it to build their homes, boats and even the floating islands they live on, periodically adding new layers of reeds. Amantani Island has lovely landscapes and a community organized in similar way than the Uros. Heirs of the ancient, commune-like system called “ayllu”, the people of Amantani offers room and board to visitors in their own homes, ensuring an opportunity to share in their customs and way of life. It is less visited, making it attractive to those seeking peace and quiet. Magical City Tour In the Morning- Breakfast in Puno Hotel. Transportation from Puno Hotel to Puno port. Boat/Floating island of Uros. Amantani Island tour which is located in front of the Capachica peninsula inhabited by Quechua-speaking setters Lunch- in Place Night - Dinner on your own. Overnight - in Amantani.
	DAY 3: Taquile Island Tour & back to Puno Thirty minutes away from Amantani Island is the Taquile Island, which inhabitants speak only Quechua. Farmers, fishermen and weavers, they wear distinctive outfits. Taquile has several beautiful hills and many archeological ruins. Early Morning- Breakfast in Amantani and free time to walk on the Island. Taquile Tour. Lunch - in place. Afternoon - Free time to walk in Taquile Island. Boat/Floating back to Puno port and transportation back to the Puno hotel. Overnight - in Puno.
	DAY 4: Return to Lima & Points Beyond After a much needed good night sleep, our group will head to the airport for the return trip to Lima. Many will head home that same day as our program will officially be over. However, for those who wish to extend, our staff will be pleased to offer assistance in organizing any side-trips or additional tours. Early morning – Breakfast in Puno Hotel. Transportation from Puno Hotel to Juliaca Airport. Flight Puno to Lima DAY 4: CUSCO EXTENSION If you choose to extend your trip to Cusco. Train/bus trips offer amazing Andean views, and the best choice in our opinion would be to take the bus. If you take the bus will allow you to stop in two different sites that you will not see otherwise. You can also fly to Cusco. Morning – Breakfast in Puno Hotel. Transportation from Puno Hotel to Puno Bus/Train Station. Train/Bus to Cusco. There is the option of the Orient express train, a regular train or a bus. Taking the bus allows you to visit the ruins of Piquillacta, Andahuaylillas and Raqchi. Andahuaylillas: A beautiful and picturesque town. The unique Church of San Pedro de Andahuaylillas is the most popular tourist attraction for visitors. Built at the beginning of the 17th century, the church walls are decorated with beautiful murals that depict the roads to glory and to hell. Raqchi: The town of Raqchi has a unique Colonial period church. The local craftsmen produce beautiful pieces of clay pottery to sell during the town fair. Four kilometers past this town, you will arrive at the archaeological site of Raqchi, an Inca sanctuary built by Pachacutec after his victory over the Chancas Nation. This is a gigantic construction. The most outstanding features of the construction are two rows of round columns, unique in Inca architecture, and a large longitudinal wall that runs parallel to the buildings. In this site there is also a small museum managed by local residents as part of the complex. La Raya: La Raya is a community dedicated to sheep farming. There are hot springs in the area. This is the highest point on the route of Puno. Pucara: This is a picturesque village in the Vilcanota Valley. The potters of Pucara are famous for the small ceramic toritos or bulls they make. Traditionally, Cuzquenian people build their houses with the help of the community. When the house is finish, the padrino (godfather) puts one of these toritos on top of each house. You can see examples of this all over Cuzco. The area is also well-know for the pre-Inca Pucara culture. Architectural ruins and stone monuments of this important culture period, the intermediate formative (between the 3rd and 8th centuries A.D), are situated close to the San Cayetano precipice. Lunch - on the route to Cusco (included) Afternoon - Transportation from Cuzco Train/bus Station to Cusco Hotel Overnight - At Cusco Hotel