Capital: Puno City
Altitud: 3.830 a.o.s.l.
Airport: The closest airport to Puno is located in Juliaca.
Distances: Not Available.
The province of Puno is embedded in the extense plains of El Collao at the shore of Titicaca Lake. South-east region
of Peru.
The view of the city is severe and Andean; its houses with gray tin roofs stress its austere aspect. At present, it is
an important agricultural and cattle-holding region. And it has a great archeological and touristic potential.
The real wealth of the zone is in the natural beauty that surrounds the city, in the beautiful waters of the Titicaca
(decorated with its floating islands), in the Tower of Tinajani (with its huge stones that make it resemble a city) and
in the old pre-incaic monuments (chullpas of Sillustani).
Besides, Puno is the folklore capital of Peru for the variety and beauty of its music and dances (it has more than 300
different dances, among which: La Diablada, La Morenada, La Llamerada, La Marinera from Puno and the Pandilla from
Puno.
In Puno we have the next tourist attractions:
:: TITICACA LAKE
The Titicaca Lake and the floating islands are the biggest tourist atractiveness of the Province of Puno. The splendid
landscapes and fascinating life of its inhabitants make a visit to the islands Taquile and Amantani a must. Titicaca
Lake is the highest, navigable lake in the world. It has a surface of 8.560 square kilometers and a maximun depth of
227 meters. There are 36 islands, being the most important one Taquile, Amantani, Soto, Anapia and Uros..
:: UROS FLOATING ISLANDS
The floating islands of the Urus are located at 5 kilometers from Puno and at an altitude of 3.810 m.a.s.l., with a
cold and dry climate. It is a group of 40 big, floating islands of totora where the inhabitants still live like their
ancestors.
Each island is inhabited by between 30 and 50 people. It is considered one of the oldest towns of America, keeping its
customs and traditions. The Urus call themselves "kotsuña" = people of the lake.
Their origin goes back to the time before the Inkas. They still keep their fishing traditions, especially for fish and
hunt.
:: CHUCUITO
Located at 18 kilometers from Puno. Also known as the "Temple of the Fertility". The construction with 2 meters high
walls and carved stones is characteristical. According to some researchers, it used to be a ceremonial center of great
importance
:: AMANTANI AND TAQUILE ISLANDS
Amantani Island, located at 36 kilometers from the Port of Puno, across the peninsula of Capachica. The island is
characterized for its bushes. It is interesting to visit the two natural view-points where you can see the remains of
the pre hispanic temple of Pacha Tata, Pacha Mama, Incachincana, Ikca Tihana and the cementary of the mummies.
Taquile island, located at 35 kilometers from Puno, in the Chunchito bay. The place was used as a political prison
until the first years of the 20th. century.
:: THE CHULLPAS OF SILLUSTANI
Located at 34 kilometers from Puno. Famous for the Chullpas: circular towers of stone built to keep the remains of the
principal authorities of the old people from Collao. Not far away from the site, is the museum of Sitio where various
pieces of the Colla, Tihuanaco and Inca cultures are kept.
