Tour Peru Puno

Nestled snugly between the snow-dusted peaks of the Andes Mountains and the sapphire expanse of Lake Titicaca, Puno is a sight to behold. The world’s highest navigable lake, Lake Titicaca straddles both Peru and Bolivia and is often referred to as the birthplace of the Incas. Journey into Peru’s past on a holiday to Puno.

Undoubtedly Puno’s most magnificent – and famous – attraction, the floating islands of Lake Titicaca are as fascinating as they are breathtaking. Built by the native Uros people hundreds of years ago as a refuge from the Incas, the islands have been woven entirely from totora – reeds growing in the lake’s shallows. To this day, locals carefully maintain their traditional homes – boats, houses and even children’s toys all crafted from the reeds.

Board a tortora boat from Puno, and glide across Lake Titicaca. Your tour will take you to one or more of the floating islands, where you’ll meet some of the colourfully-dressed locals and learn about their unique and resilient way of life. Many of their customs and traditions have remained unchanged for centuries.

Cultural treasures and curious cityscapes

While the town of Puno serves mainly as a jumping-off point for Lake Titicaca holidays, the surrounding landscape holds other interest. Sillustani is an intriguing pre-Incan burial ground with numerous chullpas: burial towers built by the ancient Aymara people to house their dead. Within the city, the 18th-century Catedral de Puno is a magnificent landmark. Pause for a drink in the colourful Casa del Corregidor on the opposite side of the Plaza.

Take your archaeological explorations further and pair your holiday to Puno with a trek to Machu Picchu. While you’re adventuring, why not discover the rest of South America? We offer an endless array of South American multi centre itineraries, whether you want to dip your toes into Brazil’s warm waters or climb to the snow-tipped peaks of Argentina’s Patagonia. Get in touch with our Destination Specialists today.