PUNO AND TITIKAKA LAKE
Puno is an enigmatic city located in the Peruvian - Bolivian highlands more than 3820 meters above sea level and on the shores of Titicaca Lake , known as the highest lake in the world that is able to be sailed on with boats. This region is home to a variety of unique flora and fauna, customs and cultural traditions, myths and legends inherited from generation to generation. Puno has spectacular landscapes and fascinating history with amazing architecture, music, painting, agriculture, livestock and textile art. In ancient times Puno was inhabited by the Aymara people, one of the greatest civilizations of South America . The Tiahuanaco culture is the most developed culture of the population Aymara, and throughout this region impressive archaeological remains are there for you to enjoy and observe.

ATTRACTIVE
Puno is high in the mountains and has a cold climate, but this will not stop you from enjoying this spectacular place. During your visit the following are a must!.

THE CATHEDRAL :
Located in the Main Square , it shows the ability and creativity of local builders… Here you can appreciate its beautiful facade carved in a Spanish Baroque style with indigenous influences.

DREYER MUNICIPAL MUSEUM :
Dreyer Municipal Museum : home to a number of ceramic, textile, goldsmiths and sculptural artifacts of pre-Inca and Inca heritage, also retains a number of documents dating back to the founding Spanish of this city.

SILLUSTANI :
Located 35 km . from Puno. It is one of the greatest archaeological sites in the region and has what is called Chullpas, stone buildings that served as a funeral hall and belonging to the Tiwanaku culture.

TITICACA LAKE :
Known as the highest lake in the world that is able to be sailed on with boats, at an altitude of 3815 meters above sea level and with an area of 8100 km2. Lake Titicaca is a basis of the ecosystem of the region, home of many species of animals such as giant frogs, birds, trout and paiche and vegetables such as totora. Its blue waters are mixed on the horizon with its typical mountain and sky contrasts with a series of islands inhabited by men who owe their lives to the existence of this lake. The combinations of these elements make this lake dream-like with a great cultural presence and beautiful landscapes.

UROS ISLAND
(3810 meters above sea level): This Tourist attraction is located 20 minutes from Puno and is unique in the world, consisting of a small group of more than 20 floating islands made of totora and on which inhabit the Uros, descendants of one of towns oldest Americas , who call themselves Kut Suña. These people still maintain their cultural identity despite the constant influx of foreign visitors as well as their traditions and particular way of life that consists of fishery, animal husbandry and textiles.

TAQUILE ISLAND :
It is an important island of the Lake located 3 hours by boat from Puno, with an area of 6 km2 and possesses different microclimates which allow agriculture as the basis of the economic system of this place. Its main attraction is its people, men and women who speak Quechua, and carry on the customs and dress like their ancestral traditions and folklore. On this island is the town of Taquile , 3950 meters above sea level, decorated with remains of the Tiwanaku and Inca culture. This town is accessed by climbing more than five hundred stairs… but well worth the effort!

AMANTANI ISLAND
( 3817 meters ) : This distant island in 3 hours from Puno and known to be in the form of a frog, with an extension of 9 km2 and is inhabited by people engaged in agriculture, textiles and stone carving. Among its main attractions is a fabulous view of the lake from the top of the viewpoints, local crafts, and archaeological sites like the Temple of Pachatata and Pachamama.

AJAYU MARKA
(also called ARAMU MURU) : Mystical place located 70 km . from Puno, called the city of spirits and composed of rock formations called Cyclops, reddish, unusual forms, which looks like a petrified city. Called also "Marcahuasi Andino" by the magnetism of the area and its relationship with the Andean Cosmo vision where visitors can experience an encounter with nature.

MAIN FESTIVITIES, TRADITIONS AND LEGENDS
MANCO CAPAC AND MAMA OCLLO LEGEND :
Founding of the empire of the Incas and from the region of Puno. According to legend, this pair of husbands left the depths of Lake Titicaca , directed by his father the sun god and directed the Huanacaure hill in Cusco to establish there the Empire.

CHACO CEREMONY :
Ancestral ceremony that takes place in the community of Cala Cala and that is to collect and capture vicunas in the wild, with the goal to shear wool, excluding pups and sick animals. All this takes place after the payment or tribute to the Pachamama.

CANDELARIA VIRGIN FESTIVITY:
(02 February) is the greatest manifestation of fervor and enthusiasm of the puno locals where venerated image of the Virgin and is displayed as dances and costumes… a typical sample of folklore in the region, which is regarded as one of the largest in South America . In this festival, locals and visitors mingle in a sea of people where the entertainment, culture and joy are abundant and creates a fascinating sight.

GENERAL
Location: Sierra southeast of Peru border with Bolivia.
Capital: Puno
Elevation: 3827 meters
Temperature: Weather cold and semi-dry throughout the year. The rainy season is from December to March. Height: ranging from 3810 meters to 4725 meters above sea level in some parts of the area. Average temperature: around 10 ° Celsius with a maximum of 18 º during the day and the minimum of 1 º during the night in winter.