Floating Uros Islands
Floating Uros Islands
Located in the Bay of Puno one hour from the shore, the floating Uros Islands are one of Lake Titicaca’s most popular tourist attractions. The 50 floating islands made entirely from totora reads, complete with houses, churches, schools and weaved boats are home to over 2000 Uros Indians. According to legend the Uros Indians existed before the Sun, when the earth was still cold and dark. Nowadays, the colourfully dressed Uros Indians who are famous for their intricate hand weavings receive tourists daily. Read more about the Uros Islands in Peru.
Amantani Island
Island of Amantani
The Island of Amantani, located close to Taquile Island, is home to about 600 hundred Quechua speaking families. Amantani offers home stays for tourists looking for the ultimate traditional experience, where visitors can assist locals with daily activities, agriculture and cooking. There are two mountain peaks on the Island, Pachatata and Pachamana which both boast ancient ruins. Read more about Amantani and home stays on the island.
Taquile
Island of Taquile
The island of Taquile, located 2h30m from Puno is one of Lake Titicaca most popular tourist attractions. Unchanged for hundreds of years, the Island of Taquile is one of the best places to see traditional Peruvian life. Home to over 2000 residents, this beautiful island is famous for its unique textiles and weavings. In 2005 ‘Taquile and its Textile Art’ where honoured and proclaimed ‘Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity’ by UNESCO. A trip to Taquile is commonly combined with a visit to the Floating Uros Islands.
Candelaria Puno
Festival of Candelaria
Held during the first two weeks of February, Candelaria in Puno is one of South America´s largest festivals. Held in honor of the Virgin of Candelaria, the patron saint of Puno, the festival showcases some 200 different dances, with more than 40,000 dancers and 5,000 musicians. Costumes are elaborate and often bizarre but highly decorative and intricate. Read more about the Candelaria festival in Puno.
Sillustani
Burial Towers of Sillustani
Located 40 minutes from Puno on the road to Juliaca are the ancient funerary towers of Sillustani. This ancient pre-Incan burial ground from the Aymara and Colla cultures is a series of tower like tombs built above ground, which were thought to be reserved for high royalty. With openings to the east, and decorative animal shapes carved into the stone, the architecture is considered to be superior to that of the Incas.
Yavari 1862
Yavari Steam Ship
Docked in the bay of Puno, the 150 year old British made Yavari steam ship is a lesser known tourist attraction in Peru. Ordered by the Peruvian government in 1861, the ship was built in Birmingham England, before being dismantled and transported by the sea then mule, before it was re-constructed on Lake Titicaca. Moored behind the Sonesta Posada Hotel 5 minutes from the port of Puno, the Yavari is open to the public daily. Read more about the Yavari steam ship on Lake Titicaca.
