Province of Puno - South American Destination

Location:Southern Andes (Highlands) of Peru; itshares a border with Bolivia.Area: 71.999 km 2 / 27.799 miles 2Capital:Altitude:Puno (3827 masl / 12.553 fasl)LimaLowest point: 820 masl / 2690 faslPuno(Lanlacuni Bajo)Highest point: 4725 masl / 15.498 fasl (San Antonio deEsquilache)Distances: From the city of Puno to the following cities:Juli(Province of Chucuito) 79 km (49 miles) / 1 hour and 20 minutesIlave(Province of El Collao) 54 km (34 miles) / 1 hourHuancane (Province of Huancane) 99 km (62 miles) / 2 hours and 30 minutesLampa(Province of Lampa) 80 km (50 miles) / 1 hour and 30 minutesAyaviri(Province of Melgar) 137 km (85 miles) / 2 hours and 45 minutesMoho(Province of Moho) 138 km (86 miles) / 3 hoursPutina(Province of San Antonio de Putina) 124 km (77 miles) / 3 hoursand 30 minutesJuliaca(Province of San Roman) 44 km (27 miles) / 45 minutesSandia(Province of Sandia) 272 km (169 miles) / 9 hoursYunguyo(Province of Yunguyo) 128 km (80 miles) / 2 hours and 30 minutesAzangaro (Province of Azangaro) 148 km (92 miles) / 2 hours and 15minutesMacuzani (Province of Carabaya) 255 km (158 miles) / 7 hoursAccess Routes:By land Lima – Arequipa – Juliaca – Puno: 1324 km / 823 miles (18hours by car)By airRegular flights to Juliaca from Lima (1 hour and 45 minutes, witha stop in Arequipa) and from Arequipa (25 minutes).By trainCusco – Puno: 384 km / 239 miles (10 hours)Around 200 B.C., the Pukara culture developed in the area, characterized by huge pyramids,stone monuments, steles, and one-of-a-kind pottery. Later, between 800 A.D.and 1200 A.D., the high plateau (Altiplano, today shared by Peru and Bolivia) becamethe cradle of the Tiahuanaco civilization that influenced almost the entire territory ofPeru, especially religiously. The Tiahuanacos distinguished themselves in architecture,stone sculpture, pottery, and textiles, expressing their, as of yet undecipherable, religiousiconography in their artwork. As the Tiahuanaco power started to fade, severallocal Lords arose in their old domains, the Collas and Aymaras being the most importantones.In the fifteenth century, the Incas came to the Collao Plateau and violently conqueredthe Collas that had settled in the lowlands and highlands of the region. The Aymaraesor Aymaras never fully capitulated, and their descendants, the Lupakas, Lupajaques or“children of the sun” as they wanted to be called, represent the most important anddominant villages of the high plateau since then.When the Spanish Conquistadors in Cusco heard reports of the wealth of the Collaoregion, they began to move to the high plateau (el Altiplano).In the middle of the seventeenth century, the most powerful Spanish families fromAndalucia and Vizcaya violently fought over the control of the Laykacota mines, so thatthe Viceroy, Conde de Lemos, had to travel to the area to reestablish order. In 1668,he founded the city, known today as Puno, under the name of San Carlos de Puno.During the eighteenth century, the indigenous people of the region supported the rebellionof Tupac Amaru II and that of Tupac Catari, demanding an end to the abuses committedby the authorities.The local communities have maintained their farming tradition in the region, and themain activities are still agriculture and cattle breeding with a view on the southernAndean regional market.The Department of Puno is mainly flat since the immense Collao Plateau constitutesmost of its territory. Two mountain ranges, the Carabaya Cordillera (north) and theMaritime or Volcanic Cordillera (south) complete the Territory.The city of Puno is located on the shores of Lake Titicaca, and its climate is cold andsemi-dry. The rainy season starts in October and ends in April.The annual average maximum temperature is 14ºC (58ºF) and the minimum is 3ºC (37ºF).Province of PunoPunoCathedral of the City of PunoDowntown. Visiting hours: Mon. – Fri. and Sun. 7:00 A.M. –12:00 P.M. and 3:00 P.M. – 6:00 P.M. Sat. 7:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M. and 3:00 P.M. – 7:00 P.MThe cathedral was built in the seventeenth century and the Peruvian architectSimon de Asto sculpted its façade. This Spanish Baroque church includes Andeanelements that give the monument its mixed character.Conde de Lemos BalconyIntersection of Calles Deustua and Conde de Lemos. Visiting hours: Mon. – Fri. 8:30A.M. – 4:00 P.M.Built around 1668, it is said that Conde de Lemos was lodged in this house whenhe arrived to stamp out the rebellion. Today, it is the cultural complex of theNational Culture Institute of the Department of Puno and it contains an art gallery.Fest of The Virgin of the Candles Archivo de PromPerúLake TiticacaDomingo Giribaldi / PromPerúDeustua ArchJiron Independencia, block 2Constructed with cobblestones, it was erected by the people of Puno in memory ofthe patriots who fought for the independence of Peru.Deustua ArchDomingo Giribaldi / PromPerúLake TiticacaRenzo Uccelli / PromPerúHuajsapata Hill4 blocks from the Main Square, west of the cityHuajsapata means “witness of my love”. It is a natural lookout dominating the cityand Lake Titicaca. At the top, there is a monument to Manco Capac, founder of theInca Empire. They say that there are caverns and subterranean pathways in the hillthat connect Puno to the Koricancha Temple in the city of Cusco.La Casa del Corregidor (Chief Magistrate’s House)Jiron Deustua 576. Telephone: (051) 35-1921 / 35-3979. Visiting hours: Wed. – Fri. 10:00A.M. – 10:00 P.M. Sat. 10:00 A.M. – 2:30 P.M. and 5:00 P.M. – 10:00 P.M.It is a seventeenth century Colonial mansion where Puno art exhibitions take place.There is a coffee bar, a library, and an Internet and video club. Cultural activitiesare organized and information on rural tourism is also available there.Kuntur Wasi Lookout2 km / 1 mile from downtown Puno (10 minutes by car)Kuntur Wasi means “house of the condor” and offers an unsurpassed view of Puno

and Lake Titicaca. You must climb a large flight of steps to get there.Puma Uta Lookout Park3 km / 2 miles northwest of Puno (20 minutes by car)The park features a puma shaped stone monument – symbol of the lookout sincethis animal is a guardian related to the protection of the Andes – built on a fountainthat symbolizes Lake Titicaca. There are many recreational areas.Bahia de los Incas Ecotourism Seawall8 blocks from the Main Square, on the shores of Lake TiticacaIt is a pedestrian walkway offering a beautiful view of Lake Titicaca where youfind the solar clocks and calendars called Sukankas or Intihuatanas. The pre-Incacultures used them to determine where the ceremonial and sacrificial rituals weregoing to take place. They also used them to establish the territorial boundariesof the communities.Yaravi Ship MuseumAvenida Sesquicentenario 610, Sector Huaje (Hotel Sonesta Posada del Inca Pier).Telephone: (051) 36-9329. Visiting hours: Mon. – Sun. 8:00 A.M. – 5:15 P.M. - FreeadmissionIt is an iron ship built in Great Britain in the 1860’s that was transported fromthe Pacific coast to the High Plateau in pieces – 2766 in total. Inside, differentaccessories of the ship compartments are exhibited as well as documents,archives, historical maps, and models of that time.Floating Islands of the UrosDomingo Giribaldi / PromPerúUro WomanMylene D'Auriol / PromPerúTiticaca National ReserveThis Protected Natural Area was created in 1978 in order to preserve the naturalresources characteristic of Lake Titicaca and the highland ecosystem. It coversan area of 36.180 hectares.In the reserve, dozens of birds, fish, and amphibious species have been registeredlike flamingos or parihuanas, Andean geese, seagulls, Titicaca grebes, chullumpis,and Andean lapwings as well as numerous endangered species. You will findtwelve varieties of aquatic plants representative of the lake flora, the mostremarkable being the totora reeds and algae.Lake Titicaca10 blocks from the Main SquareThis lake is very important in Andean mythology since, according to legend,Manco Capac and Mama Ocllo, children of the sun god and founders of the IncaEmpire, emerged from its waters.Peru and Bolivia share sovereignty over this navigable lake, the highest in theworld (3810 masl / 12.497 fasl). It covers an area of 8559 km 2 (3305 miles 2 ), amaximum depth of 283 meters (928 feet), and the average water temperaturevaries from October to May between 9ºC (48ºF) and 11ºC (52ºF) and from Juneto September between -7ºC (19ºF) and -10ºC (14ºF). Moreover, the lake tempersthe area since without its presence, there would not be life at that altitude.On the Peruvian side of Lake Titicaca, there are several islands; the naturalislands include Amantani, Taquile, Soto, and Anapia, and the artificial islands arethe ones that the Uros people have built, each one offering different attractions.Along the shores of the lake, totora reeds grow where different birds and fish likethe carachis, ispis, bogas, umantos, suches (an endanger specie), silverfish, andtrout call home. All these species are native of the area and are prized for theirhigh nutritional value.Floating Islands of the Uros5 km / 3 miles west of the Puno harbor (20 minutes by boat)The Uros Islands (3810 masl / 12.497 fasl) number around 20 and are located inthe Bay of Puno. Three to ten Uro-Aymaras families live on each one. They rooftheir houses with totora reed carpets, although some families have replaced theirtraditional roofs by metal ones. The largest Islands are Tupiri, Santa María,Tribuna, Toranipata, Chumi, Paraiso, Kapi, Titino, Tinajero, and Negrone.The Uros call themselves Kotsuña, “the lake people”, and their origins go back toeras before the Incas. They hunt wild birds and maintain traditional fishing methods,especially those used for the carachi and the silverfish. The men are skillfulhandlers of the totora reed boats, and the women are expert knitters.The characteristic cold and dry weather of the region is tempered in this areathanks to the constantly evaporating water of the large lake.Amantani Island36 km / 22 miles northeast of the Puno harbor (3 hours and 30 minutes by boat)Located at 3187 masl (10.453 fasl), Amantani covers some 9 km 2 (3.5 miles 2 ).The flora is characterized by the presence of bushes like the muña, the kantuta,the sage, the tola and the patamuña. Eight communities live on the island andmake their living from growing potatoes, corn, oca, quinoa, lima beans, and greenpeas, and their most representative handcrafts are textiles and stone carvings.Among its natural attractions, there are two lookouts on the highest part offeringa view of the entire lake, some pre-Hispanic remains, ceremonial centers anda mummy cemetery.Taquile Island35 km / 22 miles east of the Puno port (3 hours by boat)Its approximate size is of 6 km 2 (2 miles 2 ) and the altitude between the port andthe town varies slightly from 3810 to 3950 masl (12.497 to 12.956 fasl). Themaximum temperature there is 23ºC (66ºF), and the minimum is 7ºC (37ºF).Pre-Inca vestiges are found in the highest part of the island. During the Colonialperiod and up to the first years of the twentieth century, it was used as a politicalprison, until the island became property of the Taquile people in 1970. Thetown of the same name, Taquile, is characterized by its friendly inhabitants, whomaintain their customs and traditional clothing. They distinguish themselves bytheir detailed, fine, and colorful textiles with symmetrical decorations and symbolsthat reflect their way of life, customs, and Andean beliefs.Chucuito18 km / 11 miles south of Puno (15 minutes by car)It is also known as the Royal Treasury City because it used to be the tax collectioncenter during the Colonial era. It features a main square and the Renaissancechurches of Santo Domingo (sixteenth century) and La Asuncion (seventeenthcentury).Cutimbo Archeological ComplexThe turnoff to the complex is located near kilometer marker 17 of the Puno-Moquegua Highway, south of Puno (20 minutes by car).It is a pre-Hispanic cemetery that belonged to the Lupaca and Colla Lordships.Although there is evidence of 8000 years old rock-art, the main structures datefrom 1100 A.D. to 1450 A.D. There are also Inca archeological remnants. Thechullpas or pucullos, large fortified burial towers, overlook the landscape.Amantani IslandDomingo Giribaldi / PromPerúChucuito Carlos Sala / PromPerúSillustani Archeological Complex34 km /21 miles north of Puno (35 minutes by car)This complex stands on the shore of Lake Umayo. It is famous for its chullpas,large circular fortified burial towers for the main leaders of the early villages ofthe Collao plateau. Some are 12 meters high (39 feet), and remarkable for theirshape, thinner at the base and wider at the top. Close to the archeological complexis the site museum where different pieces from the Colla, Tiahuanuaco, andInca cultures are preserved.Llachon74 km / 46 miles northeast of Puno, on the shores of Lake Titicaca (2 hours by car)This community of around 1300 inhabitants still maintains its customs and nativecultural manifestations, and its main activities are farming, cattle breeding, fishing,and handicraft. Llachon can be reached by motorboat from Puno harbor andfrom the Islands of Taquile and Amantani or by land from Puno or Juliaca. Theplace offers experimental tourism, “living tourism”, allowing visitors to stay withfamilies of the community.

Attention: Mon. – Fri. 7:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M. and 1:00 P.M. - 5:00 P.M.; Sat. –Sun. 7:00 A.M. -11:00 A.M.The most typical dishes of the region are:Cancacho: roasted pork or lamb macerated in aji (hot pepper) and oil.Pesque de quinoa: mashed quinoa seasoned with milk and cheese.Chairo: Beef and lamb soup with potatoes, lima beans, squash, cabbage, chuño ordehydrated potatoes, wheat, and chalona or dried lamb.Feast of the Virgen de la Candelaria (Virgin of the Candles) / 2 nd FebruaryProvince of Puno, District of PunoThe feast of the Virgen de la Candelaria, that used to last 40 days and 40 nightsafter Christmas, comes from an old Catholic tradition of “purification” of the VirginMary. Besides the feast, there was a solemn procession of holy candles, source ofthe festival name. Today, the Virgen de la Candelaria is the most important religiouscelebration day in Puno, and it includes masses, banquets, dances, contests, and acolorful procession that gathers hundreds of believers.Llachon WearingDomingo Giribaldi / PromPerúLittle Bull of Pucará Domingo Giribaldi / PromPerúFeast of Alacitas and Las Cruces / 3 rd and 4 th MayProvince of San Roman and Puno. Districts of Juliaca, Puno, and Cabanillos.It is a special occasion where the inhabitants sell miniature handcrafted items, symbolizingthe things anyone wishes to possess like houses, cars, money, etc, in differentfairs located along the main streets of each city. Bolivian artisans also participatein this festival.Anniversary of the Founding of the City of Puno / 1 st to 7 th NovemberProvince of Puno, District of PunoTo celebrate the city, the school pupils are in charge of organizing civic demonstrationsand dance shows throughout the city streets. On 5 th November, the peoplepresent an account of the creation of the Inca Empire, the legend that tells how themythic couple Manco Capac and Mama Ocllo emerged from the sacred lake insearch of land to found the Empire.AIRPORTInca Manco Capac International Airport. Avenida Aviación - UrbanizaciónSanta Adriana. Juliaca. Telephone: (051) 32-8974 / 32-2905Attention: Mon. – Fri. 8:30 A.M. – 4:30 P.M. Sat. 8:00 A.M. – 1:00 P.M.OVERLAND TRANSPORTBus Station. Jiron Primero de Mayo 703, Barrio Magisterial, Puno. Telephone:(051) 36-4733. Attention: Mon. – Sun. 8:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.Terminal Zonal. Avenida Simon Bolivar, Puno. Attention: Mon. – Sun. 4:00 P.M.– 9:00 P.M.TRAIN STATIONPeru Rail Corporation.Puno: Avenida La Torre 224, Puno. Telephone: (051) 35-1041 / 36-9179Juliaca:Plaza Bolognesi 303, Juliaca. Telephone: (051) 32-1036.E-mail: reservas@perurail.comWeb site: http://www.perurail.comHEALTH CENTERSPuno. Manuel Nuñez Butron National Hospital, Avenida El Sol 1022. Telephone:(051) 36-9696 / 35-1021 / 36-7777. Attention: Mon. – Fri. 7:30 A.M – 2:30 P.M.Juliaca. San Roman. Carlos Monge Medrano Hospital, Kilometer marker 2 of theHuancane Highway. Telephone: (051) 32-1750 / 32-1131 / 32-1370. Attention:Mon. – Fri. 7:30 A.M – 1:30 P.M.LOCAL POLICEPuno. XII Police Region. Jiron Deustua 530. Telephone: (051) 35-3988. Attention:24 hoursPuno. Tourism Police. Jiron Deustua 558. Attention: 24 hoursJuliaca. National Police of Peru. Jiron San Martin and Jiron Ramon. Telephone:(051) 32-2091. Attention: 24 hoursCRAFT MARKETSPuno“San Jose Artisan Association” Craft MarketCalle Cahuide, Block 3. Opening hours: Mon. – Sun. 8:00 A.M. – 7:00 P.M.“La Cholita” Artisans AssociationPasaje Lima 550, 2nd level.Opening hours: Mon. – Sun. 8:00 A.M. – 7:00 P.M.“Tucuy Atipac” Handicrafts CenterPasaje Lima 339, 2nd level. Opening hours: Mon. – Sun. 8:00 A.M. – 7:00 P.M.“Coriwasi Association” Craft MarketCalle Alfonso Ugarte 150. Opening hours: Mon. – Sun. 8:00 A.M. – 9:00 P.M.San Roman:Original Folk Art Handicrafts CenterInca Manco Capac International Airport, Juliaca. Telephone: (051) 32-2905.POSTAL SERVICESPuno. Jiron Moquegua 269. Telephone: (051) 35-1141. Attention: Mon. – Sat.8:00 A.M. – 8:00 P.M.Juliaca-San Roman. Intersection of Calles Sandia and Ladislao Butron.Telephone: (051) 32-1391. Attention: Mon. – Sat. 8:15 A.M. – 7:00 P.M.REGIONAL GOVERNMENT OF PUNOwww.regionpuno.gob.peTOURIST INFORMATIONAt the Tourist Information and Assistance Service, iperu, you can ask forobjective and impartial tourism information, as well as assistance in case thetourist services you received were not provided according to the contractsigned.Contact the service nationwide 24 hours a day:Telephone: (01) 574-8000. Email: iperu@promperu.gob.pePuno: Main Square, Corner of Jiron Deustua and Jiron Lima. Telephone/Fax: (051)36-5088. Attention: Mon. – Sun. 8:30 A.M. – 7:30 P.M. E-mail:iperupuno@promperu.gob.peMORE INFORMATION: www.peru.infoLegal Deposit Number: 2005-7581The information contained in this document is a list of attractions and services at the disposal of the travelerin the entire department. In order to update it, PromPerú has been assisted by official informationsources like: National Institute for Natural Resources (INRENA), National Culture Institute (INC), NationalInstitute of Geography (IGN), National Meteorology and Hydrology Service of Peru (SENAMHI), and theRegional Administration of Foreign Trade and Tourism, Regional Foreign Trade and Tourism Administration,Regional Chamber and Regional Association of Travel Agencies and Tourism of Puno.Publication Date: November 2005.Commission for the Promotion of Peru