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Puno Region Culture & history

Our most recommended Puno Region Culture & history

From Arequipa: 2-Day Colca Canyon Tour with Transfer to Puno

1. From Arequipa: 2-Day Colca Canyon Tour with Transfer to Puno

Get back to nature in the Andes mountains and look for condors, llamas and alpacas in their natural habitat. Marvel at the majestic landscape and remote towns along the way. Day 1: Benefit from pick-up at your hotel in Arequipa, and then look for llamas, alpacas and vicuñas in the magnificent mountains of the Sacred Valley. Get breathtaking views of the Misti, Chachani, Pichu Pichu and Ampato volcanoes from the highest point of the Patapampa route, and then continue to Chivay (entrance town to Colca Canyon) and have lunch at a local restaurant. Then you will be dropped off in your hotel in Chivay Town. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure. Day 2: Depart Chivay in the early morning and make your way towards the stunning Cruz del Condor viewpoint. See the pretty towns of Coporaque and Maca and get in touch with nature on a short hike before your arrival at Cruz del Condor, where you will get an hour to watch the majestic birds in flight. All the excursion will be explained by the professional guide. On the way back, eat lunch in Chivay before continuing to Puno, arriving at 7:30 PM.

From Cusco: 2-Day Lake Titicaca Tour

2. From Cusco: 2-Day Lake Titicaca Tour

Embark on an adventurous 2-day tour of the Lake Titicaca area. Discover some of the highlights located in and around Puno, Uros, Taquile, and Cusco, stopping with plenty of time to absorb the local flair and experience the main attractions. Spend the night in Puno and savor the tasty local cuisine along the way. Day 1: Cusco to Puno with stops Pick up from your hotel is at 630 AM to go to the tourist bus station in Puno. During the trip, enjoy a series of exciting stops at different centers and tourist attractions. Start with a 35-minute tour of the Andahuaylillas Sistine Chapel of America Temple and prepare to be amazed. Later, explore the Raqchi Archaeological Complex, before reaching Sicuani, where you can sit down to enjoy a buffet lunch at the restaurant. In the afternoon, visit the beautiful Paso la Raya, surrounded by snow-capped mountains. Explore the Pucará Lithic Museum. Arrival at your hotel in Puno in Puno they will be waiting for you to take you to the hotel. Day 2: Puno, Uros, Taquile, Cusco Your second day will start early with a 715 AM hotel pickup and a transfer to the Port of Puno. Board your boat and head to the Uros, where you will participate in a cultural demonstration that will allow you to discover the Uros way of life. Visit the Taquile Islands and get to know the local culture Take a beautiful walk and full of incredible photo opportunities. Pause for lunch in the afternoon at a local restaurant where there will be a local menu of fried trout and quinoa soup where you can see the life of the taquiles. Then, return to Puno in the afternoon, usually around 4 PM. Then you will return to the hotel where you can wait in the waiting room and go out for dinner on your own. At 915 PM, your transfer will arrive to take you to the bus station, boarding at 10 PM. Arrive at the Cusco terminal at 5 AM in the morning, and end of the tour. Here you can find taxis to your hotel.

From Puno: 1-Day Bus Ticket to Cusco With Stops

3. From Puno: 1-Day Bus Ticket to Cusco With Stops

Enjoy a 1-day transfer on a comfortable, modern bus from Puno to Cusco. Take stops along the way to see highlights of the region. Start with pickup from Puno and first travel to the Pukara Museum for a guided visit. Then, travel over the La Raya Pass at 4335 meters in altitude. Stop in Sicuani for a tasty buffet lunch. After lunch, visit Raqchi, also known as the Temple of Wiracocha, the important Incan leader. Afterwards, take a short guided tour of Checacupe district. Finally, make a stop at Andahuaylillas known as the “Sistine Chapel of the Americas”. Finally, arrive in Cusco in the late afternoon.

From Cusco: Full-Day Touristic Bus to Puno with Guided Tours

4. From Cusco: Full-Day Touristic Bus to Puno with Guided Tours

Depart bright and early from Cusco for a bus tour to Puno with gorgeous views of mountains, lakes, and historically sacred cities. Grab lunch in Sicuani and stop at the temples of Andahuaylillas and Raqchi, Raya Pass, and Pukara Lithic Museum for guided tours of these significant Peruvian landmarks. Settle in for the 10-hour tour across the southern corridor of the altiplano, the widest section of the Andes mountain range. Your first stop is St. Peter the Apostle of Andahuaylillas, a 16th-century church known as the Sistine Chapel of the Andes for its extravagant murals and gold embellishments. Next is the Inka temple of Raqchi where you’ll glimpse into the distant past and see what life was like for worshippers of the sun. After exploring the expansive grounds, break for a buffet lunch in the nearby town of Sicuani before continuing further south. Ascend to the Raya Pass at 4335 meters above sea level for panoramic views of the Andes. Take in the breathtaking landscape full of freshwater pools, snow-capped mountains, and vendors selling traditional souvenirs. Finally, visit the Lithic Museum in Pukara to learn about Inkan and Aymaran culture. See rare artifacts and wander through the museum’s archeological site to appreciate the region’s fascinating history. Each visit lasts from 20 to 40 minutes, giving you time to ask questions, take photos, and explore at your own pace. Once you arrive in Puno, you’ll part ways with the group and be transferred to your accommodation.

From Cusco: Lake Titicaca with a visit to Uros and Taquile

5. From Cusco: Lake Titicaca with a visit to Uros and Taquile

Discover the beauty of lake Titicaca and its islands on this 2-day tour from Cusco. Stay overnight in a comfortable 3-star hotel and enjoy delicious lunches. Learn about the local Taquile culture. Day One: Be picked up from your hotel and driven to the bus station to catch your bus to Puno. Sit back and relax on the scenic drive to the Andean Baroque Andahuaylillas church. Explore the rich artwork in this 16th century Jesuit church on a guided tour. Board the bus and head to the Incan archaeological complex of Raqchi. Walk through the complex to admire the ancient adobe and stonework. Continue to the city of Sicuani where you can enjoy a delectable buffet lunch. Drive to La Raya where you can take in breathtaking views of mountains that are considered sacred. Uncover the history of ancient cultures at the museum Litico Pukara before transferring to your accommodation in Puno to rest for the evening. Day Two: Start the day with pickup from your hotel and transportation to the Port of Puno. Hop aboard a boat and view the mountains and towns that line the shores of lake Titicaca as you cruise to the island of Uros. Take part in a cultural demonstration to gain a deeper understanding of the local Taquile culture. Follow your guide on a walking tour of the island. Have a lunch of fresh fried fish and quinoa cream at a local restaurant. Return to your hotel in Puno to rest or spend some free time exploring the area. Leave for Cusco at 9:30 PM and travel overnight to reach your accommodation in Cusco in the morning.

Lima: 9-Day Peru Express with Ica, Cusco, and Puno

6. Lima: 9-Day Peru Express with Ica, Cusco, and Puno

Day 1: Arrival in Lima, City Tour Your tour will begin as you are picked up from the airport, it is advisable to arrive in the morning. In the afternoon, you will take a city tour. That evening you will stay at the Miramar Hotel or similar in Lima. Day 2: Paracas, Ica, and Huacachina with Buggies and Sandboarding Visit the Ballestas Islands and Candelabrum, before a wine and Pisco demonstration in Ica city. Later that day, take part in riding buggies and sandboarding in Huacachina. That evening you will once again stay at the Miramar Hotel or similar in Lima. Day 3: Arrival to Cusco On your third day, you will arrive in Cusco, you will be transferred to the hotel then will have a free day for acclimatizing or visiting some places around the Cusco historical center. That evening you will lodge in the Ayni Cusco Hotel or similar. Day 4: Chinchero, Maras, and Moray in the Sacred Valley of the Incas Begin with a visit to the Chinchero textile center, before moving onward to the archaeological sites in Chinchero and Moray. Following that, you will tour the salt mines in Maras before taking the train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes, lodging at the Golden Sunrise Hotel or similar in Aguas Calientes. Day 5: Machu Picchu Inca Citadel On day 5 you will explore the breathtaking Machu Picchu, which is one of the Seven Wonders of the world. Following a full day at this sacred site. In the afternoon, take the train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo and arrive in Cusco by transportation, you will overnight at the Ayni Cusco Hotel or similar. Day 6: Humantay Lake On your sixth day, you will trek to Humantay Lake, which is close to the snowy Salkantay mountain, you will be able to know the first camp of the famous Salkantay trek. That evening you will once again lodge in the Ayni Cusco Hotel or similar. Day 7: Rainbow Mountain Trek to Rainbow Mountain, which is very close to the highest mountain of Cusco: the Ausangate Mountain, this is a famous place around Cusco. Following your day of hiking, you will return once more to the Ayni Cusco Hotel or similar overnight. Day 8: Route of the Sun On day 8 you will take a bus tour between Cusco and Puno. Throughout this journey, you will visit the Andahuaylillas Chapel, Raqchi Archaeological Complex, La Raya Pass, and the Lithic Museum of Pukara. That evening you will stay at the Qalasaya Hotel or similar. Day 9: Titicaca Lake and the Uros and Taquile Islands On the final day, you will take a speed boat tour of Lake Titicaca, before exploring the Uros and Taquile Islands. In the afternoon, you will transfer to the airport where your tour will conclude.

Cusco: The-Route-of-the-Sun Tour to Puno

7. Cusco: The-Route-of-the-Sun Tour to Puno

You will be picked up from your hotel in Cusco between 6:25AM to 6:45AM, at which point you should be ready and waiting at the door of your hotel or reception. From there, the first stop will be to the Sistine Chapel of America, Andahuaylillas. Following the chapel you'll head to the archaeological center of Raqchi, where you will have the opportunity to take photos. It will soon be time for a buffet lunch, which you will have 45 minutes to enjoy. Following lunch you'll arrive to the Lithic Museum of Pukara. Afterwards you will pass through Kalasasaya, following which you will arrive to Puno at approximately 5:00PM.

From Cusco: Puno and Uros Islands 2-Day Trip

8. From Cusco: Puno and Uros Islands 2-Day Trip

Travel to Puno on this 2-day trip from Cusco. Experience historic and scenic sights including Andahuaylillas, the Temple of the Wiracocha God, and La Raya. Ride to Uros Islands on a speedboat and a tour of the island of Taquile on day 2. Day 1: Cusco to Puno Start your day with pickup from your hotel in Cusco and transfer to the bus station for the tourist bus to Puno. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the journey with plenty of stops at attractions along the scenic route. Stop at Andahuaylillas to visit its beautiful chapel. Pause in Racchi to encounter the Temple of the Wiracocha God, then enjoy a lunch stop in beautiful La Raya. Continue your journey with a visit to the Pucará Site Museum. Arrive in Puno in the late afternoon. Enjoy a transfer from the bus station to your hotel accommodation, with the evening free to explore the city at your leisure. Day 2: Puno and the Floating Islands to Cusco Begin your day with pickup and transport to the pier for a speedboat journey to the Uros islands. Take a tour of these famous floating islands made of reeds. Enjoy a cruise on the highest navigable lake in the world to the remote island of Taquile. Take a guided tour of the island and its scenic viewpoints, before pausing for lunch in a local restaurant. After eating, begin your journey back to Puno. Take advantage of some free time to explore the city at your leisure. Enjoy some dinner in one of the city's many restaurants (own expense), before hopping on the night bus for the journey back to Cusco.

From Cusco: Cusco to Puno Shuttle & Guided Tour w/Box lunch

9. From Cusco: Cusco to Puno Shuttle & Guided Tour w/Box lunch

To begin our trip from Cusco to Puno, board the touristic bus that will take you through the wonderful Andes sceneries. First, stop in Andahuaylillas, a town located 40 kilometres from Cusco that has as its main attraction the Church of Andahuaylillas, nicknamed the ‘Sistine Chapel of America’, due to the impressive art found in it. After this, continue the route to Racchi, where the Wiracocha Temple is located, a surprising 30-meters wide by 20-meters high construction of rectangular shape. Have a tasty box lunch in Sicuani, followed by a brief stop in La Raya, the highest point between Puno and Cusco, over 4,313 metres above sea level. Then, arrive at the town of Pucara, where the Pucara Lithic Museum is located. Developed between the years 100 and 300 AC, this town was the first proper urban settlement of the lacustrine highlands. Finally, arrive in the city of Puno.

From Puno: Aramu Muru, Chucuito, and Inca Uyo Trip

10. From Puno: Aramu Muru, Chucuito, and Inca Uyo Trip

Our tour to Aramu Muru does interesting stops on the way. The first stop is in Chucuito village a colonial town, near is The Temple of Inca Uyo which has more than 20 penises carved in stone, probably related with the fertility. Then we'll be passing towards some Inca Tombs known as Molloco Chullpas After doing the visit, we will continue to Aramu Muru gate located in a fantastic place among rocky formations, the tour includes a short hiking around. Total time: 04:30 hours approx from start to finish.

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What people are saying about Puno Region

Overall rating

4.2 / 5

based on 123 reviews

soy mexicana y mi esposo canadiense la experiencia desde el inicio hasta el final es increíble y magnifica claro hay costos extras como el taxi de terminal del bus al hotel el ultimo día es el único que pague extra pero lo recomiendo al 100% el hotel en puno es muy acogedor las zonas son muy tranquilas es recomendable ya que las personas de ahí son muy amables y muy comprometedoras con su trabajo los lugares como taquile y titicaca son increíbles vale la pena viajar a este lugar más con esta agencia que están en cusco en especial a Americo quien tiene toda la logística para un buen servicio se los recomiendo.

This was a great tour! Henry did a fantastic job - he shared tons of interesting information about everything we saw and also kept the various itineraries of the group in mind. One caveat I would provide is that this was the first tour we had done in the area, and I can imagine that some of the stops made might not interest people who have already had their fill of alpacas, the beautiful mountains, etc.

Really great ! In addition we had the pleasant surprise of having a guide who spoke French. He accompanied us really well and explained things, he even offered us a traditional restaurant in the evening, it was great! Thanks to José and the super driver Popeye!

Suitable for the family considering the altitude. Regular stops which allow us to make the journey shorter and with a very interesting and pleasant approach to the environment. Walk adapted in time and difficulty with children! Great guide! Thank you Patricia!

We were lucky enough to do this tour with Henry, the best guide we've had on our entire Peru trip. Friendly, very good at explaining and makes everything very enjoyable. The views of the Colca, the volcanoes and the fauna are highly recommended.