Things to do in Puno
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Top 10 attractions in Puno
Lake Titicaca
Lake Titicaca straddles the Collao Plateau on the border of Peru and Bolivia, with an altitude of approx. 3,800 m. It is a rare, large, high-altitude navigable freshwater lake in the world, often known as the Pearl of the Plateau. Although located inland, its water is not salty, and despite its high altitude, it never freezes. The crisp, thin air of the plateau and the light, which is closer to the sun's true color, make the lake surface appear even bluer than the sky. The origin of the lake's name is debated, but a widely circulated theory is that it is derived from the local language for Rock of the Puma. A highly recognizable experience here is the reed floating islands of the Uros people: hundreds of years ago, this small tribe moved onto the lake to escape the encroachment of the Inca Empire, creating floating islands using layers of bundled reed roots and stalks. Today, there are still hundreds of floating islands on the lake, where thousands of Uros people have lived for generations. On the islands, reeds are almost everything in life—houses, boats, and beds are all built from reeds, and the tender stems of the reeds, playfully called lake bananas by the islanders, can be eaten directly, with the craft of building with reeds passed down from generation to generation.Puno · 74 km from downtown
Uros Floating Islands
The Uros Floating Islands float on the blue waves of Lake Titicaca and are one of the most legendary cultural wonders in South America. Hundreds of years ago, the Uros people used cattails and reeds to weave movable floating islands to escape the war and build a peaceful water home. Today, these golden floating islands have become a window to explore the secrets of Andean civilization. Visitors can take a traditional cattail boat to leisurely travel among them, step on the soft but tough reed ground, and feel the unique touch of "squeaking" with every step. Watching the islanders cut cattail root bricks, tie the foundation, and build floating islands is a vivid experience. But if you want to immerse yourself deeply, you might as well stay in a reed hut, fall asleep on the lake waves, and watch the morning sun gild the floating islands in the morning, as if it were a paradise. This floating cattail kingdom is not only a living museum of Andean civilization, but also a long poem on the lake about perseverance and tolerance.Puno · 5.9 km from downtown
Sillustani
The Sillustani Funeral Towers are an important archaeological site located approximately 34 km northwest of Puno, Peru, and are famous for their cylindrical stone towers called "Chullpas". These towers were used by the Coya and Inca civilizations to bury their nobility, and they showcase the exquisite stonework skills of the ancient Andes. The site is located on the shores of Lake Umayo, surrounded by beautiful scenery, with lakes and mountains complementing each other. It takes about 40 minutes to drive from downtown Puno to reach Sillustani. Visitors are advised to visit in the early morning or evening to avoid the strong midday sun and enjoy more comfortable temperatures. When hiking the site, it is recommended to wear comfortable shoes and bring sunscreen and drinking water. This is not only a witness to history, but also a paradise for photography enthusiasts to capture the magnificent views of the lake and the towers.Puno · 19.7 km from downtown
Mirador Puma Uta
Puno · 2.3 km from downtown
Cerrito Huajsapata
Puno · 1.1 km from downtown
Arco Deústua
Puno · 979m from downtown
Chullpas de Molloco
Puno · 32.6 km from downtown
Iglesia de San Juan Bautista
Puno · 746m from downtown
Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain
Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain is located near Ausangate Mountain, with an elevation of approx. 5,200 m. The layered, colorful stripes on the mountain are its iconic view—red, yellow, green, white, brown, and other color bands spread parallel across the mountainside. These colors originate from sedimentary rock layers with different mineral compositions: iron-bearing clay rocks appear red and ochre, sulfur-containing minerals give the layers a yellow hue, and chlorite brings shades of green. The rock layers, deposited in a shallow marine environment tens of millions of years ago, were exposed on the surface as tilted stripes after being folded and uplifted by the Andean orogeny and subjected to long-term weathering and erosion. Along the way, you can often encounter herds of llamas and alpacas grazing in the mountain meadows, and when the weather is clear, you can also enjoy a distant view of the glacier-capped summit of Ausangate Mountain.Peru · Quispicanchi Province
Amantani Island
Puno · 1.4 km from downtown
Experiences you can't miss in Puno
Featured Day tours in Puno
View all Day tours![1-day tour to Lake Titicaca in Puno, Peru [includes speedboat, traditional lunch and hotel transfer]](https://ak-d.tripcdn.com/images/0356712000sqrwx372746_C_568_320.jpg?_fr=wc)
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![1-day tour to Lake Titicaca in Puno, Peru [Hotel pickup + Cruise]](https://ak-d.tripcdn.com/images/10081f000001gqguz54F9_C_568_320.jpg?_fr=wc)
![1-day tour of Lake Titicaca in Puno, Peru [includes speedboating + traditional lunch + hotel transfer]](https://ak-d.tripcdn.com/images//0582812000n0gxu233CD5_C_568_320.jpg?_fr=wc)
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Featured Outdoor experiences in Puno
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Free things to do in Puno
Lake Titicaca
Puno · 74 km from downtownUros Floating Islands
Puno · 5.9 km from downtownSillustani
Puno · 19.7 km from downtownMirador Puma Uta
Puno · 2.3 km from downtownCerrito Huajsapata
Puno · 1.1 km from downtownArco Deústua
Puno · 979m from downtownChullpas de Molloco
Puno · 32.6 km from downtownIglesia de San Juan Bautista
Puno · 746m from downtownVinicunca Rainbow Mountain
Peru · Quispicanchi ProvinceAmantani Island
Puno · 1.4 km from downtown
What travellers say about Puno
M25***40April 19, 2021
4.0
The Titicaca Lake on the Copacabana side is quieter and less commercialized than the Puno side. However, the weather was not very good during the two nights we stayed in Copacabana, so we did not take a boat tour of the lake. It was still beautiful to watch from the shore, but the wind was a bit strong.
Lake Titicaca
coo***anApril 23, 2020
5.0
Our boat picked us up at the hotel dock and sailed through the reeds to the Uros floating islands. We went ashore for an hour or so and heard some stories about how the islands were built and maintained, we visited some houses and talked to some locals. Of course, there was also a chance to pick some textiles. We sailed to another island in a traditional reed boat, which cost a few dollars but was well worth it. It was the beginning of a beautiful day on the lake.
Uros Floating Islands
泰宁根吴承恩May 2, 2020
5.0
Driving to the ruins, the scenery along the way is very beautiful. The ruins are a noble or royal cemetery with a very long history. While the scenery here in the cemetery is very beautiful, the feeling of desolation also makes people feel deeply.
Sillustani
M32***23April 23, 2020
5.0
Located between Puno and Lake Titicaca! It's a short walk from the main road, but if you don't know it, you'll miss it and you won't think there's such a wonderful place ahead! I think it's a place that few tourists go... There's a swimming pool! The pool was not very early, so I stopped the car to take pictures. I was able to go in and out freely without a door! Recommend it because it offers a panoramic view of Lake Titicaca and the city of the pool!
Mirador Puma Uta
星級旅行家March 14, 2023
5.0
Peru is a country in South America, located on the Pacific coast, adjacent to Colombia, Ecuador, Brazil, Bolivia, and Chile. It is rich in cultural heritage and natural landscapes, one of the most famous attractions being Rainbow Mountain.
Rainbow Mountain is located in the Andes Mountains in southern Peru. It is 5,200 meters high and is famous for its colorful mountains. This peculiar landscape was formed due to the movement of the earth's crust caused by the minerals and mud in the mountain.
Rainbow Mountain's name comes from its unique color. There are many different color bands on the mountain, including red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, etc. The best tourist season is from June to August every year, because the weather is sunny at this time and the colors on the mountains are the most vivid.
In addition to Rainbow Mountain, Peru has many other attractions worth visiting, such as the ancient city of Machu Picchu, the Nazca Lines, the Amazon Rainforest, and more.
Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain
