The department of Puno is located in the south eastern
region of the county on the Collao plateau, on the shore
of Lake Titicaca.
Area
71 999 km2
Altitude
820 masl (lanlacuni bajo) Lowest town. 4 725 masl (San
Antonio de Esquilache) highest town.
Capital
Puno (3 827 masl)
Average annual temperature
8º C (19º C maximum and 2º C minimum). Rainy season:
December to March.
Access Routes
By land
The most recommended is the Lima-Arequipa-Juliaca-Puno
route (1 302 km) which takes about 24 h drive.
By air
There are daily flights to Juliaca from Lima (about 1 h
45 minutes) and from Arequipa (about 45 minutes).
Férrea
Trains offer service from Cusco to Puno
Historical Overview
Puno was the birthplace of one of the most important pre-Inca
cultures, the Tiahuanaco, the most advanced civilization
of the ancient Aymara people, who left monumental ruins
which continue to arouse wonder and admiration even
today.
Legend tells that the first Inca, Manco Cápac, and his
wife Mama Ocllo, emerged from Lake Titicaca, and were
entrusted by their father, the Sun God, to found the
Inca Empire or Tawantinsuyo which was divided into four
regions. One of such regions was Collasuyo, today Puno,
which stretched across the Collao plateau.
When the Spaniards arrived in Cusco in the mid-16th
century, they found tremendous mineral wealth,
especially gold and silver. In the 1 660s, a bloody
internal struggles arose over the possession of the
important Laikakota mine, one league from modern Puno,
which forced the Viceroy, the Count of Lemos, to travel
to the area to bring peace. His visit led to the
creation, on November 4th, 1 668, of what is today the
city of Puno.
There, Spanish priests eager to convert the indigenous
population built beautiful churches which blended
Christian styles with the imagination and skill of the
local people into a new mestizo style.
Attractions in the City
The Cathedral
Main Square. Visits: Monday to Sunday 7:30-12:00 and 15:00-18:00.
Built of stone in the seventeenth century by the
Peruvian master stonemason Simon de Asto, whose name is
inscribed in the portal, the Baroque cathedral is an
example of local mestizo architecture.
Balcony of the Count of Lemos Corner of Deustua and Conde de Lemos streets.
No visitors allowed.
It is said that the Viceroy, the Count of Lemos, stayed
in this house when he arrived in Puno in 1 668.
Dreyer Municipal Museum Conde de Lemos 289.
Visits: Monday to Friday 7:30-15:30.
The museum's collections include pre-Inca and Inca
ceramics, gold, weavings and stone sculptures, as well
as stamps and documents on the history of the Spanish
foundation of Puno.
The Deustua Arch Jr. Independencia block 1.
Built of carved stone by the people of Puno in memory of
the patriots who fought for Independence.
Huajsapata Hill Located west of the city, four blocks from the Main
Square. On its peak, where a monument to the Inca Manco
stands, visitors can enjoy a lovely panoramic view of
the city of Puno and Lake Titicaca.
Outskirts of the City
Lake Titicaca
Situated 10 blocks from Puno's Main Square and about 7
minutes walk, Titicaca is the highest navigable lake in
the world (3 810 masl), with an area of approximately 8
560 km2, a length of 194 km and an average width of 65
km In places where its depths exceed 25 m, its colors
range from deep blue to, in its shallow reaches, the
pale green of aquatic plants.
From the lakeside port in Puno, excursions can be made
to islands such as:
Uros
Located 4 km from Puno and about 20 minutes motorboat
ride. The original inhabitants of these floating islands
are said to descend from one of the most ancient peoples
of the Americas. Their dwellings made of totora reed are
built on the surface of Lake Titicaca.
Taquile
Located 35 km from the city of Puno and about 3 h
motorboat ride. This island is treasured for its great
ethnic and cultural value. Their people mantain their
ancient cultural traditions, especially their weaving.
Tourists wishing to stay the night are lodged in the
homes of local families.
Amantaní
Located 37 km from the port of Puno and about 4 h 30
minutes motorboat ride, this island is also important
for its ethnic and cultural value.
Sillustani
Located 28 km north of the city of Puno and about 30
minutes drive, on the shores of Umayo Lagoon, this
island houses archaeological monuments in the shape of
conical stone towers called chullpas, with varying
heights from 10 to 13 m.
Pucará
Located 101 km north of Puno and about 1 h 45 minutes
drive this village has won fame for its pottery,
especially its Toritos de Pucará (bull figures)
Chucuito
Located 18 km south of Puno and about 30 minutes drive,
this is one of the oldest towns in the area. Its
beautiful main square, the Church of the Asunción (1601)
and the Church of Santo Domingo (sixteenth century) gave
it great importance during colonial times. The temple of
Inca Uyo, featuring stone sculptures in the shape of a
phallus, is located in the outskirts of Chucuito and is
believed to be a place for fertility rites.
Ilave
Located 56 km south of the city of Puno and about 1 h
drive, Ilave has interesting Colonial churches such as
San Miguel de Ilave and Santa Bárbara.
Juli
Located 84 km south of Puno and about 1 h 25 minutes
drive, Juli was key district for Jesuits who established
themselves in this locality and organized a model
experimental center to train missionaries for Paraguay
and Bolivia. Among its most important churches are San
Juan de Letrán, San Pedro Mártir and Santa Cruz de
Jerusalén, and the Casa de la Inquisición, or Casa
Zavala, in the Main Square.
Pomata
Located 108 km south of Puno and about 1 h 30 minutes
drive, this village has a beautiful view of the Lake and
the Copacabana peninsula, as well as an example of pure
mestizo architecture, the Church of Santiago Apóstol.
Putina Hot Springs
Visits: Tuesday to Sunday 8:00-21:00.
Located 124 km north of the city of Puno and about 3 h
30 minutes drive, these hot springs, with medicinal
properties to cure arthritis and rheumatism, are located
in the district of Putina.
OTHER PLACES OF INTEREST
Cala-Cala Vicuña Reserve.
Folkore
The folklore of Puno is characterized by the variety of
its musical expressions which comprise dance, music and
Peruvian traditions. The most important Puno dances
include wifala de asillo, carnival of Ichu, Llamerada,
Pujllay de Santiago, tuntuna, khashua de Capachica,
machu-tusuj, kcajelo, diablada and pandilla puneña.
Handicrafts
The most remarkable Puno handicrafts include alpaca,
llama and sheep woolen garnments. Visitors can buy a
number of musical instruments typical of the region such
as siku and charango. Toritos de Pucará (bull figures)
are highly appreciated for their excellent quality.
Gastronomy
Typical dishes: - Cancacho (roasted suckling or lamb marinated in
chili and oil). - Pesque de quinua (very nutritious quinua cheese).
- Chairo (soup prepared with beef and lamb meat,
potatoes, lima beans, pumpkin, cabbage, potato flour,
wheat and chalona or cured lamb meat).
Festivities
Feast of the Virgin of la Candelaria (February)
The most important religious festivity in Puno, during
which masses, banquets and a colorful procession are
held.
This feast is related to the pre-Hispanic agrarian rites
of sowing and harvesting as well as to the mining
activity.
Services
Airports
Aeropuerto Internacional Inca Manco Capac.
Av. Aviación s/n urb. Santa Adriana, Juliaca.
Phone: (054) 32-8974 / 32-2905.
Open: L-V 6:00-16:00.
Transport By land
Terminal By land, Puno.
Jr. Primero de Mayo Cdra. 6, Barrio Magisterial.
Actualmente se encuentran empresas de Transport entre el
Jr. Melgar cdra. 2 y 3; Av. El Puerto cdra. 2 y el Jr.
Tacna cdra. 3.
Railroad Transport
PeruRail Corp.
Av. La Torre 224, Puno
Phone: (054) 35-1041 / 36-9174
Plaza Bolognesi s/n, Juliaca
Phone: (054) 32-1112 / 32-1811 / 32-1036
E-mail:
reservas@perurail.com
http://www.perurail.com
Health Centers
Puno.
Hospital Nacional Manuel Nuñez Butrón.
Av. El Sol 1022.
Phone: (054) 36-9286 / 35-1021 / 35-2931.
24 hour service
San Román.
Hospital Carlos Monge Medrano.
Carretera Huancané km 2, Juliaca.
Phone: (054) 32-1901 / 32-1131 / 32-5327.
24 hour service
Police Stations
Puno. Región Policial XII, Puno.
Phone: (054) 35-3988.
24 hour service
Policía de Turismo.
Phone: (054) 36-4806.
San Román.
Comisaría Policía Nacional del Perú, Juliaca. Jr. Ramón Castilla 722.
Phone: (054) 32-1591.
24 hour service
Handicrafts Markets
Puno. Mercado Artesanal.
Calle Los Incas y Cahuide.
Open: Monday to Sunday 8:00-18:00.
San Roman.
Centro Artesanal Original Folk Art.
Aeropuerto Internacional Inca Manco Capac, Juliaca.
Phone: (074) 32-2905.
Post Office
Puno. Jr. Moquegua 269.
Phone: (054) 35-1141.
Open: Monday to Saturday 8:00-20:00, D 8:00-15:00.
San Roman.
Intersección calle Sandia y calle Ladislao Butron s/n,
Juliaca.
Phone: (054) 32-1391.
Open: Monday to Saturday 8:00-20:00, D 8:00-15:00.
tourist information and assistance
Peru features a tourist information and assistance
service called iPerú where visitors can ask about
official tourist information on Peru, as well as
assistance if the tourist feels the service paid for was
not provided as advertised.
E-mail:
iperu@promperu.gob.pe
Lima Aeropuerto Internacional Jorge Chávez
Arrival lounge / main hall
Phone/fax: (01) 574-8000 / 574-6900
24-hour service
E-mail:
sptijch@indecopi.gob.pe
San Isidro
Jorge Basadre 610, Lima 27.
Phone: (01) 421-1583 / 421-1227 / 421-1627 / 421-1546.
Open: Monday to Sunday 9:00-18:00
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