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Puno, Titicaca
THE WORLD’S HIGHEST NAVIGABLE LAKE, ORIGIN OF LEGENDS AND MYTHS
At 3800 m above sea level lies Puno, cradle of the Aymara civilization, and birthplace of the founder of the Inca Empire, Manco Capac. Puno lies on the shores of Lake Titicaca, the world’s highest navigable lake situated on top of an immense plateau between Peru and Bolivia, in the middle of the Andean mountains. The most beautiful myths and Peruvian legends find their origin in it. Nations, such as Tiwanaku, Aymaras and Inca developed outstanding cultures on her shores, and considered the lake as the father of the sun and the moon.
The Uros were the first who colonized the reed regions in the lake; on their floating islands they developed an own culture that precedes the big civilizations that flourished up and around the lake. Today they still depend on the resources of the lake for their living, and just as their ancestors did centuries ago, they rest, hunt, gather and build floating islands.
30 km northeast of Titicaca Lake lies the very beautiful transparent Umayo Lake. On top of a hill, overlooking the lake lies one of the most extended pre-Inca burial-places of the high plateau, called Sillustani. The impressive chullpas, or burial-towers whose cylindrical forms are perfect, once served as the tombs of Aymara and Inca nobles. The surrounding scenery is splendid.
Three hours from Puno by boat lies the Island of Taquile. The inhabitants still maintain their ancestral customs. Also the coca leaf continues playing a fundamental roll in the life of the islanders. Taquile is the only village where the tradition of men weavers still lasts and who’s ancestral technique stays. North of Taquile lies the Island of Amantani. Apart from the agriculture, fishing and trade with the villages of the mainland, the islander spends the days weaving their very famous straw baskets. Staying overnight on one of these islands is an unforgettable experience.
Surrounding the lake, the many colonial villages with their ornate and luxurious churches display a very rich past during colonial times. Puno is considered the Capital of the Peruvian Folklore and its feast ‘The Virgin of the Candelaria' is a formidable sample of art textile, dances and Andean music that lasts three days. The city can be reached by air, bus or train.
Those mountains were their gods; gods with whom they could communicate and implore favours. Although those gods were at the same time the cause of disasters and tragedies. For this reason during the construction of Machu Picchu at a place full of danger, the Inca’s felt even more need to find flavour with the divine powers, and they made that through rites and worships.
* From Puno you can travel to Cusco, Arequipa and Bolivie.
* Puno can be reached by bus, train and plane
*If you are interested in one of these tours, go to our contact form
Programs
PUN 001
LEGENDARY PUNO 2 DAYS / 1 NICHT
DAY 1 / PUNO – UROS - PUNO
Upon arrival reception, assistance and transfer to the hotel. Afternoon tour on Lake Titicaca to the floating reed islands where the Uro community lives. Today they still depend on the resources of the lake for their living, and just as their ancestors did centuries ago, they rest, hunt, gather and build floating islands.
DAY 2 / PUNO – SILLUSTANI
Morning excursion to the very beautiful transparent Umayo Lake. On top of a hill, overlooking the lake lies one of the most extended pre-Inca burial-places of the high plateau, called Sillustani. Departure transfer. (B)
*Daily departure.
PUN 002
TAQUILE ISLAND
Three hours from Puno by boat lies the Island of Taquile. The inhabitants still maintain their ancestral customs. Also the coca leaf continues playing a fundamental roll in the life of the islanders. Taquile is the only village where the tradition of men weavers still lasts and who’s ancestral technique stays. Box lunch included.
* Daily.
* Optional overnight with full board.
PUN 003
AMANTANI ISLAND
North of Taquile lies the Island of Amantani. Apart from the agriculture, fishing and trade with the villages of the mainland, the islander spends the days weaving his very famous straw baskets. Staying overnight on this islands is an unforgettable experience. Box lunch included.
* Daily.
* Optional overnight with full board.
*If you are interested in one of these tours, go to our contact form
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