Day Itinerary
15 Activities
Day 1
27 mi4 mi
The Islands of the Ancient Civilisations
On this day, you will visit the city of Puno and travel through time and space to some of the islands in Lake Titicaca. It will truly be a journey back in time as the aborigines who inhabit these islands keep their traditions and way of life intact.
You will step on floating islands that are more than 6 meters deep, you will travel in their canoes made of the local Totora. You will see their huts made of this material and learn many of their secrets.
Furthermore, you will visit an island with a very special temple, one that fulfils the wishes of those who go around it three times. This is one of the highest islands in the world above sea level, where the Aimara people once lived and where their descendants live today. Immerse yourself in the heart of a little known civilization.
I suggest you make all reservations in advance. I suggest you call the hotel to check if it is possible to use the hotel garage before check-in so that you can leave your car there for the whole time you are walking around.
You will step on floating islands that are more than 6 meters deep, you will travel in their canoes made of the local Totora. You will see their huts made of this material and learn many of their secrets.
Furthermore, you will visit an island with a very special temple, one that fulfils the wishes of those who go around it three times. This is one of the highest islands in the world above sea level, where the Aimara people once lived and where their descendants live today. Immerse yourself in the heart of a little known civilization.
I suggest you make all reservations in advance. I suggest you call the hotel to check if it is possible to use the hotel garage before check-in so that you can leave your car there for the whole time you are walking around.
05:55
Juliaca
Hello!
Thank you for choosing this route!!
It's very important to leave early in the morning as most of the boats to the islands depart from Puno at 7:30 hs.
26.9 mi
1 hr
07:005 min
Aparcamiento en Puno
Parking
Open Details
Welcome to Puno!!
I recommend you to leave your car here, as it's a safe place and, from here, you can get to the port quickly, as the boats leave early at 07:30 hs.
Also, you can call in advance to the hotel and ask them if you can leave the car en their parking lot (although it might not be included in the hotel expenses outside the check-in time, it's worthed to leave the car in the same parking lot while you're visiting Puno and the islands as well).
Also, you can call in advance to the hotel and ask them if you can leave the car en their parking lot (although it might not be included in the hotel expenses outside the check-in time, it's worthed to leave the car in the same parking lot while you're visiting Puno and the islands as well).
0.9 mi
20 min
07:3010 min
Faro Titicaca Puno
Open Details
From the car park, if there are two of you, you can take a tuc-tuc (It's a three-wheeled scooter with a covered compartment). You can take them by simply waving to the driver, if it is empty. There are no prearranged stops.
Or you can take a taxi or walk.
I recommend you to get to the lighthouse, further on is where the boats with different itineraries leave.
I recommend you to take the boat trip that visits the Uros Islands and the Amantani Island. On the pier you'll find different transport companies that can take you to these islands and back.
I recommend you to get to the lighthouse, further on is where the boats with different itineraries leave.
I recommend you to take the boat trip that visits the Uros Islands and the Amantani Island. On the pier you'll find different transport companies that can take you to these islands and back.
0.1 mi
5 min
08:0010 min
Puerto Muelle puno
Museum
Open Details
While you wait for the boats to leave (look carefully at the dock where the company tells you they are leaving) you can take some photos from the dock overlooking the imposing Lake Titicaca.
08:302 hrs 30 min
Islas de Los Uros
Landmark
Open Details
The totora reed islands are something incredible. Made entirely of this natural material. They have to maintain them constantly. I found it marvellous, I can't imagine what it's like living in a place like that.
One of the aborigines, who lived there, told me something that got engraved in my mind.... "Here you learn that you need to go lightweight in life, without having too many material things, because if you have too much, you sink." Of course, being on a floating island, this can be interpreted as a practical fact. But he said it in another sense, in a more philosophical sense, and it always helped me to visualise that moment.
I recommend you to ask the people of the island to get a ride from one island to another on a totora reed raft. I strongly recommend you try it... sailing in the silence of those waters, without a motor and with the gentle rocking of the canoe is a very relaxing and enchanting experience.
One of the aborigines, who lived there, told me something that got engraved in my mind.... "Here you learn that you need to go lightweight in life, without having too many material things, because if you have too much, you sink." Of course, being on a floating island, this can be interpreted as a practical fact. But he said it in another sense, in a more philosophical sense, and it always helped me to visualise that moment.
I recommend you to ask the people of the island to get a ride from one island to another on a totora reed raft. I strongly recommend you try it... sailing in the silence of those waters, without a motor and with the gentle rocking of the canoe is a very relaxing and enchanting experience.
12:0015 min
Puerto de Amantaní - Occosuyo
Open Details
This is the port where the boats that transport tourists to the island usually dock (there is another pier on the other side of the island).
Keep an eye out for Los Gentiles (The Gentile ones). We were told that the island is home to these magical tiny creatures ("they are like people, but in miniature" they explained). They can't be seen, but their houses, which consist of tiny huts about 60 centimetres high, can be seen.
It's said that a very luxurious hotel on the island had several of these "gentile houses" in an area of their land, and when they wanted to clean the area to use it for other purposes, the workers began to die for no apparent reason. In the end, the hotel left the houses intact and closed the area so that no one could pass through.
Keep an eye out for Los Gentiles (The Gentile ones). We were told that the island is home to these magical tiny creatures ("they are like people, but in miniature" they explained). They can't be seen, but their houses, which consist of tiny huts about 60 centimetres high, can be seen.
It's said that a very luxurious hotel on the island had several of these "gentile houses" in an area of their land, and when they wanted to clean the area to use it for other purposes, the workers began to die for no apparent reason. In the end, the hotel left the houses intact and closed the area so that no one could pass through.
0.1 mi
5 min
12:301 hr
Titicaca lodge
Lodging
Open Details
I recommend you to have lunch at this great hotel.
You'll find that the restaurant is very nice, cosy, the food is excellent and above all this, it has a beautiful view to the lake.
Bon appétit!
Open daily from 07:00 to 20:00 hs. You can see more information here. For reservations at the restaurant, please call +51 900 509 896.
Bon appétit!
Open daily from 07:00 to 20:00 hs. You can see more information here. For reservations at the restaurant, please call +51 900 509 896.
14:0030 min
Centro Ceremonial Pachatata
Open Details
Undoubtedly one of the most important places on the island is this, the ceremonial centre in honour of the Pachatata (there is another ceremonial centre in honour of Pachamama nearby).
As you climb slowly, bear in mind that this is one of the highest islands in the world, as the lake is 4000 metres above sea level and the highest part of the island is 1500 metres above lake level.
The views from here are breathtaking. I was lucky enough to see a sunset here, with the snow-capped Bolivian mountain range in the background..... Simply magical.
You cannot enter the temple, as it's reserved for the rituals of the locals. According to what they say, you have to walk around the temple 3 times and make a wish, which will be granted. I did it and it came true! (No, sorry, I can't tell you what I wished for... hahaha... it's top secret! ).
As we ascended we saw many pre-Inca walls. Formerly this area was inhabited by the Aimara, an ancient civilization whose descendants continue to inhabit the island and preserve many of their traditions.
As you climb slowly, bear in mind that this is one of the highest islands in the world, as the lake is 4000 metres above sea level and the highest part of the island is 1500 metres above lake level.
The views from here are breathtaking. I was lucky enough to see a sunset here, with the snow-capped Bolivian mountain range in the background..... Simply magical.
You cannot enter the temple, as it's reserved for the rituals of the locals. According to what they say, you have to walk around the temple 3 times and make a wish, which will be granted. I did it and it came true! (No, sorry, I can't tell you what I wished for... hahaha... it's top secret! ).
As we ascended we saw many pre-Inca walls. Formerly this area was inhabited by the Aimara, an ancient civilization whose descendants continue to inhabit the island and preserve many of their traditions.
1.2 mi
40 min
15:3015 min
Iglesia San Antonio Abad de Amantaní
Church
Open Details
If at any moment you feel agitated, with a headache or shortness of breath, it is quite normal....
That's exactly what happened to me, when I first arrived at this square, and then something quite peculiar happened. A local who saw me feeling unwell, came up to us carrying a small bundle of herbs. He told me to rub it and smell it. It may sound implausible, but after a short while of smelling the plant, I began to feel better. While I was recovering, the good man suddenly left, and we never got to know what that herb was that made me feel better.
When I recovered, I was able to enjoy the square, which is very quiet and has beautiful views.
I recommend you take your time to get used to it and enjoy the place.
That's exactly what happened to me, when I first arrived at this square, and then something quite peculiar happened. A local who saw me feeling unwell, came up to us carrying a small bundle of herbs. He told me to rub it and smell it. It may sound implausible, but after a short while of smelling the plant, I began to feel better. While I was recovering, the good man suddenly left, and we never got to know what that herb was that made me feel better.
When I recovered, I was able to enjoy the square, which is very quiet and has beautiful views.
I recommend you take your time to get used to it and enjoy the place.
1 mi
40 min
16:3010 min
Circulo Ceremonial Pachamama
Open Details
In my opinion, the ceremonial circle of Pachamama is even more magical than that of Pachatata, the views, the mysticism of the place ..... I don't know, I just found it more interesting, even though I didn't see the sunset from here, I was captivated by the surroundings.
To get there, there are roads with signs showing the direction. However, the island is very small and you will always find locals walking their animals, you can ask them simply by mentioning the name of where you want to go.
To get there, there are roads with signs showing the direction. However, the island is very small and you will always find locals walking their animals, you can ask them simply by mentioning the name of where you want to go.
17:3015 min
Puerto de Amantaní - Occosuyo
Open Details
As I told you at the beginning, depending on the port where you disembark upon arrival, you will set off again to return to Puno. Generally the transport boats leave at approximately 17:30 hs. But check with the transport company in advance what time you should return to the port to take the boat back to Puno.
18:0010 min
Puerto Muelle puno
Museum
Open Details
Once back in the port of Puno you will probably find the artisan stalls open, a good place to get quality handicrafts.
0.9 mi
20 min
18:3045 min
RUPHA CAFE
Café
Open Details
I recommend you take a tuc-tuc or taxi from the port to this café where real delicacies await you!
The cafeteria is on the first floor. There you can try or buy, some of the typical local sweets, such as Quinoa Pudding or Quinoa Crème Brûlée. Open Hours: Monday to Wednesday from 06:00 to 21:00 hs. Thursday to Saturday from 06:00 to 20:30 hs. Sundays from 11:00 to 19:00 hs.
If you want to know more, click here.
The cafeteria is on the first floor. There you can try or buy, some of the typical local sweets, such as Quinoa Pudding or Quinoa Crème Brûlée. Open Hours: Monday to Wednesday from 06:00 to 21:00 hs. Thursday to Saturday from 06:00 to 20:30 hs. Sundays from 11:00 to 19:00 hs.
If you want to know more, click here.
0.2 mi
5 min
19:3015 min
Plaza Mayor de Puno
Park
Open Details
The main square of Puno, one of the most emblematic places of the city, where the beautiful cathedral of Puno is located.
There are usually craft stalls here on some days of the week. It is also a typical meeting place for locals.
Wander here to enjoy the beauty of the cathedral and the surrounding streets, and talk to the locals for the most local experience and the most interesting stories about the city!
There are usually craft stalls here on some days of the week. It is also a typical meeting place for locals.
Wander here to enjoy the beauty of the cathedral and the surrounding streets, and talk to the locals for the most local experience and the most interesting stories about the city!
0.2 mi
5 min
20:001 hr 30 min
La Casona Restaurant
Restaurant
Open Details
I suggest you walk along Lima street, which is the most important shopping street in Puno. It is pedestrianised and has several places where you can sit down for a drink or dinner.
At this restaurant. You'll enjoy delicious dishes and you'll be served very cordially.
Open every day from 12:00 to 21:30 hs. You can make reservations here..
At this restaurant. You'll enjoy delicious dishes and you'll be served very cordially.
Open every day from 12:00 to 21:30 hs. You can make reservations here..
0.2 mi
5 min
21:4510 hrsHotels
Sol Plaza Hotel
8.9
You'll find it's a very elegant hotel and also very well located, near the main square of Puno. It has a lot of comforts, the rooms are spacious. We had a room with large windows and the bathroom had a great bathtub!
So we were able to take a nice hot bath after an exhausting day. I highly recommend it!
You'll also find that the staff is very friendly.
If you check with them before arriving in Puno about car parking, they may allow you to leave your car in their garage for the whole day, although you might have to pay a little extra for it, it'll be worthed.
Check-in is from 13:00 hs. Check-out until 11:00 hs. Remember to make all your reservations in advance.
Have a good night!
:)
If you check with them before arriving in Puno about car parking, they may allow you to leave your car in their garage for the whole day, although you might have to pay a little extra for it, it'll be worthed.
Check-in is from 13:00 hs. Check-out until 11:00 hs. Remember to make all your reservations in advance.
Have a good night!
:)