LOCATION

The department of Puno is located in the south eastern region of the country. It has a rough topography with most of its cities located in the Sierra. It limits to the north with Madre de Dios, to the south with Tacna, to the east with Bolivia, and to the west with Cusco, Arequipa and Moquegua.

Temperatures fluctuate widely during day and night. The best time to visit the area is from May to October, when days are sunny, rain showers infrequent and daytime temperatures often topping 25°C. Temperatures plunge to nearly freezing at night, however.

The capital is Puno, located on the shores of Lake Titicaca and at 3,827 m.a.s.l. (12,555 ft). Juliaca, Azángaro, Huancané, Lampa and Yunguyo are among the most important cities.

BRIEF HISTORICAL REFERENCE

In ancient times, the Collao plateau was inhabited by Aymara groups (Collas, Zapanas, Kallahuayos and Lupacas). The Quechuas came later.

According to chronicler Garcilazo de la Vega, these ancient times coincide with the legend of Manco Cápac and Mama Ocllo, who emerged from the waters of the Lake Titicaca to found the Inca empire.

The Aymara culture, also known as Putina, was the most important and influential pre-Hispanic culture in the region.

During the Viceroyship, Puno was the obliged route for travelers going to Potosí. In 1668, viceroy Conde de Lemos established San Juan Bautista de Puno as the capital of the province of Paucarcolla. Later, it was called San Carlos de Puno, in honor of ruling king, Charles II of Spain. During the Viceroyship, Puno was the obliged route for travelers going to Potosí. In 1668, viceroy Conde de Lemos established San Juan Bautista de Puno as the capital of the province of Paucarcolla. Later, it was called San Carlos de Puno, in honor of ruling king, Charles II of Spain.

In 1870, the railway route Arequipa-Puno was installed and navigation in Lake Titicaca started.

The Titicaca Reserve is split into two separate sectors: the first, which lies in the Bay of Puno itself, protects the totora reed clumps which provide sustenance to the Uros-Chulluni communities; the second, which is located in the Huancané area, features less-visited totora marshes, but which are equally rich in species and just as interesting. In the area there are 60 bird species, including the Titicaca grebe, 14 native fish species and 18 types of amphibians, including the giant Titicaca toad.

FOLKLORE

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.

MAIN ATTRACTIONS IN THE CAPITAL CITY

lake Titicaca. is the highest navigable lake in the world, with a surface of 8,560 km² (3,305 sq ml) and a maximum depth of 227 mt (744 ft). It also stands out for the transparency of its waters. There are 36 isles, the most important being, Taquile and Amantani. It houses a great variety of birds (flamingos, huallatas, keles, and tiquis), and fishes (trouts, carachis, pejerreyes, suches and ispis), among others.

The Floating Islands of the Uros.A group of 40 floating islands formed by totora reeds, where the people are part of one of the oldest cultures in the continent. They live the way of their ancestors, strictly keeping their customs and idiosyncrasy.

Isla Esteves , another isle with a very good hotel and a most spectacular view.

Isla Taquile. The local people are farmers and have developed an original form of communal tourism. They receive visitors and share their food, housing, customs and traditions.

Isla Amantani houses archeological ruins located in the top of the hills. These were sites for religious rites and adoration.

Chullpas de Sillustani. An archeological area 34 km (21 ml) from the city of Puno. It is one the most important necropolis in the world. It stands at 4,000 m.a.s.l. (13,123 ft) in an esplanade surrounded by the beautiful Umayo lake. Built by the Collas, the chullpas are gigantic funerary monuments. They are quadrangular and circular edifications of over 12 mt (39 ft) high.

The Cathedral. Finished in the seventeenth century, it stands out for the quality of its structure and the engravings in stone.

Arco Deustua. This arched gateway built in memorial to the heroes of the independence Battles of Junín and Ayacucho; it is also the gathering site for the end of the Fiesta de la Candelaria.

Cerrito de Huajsapata is a small hill with a monument to Manco Cápac. From there it is possible to enjoy a complete view of the city of Puno and the Titicaca Lake.

Other city attractions include, Museo Municipal Dreyer, Casa del Corregidor, Casa del Conde de Lemos, Fuerte de San Luis de Alba, and Santuario de Chancharani.

OTHER ATTRACTIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PUNO

Juliaca, an important commercial city. Santa Catalina, a church from Viceroyal times, is one of its main attractions.

Lampa is a city with an untouched Colonial influence. The Viceroyal church of Santiago Apóstol stands out. It has a replica of the Pietà by Michelangelo. Visitors can also go and see the house of the famous deceased Peruvian painter, Víctor Humareda, a chinchilla breeding ground, and the Lensora rupestrian paintings.

Desaguadero is a frontier city and a crossing point to Bolivia. Close to Desaguadero are found the 10,000 years old Pizacoma rupestrian paintings.

Chucuito is rich in archeological vestiges, such as the phallic temple of Inca Ullo, a place for fertility rites. Many of the Chucuito houses and churches maintain their Viceroyal past.

Pucará. Village where the Gran Templo de Pucará is located. The local people are wonderful artisans and potters, famous for their toritos de Pucará (Pucará bulls).

Yunguyo. This is a frontier town that limits with Copacabana in Bolivia. This is a location where several folkloric and religious festivals take place.

Chimú and Ojerani. These are farming communities and their people are expert totora weavers.

Ilave. An important commercial center, with two interesting Colonial churches. Every Sunday there is a local fair.

Juli is an important tourist center in the region. Its churches house very valuable pieces of Cusqueño and Italian style paintings.

Pomata. The churches of Santiago Apóstol and Nuestra Señora del Rosario stand out in this location. They were constructed in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries in pink granite and with gold leaf altars.

Zepita. A town with beautiful churches, such as the eighteenth century Iglesia de San Pedro, completely built in stone.

Tinajani. Located in Ayaviri, this canyon, formed by two huge masses of rocks, is also known as Baño del diablo (Devil Bath) because, when it rains, very loud and terrifying sounds are heard coming from the bottom.

Other interesting places to visit include, Taraco, Huancané, Vilquechico, Moho, Conima, Santa Rosa and Sandia.

CUISINE

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).