Puno
From Wiki Sumaq Peru
Introduction
Puno was the territory of the Tiahuanacos (800 A.D. – 1200 A.D.) who were the highest cultural expression of the Aymara people that established themselves in what is today Peru and Bolivia. The Incas took over these lands in the fifteenth century, and the Spanish, attracted by the mining industry developed there, left an important Colonial legacy throughout the entire area.
Today, the city of Puno (3,287 masl), which lies on the shores of Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world, is the folklore capital of Peru and the site of the Feast of the Virgen de la Candelaria. In the outskirts, you can visit the spectacular Chullpas de Sillustani, a complex of impressive burial towers built by the Kollas, Juli, famous for its beautiful Colonial churches, Lampa with its vice royal church built between 1675 and 1685, Llachón, a community that still maintains its centuries old customs and cultural expressions, and Pucará, known for its pre-Inca pottery and for the “toritos de Pucará” that the artisans of today create from clay.
The lake contains numerous islands whose inhabitants continue to live as their ancestors have in custom and tradition. The Uros an example of this; this people group lives on “floating islands” that they have artificially made entirely of totora reeds, and they navigate in their traditional boats also made out of totora reeds. Taquile, Suasi, and Amantaní are knows for their kindness of their residents, their ancestral skill in weaving, their pre-Columbian constructions, and lovely countryside. The Titicaca National Reserve (36,180 hectares) protects extensive stretches of totora reeds and various species of plants and animals.
General information
- Location: Sierra (Andes) south of the border between Bolivia,Peru and Brazil
- Extension: 71 999 km
- CAPITAL: Puno
- ALTITUDE:
- * Minimum: 820 meters (Lanlacuni Bass).
- * Maximum: 4725 m (San Antonio de Esquilache).
- Limits
- North: Madre de dios
- East: Bolivia
- South: Tacna
- West: Moquegua Arequipa and Cuzco
- Provinces
- Puno
- Azangaro
- Carabaya
- Chucuito
- El Collao
- Huancané
- Lampa
- Melgar
- Mold
- San Antonio de Putina
- San Roman
- Sandia
- Yunguy
Altitude
Capital: Puno (3827 masl / 12.553 fasl) Lowest point:820 masl / 2690 fasl (Lanlacuni Bajo) Highest point: 4725 masl / 15.498 fasl (San Antonio de Esquilache)
Climate
The city of Puno is located on the shores of Lake Titicaca, and its climate is cold and semi-dry. The rainy season starts in October and ends in April. The annual average maximum temperature is 14ºC (58ºF) and the minimum is 3ºC (37ºF).
Access routes
- By land: Lima – Arequipa – Juliaca – Puno: 1324 km / 823 miles (18 hours by car)
- By air: Regular flights to Juliaca from Lima (1 hour and 45 minutes, with a stop in Arequipa) and from Arequipa (25 minutes).
By train: Cusco – Puno: 384 km / 239 miles (10 hours)
Tourist Atractions
Puno Province
Cathedral of the city of Puno
The cathedral was built in the seventeenth century and its front was sculpted by Simon de Asto. This church is an example of baroque Spanish style and includes elements that give the Andean monument its mixed character.
Conde de Lemos balcony
Built around 1668, this house was used as residence of the Viceroy Conde de Lemos when he arrived in the area to defeat a rebellion. Currently it works as a cultural department of the National Institute of Culture of Puno and has an art gallery.
Municipal Dreyer Museum
The museum contains pieces of pottery, jewellery, textils and pre-íncas and Incas stone sculptures . Also,it has a collection of coins and documents date from the founding of Puno.
Deustua Arc
It was built in carved stone, was erected by the people from Puno in memory of those patriots who fought for the independence of Peru.
Huajsapata Mountain
Huajsapata, which means "witness of my love," is a natural viewpoint where you can contemplate the city and Lake Titicaca, at the top there is a monument to Manco Capac, founder of the Inca Empire.
The house of the Corregidor
Colonial house from the seventeenth century, where art exhibitions are held. The place has a coffee bar, library, Internet and video club; cultural activities take place here and provides information on rural tourism.
Kuntur Wasi Viewpoint
Kuntur Wasi means "house of the Condor" and offers an excellent view of Puno and Lake Titicaca. It is necessary to goes up a long perron to get there.
Lago Titicaca
This lake is very important in Andean mythology because, according to legend, its waters emerged Manco Capac and Mama Ocllo, sons of the Sun God and founders of the Inca Empire.
Peru and Bolivia share the sovereignty of this navigable lake, the highest in the world (3810 meters). It has an area of 8,559 km2, a maximum depth of 283 meters and the average annual temperature of the water varies from October to May between 9 ° C (48 degrees F) and 11 ° C (52 degrees F) from June to September between -7 ° C (19 degrees F) and -10 ° C (14 degrees F).
The lake is also tempered in the area, because without their presence there would be no life at this stage. On the Peruvian side of Lake Titicaca there are several islands, including Amantaní, Taquile, Soto and Anapia (natural islands) and the Uros (artificial islands), each with different attractions. In the lakeside reeds growing, took refuge where various birds and fish as carachis, ispis, bogas, umantos, such (endangered), pejerreyes and trout, all these species are native and listed by their high nutritional value .
Floating Reed Islands of the Uros
Lake Titicaca has some 41 floating reed islands on it that are an interesting experience for any traveler. These man-made islands have a fascinating history and story behind them.
Although in modern times it can be argued that they are a bit "touristy" and somewhat artificial, it is also a fact that for thousands of years up to now, the Uros people have lived on and maintained these unique Peruvian islands, depending on the lake for their survival.
Many tour companies offer trips to these reed islands, (as close as 20 minutes from Puno) and some combine reed island stopovers with organized tours of wonderful Taquile island. (a 3 hour boat ride and then spend a few hours on the island.) Definitely go for this combo tour if you have time... it's great! (and there's a lot more to see and do on Taquile island than the little reed floaters.) These tours can be organized from both Copacabana and Puno.
Puno boats in HarborLake Titicaca
Another great reason for getting out to the reed islands or Isla Taquile is because this gives you a chance to experience the magic and desolate beauty of Lake Titicaca, the world's highest elevation commercially navigable lake.
Seeing the scenery around you, breathing the clean air, and marveling at the magnificent greenish blue colors of the lake will give you a new perspective of this region and the body of water that has played such a key role in it's history.Isla Taquile knitter
Isla Taquile
is a fascinating time capsule of wonderfully preserved Peruvian and Bolivian cultures, having stayed the same now for thousands and thousands of years.
If you have time, consider seeing the other islands of the lake as well: Isla Amantani, a 4 hour trip from Puno with boats leaving daily at 8:30 am and also Isla del Sol, easily reachable from Bolivia's Copacabana.
Sillustani Burial Towers
Hundreds of years ago, the ancient people from the Altiplano, that lived at the shore of the mystical Lake Titicaca, built a series of funeral towers to bury their kings and other important people of their regions.Sillustani towers
The Sillustani towers are perhaps the finest and most perfect cylindrical constructions of ancient Peru, as such perfection can be found nowhere else in South America.
A tour to Sillustani will give you a better view into the life of pre-Inca civilizations, and exploring the area, you can marvel at the great beauty of the Umayo Lagoon, which is located at the foot of Sillustani.
Inca Uyo Archaeological Site
The origin of this archaeological site has been identified as Inca, due to their construction and use of stone materials. Its name means in Aymara: Morada or place of the Inca. In 40 years was conducted an initial excavation, which was directed by Marion Tchopick Franco and Jose Maria Hinojosa.
This time he recovered a large amount of pottery, metal, stone and bone artifacts. The study also unveiled that this excavation was under construction at the arrival of the Spaniards. The stone sculptures found in the plaza of the complex, arrived there at the initiative of municipal authorities and notables of the city of Chuchito.
Thirty years later, Dr. Well Alberto Mendoza and technical Orompelio Vidal made a second excavation. The Forum "Inca Uyo, historical reality" conducted in July 2005 at the request of the village of Chucuito Dr. Well, indicated that it found traces of canals and foundations of colonial buildings and the discovery of 75 stone sculptures of various sizes and shapes, do not show a clear association with estratográfica all.
In 1993, at the request of the then director of the INC, Mr. Henry Monroy, was planted some fungiform stone sculptures in the area of the Inca Uyo. This caused a bad interpretacón and many mistook the place with a "Temple of fertility". This version however, has been ruled out, since both at the time Lupacas, as in the Inca or viceregal there is no reference in this regard.
It is assumed that the compound was part of a larger set of buildings of character and was intended for ceremonial rituals of religious and political nature.
Cutimbo
At the height of 17 km of road Puno-Moquegua, approximately, south of Puno (20minutos by car), can reach the diversion leading to the complex. This is a prehistoric cemetery that belonged to señoríos Lupaca and Colla. Even though there are evidences of rock paintings up to 8000 years old, the main structures dating from the years 1100 to 1450 AD There are also remnants of the Inca era. Dominate the landscape or the chullpas pucullos, a funerary towers large
Sillustani
Sillustani is a pre-Incan burial ground on the shores of Lake Umayo near Puno in Peru. The tombs, which are built above ground in tower-like structures called chullpas, are the vestiges of the Colla people, Aymara who were conquered by the Inca in the 1400s. The structures housed the remains of complete family groups, although they were probably limited to nobility. Many of the tombs have been dynamited by grave robbers, while others were left unfinished.
Chullpa
Ancestor worship and kinship were integral parts of Aymara culture, and the chullpas were built to emphasize the connection between life and death.The insides of the tombs were shaped like a woman's uterus, and corpses were mummified in a fetal position to recreate their birth. Some of the tombs also have lizards carved into the stone. Because they could regrow their tails, lizards were considered a symbol of life. The only openings to the buildings face east, where it was believed the Sun was reborn by Mother Earth each day.
Architecture
The architecture of the site is often considered more complex than typical Incan architecture. In contrast with the Inca, who used stones of varying shapes, the Colla used even rectangular edges.[4] While chullpas are not unique to Sillustani and are found across the Altiplano, the site is considered the best and most preserved example of them.
Chucuito Province
Juli
Located at 79 km of the south of Puno (1 hour and 20 minutes by car). This village was founded by the Dominicans in 1534, but later they were expelled by the missionary congregation of the Jesuits, which was established in Juli during the viceroyalty, where priests turned the town into a strategic center to prepare missionaries to Paraguay and Bolivia.
Known as the "Little Rome of americas" due to its temples, churches stand out in Juli such as St. John Lateran, St. Peter Martyr and Holy Cross of Jerusalem, and also the House of the Inquisition or Zavala. Inside the churches can be seen stone sculptures, wood carvings, paintings and oil paintings produced by prominent artists such as the Jesuit Bernardo Bitti.
Pomata
In Pomata there are plenty of attractions such as the church of Santiago Apostol,which has a mixed style ,and the incredible panoramic view of the lake and the peninsula of Copacabana.
Saint Anthony of Putina Province
Thermal Baths of Putina
Located at 137 km of the north of Puno (2 hours and 30 minutes by car). Visit: 8:00-21:00 Sun-Tues.
The waters reach an average temperature of 39 º C (102 degrees F) and contain a high percentage of sodium chloride, magnesium and zinc. The villagers consider it, the ideal cure for treating rheumatic diseases and skin. In Cala Picotani and other surrounding towns, South American camelids like alpaca or vicuna can be seen and in the sector of Bellavista there are forests that show us the Puy Raimondi.
Lampa Province
Lampa
Located at 80 km of the north of Puno (1 hour and 30 minutes by car). Lampa is the capital of the province and is well-known as the "pink city" because of the color of its walls. In the area there are large forest of queñua, Puy de raimondi and breeding places of chinchillas, among other attractions.
Pucará
Located at 106 km to the north of Puno (1 hour, 45 minutes by car). The town of Pucara is famous for its pottery, especially for its famous "toritos of Pucara," and there is a Museum of Lithics Pucara, which displays a set of stone sculptures such as monoliths, steles and zoomorphic sculptures, ceramics and other objects as well.
Kalasaya
Located at 1 km from the town of Pucara (5 minutes by car). A ceremonial centre belong to the Pucaras culture , built around the year 200 BC, reached its peak between the years 250 BC and 380 A.D. There are two areas: an area composed by nine ceremonial pyramids and other urban one.
Moho Province
Moho
Considered the "garden of the plateau" for his warm microclimate and its variety of roses, the town has several archaeological sites and natural and cultural attractions as well. In the surroundings we can see the village of Conima, the Church of Saint Michael the Archangel built in 1825, within which highlights the image of the archangel, patron of the people of Conima and the monolith of Huata at 5 km.
Cambria comunnity and Suasi Islands
At 157 km to the northeast of Puno (3 hours and 30 minutes by car) we arrive in the town of Cambre which is located near Titicaca Lake, where you can share with the local farming, fishing operations and observe the work textile . In this community can be found transport services in rowing boats to access the island Suasi (20 minutes by boat approx.), which has built a shelter with materials from the area: stone, wood, straw and reeds;those is entirely supplied by solar energy. This island has 43 hectares, offers a variety of flora and fauna. Here you can observe herbs, medicinal, natural grasses, shrubs and trees. In the area of protection of wild birds , there are Chocco, cormorants, ducks, zambullidores, hummingbirds, face sides, mandolas, among others. Besides, there are vicunas and vizcachas modules and potato crops, geese, quinoa, corn and tarwi too.
Yungujo Province
Wiñaymarca archipelagoes - Anapia Island
At 128 km of Puno (2 hours and 30 minutes by car) we arrive in the town of Yunguyo from where it cabn be possible to continue driving until the port of Punta Hermosa (30 minutes). From this port until Anapia island there is 18 km of diatance (2 hours and 30 minutes by motor boat). Located in Lake Wiñaymarca or Minor lake of the set,the archipelagoes of islands is populated by people who conserve their native customs,between them, fishing is one fot he most important activities.
There are native flora throughout the region, abundant wildlife and beaches of sand and stone. The island Yuspique,'s largest archipelago, is used by the community of Anapia for breeding vicunas. You can appreciate crops, breeding vicunas and archaeological site all together with hiking activities, typical lunch, boating and folk music.
Melgar Province
Ayavaviri District
Located at 137 kms away of Puno (2 hours and 45 minutes by car). In Ayaviri you can visit the church of St. Francis of Assisi, Baroque style, the thermal waters of Pojpojquella (5 blocks from the main square) wich have healing properties; Tinajani (at 13 km from Ayaviri), a curious geological sample which consists of gigantic and strange anthropomorphic formations, towers, animals and houses.
Tourism activities
Celebrations
Gastronomy
Train station
- Peru Rail Corporation.
Puno: Avenida La Torre 224, Puno. Telephone: (051) 35-1041 / 36-9179 Juliaca:Plaza Bolognesi 303, Juliaca. Telephone: (051) 32-1036.
E-mail: reservas@perurail.com Web site: http://www.perurail.com Attention: Mon. – Fri.7:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M. and 1:00 P.M. - 5:00 P.M.; Sat. – Sun. 7:00 A.M. -11:00 A.M.
Health center
Puno. Manuel Nuñez Butron National Hospital, Avenida El Sol 1022. Telephone: (051) 36-9696 / 35-1021 / 36-7777. Attention: Mon. – Fri. 7:30 A.M – 2:30 P.M. Juliaca. San Roman. Carlos Monge Medrano Hospital, Kilometer marker 2 of the Huancane Highway. Telephone: (051) 32-1750 / 32-1131 / 32-1370. Attention: Mon. – Fri. 7:30 A.M – 1:30 P.M.
Local Police
Puno. XII Police Region. Jiron Deustua 530. Telephone: (051) 35-3988. Attention: 24 hours Puno. Tourism Police. Jiron Deustua 558. Attention: 24 hourS Juliaca. National Police of Peru. Jiron San Martin and Jiron Ramon. Telephone: (051) 32-2091. Attention: 24 hours
Craft markets
Puno
- “San Jose Artisan Association” Craft Market
Calle Cahuide, Block 3. Opening hours: Mon. – Sun.8:00 A.M. – 7:00 P.M.
- “La Cholita” Artisans Association
Pasaje Lima 550, 2nd level.Opening hours: Mon. – Sun. 8:00 A.M. – 7:00 P.M.
- “Tucuy Atipac” Handicrafts Center
Pasaje Lima 339, 2nd level. Opening hours: Mon. – Sun. 8:00 A.M. – 7:00 P.M.
- “Coriwasi Association” Craft Market
Calle Alfonso Ugarte 150. Opening hours: Mon. – Sun. 8:00 A.M. – 9:00 P.M.
- San Roman:
Original Folk Art Handicrafts Center Inca Manco Capac International Airport, Juliaca. Telephone: (051) 32-2905.
Postal services
- Puno. Jiron Moquegua 269. Telephone: (051) 35-1141. Attention: Mon. – Sat. 8:00 A.M. – 8:00 P.M.
Juliaca-San Roman. Intersection of Calles Sandia and Ladislao Butron. Telephone: (051) 32-1391. Attention: Mon. – Sat.8:15 A.M. – 7:00 P.M.
References
Sites of interest
Del.icio.us! | Digg! | Meneame! | Blinklist! | Furl! | Technorati!
