Lake Titicaca lies in the Department of Puno, in the Province of Puno and the District of Puno; its elevation is 3,810 meters. The Titicaca National Reserve covers 36,180 hectares of the lake, including a 29,150-hectare Puno sector. The two area figures indicate different scales: the total area of the reserve and the designated Puno sector within it.

Island traditions on the lake

On Taquile, textile art is practiced every day by men and women of all ages. Taquile’s communal economy is based mainly on the textile and tourism industries. Tourism contributes to this communal economy. The floating Uros Islands have a different focus: they are built from totora reeds and maintained by the Uro people who live there using traditional techniques. From Puerto Lacustre Puno, you can reach Taquile Island by motorboat on a 36-kilometer trip that takes three hours.

Puno’s urban history and festival culture

Plaza Mayor de Puno is a colonial-style square dating back to the 17th century. In February, the Fiesta de la Candelaria takes place in the city of Puno. Its processions feature traditional costumes; dances include Diablada, Morenada and Llamerada. The plaza’s historical significance and the annual festival’s February date anchor Puno’s culture in two distinct periods.

Archaeology and trails

The Sillustani chullpas are stone burial towers of the Kolla culture, standing five to twelve meters tall. They stand on a hill overlooking Lake Umayo. At Sillustani, archaeological structures and scenic views come together. From the minibus stop in Pucara, a 700-meter walk leads to the Pukará Archaeological Complex.

On Amantaní, you can hike the island’s trails and visit the pre-Inca temples of Pachatata and Pachamama. Visitors can also sample local dishes such as Chairo, Chuño and lake trout.

Landscapes and experiences

The geological landscape of Cañón de Tinajani is ideal for recreational tourism and geo-education. In the Department of Puno, Bahuaja Sonene National Park is a refuge for jaguars, harpy eagles and macaws. Aventura en el Río Tambopata offers rafting on Class I, II and III rapids.

Peru in a broader context

A nationwide view of Peru also reveals a wide range of landscapes. Huascarán National Park encompasses 27 snow-capped peaks over 6,000 meters high, including Nevado Huascarán at 6,768 meters. Manu National Park lies at the transition between the Tropical Andes and the Amazon Basin. Its landscapes include high-Andean puna grasslands, montane cloud forests, Yunga forests and lowland rainforest.

Discover more destinations: Ocosuyo, Desaguadero, Copacabana, Puno, Mañazo, Puerto Leguía, Lampa, Chucuito, Anapia, Tililaca, Tambopata, Juliaca, Ayculaca, Huillanopampa, Capachica, Puno, Suasi Island.

For the broader travel overview: Peru.