Hello, mystical travelers! I’m part of the Dreamy Tours team, and today I’m taking you to one of the most impressive sites in the Peruvian highlands: the Chullpas of Sillustani, a pre-Hispanic cemetery that crowns a peninsula on Lake Umayo, just 34 km from Puno. Known as Sillustani, these funerary towers made of volcanic stone were built by the Kolla culture between the 12th and 15th centuries, and later used by the Incas. At Dreamy Tours, we organize daily tours that allow you to walk among these Sillustani chullpas, feel their ancestral energy, and contemplate a breathtaking landscape. Ready to discover Sillustani Puno and its mystery? Join us!
The Chullpas of Sillustani: Unique Funerary Architecture
The chullpas of Sillustani are more than 90 inverted conical towers, built with blocks of andesite stone so perfectly fitted that you can’t even slide a fingernail between them – hence the name Sillustani, which in Aymara means “fingernail slide.” These structures, up to 12 meters high, housed mummies in the fetal position of chiefs, priests, and nobles, along with offerings of pottery, food, and textiles for their life in the afterlife.
On every Dreamy Tours visit, our guides explain how each chullpa has its entrance facing east, towards the Sun God (Inti), allowing the soul of the deceased to rise with the first rays of sunlight. The most famous ones are the Lizard Chullpa (with a reptile carved into the stone) and the Chief’s Chullpa, the tallest and best-preserved one.
Sillustani Puno: Beyond the Chullpas
The Sillustani Archaeological Park isn’t just stone: it’s surrounded by Lake Umayo, a turquoise mirror of water at 3,850 meters above sea level that reflects the chullpas and distant volcanoes. From the viewpoint, the view is awe-inspiring, especially at sunset when the sun paints the landscape gold.
Nearby, the town of Atuncolla welcomes you with its Pucará bull figurines, ceramic crafts, and adobe houses. At Dreamy Tours, we include a stop for you to try a chicken soup or buy souvenirs made by local hands.
How to Get to the Chullpas of Sillustani
From Puno, the most comfortable option is with Dreamy Tours: we depart at 1:45 PM on a tourist bus with a bilingual guide, entrance included, and return before 5:00 PM.
If you prefer to go on your own:
- Take a bus to Juliaca from the Terminal Virgen de Fátima (3 soles).
- Get off at the turnoff for Sillustani.
- Take a colectivo or taxi to the entrance (3-5 soles).
Entrance: 15 soles (5 soles with a student ID). Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (last entry 4:30 PM).
Recommendations for Your Visit to Sillustani
- Altitude: 3,850 meters above sea level – bring altitude sickness pills, water, and coca tea.
- Weather: Intense sun during the day, cold at sunset – wear a hat, sunscreen, and layered clothing.
- Footwear: Trekking shoes – the terrain is uneven.
- Ideal Time: Afternoon tour (2:00 PM) for perfect light and less heat.
My Experience at the Chullpas of Sillustani with Dreamy Tours
On a recent tour, I took a group at sunset. While the guide told the legend of the Lizard (a symbol of renewal), the sun reflected on Lake Umayo like a golden mirror. In Atuncolla, a craftswoman showed us how the Pucará bulls are painted – a perfect souvenir! As an agency, we are passionate about authenticity: local guides, small groups, and support for communities like Atuncolla.
Plan Your Visit to Sillustani with Dreamy Tours
Ready to discover the chullpas of Sillustani and their magic? At Dreamy Tours, we offer the half-day tour from Puno with everything included. Reserve via WhatsApp – we depart every day! Come and experience the Kolla history in Sillustani Puno. We await you in the highlands!
Written by the Dreamy Tours team, in love with the Andean legacy.
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