Tours in Puno

The Route of the Sun is a tourist route that goes from Cusco to Puno (or vice versa), through incredible Andean landscapes. You can do it by bus or on the luxury Andean Explorer train. It includes stops at traditional villages, lagoons and archaeological sites. It’s a good alternative to the Inca Trail.

Lake Titicaca Puno is a huge and very special lake. It’s the world’s highest navigable lake and is full of islands, stories and traditions. According to legend, the Sun was born here. Boats depart from Puno’s port to the floating Uros Islands, Taquile and Amantaní. The water is cold, but the landscape is beautiful, with mountains and clear skies.

It’s a large natural area with vicuñas, alpacas, lagoons and volcanoes. It’s located between Puno and Arequipa. Here you can see wild vicuñas walking freely, take photos with volcanoes in the background and feel the pure air of the altiplano. It’s ideal for a day trip and part of tourist tours from Puno.

On the Uros Islands you can:

Puno is in southeastern Peru, in the region of the same name. It’s on the shores of Lake Titicaca, near the border with Bolivia. The city is at 3,810 meters above sea level, so the air is thinner and you might find it hard to breathe at first. It’s a key point between Cusco and Bolivia, and many people visit it on the Cusco Puno Route of the Sun.

Bring warm clothes, because it’s cold, especially at night. Ideal:

Pucará is a town known for its “cabezas clavas”, stone sculptures shaped like bulls or jaguars. It has an interesting museum and is located between Puno and Juliaca. Many tours include a quick stop here.

If you have 3 days in Puno, you can have a complete experience combining culture, nature and tradition. Here we propose an ideal itinerary:

Day 1: Floating Islands of Uros + Taquile Island
Start with a tour in Puno to the floating Uros Islands, where you’ll see how families live on islands made of totora reeds. Then take a boat to Taquile Island, famous for its textiles and dances. You can have lunch there, walk along trails with lake views and return to Puno in the afternoon.

Day 2: Sillustani Puno + Puno City Tour
Visit the chullpas of Sillustani, ancient stone funeral towers overlooking Lake Umayo. It’s a peaceful place full of history. In the afternoon, take a Puno city tour: walk around the main square, waterfront, port and artisan market. If you’re here in February, don’t miss the Fiesta de la Candelaria.

Day 3: Amantaní or Salinas and Aguada Blanca Reserve
Option 1: Amantaní Island – A full-day tour or overnight stay with a local family. Ideal for connecting with Andean culture.
Option 2: Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reserve – To see wild vicuñas, lagoons and volcanoes. Perfect if you’re traveling to Arequipa afterwards.

This plan includes Puno’s main tourist attractions and is ideal for those doing the Cusco Puno Route of the Sun or going to Bolivia.

Taquile Island (or Taquile Island Puno) is a place where people live with very ancient customs. The men are famous for their fine weaving with symbols, and the women for their large skirts and hats. There are no cars, only stone paths. You can climb to viewpoints, see dances, eat local food and buy unique textiles. It’s part of the most popular tours to Puno.

Yes, although Isla del Sol is in Bolivia, many tours depart from Puno. First you go to the Bolivian city of Copacabana, and from there take a boat to the island. According to legend, this is where the Sun was born and where the Inca empire began. It’s a magical place, with trails, ruins and lake views.

You can:

Puno, known as the Folkloric Capital of Peru, is located in the southern Andean region on the shores of majestic Lake Titicaca (3,827 masl), the world’s highest navigable lake. This city is the cultural heart of the altiplano, where Quechua and Aymara traditions converge, offering:

Key fact: Puno is strategically located to also visit Cusco, Arequipa and Bolivia.

MAP