Puno is a port city in the south east of Peru, at 12,556 ft (3830 mt) a.s.l. It spreads along the shores of Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world. It is a popular touristic destination for travellers from all over the world who arrive to visit the floating islands over the lake. Private Lima Tours with Sara tells you here how to go from Lima to Puno:
BY AIR
This is the easiest way to reach Puno from Lima. Puno has no airport. A direct flight takes 1 hour and 45 minutes and arrives to the airport in the city of Juliaca, 45 minutes from Puno. You can check in the links of the airlines below for timetables and reservation specifically for direct flights from Lima to Puno:
Both airlines also offer one daily flight each via Cusco, which takes in total more than 3 hours.
BY LAND
There are no direct buses going from Lima to Puno. However, you can take a bus from Lima to Arequipa which takes 15 hours and from there you have to get a connection to Puno..
Lima to Arequipa: Cruz del Sur There are 6 daily departures from Av. Javier Prado 1109, La Victoria. Between US$ 70 and US$ 94 for a round trip. From Arequipa to Puno Cruz del Sur has 3 daily departures. It takes 6 hours and 30 minutes. Around US$ 30 one way.
Lima to Arequipa Excluciva Departures at 5:30 pm and 7:45 pm daily from Av. Paseo de la República 595, La Victoria. Between US$ 66 and USD 72 for a round trip. From Arequipa to Puno Econociva (the economic version of the same company) has 1 daily departure at 9:00 pm. It takes 10 hours. Around US$ 10 one way.
Other option is to take Cruz del Sur to Cusco and get the connection with the same bus company from Cusco to Puno.
Private Lima Tours with Sara points here the most outstanding spots to visit in your trip from Lima to Puno:
LAKE TITICACA: THE FLOATING ISLAND OF THE UROS, AMANTANI AND TAQUILE ISLANDS
It is recommended to arrange a two-day tour to visit the three islands.
1. FLOATING ISLANDS OF THE UROS
You start here. A visit to these islands constitute an unforgettable cultural experience. Their inhabitants, about 2000, are the ancestral people called Uros who mostly speak the Aymara dialect. They make these floating islands from a reed of the lake, called totora. Their huts and beds are also made from the same material. Even the boats on which they navigate on the lake are of totora which can also be prepared as tea. This is a self-sustaining society. Men fish and women sell their embroideries. However, the islands are getting more and more touristic.
2. AMANTANI ISLAND
This is the best place to spend the night before going to Taquile. People of the Amantani Island, about 4000, speak Quechua. They offer their homes for travellers to stay which makes an excellent opportunity for cultural exchange. They still wear their traditional colorful dresses. The view of grazing alpacas add to the quaint landscape.
3. TAQUILE
The Taquile Island is famous for its traditional embroideries and weavings. You can make here some of your best purchases in Peru since their textiles are of the highest quality. No wonder their textiles are UNESCO “Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity”. Traditionally, only men knit since children. Women are in charge of dyeing the wool with natural vegetal and mineral colors. They still use stone terraces from the Inca times for agricultural purposes. The island reminds foreigners the Mediterranean atmosphere because of its deep blue water and rocky cliffs.
SILLUSTANI
This is a burial ground with perfect cylindrical stone-made constructions used as tombs which are called “chullpas”. These were built to bury the Kolla people, a Pre-Inca society of the Altiplano. The biggest and most imposing ones were supposed to be for the elite members. The chullpas are set on a plateau overlooking the breathtaking beauty of lake Umayo.
This archaeological site can be visited in half a day. It takes about half an hour from Puno. Be aware that Sillustani is located at 12,565 ft (3830 mts) a.s.l. The climb to the top can be hard so better go after you have acclimatized. The view, the mystic of the place and the surroundings can make it an unforgettable experience. You can hire a guide in Puno.
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After your arrival to Puno take it easy and try first to acclimatize to the height. Through your stay wear sunblock since the sun is very strong and may scorch your skin. Don´t forget to carry warm clothes since it can be very chilly at night.
And when in Lima don´t forget to check our Full Day Private Tours.