Sillustani: The Mystery of the Chullpas
Sacred Place of the Dead above Lake Umayo

Located about 34 kilometers from Puno, Sillustani is one of the most important and impressive archaeological sites on the Altiplano. This mystical place is famous for its chullpas: colossal funerary towers that majestically stand on a peninsula overlooking the magnificent Lake Umayo.

⏳ Cradle of the Colla Civilization

This funerary complex was mainly used by the Colla people (or Qolla), a powerful civilization that dominated the region before being conquered by the Incas in the 15th century. Sillustani is not just a burial site; it's a testament to the architectural finesse and deep beliefs of pre-Inca cultures regarding death and the afterlife.

💎 A Breathtaking Natural Setting

The site is a must-see for its historical remains, but also for its natural environment. Lake Umayo, which surrounds the peninsula, adds a contemplative dimension to the site, with its calm waters and the frequent presence of Andean birds and alpacas, making the visit both cultural and immersive.

The term "chullpa" refers to these large circular funerary towers, built to house the mummified remains of nobility and tribal leaders. Their construction is far from uniform, reflecting the different eras and cultural influences of the site.

🧱 Funerary Engineering

• The Colla Chullpas (Pre-Inca)

  The oldest towers, erected by the Colla civilization, are often made of less worked stones. They are more rustic, with an inverted conical shape (wider at the top than at the base), a notable engineering feat for that time.

• The Inca Chullpas (Post-Conquest)

  The Incas reused and built their own towers, adopting their perfect masonry technique, where stones are cut and fitted without mortar. These towers are generally smoother and of astonishing precision, testifying to the integration of the site into the Inca Empire.

☀️ Rituals and Orientation

The chullpas were not just tombs. They were places of worship and passage to the afterlife:

• The mummified bodies (or mallquis) were placed in the funerary chamber with offerings (food, clothing, precious objects) to accompany them in the next life.
• The towers are oriented towards the East (rising), so that the opening of the funerary chamber is illuminated by the sun at sunrise. This symbolizes the connection of the deceased with the cycle of life and rebirth.

This majestic architecture emphasized the social status and power of the deceased, whose soul watched over the community from the heights.

The Sillustani site is perched on a peninsula surrounded by the waters of Lake Umayo. This high-altitude lake, smaller and less deep than Lake Titicaca, plays an essential role in the spirituality of the site and its visual appeal.

🦢 Fauna and Flora

Lake Umayo is a refuge for Andean wildlife. During your visit, you will have a good chance of observing:

• Alpacas and llamas grazing peacefully on the surrounding hills.
• Various aquatic birds, including Andean flamingos that stop there during their migrations.
• The typical flora of the Altiplano, which resists the extreme conditions of altitude.

🐍 Umayo Island: A Unique Archaeological Site

In the middle of Lake Umayo lies a small island, also called Isla Umayo or Isla Intimoqo. This island is home to pre-Inca and Inca archaeological remains, including circular constructions that could be mausoleums or buildings intended to house crops. The presence of these remains reinforces the cultural and historical importance of the region.

The contrast between the blue sky, the calm waters of the lake, the green of the pastures, and the gray stone towers of Sillustani, located on the north shore of the lake, makes the sunset in this region particularly famous and photogenic.

🚍 How to Get to Sillustani?

Sillustani is located about 45 minutes to an hour's drive from the city of Puno (34 km). As a major site, transportation options are varied:

• Organized Tours (Easiest): Most travelers opt for a half-day excursion (morning or afternoon) offered by agencies. These tours include round-trip transportation, entrance, and a bilingual guide who explains the history of the Chullpas.
• Private Taxi: You can negotiate a taxi to take you to the site, wait during your visit (about 1h30), and bring you back to Puno. This is more flexible, but make sure to set a clear price before leaving.
• Public Transportation (Less Recommended): It's possible to take buses towards Juliaca and get off at the Sillustani junction, but this often requires walking the last few kilometers.

⏱️ Best Time to Visit

The site is open all year round, but the time of day is important for the experience:

• Afternoon and Sunset: This is the most popular time. The low light highlights the textures of the stones, and the shadows of the Chullpas stretch across the Altiplano. It's also the time when the colors of Lake Umayo are most spectacular.
• Morning: Fewer tourists and brighter light for clearer photographs.

Altitude and Health

Sillustani is located at an altitude of about 3,840 meters. Even though the site is at the same height as Puno, the climb up the small hills where the Chullpas are located can be demanding. It's crucial to be well acclimated before the visit. Walk slowly, stay hydrated, and plan for protection against the cold wind and sun (hat, sunscreen).

Sillustani is much more than just a cemetery. It's a window into the complex history of the Altiplano, where the Colla and Inca cultures left their most monumental marks. The precision of the towers, the lake setting, and the energy of the place make it a deeply memorable visit.

Whether you're an archaeology enthusiast or simply looking for spectacular landscapes, the excursion to Sillustani is a perfect complement to your discovery of Lake Titicaca. It's here, facing Lake Umayo, that you'll feel the thickness of time and the powerful soul of the civilizations that dominated this sacred land.