Perou Decouverte
Perou Decouverte
Puno, a picturesque city perched on the shores of Lake Titicaca, where history, vibrant culture, and spectacular natural landscapes intertwine to offer a unique travel experience.
Lake Titicaca
Largest lake in South America
Highest navigable lake in the world
Altitude: 3,812 meters
Flora and fauna
Unique species
Titicaca trout
Birds
Culture and traditions
Picturesque villages
Indigenous communities
Floating totora reed islands
"Puno, the picturesque city of Lake Titicaca, where history and culture meet."
Officially founded in 1668 under the name San Carlos de Puno by the Spanish, the history of this region is much older. It was an essential hub for pre-Inca civilizations, notably Tiwanaku, and the Inca Empire. The city center, with its baroque Puno Cathedral, testifies to its colonial heritage. Nearby, the enigmatic Chullpas de Sillustani (funerary towers) offer a fascinating glimpse into its complex past.
Puno proudly stands at 3,827 meters above sea level, in the southeast of Peru. Its most famous feature is its position on the shores of the majestic Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world (3,812 m). Its proximity to the Bolivian border makes it an ideal platform to explore the cultural treasures of the central Andes.
With approximately 150,000 inhabitants, Puno is a melting pot of cultures, mainly populated by Quechua and Aymara communities. These people proudly preserve their languages, costumes, and ancestral rituals, making Puno a true Andean cultural stronghold**.
Puno is known as the folkloric capital of Peru, notably thanks to its spectacular Fiesta de la Candelaria (in February). Classified as intangible heritage of UNESCO, this festival sees thousands of masked dancers in dazzling costumes. Craftsmanship (symbolic textiles, pottery) and Andean music (the charango and the zampoña) are the soul of this city.
The climate is typical of high mountains: days are often sunny (15-20°C), but nights are very cold (often below 0°C).
Traveler Tip: Due to the altitude, plan for warm clothing layers and allow time for gradual acclimatization.
Puno and its surroundings are an open-air museum. From the ancient Tiwanaku site (like Cutimbo) to the impressive Chullpas de Sillustani, you'll explore unique pre-Inca ruins. The Museum of Denationalization complements this immersion in regional history.
Lake Titicaca is the main attraction, a mythical and sacred place.
Local cuisine is adapted to the challenges of altitude, rich and nourishing. Taste specialties like chuño (freeze-dried potato), quinoa soup (a vital classic), savory trout ceviche freshly caught from the lake, or grilled alpaca. Muña infusions are essential to facilitate digestion at high altitude.
Between the infinite blue expanse of Lake Titicaca, the majestic sacred mountains (Apu Chulluni) and the vast high-altitude plains, the region offers breathtaking views. It's a privileged place for hiking and observing rich Andean biodiversity (flamingos, Andean birds, etc.), with herds of llamas and alpacas.
Puno allows you to live living heritage. Opportunities for immersion are numerous: participate in traditional weaving classes, spend a night with a host family on the islands to share their daily life, or attend ancestral rituals like offerings to the Pachamama (Mother Earth).
Puno's markets, particularly the Artesanal Market and the Central Market, are a veritable treasure trove, rich in ancestral know-how:
Support Fair Trade Craftsmanship: Prefer buying from cooperatives like the Asociación de Artesanas de Taquile to ensure fair remuneration.
One of the best ways to discover Puno is total immersion:
Puno is committed to preserving its unique environment:
Ecoresponsible Tip: Your visit should respect the Titicaca National Reserve and local traditions. Avoid using single-use plastic.
The cuisine of Puno is a rich blend of indigenous heritage and colonial influences. Here's what you absolutely need to try:
Puno offers a range of accommodation options tailored to every desire, combining comfort, authenticity, and cultural immersion. Here's a guide to help you choose according to your priorities:
Some places stand out for organizing musical evenings with sikuri groups or ephemeral craft fairs, making your stay even more unique.
Puno is at 3,827 meters: acclimatization is crucial for your health.
In Puno, every interaction is a window into the Andean soul. Whether sharing a chuño cola with a family from Llachón, learning to weave a chumpi (traditional belt) alongside Aymara artisans, or listening to the legends of Lake Titicaca under a starry sky, you'll experience an immersion far beyond mass tourism. These exchanges, guided by legendary hospitality, transform you into a privileged witness to a way of life preserved for centuries.
Puno is a vibrant history book where the past comes alive in the present:
Here, history is not just visited — it's danced, learned, and passed on with passion.
Take a piece of Puno with you in your heart... and in your luggage:
These objects are not just souvenirs: they're promises of memory, created by hands that carry the history of their ancestors.
Puno is not just a stop — it's a narrative of many voices that will resonate with you for a long time. You'll find echoes of the Tiwanaku, the fervor of religious processions, and the murmur of the waves of the sacred lake. Between the emotion of the snow-capped peaks reflected in Titicaca and the comforting warmth of a shared coca tea, this region will offer you far more than a trip: a deep connection with the spirit of the Andes.
You'll leave with eyes full of images, a soul enriched by stories, and the certainty that in Puno, time is not measured... it's savored.
Looking for the perfect souvenirs to bring back from your trip to Peru? Our comprehensive guide offers a selection of the best typical gifts, from local handicrafts to culinary specialties.
We've also thought about travelers who want to thank their host families or delight the children they met during their stay, with ideas tailored to each situation.
Discover our suggestions for authentic and responsible gifts
See all our gift ideas →