English		Huaychulo Hotel Lima Peru
Español
Home Inside The Hotel Surrounding Area About Us Useful Links Rates Reservations Airport Pickup Peru Info E-mail

PUNO

GENERAL DATA
LOCATION: Puno is located in the south eastern region of the county on the Collao plateau, on the shore of Lake Titicaca.
AREA: 71 999 km2
CAPITAL: Puno (3 827 masl)
ALTITUDE: 820 masl (lanlacuni bajo) Lowest town.
4 725 masl (San Antonio de Esquilache) highest town.
AVERAGE ANNUAL TEMPERATURE: 8º C (19º C maximum and 2º C minimum).
RAINY SEASON: December to March.

ACCESS ROUTES
BY LAND: The most recommended is the Lima-Arequipa-Juliaca-Puno route (1 302 km) which takes about 24 hours drive, from Cusco to Puno 06 h drive, from Arequipa to Puno 06 hours drive.
BY AIR: There are daily flights to Juliaca from Lima (about 1 h 45 minutes) and from Arequipa (about 45 minutes).
BY RAILROAD: Trains offer service from Cusco to Puno (437 km and about 11 hours) crossing the highlands.

HISTORICAL OVERLOOK
Puno was the birthplace of one of the most important pre-Inca cultures, the Tiahuanaco, the most advanced civilization of the ancient Aymara people, who left monumental ruins which continue to arouse wonder and admiration even today.
Legend tells that the first Inca, Manco Cápac, and his wife Mama Ocllo, emerged from Lake Titicaca, and were entrusted by their father, the Sun God, to found the Inca Empire or Tawantinsuyo which was divided into four regions. One of such regions was Collasuyo, today Puno, which stretched across the Collao plateau.
When the Spaniards arrived in Cusco in the mid-16th century, they found tremendous mineral wealth, especially gold and silver. In the 1 660s, a bloody internal struggles arose over the possession of the important Laikakota mine, one league from modern Puno, which forced the Viceroy, the Count of Lemos, to travel to the area to bring peace. His visit led to the creation, on November 4th, 1 668, of what is today the city of Puno.
There, Spanish priests eager to convert the indigenous population built beautiful churches which blended Christian styles with the imagination and skill of the local people into a new mestizo style.

ATTRACTIONS IN THE CITY OF PUNO
The Cathedral
Main Square.
Visits: Monday to Sunday 7:30-12:00 and 15:00-18:00.
Built of stone in the seventeenth century by the Peruvian master stonemason Simon de Asto, whose name is inscribed in the portal, the Baroque cathedral is an example of local mestizo architecture.

Huajsapata Hill
Located west of the city, four blocks from the Main Square. On its peak, where a monument to the Inca Manco stands, visitors can enjoy a lovely panoramic view of the city of Puno and Lake Titicaca.

Sillustani
Located 28 km north of the city of Puno and about 30 minutes drive, on the shores of Umayo Lagoon, this island houses archaeological monuments in the shape of conical stone towers called chullpas, with varying heights from 10 to 13 m

Lake Titicaca
Situated 10 blocks from Puno’s Main Square and about 7 minutes walk, Titicaca is the highest navigable lake in the world (3 810 masl), with an area of approximately 8 560 km2, a length of 194 km and an average width of 65 km In places where its depths exceed 25 m, its colors range from deep blue to, in its shallow reaches, the pale green of aquatic plants.

From the lakeside port in Puno, excursions can be made to islands such as:
Uros
Located 4 km from Puno and about 20 minutes motorboat ride. The original inhabitants of these floating islands are said to descend from one of the most ancient peoples of the Americas. Their dwellings made of totora reed are built on the surface of Lake Titicaca.

Taquile
Located 35 km from the city of Puno and about 3 h motorboat ride. This island is treasured for its great ethnic and cultural value. Their people mantain their ancient cultural traditions, especially their weaving. Tourists wishing to stay the night are lodged in the homes of local families.

Amantaní
Located 37 km from the port of Puno and about 4 h 30 minutes motorboat ride, this island is also important for its ethnic and cultural value.

FOLKLORE
The folklore of Puno is characterized by the variety of its musical expressions which comprise dance, music and Peruvian traditions. The most important Puno dances include wifala de asillo, carnival of Ichu, Llamerada, Pujllay de Santiago, tuntuna, khashua de Capachica, machu-tusuj, kcajelo, diablada and pandilla puneña.

HANDICRAFTS
The most remarkable Puno handicrafts include alpaca, llama and sheep woolen garnments. Visitors can buy a number of musical instruments typical of the region such as siku and charango. Toritos de Pucará (bull figures) are highly appreciated for their excellent quality.

GASTRONOMY
Typical dishes:
-Cancacho (roasted suckling or lamb marinated in chili and oil).
-Pesque de quinua (very nutritious quinua cheese).
-Chairo (soup prepared with beef and lamb meat, potatoes, lima beans, pumpkin, cabbage, potato flour, wheat and chalona or cured lamb meat).

FESTIVITIES
Feast of the Virgin of la Candelaria. (February)
The most important religious festivity in Puno, during which masses, banquets and a colorful procession are held.
This feast is related to the pre-Hispanic agrarian rites of sowing and harvesting as well as to the mining activity.

SERVICES
• Airport in Juliaca.
• Land Transport.
• Railway Transport
• Health Centers
• Police Stations
• Handicrafts Markets
• Post Offices

Huaychulo Hotel - 2 de Mayo Av. 494 Miraflores - Web site managed by ECS Travel Company & Hotels Reservations. Reservations Phone + 51 (1) 242 8671. Phone 24 Hours + 51 (1) 9651-2083 / 9019-3508.