Puno
Puno, the most important town on the banks of the Titikaka, has steel boats like the Yavari, which has been navigating since 1870, making the Titikaka “ the highest navigable lake in the world ”.
In front of its main square is its imposing XVIII th century cathedral, its colonial and republican houses which give it personality. The Dreyer museum allows you to discover the history of those who live at more than 3810 metres high, surrounded by mythological hills, offering modern comforts, as well as folklore, textile arts and crafts and traditional ways of life, sharing the heritage of the Uros, the Aymaras and the Quechuas.
Chucuito
The main town of the Lupacas and the Aymaras who controlled far away places , establishing colonies. Occupied by the Incas, Chucuito was the capital of the Collasuyo, with houses and modern premises, such as the “Inka Uyo”, facing the Santo Domingo church, the first built by the Dominicans on the High Plain. “El Rollo” still subsists, symbol of Spanish justice, the sculpted doors of the “Cajas Reales” and colonial churches which make it different than the other towns.
Juli
Four important churches and artisan work shops were the basis of the Jesuit mission in Juli, for two centuries. The carved stone for posterity, the beautiful paintings by Bernardo Bitti S.J. and the printing house operation in the beginning of the XVII th century, will turn it into the “ Little Rome of America”, facing Lake Titikaka. On the square, the twilight glow lights up the carved gate of the College for the sons of the high plains Curacas.
Pomata
This village is on one of the most picturesque rivers of Lake Titikaka. It can be found on some of the shores of the majestic lake Titikaka. It has been named the : “Philosophical balcony of the high plain”, due to its strategic location, just like medieval castles. . Pomata was the center for the religious congregation of “Santo Domingo of Guzman” in 1540. it was founded by Jesuits and Dominicans at the time of independence in 1854 and has the following tourist attractions:
The colonial style “Temple of Santiago the Apostel”, made of reddish stones. Inside the temple, there are “catacombs” or “underground cemeteries.” In these catacombs there are underground passages which lead to “Cuzco”, the “Sun Temple”. They also lead to the little town of “Machupicchu”.
Cutimbo
On a big plateau isolated on the plain near Pural is the sacred cemetery of the “Lupacos”, noble “Aymares” of Chacuito. There are square and circular “Chullpas” of great stature. Close by, there are places with cave paintings and other Chulpas in Mallkuamaya and Arcopunco.
Sillustani
Sillustani, sacred necropolis of the “Colla”, “Aymares” from the north of Puno, is situated next to the nice lagoon of “umayo” and beside the village of “Hatu Colla”, its main capital. The “chullpas”or “enclosed funeral sites”, were built with polished stones and guarded the mummies of their ancestors which they worshipped every year.
Pucará
In Pucara, 106 km north of Puno, is the most important administrative and ceremonial center of the Puka culture, which started its development 1800 years before Christ. It achieved its maximum expression the year 400 after Christ, establishing the first high plain state to come after the “Tiwanaco, the “Wari” and the “Incas”. It is the most complex and interesting culture of the Andes. Its ceremonial center, Kalasaya, has nine terraced terraces, sunken ceremonial patios, a magnificent accessible stairway and, in the “Sitio Museum”, one can admire monoliths of enigmatic designs and ceramics with the image of the otorongo or jaguar who come from the jungles where they will expand their control.
It is a village of artisan-ceramists who produce the “torito de Pucara”, image which causes the economic well being of the family.
Lampa
Peaceful town with ancestral houses from the “colonial period”, its splendid 18th century baroque church from the “Cuquena school”; and a replica of Michael Angelo’s “Pieta”.
In its surroundings, one can see cave paintings of alpaca shepherds, whose descendants maintain the tradition of herding. One can also see the textile art, such as the music and dance of the Ayarachi, which are of great telluric significance and brightness.
