Puno & Lake Titicaca holidays

There’s plenty to get up to across Puno and Lake Titicaca. You might like to begin your trip by exploring the city, starting with one of the top landmarks – the Cathedral of Puno. You can marvel at the impressive, baroque-style architecture from Plaza Mayor de Puno, or wander around the monastery grounds that lie just next door.

Over on Lake Titicaca, the floating islands are the main attraction. Made completely out of totora reeds, these pint-sized islands are inhabited by native communities, who kindly welcome tourists to learn about their way of life. Take a boat trip to the island of Uros, just five kilometres away from Puno, or venture further out to Taquile Island.

The people of Puno aren’t shy of a party. In fact, some of Peru’s biggest events and festivals take place in this southern city – the best-known being Festival de la Virgen de la Candelaria. Honouring a mix of colonial and indigenous tradition, this two-week extravaganza is a feast of music and dancing, with over 30,000 performers joining in the fun.

Another lively event in the calendar is Puno Day, which celebrates the founding of both the city and the Incan Empire. Expect more dancing, music, processions and parties, as well as an enactment of the legend of Manco Cápac, who rose from Lake Titicaca to found the Empire.

Once you’ve ticked off the top sights in Puno, you might fancy venturing slightly further afield. Drive 40 minutes out of the city and you’ll reach the tranquil grounds of the Sillustani Cemetery. Set by a sprawling lake and home to pre-Incan funeral towers, this precious archaeological site is well worth a daytrip.

Fancy doing some trekking during your Peru holiday? Why not give the Aymara Route a go? Pass picturesque towns, sacred temples, and soak up some incredible Andean scenery on a full-day walking tour.

Another option, if you’d rather take it easy, is to visit Lake Titicaca’s Bolivian side. Take a trip to the small town of Copacabana (not to be confused with the bustling neighbourhood in Rio de Janeiro), before exploring the nearby islands.

Planning a holiday to Peru’s ‘folklore capital’? You might want to coincide your trip with one of the city’s famous festivals. There are lots of event to choose from, but the most popular – Festival de la Virgen de la Candelaria – takes place in February, whilst Puno Day occurs in November. Just be sure to book in advance, as these dates are particularly popular!

When it comes to weather, the coldest months in Puno and Lake Titicaca are June and July, with temperatures sometimes dipping as low as -4°C. But, when it’s cold, there’s also less clouds in the sky, making for some jaw-dropping views. On the other hand, the warmest months (usually considered Puno’s ‘peak’) are October, November and December.