Puno sits on the shore of Lake Titicaca, at 3,827 m (12,556 ft), and almost everything you do here revolves around the lake: floating reed islands, communities that weave as they did centuries ago, and funerary towers overlooking a lagoon. This guide sorts the tours that leave Puno every day, with price, schedule and who each one suits.
Puno tours at a glance
- Uros floating islands — 3 hours, from S/ 32.
- Uros and Taquile — full day, from S/ 90, lunch included.
- Uros and Amantaní — full day, from S/ 70, lunch included.
- Uros, Amantaní and Taquile — 2 days and 1 night in a family home, from S/ 169.
- Sillustani burial towers — 4 hours in the afternoon, from S/ 38.
- Chucuito, Molloco, Waru Warus and Aramu Muro — full day, from S/ 105.
- Lampa, Pukara and Tinajani Canyon — full day, from S/ 150.
Uros floating islands: the short visit
This is the shortest tour and the one almost everyone does. The boat takes about 25 minutes from the port to the islands, built layer upon layer from totora, the same reed the Uros use for their houses and boats. It runs from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and includes transfers, motorboat, entrance and guide.
The ride on a traditional reed boat is optional and paid on the spot: S/ 15 per person. See the details on the Uros Islands tour.
Taquile or Amantaní: a full day on the lake
Both full-day tours start at 7:25 a.m., stop at the Uros first and return to Puno around 5:00 p.m. Both include boat, entrance fees, guide and lunch. The difference is the second island:
- Uros and Taquile: an hour and a half by boat from the Uros. Taquile is known for its textile art, recognised by UNESCO.
- Uros and Amantaní: two and a half hours by boat. A larger, quieter island with pre-Inca terraces and open views of the lake.
If you get seasick easily or prefer fewer hours on the boat, choose Taquile.
Sleeping on the lake: 2 days with a night on Amantaní
The most complete way to experience Titicaca is to stay overnight. On day one you visit the Uros and reach Amantaní, where the group is split among local family homes. In the afternoon you walk up to the Pacha Tata viewpoint for sunset. On day two you visit Taquile before returning to Puno.
It includes boat, guide, entrance to all three islands, homestay accommodation and meals on the island. This is community-based tourism: the houses are simple and nights are cold, so bring warm clothes. See the itinerary of the 2-day Uros, Amantaní and Taquile tour.
Sillustani: the burial towers
About 40 minutes from Puno, facing Lake Umayo, stand the chullpas of Sillustani: stone funerary towers of the Kolla culture, where nobles were buried. The tour leaves at 2:00 p.m. and returns at 5:45 p.m., so it combines well with the Uros in the morning. The site entrance (S/ 15) is paid separately. Details on the Sillustani tour.
If you would rather have it arranged, the Sillustani and Titicaca islands combo spreads both visits over two days, from S/ 104 (accommodation in Puno is on your own).
Away from the lake: the lesser-known routes
- Chucuito and Aramu Muro: the Inca Uyo temple in Chucuito, the Molloco burial towers, the waru warus (Andean raised fields) and Aramu Muro, a doorway almost 7 metres tall carved into the rock. From 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., entrance fees included.
- Lampa, Pukara and Tinajani: the church of Lampa with its replica of the Pietà, the Pukara stone museum and the rock forest of Tinajani Canyon. From 7:10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., entrance fees included.
How to plan your visit
- 1 day: Uros in the morning and Sillustani in the afternoon.
- 2 days: the Uros and Taquile full day, then Sillustani the next day.
- 3 days: the 2-day tour with a night on Amantaní, plus Sillustani or Aramu Muro.
Puno's altitude
Puno is one of the highest cities on the southern Peru circuit. The tours are easy — there is little walking — but take your first day slowly, eat light and drink water.
From Puno to Colca Canyon
If your next stop is Arequipa, you do not have to go straight back: the Puno – Chivay connection leaves at 6:00 a.m. and arrives at midday, with stops at Lagunillas, Patawasi and the Patapampa volcano viewpoint (4,950 m). From Chivay you can continue with a Colca tour; in Colca Canyon: full day or 2 days we compare the options.
What to pack
- A hat and sunscreen: the sun on the high plateau is strong.
- Warm clothes for the afternoon and, above all, for the night on Amantaní.
- Water and snacks.
- Cash for the fees paid separately and the reed boat.
- Valid ID or passport.
All departures are daily. Write to us through the contact form and we will confirm availability for your dates.
