Around 07:00 in the morning is the perfect time to begin the Quechua Route. At that hour, your guide will pick you up from your hotel or accommodation, provided you are staying in the centre of Puno (3,827 m a.s.l.), proudly known as the “Capital of Peruvian Folklore”.

From there, you’ll set off in private transport towards the monumental Chullpas of Sillustani (3,840 m a.s.l.). Your first stop lies in the district of Atuncolla, just 34 km northwest of Puno.

If you’d like more details about the conditions of this tour, have a look at the Details & Notes tab.

When the Qolla people ruled the Altiplano, the mummified bodies of their leaders were placed inside impressive and colossal stone structures. Whether rectangular or tower-shaped, these constructions were always aligned towards the east.

This alignment was neither coincidence nor whim—it was meant to provide the deceased with a “symbolic communication” with the Sun God, through the small doorway featured in each striking chullpa of the complex.

In Sillustani, there are 90 structures in total. The most iconic is the Lizard Chullpa, named after the reptile carved in high relief on one of its stones. It stands 12 metres tall, and its entrance is perfectly aligned with the rising sun.

When the Incas expanded their influence into the Altiplano, they continued the tradition of building chullpas. Traces of these “Children of the Sun” can still be seen in Sillustani, an archaeological site whose splendour is heightened by the breathtaking presence of Lake Umayo nearby.

From the eternal dreams of the Qolla people to the ever-colourful and charming town of Lampa (3,892 m a.s.l.). Capital of the province of the same name, it is affectionately known as the “Pink City” thanks to the rosy hue of the buildings that brighten up its historic centre.

After a scenic one-hour drive, you’ll arrive in Lampa to visit the Church of Santiago Apóstol. Built between 1675 and 1685, this gem is considered a masterpiece of colonial religious architecture.

Its unique beauty lies in the use of sillar rosado (a pink volcanic stone) and the traditional calicanto technique. The church dominates one side of the main square, and inside you’ll find a replica of Michelangelo’s world-famous sculpture, La Pietà.

In Lampa you’ll also come across the largest bromeliads on the planet: the titancas or puya Raimondi. These fascinating plants can reach up to 12 metres in height and live for a century, only dying after they bloom.

Before continuing to the district of Pucará, you’ll have the chance to step into the library of Enrique Torres Belón (Lampa, 1887 – Lima, 1969), a local engineer and politician who generously donated to his hometown the books and volumes he treasured throughout his prolific life.

In Peru, lunchtime is always a celebration. On the Quechua Route from Puno, your taste buds will be delighted by the flavours and aromas of the traditional dishes prepared in Pucará, where you’ll arrive at around 13:00 hours.

In this district of the Lampa province, your guide will suggest several local restaurants. Be adventurous and try the alpaca meat, along with chuño or moraya (dehydrated potato), both classic ingredients of the Altiplano cuisine.

Opened in 1999, this museum safeguards and displays an impressive collection of granite stelae and monoliths with zoomorphic and anthropomorphic figures, carved with extraordinary skill by the ancient inhabitants of Pucará.

Many of these pieces were “rescued from oblivion” in the 1970s, when archaeological excavations took place at Kalasaya, a ceremonial centre of the Pukara culture (500–380 BC).

During your visit, you’ll come across the striking representation of the Staff God, a divine being linked to water worship and considered a forerunner of the iconic figure found on the Sun Gate of Tiwanaku in Bolivia.

And here’s a little extra: before leaving the district, don’t miss the famous Toritos de Pucará (little bulls of Pucará), one of Peru’s most beloved handicrafts. Tradition says these charming bulls protect homes by keeping evil spirits away.

The Quechua Route of Puno wraps up at around 18:00 hours, with the bus dropping you off in the Historic Centre, just a short walk from Puno’s main square.

If you’ve booked a private tour, we’ll make sure you’re taken directly back to your hotel.