Puno is all about history and natural wonders, the region comprehends several attractions including pre-Incan settlements that you may not know about. However, these places hold great mysteries and wonders and also served as the inspiration to the succeeding cultures.
The Sillustani Archeological Site is one of those pre-Columbian remains that you can’t miss during your visit. These ancient tombs were built between the XIII and XV centuries and were replicated by cultures like the Incas.
If you love history as much as we do, then you must certainly get to know this attraction. As you get immersed in our extensive history, you’ll start realizing that everything just clicks perfectly, a puzzle that may have taken longer to complete but it’s been hidden in plain sight.
For example, the Kolla culture is responsible for these engineering works, where imposing funerary towers adorn the Umayo Lagoon peninsula. Later, they were conquered by the famous Quechua society, who continued with this burial tradition just like the Kolla people once did.
Make your way through the awe-inspiring scenery of the Andean highlands and rediscover a place full of mysticism and history that not many know about. Here you’ll get to know everything about the Sillustani Tour!
1. Chullpas of Sillustani
As the name of the tour indicates, the Archaeological Complex of Sillustani is the main attraction to visit. On this occasion, you’ll be able to get to know the mysticism of an ancient civilization called Kolla.
To put you in context, the Kolla civilization was an Aymara kingdom that ruled a part of the southern Peruvian highlands. They were recognized for their extensive architectural and engineering knowledge, something that was later carried out to the Inca Empire.
The Chullpas are the burial towers located on the site, these towers were built with perfectly carved rocks, joined with clay mortar. The cemetery was intended to house the bodies of the civilization’s elite, including governors and priests. Here’s a full guide about the Tombs of Sillustani.
2. Umayo Lagoon
It is located in the outskirts of the city of Puno, 20 kilometers away from the city to be exact. It is a beautiful water body with a depth of 12 meters. Umayo means ‘River Head’ in Quechua, and ‘Place to Drink Water’ in Aymara.
The Umayo Lagoon is surrounded by a beautiful natural scenery, complemented by crop lands and farm houses, besides the Sillustani Archeological Site. There’s also a mythical side to this lagoon since folklore tells that it originated from the tears of a mourning princess called Ururi.
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We have two modalities for the Sillustani Tour, where you can experience the Sillustani Tombs and the Umayo Lagoon at its fullest. Here’s the tour itinerary for our group service:
08:45h - 09:15h | Pick up at the hotel
Once you’ve had breakfast, our team will pick you up from your accommodation so we can start the adventure towards the Sillustani Archeological Site.
09:15h - 10:00h | Puno to Sillustani
It will take us about an hour to get to the famous burial towers. On the way, you’ll be able to glance at the beautiful scenery of the Andean highlands, complemented with crop lands and rural houses of the area.
10:00h - 10:45h | Sillustani Tour
Once we get to our destination, the guide will give you all the information about these ancient tombs. Here you’ll uncover a ritual carried out through generations and different civilizations.
10:45 - 11:00h | Free time to explore
The Sillustani Archeological Complex is surrounded by a deep-blue lagoon called Umayo, a natural trout reservoir that holds a great mysticism.
11:00h - 11:45 | Way back to Puno
Once we’ve finished our adventure, we’ll continue back to the Folkloric Capital of Peru. If you’d like you can combine this activity with a Half-Day Lake Titicaca Tour so you get to experience even more of our history and cultural expression.
The other option we have for you is a Private Guided Tour to Sillustani, where you’ll get to do all of the above plus discovering a long-kept agricultural strategy to cultivate potatoes over the 4,000 meters of elevation. Here’s all about that extra activity:
- Waru Waru | Pre-Columbian Hydraulics (Private Service Only)
Once we’ve finished the Sillustani Tour, we’ll get to know an ancient hydraulic system that originated hundreds of years ago, even before the Incas. The Waru Waru consisted in dividing the potato crops with 80-centimeter water ruts that would function as a termoregulator.
That way, they would acclimate the crop and prevent it from drying out and freezing at such lower temperatures. Usually, the crop lands are arranged around a small water body to allow constant irrigation, a system that has been perfected until the current date.
The excursion will take us between 30 and 45 minutes. Once you’ve learned everything about this millenary engineering work, we’ll continue back to the city of Puno.
Important Note:
- As we mentioned before, the tour is available in group or private service (Please request in advance)
- The group tour lasts for 3.5 hours, whilst the private service has a duration of 4 hours.
- You can choose between a morning or afternoon tour upon booking.
As you may know, the Sillustani Tombs are located in the Puno region, only 45 minutes away from the city. For that reason, it is an easy day trip from the Folkloric Capital of Peru. We highly recommend going on a guided tour so you don’t miss all the important details of this attraction.
Luckily for you, our excursion will take you through the most beautiful natural scenery of the region, to later explore this mystical place.
To book the Sillustani Tour, you just need to contact our team. We will optimize your time and adventure with a tailored-made travel itinerary for you.
Likewise, we care to provide the best experience to each and every one of our passengers, which is why we count with certified drivers, professional guides, and an all-time monitored car fleet with GPS tracking.
General Information:
- Duration: 3.5 - 4 hours approx.
- Entrance: Already included in the travel package.
- Included: Transport, entrance tickets, english speaking guide, pick up at the hotel.
Would you like to know more about Peru? Here you’ll find all the information you need for your trip. Our local expert team has prepared the most complete informative guides for you! Also, if you’re eager to know Peru at its fullest, check our travel packages and live an authentic experience with Viagens Machu Picchu.
