Peru Rainforest & Sand Dunes

Explore the charming village of Coporaque, known for its colonial architecture and ancient legends. Visit the impressive tombs of Yuraq Qaqa, surrounded by breathtaking landscapes, and dive into the sacred valley's rich blend of nature and history. Starting from PUQIO, the excursion heads to Coporaque to explore its colonial architecture and visit the historic San Juan Bautista Church. Then, it continues to the Yuraq Qaqa tombs, offering panoramic views of the valley. The hike also includes a visit to the archaeological site of San Antonio, passing by mausoleums, irrigation channels, and pre-Inca terraces, and a view of the Occolle arena, an ancestral agricultural laboratory

COPORAQUE & YURAQ QAQA TOMBS Credit: PUQIO

Venture off the beaten path into the rugged mountain trails, where rocky formations and a mysterious deserted village await. Discover the solitude and beauty of an Andean church standing silently amidst the vast landscape. Embark on an exhilarating overlanding journey through the high Colca mountains, where nature carves mystical landscapes. We set off towards Callalli, a charming village featuring a traditional church and plaza. From there, we navigate a challenging route that crosses rivers, mountains, and gorges, revealing unique rock formations such as the toad, the bride, and the rock castles. After 1 hour and 30 minutes, we reach Llapa Yanahuara, a deserted village at 4,300 metres above sea level, enveloped in the majestic solitude of the Andes.

LLAPA YANAHUARA Credit: PUQIO

Explore the vast and awe-inspiring Pumunuta Caves, where ancient food storage remnants whisper secrets of the past. Immerse yourself in nature’s embrace within this unique landscape, high above the Colca Canyon. The Pumunuta Caves are located high up in the Colca Canyon. To reach this destination, one must pass through Chivay and the Lunta viewpoint before reaching Tuti, where the hike to the "Refrigerators of Colca'' begins. Inside, ancient clay and straw containers used by the Collaguas to preserve grains are found, offering us a fascinating glimpse into ancient life in the region. At the end of this excursion, we will visit the cheese factory in Tuti to taste Andean cheese

Cuevas De Pumunuta Credit: PUQIO

Explore the lively villages of the Colca Valley and experience local celebrations that bring ancient traditions to life. Witness the intertwining of Andean cosmovision, Catholicism, and age-old customs, creating a vibrant cultural tapestry. Drive to nearby villages to immerse yourself in local celebrations, exploring the syncretism between the Andean worldview and Catholic religion. This excursion allows you to witness how the inhabitants have internalised these traditions, celebrating them with energy and devotion. Subject to the festivity calendar

Local Festivities Credit: PUQIO

Explore the vibrant world of Colca's artisans, engage with local craftspeople, and discover the cultural richness behind their textiles and crafts in a charming village. This excursion departs by car for neighbouring villages, bringing you closer to the artisans and weavers of Colca, who preserve preHispanic traditions. The iconography in alpaca weaving reflects the local cultural richness. You will be able to learn about embroidery styles, looms, and other traditional crafts.

COLCA'S ARTISANS Credit: PUQIO

Embark on an exhilarating horseback exploration, surrounded by nature and verdant agricultural fields. Along the ride, enjoy panoramic views and encounter diverse local flora and fauna. The journey culminates at a tranquil resting place, where you can relax and explore. Enjoy a quiet picnic lunch at a scenic viewpoint, where, surrounded by nature, you can savour the genuine tastes of local delicacies. Participate in a brief Nearby Activity in the afternoon. *Not suitable for children

Explorations on Horseback Credit: PUQIO

The excursion to Chimpa Fortress departs at 6am from PUQIO towards the towns of Lari and Madrigal. After an hour of ascent, we reach the summit at 10,702 feet above sea level (3,262 m.a.s.l.), with views of the Colca Canyon and the majestic flight of the condors. On the way back, visit the historic Purísima Concepción Church in Lari, enriching the cultural experience. Enjoy lunch back at PUQIO celebrating local cuisine, prepared with the freshest regional ingredients. Meals accommodate slower digestion at higher altitudes, with natural flavours and spicy touches in the sauces. After finishing the excursion, return to PUQIO to participate in a brief Nearby Activity in the afternoon. *Suitable for children aged 12 and older

Chimpa Fortress Credit: PUQIO

Sibayo is located an hour away from Yanque. Locally referred to as the “Enchanted Town”, it is known for its historic architecture and picturesque streets. Its plaza and church are recognised as national historical monuments, preserving the Collagua legacy. Enjoy a quiet picnic lunch in Sibayo, where you can taste traditional cheeses and diverse local produce. End the excursion with an explorative 7.8 km (4.8 miles) hike from Canocota, along the canyon, admiring the views of the Colca River, the Huaynalima Canyon, and its rich flora. After finishing the excursion, return to PUQIO to participate in a brief Nearby Activity in the afternoon. *Suitable for children

Sibayo & canocota Credit: PUQIO

This excursion offers a complete experience combining the exploration of historical villages like Maca and Pinchollo with impressive natural phenomena. Along the way, you can learn about the colonial architecture of Maca’s plaza and church and enjoy panoramic views from the Colca River Canyon observatory. The highlight of the trip is the visit to the Pinchollo Geyser, a volcanic hot water spring that offers a fascinating insight into the region’s geothermal activity with its constant eruptions of water and steam. Enjoy a picnic lunch at our favourite spot in Sallalli. Surrounded by nature, you can indulge in authentic flavours of local products.After finishing the excursion, return to PUQIO to participate in a brief Nearby Activity in the afternoon. *Not suitable for children

GeYser & alto puqio Credit: PUQIO

Explore the Uros floating islands and the Island of Taquile on this full-day trip, one of our most popular excursions. Neither land, sky, or water, but rather at the intersection of the three, Totora, or junco reed roots, serve as unique building material for the floating islands of the Uros Titino communities of Lake Titicaca.

The Islands of Lake Titicaca excursion brings our guests close to the islands’ Uro-Aymara communities, providing a unique opportunity to grow personally acquainted with the men –skilled reed raftsmen–, and women, - expert weavers famous for their craft–, as well as the ancestral techniques used to keep their islands afloat, among other aspects of their remarkable heritage.

In Taquile, for example, guests will experience the Quechua imagination in the textile weavings unique to the area and recently included in UNESCO’s Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

Enjoy lunch outdoors as you treat yourself to the grandeur of Puno’s deep blue skies mirrored across Lake Titicaca with views of Bolivia’s Cordillera Real, or Royal mountain Range, in the background.

Island of the lake Credit: Titilaka

The Aymara Route excursion, spanning a whole day, entails growing acquainted with the geography, neighboring communities, nature, and privileged views of the Chucuito peninsula and Acora.

Delve into pre-Incan times in the legends and stories your guide will offer and learn about Lake Titicaca’s importance in the local worldview and means of subsistence. Grow closely acquainted with the unique interconnectedness of man and nature surviving to this day.

Be it by car, on a bike, or by foot, make your way through the paths meandering through open fields and pastures. Reaching the privileged views of natural lookouts, enjoy the lake’s extensive reach. As part of the excursion, guests will see the lodge’s neighboring communities and locals engaging in daily labors, birds in their varying ecosystems, archeological remains, and astonishing landscapes.

Along the way, stop and enjoy your specially prepared lunch in the company of the lake’s calm and majestic views.

Aymara Route Credit: Titilaka

On the way to or from the airport, stop and see Lampa, a colonial-period architectural gem and previous Spanish colonial stronghold in the area.

Known as the ‘Pink City’ for the lively coloration of its town walls, Lampa invites travelers to visit its church, old mansions, and squares. Renown in the region for its architecture, the Lampa church is the only local temple built exclusively for the use of Spanish landowners. Explore its mysterious catacombs and an impressive replica of Michelangelo’s “La Pietá.”

Perhaps the region’s largest and most important pre-Hispanic funeral ground, the archeological complex of Sillustani provides evidence to the area’s rich past while offering visitors privileged views of Lake Umayo.

Host to a number of chullpas, or ancient funerary tower-like structures, built exclusively to house the remains of nobles and distinguished individuals, Sillustani is among the best kept archaeological sites in the area. Sillustani provides visitors with a range of chullpas in varying architectural forms resulting from changing time periods and power shifts of peoples like the Pucara, Kolla, and Incas. Note, for example, the pre-Incan towers’ rustic appearance and smaller size in comparison to the Incan period’s larger and more sophisticated chullpas. Made up of rocks weighing between 2 and 6 tons, the largest tower in the complex, known as the Lizard Tower, is estimated to have taken over 50 years to build.

Combining archeology, history, and unforgettable views, Sillustani is a must-see location.

Stop and explore the epicenter of the region’s evangelizing mission of indigenous peoples during the Spanish conquest in Puno’s Juli and Pomata churches, this last one used as a model in the construction of other South- American colonial-period temples. Located between Cuzco and the historic mining town of Potosí, these religious centers are at the intersection of millenary cultural legacies, the mining rush, and the clash of faiths.

As the evangelizing fervor spread and competition for followers and acknowledgment grew fiercer in the region, six churches were built by request of rival Catholic congregations. Harboring the construction of four churches in the XVI and XVII centuries, the town of Juli came to be known as the “Little Rome of America,” while Pomata grew famous for its baroque church, built entirely out of red pumice stone, or piedra pómez roja.

The churches display impressive architecture, including gold leaf altars –a technique unique to the time–, as well as notable paintings of the vice regal period and large bells which can still be heard to this day. Recently restored, these offer a journey into the past, one you’ll be able to enjoy peacefully, seeing as travelers rarely make it here. On your way back, you’ll see the mysterious
Aramu Muru, or Wilka Uta portal, a human-sized rectangular frame carved into a massive red rock, similar to sandstone. The mystical Aramu Muru was previously used as a holy site for rituals to the Sun god or Inti during the time of the Incas.

The Colla Route, part of the original network of Incan roadways, runs through the rocky mountain area near the lodge.

Leaving early in the morning, the traveler has numerous route options to choose from along the Colla Route or up to the Titilaka Archway. While walking, you’ll be able to enjoy views of the area and Bolivia’s impressive Cordillera Real, or Royal Mountain Range. Continue onto the Hilarata Summit, where you will be rewarded with amazing views of Lake Titicaca and the Altiplano below
where the Santa Rosa and Thunuhuaya communities are located. Allow Lagoon Chatuma, where locals hold rituals and ceremonies to this day, to surprise you with its beauty.

Accompanied by our specialized guides, you’ll be led in detecting, identifying, and even mimicking bird songs as you attempt to establish an exchange with native species. As part of your experience, you’ll visit different ecosystems where you’ll be able to find a wide range of local birds.

Explore the excellent birdwatching in the conserved protected wetland near the lodge. A member of the RAMSAR Convention on wildlife, this neighboring protection site is home to some 103 species of migratory and residential birds, several of which are only native to this area.

Departing early in the morning or late in the afternoon, you’ll find birds leaving for breakfast or returning home for a night’s rest. Some species are highly recognizable on account of their colorful feathers while others are harder to spot in the opaque and subdued tones of their plumages, a protective measure ensuring camouflage from prey. Depending on the season, you’ll be able to see flamingos and Great crested grebes, among other species.

(only Saturdays and Sundays)
The people of the Peruvian Altiplano are faithful to many historic traditions, among them, bartering or trading as a main form of payment and commerce. Sunday is host to the trading of agricultural products, with a colorful display of a variety of potatoes, quinoa, chuño, among other local goods not seen elsewhere.

The Marketplace Visit offers a unique opportunity to participate in the lively shopping experience of the local people. Gathering inhabitants from Lake Titicaca, neighboring areas, as well as visitors to the area, participate in this lively dynamic as you peruse the unique species in your trip to the market.

(according to Festivities Calendar)
Known as the Peruvian Capital of Folklore, Puno is host to some of the region’s most renowned traditional festivals. Among the most celebrated and popular, the feast of the Virgin of la Candelaria, declared Intangible and Cultural Patrimony of Humanity by UNESCO boasts over 360 pre and post-colonial dances. Weaving together a unique version of local history, this festival is held each February and gathers around 40,000 people. Storming Puno’s streets with vibrant dance and lively traditional wear made solely for the celebration, the Virgin of la Candelaria is the region’s most representative celebration.

Titilaka has identified 12 local feasts near the lodge, and if your stay with us coincides with any of them, our guides will gladly assist you in enjoying these. Be among the few travelers who have experienced these typical Peruvian
traditions.

The first nautical sports facility on Lake Titicaca, our boat house offers you the exclusive opportunity to sail at more than 12,000 feet above sea level. Choose among kayaks, Canadian canoes, paddle boards, and sunfish sailboats, or try them all as you explore this wonderful body of water.

Experienced Titilaka instructors are at hand to look over your safety and explain navigation procedures before you begin your nautical journey. Explore the lake at your pace while enjoying the serenity of its views and silence. Discover the nearby ecosystems strewn among its shores and Totora reeds, an ideal location to observe local wildlife and plants making Titicaca their home.

Don’t miss views of the lodge as you make your way through the lake and look forward to snacks and refreshing beverages on our outdoor terrace once you’re ready to head back.

Undoubtedly one of our most memorable journeys, cycling through the fields of Platería offers unforgettable scenery as you explore outdoors under Puno’s blue sky.

Crossing varying terrain, you’ll follow rural paths along the lakeshore where you will see locals participating in their daily activities, possibly in traditional wear. Be it farming the earth with old-fashioned tools, or employing old school means of transportation like a donkey for Totora reed gathering, locals can be seen working in the company of their playing children.

Enjoy the freedom and fresh air in this engaging activity where you set the pace and direction.

Puno’s clear skies and the Altiplano’s serenity collaborate to make the lake’s environment a perfect place for astrological observation. Layer up before stepping outside to our lodge gardens where your guide will explain the movement of stars and locate constellations such as the Wawawara Hawira, or Milky Way.

Learn about the religious beliefs of the Andean societies, with duality between the sun and moon serving as origin of the world and cosmic order. Partake in the oral tradition, a local source of knowledge, as you listen to legends and stories passed down from generations from ancestral time to this day.

Allow our guides to gently lead you on a raft through masses of Totora reed near the lodge as you learn more about this local hydrophilic plant species. Explore the lake’s ecosystem and learn about the close relationship existing between the peoples inhabiting the lake and its natural resources.

Used in a number of ways, Totora reed is part of the local diet as well as a construction material for housing. The system for Totora reed distribution is similar to that used for property or land, with reed distributed among locals for harvesting.

This nutritious reed also provides a special ecosystem for birds such as the goldcrest, flightless grebe, moorhen and heron.

Consider the magnificent views, hues, and impressive Andean geography while you walk along rural paths near Titilaka. Visit a local community and learn more about the traditions and practices of Andean life in the Peruvian Altiplano. Observe local agricultural and fishing practices, an essential part of the daily routine.

Enjoy a canoe ride through the Paracas Bay.

The Ballestas Islands have unique tourist attractions, in it we can find extraordinary monuments carved in rocks, a great diversity of wildlife, including endemic and migratory species, dreamy sunsets, as well as a unique geology.

Enjoy an extraordinary view of the Paracas Bay while you exercise and relax surrounded by nature.