DAY 07: LAKE TITICACA
In the morning, you will begin your journey through Peruvian countryside and wind through the unparalleled beauty on your way to Puno. The altiplano, the high plain of the Andes, stretches along the mountain range and onto the foothills of the surrounding peaks. Small villages decorate the expanse of plains with stone buildings and vibrant clothing. Herds of llamas and alpacas give the distance an unassuming wooliness. Along the way you will stop at Pucara, a sensational pre-Columbian compound consisting of stone pyramids, including the temple of Raqchi. The ruins of the temple remind you of a hollow building where one stretch of wall remains while the rest of the building was taken apart. The pre-Incan civilization of the Pachacutec built the temple for the god Wiracocha and was an important destination for pilgrims at the time. The surrounding ruins were once warehouses that served as lodging for priests, servants, and farmers. The rich scent of earth is carried along the breeze. The ruins stand tall against the soft air. The sun lingers in the afternoon sky as you continue to Cusco.
Clouds drift past and over the altiplano as you continue your journey closer to the shining waters of Lake Titicaca lapping at the shores of the city of Puno. Herds of llama decorate the plain, their eyes open wide, and their mouths in constant motion. A short ride has you at the incredible Sillustani Ruins, stacked along the shores of Lake Umayo like a cylindrical game of Jenga. The pre-Incan burial ground contains the best-preserved funerary towers, known as chullpas, constructed for noble persons and priests. The quiet breeze brushes through the grass. The scent of the Andes is of pure cool air and rich earth. The remains of Sillustani are as inspiring today as they were to the Incas centuries ago.
Arrive in Puno along the winding roads that lead to the shores of Lake Titicaca. The city brushes against the shoreline and stretches up and across the foothills. The joyous cries of the market and street vendors drift through the open avenues. The streets are perfumed with fried dough stuffed with cheese and ground meat. Follow the joyous sounds of the streets down the main pedestrian avenue known as Jiron Lima. The quintessential colourful clothes add vibrant life to the street, from bright pink sashes to rainbow coloured blankets. Restaurants and shops line the street. The world of Puno comes to vibrant life and the sound almost stretches into the mountains. Overnight in Lake Titicaca