This small dusty town, with a population of about 80,000 claims its fame for its location at Lake Titicaca.
Lake Titicaca is over 170 kilometers long and lies almost 4000 meters above sea level. The sun shines brightly through the thin air at this altitude and the lake appears to be a deep blue. The area is full of tradition and folklore and is the center of Inca creation legends with Inca myths telling how the god Viracocha emerged from the lake to create the sun and moon and fashion humans from stone.

We highly recommend visitors to take it easy for a few days to get used to the altitude. The altitude also makes for the extremes in the climate in Puno. During daytime it can be quite warm, but at night the temperature can drop below the freezing point.
The surroundings of Puno are magnificent and it is here where we can find the cradle of the Aymara civilization and the legendary birthplace of the founders of the Inca empire.
It is also believed that from the waters of Lake Titicaca Manco Capac, their cultural founder, emerged.

Many ethnic groups, like the Uros, still depend on the lake for their living.
The floating Islands of the Uros people of Lake Titicaca are formed from compacted beds of Totora reeds (the lake's vegetation). Walking on these spongy, unstable islands is a strange experience. The reeds are also used to construct huts and boats. It is believed that the Uros people originally took to the reed islands of Lake Titicaca in an effort to isolate themselves from other groups such as the Incas.

Near Puno, overlooking Lake Umayo, are chullpas, or burial towers, that served as the tombs of the Aymara Lords.