Puno is not just Lake Titicaca and its islands. Tourism in the ‘Highland City’ offers many other places of great archaeological and cultural interest. One of the most famous for its grandeur, monumentalism, and historical significance is the Sillustani chullpas, located in the district of Atuncolla.
Due to its proximity to the city (just 40 minutes by road) and the harmonious blend of geographic beauty and human achievement — a hallmark of Peru’s pre-Hispanic legacy — this sanctuary of memory and immortality will not only astonish you but will also remain etched in your travelling memory.
Visit the Sillustani necropolis with us. Let a professional tour guide lead you, our guide is well-versed in history, culture, and traditions of the highlands. They will explain the importance of the chullpas, tower or box-shaped structures built by the highland civilizations to bury their dead
HIGHLIGHTS
Meeting place — at about 14:00
We will pick you up at about 14:00 from your hotel located in Puno’s historic centre.
If you are staying in another area of the city, a meeting point will be arranged.
Booking a private tour will allow you to avoid any waiting times.
For more information about this tour, please refer to the Details and Notes tab.
From Puno to Sillustani by road
You will depart at about 14:30 from the city of Puno, heading to the Sillustani archaeological complex, located in the district of Atuncolla. The journey spans 33 kilometres along a paved road and takes approximately 30 to 40 minutes by vehicle.
Guided tour of Sillustani
In the Altiplano, pre-Hispanic civilizations and cultures had the custom of burying their dead in large funerary towers known as Chullpas. These remarkable structures are what will stand out and impress you at Sillustani.
It was the Colla people who initially erected the Chullpas in this archaeological site. Sillustani, means “the sliding place of nails” is home to 91 Chullpas located at an altitude of 3,902 m a.s.l.
The Chullpas vary in size and characteristics, but pay special attention to the Chullpa of the Lizard, the most imposing structure in Sillustani, standing at 12 metres tall. Also, take a moment to enjoy the stunning views of the nearby Lake Umayo.
Experiential visit in Atuncolla
At the end of your visit to Sillustani, you will head to one of the typical homes in the village of Atuncolla (16:30). In this rural house, your hosts will share insights into their way of life and the agricultural, pastoral, and artisanal activities they carry out.
This is an immersive cultural experience where you’ll learn about the traditions and customs of the Altiplano. You will also have the chance to interact with llamas and alpacas, the camelids that reign over the plateaus and plains of Puno.
Return to Puno
Ending place — at about 18:00
Your tour will end at approximately 18:00. Our transport will drop you off in a central area, close to Puno’s Main Square (Plaza Mayor or Plaza de Armas). From this point, you can easily make your way back to your hotel.
If you decide to book the private tour, we will drop you off at the door of your hotel.
PRICE
The prices shown in the table are:
- Per person in US dollars ($).
- Pple. = people.
- Group = group service, shared.
| Pple. | Type of tour | |
|---|---|---|
| Group | Private | |
| 1 | $23 | $210 |
| 2 | $23 | $60 |
| 3 | $23 | $57 |
| 4 | $23 | $55 |
| 5 | $23 | $54 |
DETAILS
| Details | Type of tour | |
|---|---|---|
| Group | Private | |
| Schedule | 14:00 to 18:00 | You decide |
| Days | Every day | Every day |
| Language | es/en simultaneously | en or es |
| Size | 15 to 20 pax. | You and your friends |
| Included | Type of tour | |
|---|---|---|
| Group | Private | |
| Pick up from your hotel | ✅ | ✅ |
| Food | ❌ | ❌ |
| Guide | ✅ | ✅ |
| Driver | ✅ | ✅ |
| Tourist vehicle | ✅ | ✅ |
| Personalized service | ❌ | ✅ |
| Entry tickets for Sillustani: 15 soles pp | ❌ | ❌ |
| Drop-off at your hotel | ❌ | ✅ |
Accessibility: This tour is not suitable for people with reduced mobility.
What do I bring?
- Sweaters or jackets.
- Anti-slip shoes.
- Raincoats.
- Caps or hats.
- Sunscreen.
- Sunglasses.
- A bottle of water.
- Local currency in cash.
WhatsApp:
NOTES
Pick-ups and timings
Group tours:
- The pick-up and tour completion times are approximate.
- Pick-ups are only available from hotels located in the historic centre.
- Your pick-up time will depend on the location of your hotel.
- If you’re staying outside the historic centre, we’ll arrange a meeting point.
- If the vehicle has difficulty reaching your hotel, we’ll arrange a meeting point.
- We do not provide pick-ups during festivals, strikes, or heavy vehicle traffic.
- All pick-ups and meeting points will be organized the day before your tour.
Private tours:
- Pick-ups are punctual.
- Pick-ups apply for the entire city of Puno.
- All pick-ups will be arranged the day before your tour.
- The tour completion time is still approximate; however, we will do our best to finish the tour as scheduled.
Type of vehicle and seats
Vehicles:
- Authorized by the Ministry of Transportation of Peru.
- Clean and modern ones.
- Sedan looking auto, 4×4, H1, Van, Renault and Mercedez Benz (it will depend on the group size).
Seats – group tours:
- You reserve a seat in the bus, not a specific number of seat.
- If you get picked-up first, then you can choose some seats (your pick-up time will depend on your hotel location).
- Couples seat together to 95%; however, we can’t warranty this will happen to 100%.
Entrance ticket discounts
Kids, minors, students and Peruvians may have discounts but an official ID is required to show:
- Kids and minors: Bring their official passaports to prove their age.
- Students: Bring your offficial passport and goverment issued ID.
- Peruvians: Bring your oficial ID.
Guide
He is fully authorized by the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism. This tour is focused on hiking, not on history.
Group tours:
- He will accompany you to show you the way.
- Intermediate English.
Private tours:
- He will always be to take care of the service.
- Intermediate-advanced English.
- There is plenty of explanation throughout the tour.
Operability and itinerary
This tour is subject to variation without any prior notice, due to weather conditions, strikes and any other event that doesn’t allow the normal tour operation. See also our terms.
CANCELLATIONS
Cancellation of the tour is free as long as you do so at least 48 hours in advance, otherwise we will charge 100% of the tour price. See also our terms.
REVIEWS
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REVIEWS
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