Sillustani Tours

Sillustani Tours offers a captivating exploration of Peru’s cultural heritage. Nestled in the highlands of Puno, the archaeological site boasts impressive pre-Incan funerary towers, stunning natural landscapes, and unique earth mounds. With a small group size and knowledgeable bilingual guides, the tour promises an intimate and enriching experience. Whether you’re a history enthusiast or simply seeking to learn about Peru’s natural beauty, Sillustani Tours is an enticing option that may leave you eager to uncover more about this remarkable destination.

Key Points

• Sillustani Tours in Puno, Peru offer exploration of the archaeological site featuring impressive funerary towers (chullpas) and scenic Umayo Lagoon.
• The tours highlight the Lizard, the highest chullpa tower, and waru waru earth mounds for flood protection, providing insights into Colla and Inca cultures.
• Group sizes are limited to a maximum of 12 travelers, ensuring a personalized experience with a bilingual guide.
• The half-day tour, starting at $25.65, includes transportation from hotels in historic Puno and admission to the site.
• Sillustani Tours have received a perfect 5-star average rating from 9 reviews, emphasizing the value, guides, and scenic beauty of the experience.

Location and Tour Type

The Sillustani Tours are located in Puno, Peru, offering a half-day excursion to the archaeological site renowned for its funerary towers, or chullpas, built by the Collas and Incas.

This tour type allows visitors to explore the highest tower, known as the Lizard, and admire the waru waru earth mounds designed for flood protection.

Plus, the tour includes a visit to the picturesque Umayo Lagoon and an opportunity to spot local wildlife, such as flamingos and wild pigs.

The group size is capped at a maximum of 12 travelers, ensuring a more intimate and personalized experience.

With a starting price of $25.65, the Sillustani Tours provide an affordable way to explore Peru’s rich cultural heritage.

Highlights and Group Size

Among the highlights of the Sillustani Tours are visits to the site’s highest tower, known as the Lizard, as well as the waru waru earth mounds designed for flood protection.

Plus, the tour includes a stop at the picturesque Umayo Lagoon, where visitors may spot local wildlife like flamingos and wild pigs.

To ensure a more intimate and personalized experience, the group size is capped at a maximum of 12 travelers.

The Sillustani Tours offer:

• A chance to explore the rich cultural heritage of the Collas and Incas, as reflected in the impressive funerary towers

• Stunning natural scenery, including the serene Umayo Lagoon and the unique waru waru earth mounds

• An opportunity to witness the diverse wildlife that thrives in the region

Tour Duration and Schedule

The Sillustani Tours have an approximate duration of 3.5 hours from hotel pickup to drop-off, taking place in the afternoon.

Travelers are picked up around 2:00 PM and return to historic Puno by 5:30 PM, allowing ample time to explore the archaeological site and its surrounding natural features.

The tour schedule is designed to provide a comprehensive half-day experience, ensuring visitors have the opportunity to visit the highest chullpa tower, known as the ‘Lizard,’ as well as the waru waru earth mounds and the picturesque Umayo Lagoon.

This convenient timing allows guests to make the most of their day while in Puno, Peru.

Transportation and Accessibility

Private buses transport visitors from their hotels in historic Puno to the Sillustani archaeological site, providing a comfortable and convenient mode of travel.

The tour isn’t wheelchair accessible, but most travelers can participate comfortably.

Accessibility considerations include:

• Uneven terrain and stairs at the archaeological site may pose challenges for those with mobility issues.

• The site’s remote location requires a degree of physical fitness to fully explore.

• Guests should inform the tour operator of any special needs or concerns prior to booking to ensure an enjoyable experience.

Inclusions and Exclusions

Included in the Sillustani Tours package is transportation from your’ hotels in historic Puno to the archaeological site and back, along with a knowledgeable bi-lingual guide who provides insights into the cultures and history of the chullpas. The admission ticket to the site is also covered, though meals and beverages are not specified as part of the inclusions.

Inclusions	Exclusions
Transportation from/to hotel	Meals
Bi-lingual guide	Beverages
Admission ticket	–
–	–

The tour promises to offer a well-rounded experience, with all the essentials covered, allowing visitors to focus on absorbing the fascinating history and natural beauty of Sillustani.

Reviews and Feedback

Travelers have overwhelmingly praised the Sillustani Tours, with a perfect 5-star average rating across 9 total reviews. The common praise highlights several key aspects of the tour experience:

• Informative and knowledgeable guides who provide valuable insights into the cultures and history of the chullpas (funerary towers).

• The breathtaking scenery of the archaeological site and surrounding landscape, including the Umayo Lagoon.

• The small group size, which allows for a more intimate and personalized tour experience.

• The overall good value for money, with the tour offering an immersive half-day excursion starting at $25.65 per person.

While the feedback is largely positive, there was one three-star review noting some issues with the taxi arrangements during pickup.

Booking and Pickup Policy

Confirming a Sillustani Tour reservation is a straightforward process, with travelers receiving their booking confirmation at the time of purchase.

However, the tour operator, Lake Titicaca Trips, maintains a specific pickup policy, as they don’t provide transportation from private residences, such as Airbnb accommodations, located outside the historic center of Puno.

Instead, the tour company arranges pickups from hotels within the historic downtown area. This policy helps ensure efficient logistics and a smooth start to the tour experience.

Travelers should keep this pickup policy in mind when booking their accommodations, as it may impact their transportation arrangements to the Sillustani archaeological site.

Tour Operator and Additional Information

Lake Titicaca Trips, the agency operating the Sillustani Tours, is known for its commitment to providing good customer service and reasonable pricing. The company’s tour packages offer travelers a comprehensive experience, with transportation from hotels in historic Puno to the archaeological site and back, as well as the inclusion of admission tickets and knowledgeable, bilingual guides who share insights into the cultures and history of the chullpas.

Booking confirmation is provided at the time of booking, though the tours are non-refundable.

Pickup isn’t available from private residences outside the historic center of Puno, ensuring a smooth and efficient start to the tour.

With a maximum group size of 12 travelers, the Sillustani Tours provide a personalized and intimate experience, allowing for greater engagement with the guide and the archaeological site.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can We Customize the Tour to Accommodate Our Interests?

Yes, the tour can likely be customized to accommodate your interests. Many operators offer flexible options to tailor the experience based on visitors’ preferences and needs within the overall tour structure and duration.

Is There an Option to Visit Other Sites Near Sillustani?

Yes, there are options to visit other sites near Sillustani. The tour operator often combines the Sillustani tour with visits to Umayo Lagoon or Cutimbo, where visitors can see additional pre-Incan and Incan archaeological sites and natural landscapes.

What Should We Bring for the Tour?

For the tour, visitors should bring comfortable walking shoes, sun protection, and a light jacket or sweater. Having water and snacks on hand is also recommended to stay hydrated and energized throughout the excursion.

Are There Any Age Restrictions or Physical Requirements?

The tour is open to all ages, but participants should be able to walk on uneven terrain for approximately 2 hours. There are no strict physical requirements, but decent mobility is recommended to fully enjoy the experience.

Do the Tour Guides Speak Other Languages Besides English and Spanish?

The tour guides typically speak both English and Spanish, though they may accommodate other languages as well. Travelers should inquire about the specific language capabilities of the guides when booking the tour.

Recap

Sillustani Tours offers a captivating half-day exploration of Peru’s Sillustani archaeological site.

Featuring impressive funerary towers and scenic vistas, the tour provides a personalized experience for up to 12 travelers guided by knowledgeable experts.

At an affordable price, it’s an enriching journey into the region’s cultural heritage and natural beauty.

Convenient transportation and inclusions make this tour an attractive option for visitors to Puno.