1.- INTRODUCTION TO PUNO’S HIGH-ALTITUDE ENVIRONMENT
The Puno Altitude is 3800 m above sea level and is located on the Collao plateau, one end of the famous Lake Titicaca which is considered the highest natal lake in the world which for many world travelers represents a great challenge as they are not regularly accustomed to this kind of altitude so it is also considered a great opportunity to live an unforgettable experience. Despite the great Puno Altitude, this city is more than just a tourist destination with natural wealth, in fact it is considered one of the places that improves preserved culture so getting to know more about its tradition requires a pre-preparation for the more adventurous who undertake their trip to this place of Peru. Despite the presence of mountains and valleys, Lake Titicaca is also one of the factors that is directly linked to the temperature, climate and other factors that determine the satisfaction of travelers, however it is precisely because of the Puno Altitude that its geography is directly linked to the cultural identity so it is related to the economy, ecology and also culture.
2.- Geography of Puno
It is important to understand that the city of Puno is located in the Andean altiplano in the plateau that can be seen from southeastern Peru to northeastern Bolivia, has a mountainous geography where the mountains can easily exceed 5000 m above sea level plus some inter-Andean valleys that provide a collection of spectacular and unique landscapes. That is directly linked to the climate so in the city of Puno you can expect to have a cold and dry climate at the same time where the winter season can be felt with a more extreme cold due precisely to the Puno Altitude in addition to being quite close to the Equator. During the damage there are months that represent a greater challenge, this mainly occurs between June and August as the temperature drops to a level even below zero making visits more challenging, on the other hand between November and March you feel a warmer temperature during the day reaching between 15 °C to 20 °C however the nights are still quite cold.
3.- How important is Puno Altitude?
For world travelers who decide to visit the city located in the Andean altiplano it is important to have valuable information about the Puno Altitude, as this aspect can directly represent a problem in health and with an experience that is expected from the adventure. Being exposed to such a high altitude is common to feel discomfort associated with the popular altitude sickness, some of these ailments are represented as:
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Fatigue or extreme tiredness
- Nausea
- Difficulty breathing
Discomforts occur essentially in places that exceed 2500 m above sea level because in these places the oxygen level drops considerably. For this reason, it is recommended that world travelers have a progressive adaptation to the altitude that begins with adequate hydration of the body by drinking plenty of water, avoiding alcohol consumption and consuming light food that does not contain too many condiments.
4.- HISTORY OF PUNO
The first civilizations that inhabited the territory that today is known as the city of Puno were nomadic hunters and gatherers who arrived in this territory thousands of years before the Inca culture, among the most representative cultures that have been identified are the Kollas and Llupacas.
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With the arrival of the Incas under the rule of the Inca Pachacutec, the Kolla culture was destroyed leaving only the children alive who adopted the Andean cosmovision that belonged to the Incas in order to unite them to their culture, they took over the place renaming it with the name of the Plateau creating a place where customs of Quechua and Aymara origin were taught. There is also a legend that mentions the origin of the Inca culture in this place, where two brothers emerged from Lake Titicaca, Manco Capac and Mama Ocllo being considered as the mythical founders of the culture and with divine intervention ventured to create the empire of what is known to this day as the Inca culture. Eventually the Spanish conquerors also arrived at this place and in the year 1668 the city was officially founded with the name of San Carlos de Puno when they learned that the territory contained a great potential with activities such as silver mining.
There is no doubt that visiting the city of Puno and the highest navigable lake in the world becomes a unique adventure for the natural, historical and cultural environment it possesses, however you must also understand that the Lake Titicaca elevation is over 3800 m above sea level so it represents a great challenge for travelers who are not used to be in prolonged stays in this kind of places for this reason it is very important to properly plan the preparation for this way to avoid altitude sickness.
5.- Recommendations for your stay
Due to the Lake Titicaca elevation it is advisable to have a previous adequate adaptation to preserve the health and welfare of all travelers who say in this place as a travel destination, for this it is preferable to have at least four days of stay which will be enough to enjoy the attractions and most recognized tourist sites of the place.
- The first day is useful to be able to have a proper rest in which the body adapts with better oxygen concentration for that is also ideal to perform gentle activities such as light walks around the city giving the body the necessary time also drink plenty of water helps your body to stay hydrated and oxygenated.
- The second and third day are ideal to take the trip to the interior of Lake Titicaca, here you can get to know the popular natural islands such as Amantani and Taquile where the culture has been preserved for generations, it is also an ideal time to have a cultural immersion with the local people who can teach you more about their traditions. On the other hand another of the main attractions is undoubtedly the artificial islands of Uros who have created a society apart from the outside world in the middle of Lake Titicaca preserving their own rules and thus having their own culture.
- The last day is useful to learn more about the city here you can know mainly the main square, Coca museum and the cathedral of the city which is a cultural immersion. After this, regularly plan the trip to the nearest airport to be able to undertake and continue your trip to another destination in Peru.
6.- Best time to visit Puno
During most of the year the weather in the city of Puno is dry and cold, however you can always feel a difference between day and night because the best time to visit this place will certainly depend on the preference and disposition that you have. The dry season that occurs between May and October is also considered as high season which is characterized by providing greater stability in aspects of climate which allows outdoor activities and visits to the islands that are inside Lake Titicaca can be performed in a better way, it is common that during this season there is no continuous presence of rainfall flow however the temperature can be mild ranging between 10 ° C and 15 ° C.
Between November and April is the rainy season which is mainly where the frequency of river rainfall increases in intensity and flow so many travelers desist from planning their trip in this season however there are many others who also choose it because it has a great cultural importance mainly the month of February as it is the time of year when the biggest festival of Puno is celebrated the Candelaria festival is a transcendental religious event that for generations has become more popular and where you can appreciate in a more intimate way the culture that is kept alive.
7.- CULTURAL HERITAGE
“Despite the Puno Altitude, this place has become one of the most visited tourist destinations in Peru because it is also known as the capital of Peruvian folklore containing more than 300 local dances that originate from pre-Columbian times with a mixture of Spanish tradition, despite maintaining the tradition and cultural heritage of the Catholic religion that was introduced by the Spanish, the Andean belief that is directly linked to Mother Earth and the natural world is not lost sight of.”
8.- FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT PUNO’S ALTITUDE
- How high is Puno above sea level?
The Altitude in Puno is 3800 meters above sea level being the place where the highest navigable lake in the world is located.
- How bad is altitude sickness in Puno?
Due to the Puno Altitude, it is common for travelers arriving here for the first time to have the discomfort of altitude sickness, however it will depend on the adaptation and care that they have the intensity of discomfort is that I feel.
- Do I need altitude sickness pills for Puno?
No, it is enough to contain a progressive care that represents staying hydrated at all times, resting the body properly during the first days and balancing the food. Pills are not necessary to combat altitude sickness.
- How many days do I need to acclimatize in Puno?
One day will be enough to acclimate your body to the Altitude in Puno, besides the activities that are performed are not very physically demanding so you can enjoy your adventure without any problem from the second day.
- Is it better to visit Cusco or Puno first for altitude acclimatization?
The best alternative is always to visit Cusco first because the Puno Altitude is much higher and allows the body to acclimatize more easily before visiting a higher point.
With this information you only have to choose the time of the year when you want to enjoy a new adventure in the city of Puno and fortunately Auri Peru can help you customizing a unique experience, contact us now and get to know one of the main natural destinations in Peru.
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