Chucuitos peninsula is formed by three districts of the south east region of the province capital city Puno: Chucuito, Plateria and Acora, each of them with their own tourist attractions.
Every district has a similar topography: a height zone(more than 4000 meters) principally used as alpaca and cattle raising fields, and mining activities, near the lake shores, a way up zone allows domestic agriculture of familiar and the formation of many whitish sand beautiful beaches, protected by rocky formations that work as buttresses against the winds. Its thin white sand beaches contrasts against the pink rocky formations that still impressing tourists who visit the place.
Due to the lakes thermoregulating effect and to its geographical position, the Peninsula is protected from winds and a has an agreeable micro climate that allows the growing of many crops, but it also allows the natural development of several kind of local and imported trees and shrubs such as: Kollis, Kantutas of many different colors, Pines, Brooms, Eucalyptuses, Cypresses, Rose-bushes, Apple trees, Q'eñuas, Capulis, Small peaches, colorful Dahlias, many kinds of Cactus and Tumbos which branches, leaves, flowers and fruits climb over the ceilings of the houses. Many of these plants are not only considered to be ornamental, they also belong to a big list of natural cures, daily used by locals.
In this small natural paradise, where men activity joins the natures harmony, many animals have found a proper life environment for many species such as foxes, skunks, wild guinea pigs and specially, many kinds of birds that pair here : eagles, ducks, gulls, fisher martin and the pariguanas (flamingos) they return here every year during their long migration flights between December and March.
The remaining ruins of many chullpas (funeral tombs) along all height zones and small hills that surround the borders of Titicaca, are witness of a pre inca and inca occupation of the region. Pukaras, Lupacas, Kollas, small pre inca reigns, extended their domain over all this territory, chullpas of Cutimbo, Molloko and Tunuhuiris ceremonial center bear witness of these occupations . The Inca influence is demonstrated in several areas of these districts, Inca Anatahui in the community of Ccopamaya or Inca Uyo in Chucuito, and many more...
The many stablished haciendas along the region riverside, bear witness to a significant Spanish occupation. the Acoras massive colonial temples, these impressive temples and the presence of the Royal tribute houses in Chucuito, reinforce the importance that the Spanish colonists gave to this privileged region of lake Titicaca.
Located 15 km away from Puno, Tunuhuiri ceremonial center offers to visitors the chance to discover one of the oldest ceremonial centers of the Altiplane, part of the Pukara culture and located over a small hill, there is a paved way to get there. on the top, there is an important ceremonial square with tunnels and worship cavities, and over the hills slope, several carved stone monoliths to honor their divinities can be found, very common in Pukara civilization.
Located 18 km away from Puno, the pleasant town of Chucuito is important due to its interesting history and the vestiges of its opulent past. because of its privileged microclimate, the place was occupied since very long time ago. Chucuito was part of the Thiahuanacu civilization; Lupacas turned this place their manor capital. The Incas also remodelled the village building a palace and a ceremonial center consecrated to their Sun God. The Spanish agreed to give the place the name of City of the Royal tribute houses and built two impressive temples surrounded with typical arches. The temple of Santo Domingo, the oldest of the Altiplane, constructed by the Dominicans during the 16th century; and the massive temple of the Asuncion, raised by the Jesuits to impose the catholic worship and the devotion for Virgin of the Asuncion, located few meters away from the Cross of the Holy Inquisition where the Spanish colonists executed the recalcitrant locals.
Old colonial hamlet that was completely remodelled, few things of its past remain. during the Colony it was very famous beacuse of its talented goldsmiths.
They had the reputation of using silver from Laykakotas mines to turn it into fine art pieces for the churches along the Altiplane.
Today everything is lost but the former name of the town.
Located approximately 53 kilometres away from Puno, driving along the Pan-American road, way south to Plateria and near the kilometre 28 turn left towards the peninsula passing the communities of Payaya and Siwikani you will get to the community of Perka and its beautiful crystalline water beaches.
Acora, located 31 km. away from Puno, is also known by its fairs:
Every Saturday an important cattle fair takes places in Acora, and every Sunday, all of the region villagers meet there to offer their products and where bartering continues being a common practice.
Acora is also an important witness of the Spanish presence. Here, the conquerors stimulated the development of this zone by stablishing several haciendas and two impressive colonial temples, one of them consecrated to Saint Peter and Saint Paul, and another one to Saint John the Evangelist.
Located three kilometres away from Acora, Mollokos chullpas testify the occupation of this place since Pre Inca times...
The Lupacas extended their domain over all this region since 800 until 1400 of our age.
Located 42 kilometres away from Puno, Charcas has an extraordinary inlet, combination of fine sands beaches, pink sandstone cliffs contrasting with the intense blue tones of the Lake and the sky...
This chain of small gulfs, each of them surround white sand beaches with impressive geological vertical pink sandstone structures, is the favorite place for some people from Puno as a getaway, during sunny weekends, they enjoy these privileged waters, swimming in the lake or taking a ship tour.
Located 47 kilometres away from Puno, Villa Socca invites its visitors to discover this beautiful peninsula where Nature and men have forged unusual landscapes...
Villa Socca offers to the tourists the chance of living the community lifestyle doing many different activities: the rural life work, to discover with the fishermen the enigmatic Saint Bartholomew island, to get lost in the Sikatas rushes fields, to observe the great variety of birds that nest over there, or just to enjoy the beaches with their colorful stones, in front of the immensity of Titicaca lake.
Located 56 kilometres away from Puno, in the Community of Ccopamaya, Inca Anatahui is at the same time a viewing-point and a ceremonial center of the Inca culture.
Taking a small paved way that crosses along the community, the visitor will get to the former Inca road and to discover small esplanades and to have one of the more extraordinary sights over the great lake.
During the Inca domain, the Inca used this view point to see the ceremonies to honor the Sacred Lake. Nowadays, the community Yatiris or shaman, respected for their powers, from this enigmatic place they continue doing the old offering rituals to the Lake...
Visitors have the opportunity to discover the great lake extension, from this natural 150 height viewing-point that dominates the lake.
© Christian Nonis
