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Archaeological site · Puno, Puno
Complejo Arqueológico de Sillustani
Stone funerary towers, the chullpas, of the Qulla culture and the Incas, on a peninsula above the Umayo lagoon, 34 km from Puno. The tallest exceeds 12 m.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Complejo Arqueológico de Sillustani
Sillustani sits on a peninsula above the Umayo lagoon, about 34 km from Puno, at roughly 3,900 meters altitude. The site was a cemetery of the Qulla people, who dominated the Lake Titicaca region before being conquered by the Incas in the 15th century. The dead of elite families were buried in chullpas, stone funerary towers.
The oldest chullpas are made of rough stone; the later Inca‑era ones have worked blocks fitted precisely, wider at the top than at the base. The largest, called Lagarto because of a lizard carved on one of the stones, exceeds 12 meters. The towers had a small opening facing east, through which bodies were placed.
Some chullpas remain unfinished, and the earthen ramp used to lift the stones can still be seen alongside. From the top of the peninsula the Umayo lagoon surrounds you, with Umayo island in the middle, where vicuñas live, and the Altiplano in the background.
The visit is on foot along an uphill path to the top of the peninsula. On the road between Puno and Sillustani, tours often stop at a family home to show rural life, with llamas, alpacas and adobe houses.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About 1 h 30 at the site; the half‑day tour from Puno takes around 4 hours.
Best time
At late afternoon, when the low light illuminates the towers and the lagoon. In the dry season, usually from May to September, the sky is clearer. Bring warm clothing: the wind is cold.
How to get there
It is 34 km from Puno, about a 45‑minute drive on the road to Juliaca, with a turnoff to the Umayo lagoon. Puno agencies sell the half‑day tour; you can also go by taxi and wait.
Tip
Take the tour in the afternoon and stay for the sunset at the lagoon. Those arriving or departing via Juliaca airport can fit Sillustani into the route by taxi.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Complejo Arqueológico de Sillustani
What are the chullpas?
They are stone funerary towers where the Qulla, and later the Incas, buried the deceased members of elite families.
Which is the largest chullpa at Sillustani?
The one called Lagarto, over 12 meters high, which has a lizard carved on one of its stones.
Can Sillustani be combined with the airport?
Yes. Sillustani lies on the route between Puno and Juliaca, and many travelers stop there by taxi on arrival or departure.