Chullpas of Sillustani Tour
Visit the pre-Incan burial grounds of Sillustani on this tour. The tombs, or chullpas, of Sillustani stand above the ground on a bluff overlooking Lake Umayo.
- Duration:
- 3 hrs
- Available Days:
- Every day
- Schedule:
- 9:00 AM, 2:00 PM, 2:30 PM
- Hotel Transport Included
- Mobile Ticket Included
- Offered in English, Spanish
The Colla, a group that was conquered by the Inca in the 15th century, mostly built the tombs of Sillustani. The tombs widen as they go up, and it’s still uncertain whether this served a practical purpose or was a way to show off masonry skills. Whatever the case, the Inca continued with this tradition and eventually built their own chullpas here too.
The chullpas likely housed the elite members of the Colla and Inca cultures. In fact, the structures are thought to have held whole groups of families, with corpses being buried in a fetal position to allow for more space inside. The buildings’ openings face east in alignment with the sun, which was believed to be reborn with each morning.
These days, many of the stones have fallen to the ground, exposing the tombs to looters long ago. Even so, it’s a fascinating spectacle to behold.
Attraction Visited
A main archaeological attraction in the Lake Titicaca area is the burial site of Sillustani, which is about a 40-minute drive from Puno. These huge tombs are set on a hill above Lake Umayo and were used as graves for Colla nobility.
Read more:Sillustani Tombs
What to Bring
Camera, hat, and sunscreen.
What's included
Transportation
Transportation
Many of our tours and activities offer transportation pick up & drop off options from several locations and destinations. Options vary by tour, see “BOOKING REQUEST” for full details.
Similar things to do
Passengers are picked up from their hotels to visit the epic city of Tiwanaku, the capital of an ancient civilization. Located 72 km away form the city of La Paz and near the south-eastern shores of Lake Titikaka.
Lake Titicaca is one of the prides of Peru. During this tour you’ll explore the lake’s floating Uro Islands and encounter an indigenous Quechua-speaking group on Taquile Island.
Set in the foreground of the scenic El Misti Volcano, Arequipa’s white stone architecture is truly a sight to behold. This tour will introduce you to several of the city’s religious buildings – including the very special Santa Catalina Monastery – and take you to a few key lookout points to see the city of from above.
