Puno Travel Forum

Hello,

I am looking to go to Peru in April. We are thinking of flying NY to Juliaca and then catching a bus to Puno to see Lake Titicaca.
----I was wondering- how many days are recommended to stay in this area? How much time is needed to see some of the islands on Titicaca? Is the overnight stay on an island worthwhile etc...??

Then we were planning to head to Cusco to see Machu Pichu and the Sacred Valley. I wrote Peru Rail and they said that there is no longer a backpacker class train to Cusco. The Andean Explorer costs $143 for the one way trip. Can anyone else confirm that there is no longer a cheaper train ride to Cusco?

Thanks in advance for all of your help.

Any other info on Peru would also be appreciated!

Hi
Lucky you . This is a trip of a life time. We stayed 3 nights in Puno. WE didn't stay on an island but visited with local guide . As soon as we arrived there are tons of guides offering boat trips to the island . Take your time as they are all going to the same islands and it takes time to figure out the correct price. The islands were amazing.
We took a bus to Bolivia for the day from here at the last minute, we were glad we had decided to stay 3 nights or we wouldn't have had time and it was a great trip.
Here is a link to my pages ..I have lots of info and pictures on Machu Pichu as well

http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/a3065/1860b7/

puno itself is nothing special. you might want to do a home stay in Amantani' or Taquile islands. usually 1 night is enough. there is also a little peninsula near the islands where you can do something similar. the Uros floating islands, in my opinion, are hardly worth the visit but most will go there anyway. if you can give yourself the time to go over to Copacabana and maybe to the Isla del Sol on the Bolivian side, it's worth your while.

Like mentioned above, the city of Puno is not great but is centrally located to many good places. The islands are a must. Staying in the islands gives you a good perspective of what the people are like. Remember these are aymaran people prior to the Incas. Then there is Tiahuanaco on the way to Bolivia, Sillustan and their chullpas and Juliaca and all the contraband trade hehe. It's all a day visit, so like Eastern said, maybe 3 or 4 days will be good...
I didnt know the backpacker is no longer, but if it was Perurail that wrote to you they are the ones that know best.
Enjoy Peru

wow, that is news to me that there is no more backpacker train. Did you specify, no more tickets for that day you wanted or were they not running the actual train anymore?

One day in Puno is more than enough, it can even be your first day after your flight with a home stay with a family at the island and that would be dandy.

Thanks for the response! There are no more backpacker trains on the Puno-Cusco route. If you go to Peru Rail the only price is for the more expensive ride which is about $140+ .

We are going to take the bus. It sounds like a decent ride and makes some stops to break up the ride.

I would recommend you spend as little time as possible in Puno! I stayed one night then took boat out to Taquile island, visiting Uros islands on the way. I thought a brief stop on the Uros islands was great. I spent one night on Taquile but really wished I had spent 2 nights there. Its so peaceful, beautiful and the light on the lake is quite stunning. Remember to take it easy up there, the altitude can make you feel a bit rough. I spent a final night in Puno and then took the train to Cusco. That is one of the most amazing train rides ever.

I think 2 days are enough to stay in Puno. Visit the Uros-lake titicaka, the chulpas and maybe you can go to copacabana ( bolivia), it is only a few hours from Puno. I mean if you are so close, why dont go.

And yeah prefer to take a regular bus to Cusco.

Good luck