Sillustani and Lake Titicaca

James Bustamante( Travel Writer )

James Bustamante is Native to New York but born to Peruvian parents. He has been traveling throughout Latin America since early 2003 and finally made his home in Peru. James has made his way by eating and traveling through almost every country in Central and South America.

www.journeymachupicchu.com

Last Updated on February 11, 2021 by James Bustamante

Sillustani is one of the destinations included in the Lake Titicaca tour. Many people travel to Puno, Peru to see the amazing Lake Titicaca, but it is not the only site that Puno is known for. Among some of the most interesting activities like the Machu Picchu Hike would also be the visit to Sillustani.

What is Sillustani?

Sillustani is a pre-Incan cemetery that is located on the banks of the Umayo lagoon in the city of Puno.

It is an old cemetery where visitors can see a series of large and impressive tombs belonging to the “Kolla” culture which was mostly found in the northern part of the lagoon, in the town known as Hatuncolla.

Travelers notes: The Kolla is one of the “Aymara” cultures that lived in Peru, not to be confused with “Quechua” which is also a language of the region. Kolla is “Aymara” for “the great”.

What are the Chullpas?

Chullpas are The tombs at the cemetery of Sillustani. They can be described as having the shape of inverted, cone like tree trunks. These “Chullpas” also found in smaller numbers in several other places throughout the Peruvian highlands.

The Chullpas are circular stone towers that were used to house the funerary remains of the main authorities of the former settlers of the Collao (high plateau).

Some reach up to 12 meters (40 feet) high and are characterized because their base is smaller in diameter than the top. 

A short distance from the archaeological complex is the site museum, where various pieces of the Kolla, Tiahuanaco, and Inca cultures are preserved.

One of the most famous attractions of the Sillustani complex is the “Chullpa del Lagarto”, a funerary tower that represents the tallest Chullpa in the complex. Built during the reign of the Inca Empire, they used large square stones that fit perfectly.

This impressive construction was destroyed in the early nineteenth century by “huaqueros” (a name used in Peru for grave robbers) who sought the treasures these towers were supposed to hold.

Another beautiful place in Sillustani is the Umayo Lagoon which reflects the blue sky and white clouds of Puno, almost like a gigantic natural mirror. This lagoon houses an island that is a reserve for the protection of local vicunas.

What was The Purpose for The Chullpas?

Many of these sacred Chullpas can reach heights of 12 (40 feet) meters high with an entrance that is always directed towards the east. They believed that this helped the deceased to communicate directly with the Sun God.

These entrances were quite small, so it is believed that the funeral bundle or mummy was first introduced to the vault and then closed. The deceased are thought to be mostly nobles, rulers and priests.

The upper part of the most modern Chullpas, those that belonged to the Inca era, are adorned by large bands that circle the structure. Many of the stones also have low relief figures that mainly represent depictions of lizards and snakes.

How to get to Chullpas de Sillustani?

The “Chullpas de Sillustani” complex is just 30 km (19 miles) from Puno and 40 km from Juliaca. The best way to get to the place is to take a Sillustani tour that leaves from the city of Puno.

The entrance to the archaeological center opens at 8 am and close at 5 pm, you should have plenty of time to check out the surrounding area and its amazing views which include Lake Titicaca.

Conclusion

Sillustani is one of the more important destinations to visit included in the Lake Titicaca tour. If you want to visit Sillustani, The Chullpas, Lake Titicaca and take a Machu Picchu tour, make sure to contact our travel advisers today!

Frequently Asked Questions About Sillustani