Puno

The main city of the Peruvian Altiplano is Puno: on the shores of Lake Titicaca,  at an altitude of some 3800m, it is a major crossing point in the region. The preservation of Andean traditions and customs is particularly strong: women are dressed in their large skirts (polleras) and wear their round hats more than in any other city in Peru. It is an excellent base to discover the region and of course the lake. The best time to visit Puno is undoubtedly during the Virgen de la Candelaria festival in February, where Andean music, dance and costumes compete in colour and joy.