In the high Andes of Puno and India, two sister cities share their name. Puno, Puno, is a small city at the feet of two large mountains and home to Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world. Jaipur, India, is one of the largest cities in the country and home to several palaces and forts from its heyday as the capital of the Mewar state during the Rajput period of Indian history. You can book your trip from banbanjara.
Airport Arrival
If you’re coming from overseas, Puno’s airport is about five miles from downtown. If you have time before your connecting flight at Lima Airport (LIM), consider taking a cab ($15 or so) into town instead of using public transportation. The money saved on bus fare will be negligible—and most importantly, it’ll give you a chance to say that you went from Lima Airport to Puno jaipur on land!
Going from Puno to Lake Titicaca
In Puno, travelers can see Lake Titicaca. The magnificent water body is a popular tourist destination and one of Peru’s most iconic natural wonders. Located at 12,500 feet above sea level, Titicaca is a vast expanse of saltwater bordered by Peru on one side and Bolivia on another. It’s also home to several islands, including Amantani Island, where you can visit pre-Incan archaeological sites, or Taquile Island, known for its brilliant textile industry.
Colca Canyon
Located just 4 hours from Cusco is a city known for its blue-and-white textiles and indigenous weaving techniques. In Puno, you can visit Colca Canyon; every color of plant or flower imaginable grows here (Jaipur is India’s blue city for similar reasons). The town of Cabanaconde is located within Colca Canyon.
From Abancay to Ollantaytambo
In Abancay, it was time for us to head back to Peru. We didn’t have far to go, though—Ollantaytambo was 24 kilometers north of Abancay. A small town (at only 19,070 people), Ollantaytambo is famous for its impressive Incan ruins…
Machu Picchu Town
Though there are many other exciting sights to see in Peru, Machu Picchu is at its center. The remains of an ancient Incan town offer striking views of surrounding peaks, as well as an impressive number of ruins that give visitors a taste of what it was like for early South American settlers. It’s essential to plan your trip carefully before visiting Machu Picchu.
You might assume that traveling between Peru and India is an arduous journey of 12 hours or more. You’d be wrong. You can travel from Puno to Jaipur via Machu Picchu—it takes just six hours (give or take a little time at Machu Picchu). Now that’s efficient. Though Puno and Jaipur are beautiful cities, I highly recommend mixing these two for a short but stunning tour through South America and India.
Cusco City Overview (and some tips)
Cusco is one of the best places for sightseeing in Peru. With a population of nearly 500,000 people within its city limits and an estimated 1 million people when nearby towns are included, Cusco is considered one of the world’s most fascinating cities. It’s widely known as The Spiritual Capital of Peru due to its rich history.
The Sacred Valley Overview (and some tips)
The Sacred Valley is nestled between two impressive mountain ranges—the Andes Mountains on one side and Colca Canyon on another. The sleepy town of Chinchero is about midway along your route as you make your way from Cusco or Aguas Calientes into these mountains. You can quickly drive or take a bus (4 hours) to get there.
Ollantaytambo Overview (and some tips)
This high-altitude town on Peru’s Incan ruins circuit is a popular stopover between Cusco and Machu Picchu routes. There are no significant tourist sites in Ollantaytambo itself (unless you count its many excellent restaurants), but some of our favorite places lie within easy day trips. If you have more time than can be spared for a Machu Picchu visit—and a head for heights—the nearby Incan ruins of Salkantay are an absolute must.
Aguas Calientes Overview (and some tips)
Puno should be your gateway to Machu Picchu if you’re planning a trip around Peru. The central city on Lake Titicaca, Puno, is also where you’ll have to catch a bus overland to Cusco (the starting point for your trek up Machu Picchu). Once there, jump on another bus heading toward Arequipa; it drops you off at Km 82 road leading into Aguas Calientes.
Returning Home
Upon returning home from my travels, I knew I had an incredible experience. But it can be challenging to transition back into day-to-day life. Here are some ways to incorporate your recent adventures into your routine.
Extensions
The two cities—though thousands of miles apart—are pretty similar. With a rich history, friendly people, warm climates, and eye-catching architecture, Puno and Jaipur are prime tourist spots.