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Candelaria Festival in Puno

Candelaria Festival in Puno

Example 4 Day Tour
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Visit Puno during the Candelaria Festival in February that honors the patron saint, the Virgin of Candelaria. Explore Lake Titicaca, a geographic landmark at the crossroads of the Andes and the Andean plateau and the world's highest navigable and South America's largest lake. Spend a full day in Puno witnessing this folkloric festival with its traditional dances, costumes, music, and story-telling.
Candelaria Festival in PunoCandelaria Festival in PunoCandelaria Festival in PunoCandelaria Festival in PunoCandelaria Festival in PunoCandelaria Festival in Puno
Activities
Places Visited
Activity Level: Relaxed
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Puno

A morning flight from Lima (or a bus from Cusco to Puno) takes us to the shores of mystical Lake Titicaca. Legend has it that the first Inca rose out of its azure waters. Transfer to your hotel and then explore the town in the afternoon.

Day 2: Islands of Lake Titicaca

Depart this morning with your guide to thet the floating islands of the Uros people. Peru's floating islands are built using the buoyant totora reeds that grow along Lake Titicaca, and these reeds are interwoven to make homes, boats, and crafts.

In the afternoon, visit Taquile Island. Climb the steps to the plaza at the center of the island for breathtaking views of the lake and surrounding mountains. Return to Puno and relax this evening on the shores of Lake Titicaca.

Day 3: Candelaria Festival in Puno

The exact origins of the Candelaria festival are debated, but its significance and vibrance continues with dance and music groups from Peru and Bolivia converging on Puno, a melting pot of native culture: the two largest Andean ethnic groups --the Quechuas from the north, the Aymaras from the south. The festivity is related to the traditional farming cycles of planting and harvesting (worshipping Pachamama or Mother Earth), as well as with the region’s mining activities.

We spend a full day watching the parades that focus on storytelling in the form of costumes, masks, and music. Your guide is there to help explain the sights and sounds and to translate, and you will have great seats along the procession route that the dancers follow to pay their respect to the Virgin. The devils dance is one of the main themes and is based on a story of a group of miners who when trapped in a cave, saw images of the Virgin of Candelaria.

Day 4: Return Lima (or Cusco)

  • 1 Breakfast
Catch a flight to Lima today. For travelers choosing this Lake Titicaca extension prior to your visit to Cusco, the Sacred Valley, and Machu PIcchu, transfer by bus to Cusco.

Accommodations

Puno - Hotels

Dates & Prices

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Contact us for internal flight costs and overland transportation to join this extension. This tour can be added on to the front or back of the Machu Picchu by Train or Machu Picchu Pilgrimage tours.
Included
  • 3 Breakfasts
  • 3 Nights Accommodations
  • 2 Days Guide Service
Excluded
  • Both Arrival and Departure Transfers are excluded.
  • International Flights
  • Internal Flights
  • Meals not Included
  • Airport Departure Tax
  • Optional Excursions

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When to Go

Jan
Feb
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Nov
Dec
Good to ideal period to travel, and many people choose to visit at this time.
Typically not offered during this period because of weather conditions.

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Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
Meyer Smolen

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