Sillustani Chullpas Tour: An Honest Review and Travel Guide

You know, exploring ancient sites can be quite the thing, too it’s almost like stepping back in time. You see, I went on the Sillustani Chullpas Tour not so long ago, and I wanted to share the lowdown for those of you thinking of going. That is, these pre-Incan burial towers are pretty amazing and seeing them really gives you a feel for the area’s history. So, if you’re up for a bit of adventure, reading on could, arguably, make planning your own trip way simpler. I’ll walk you through what to expect, what to watch out for, and, that, is how to make the most of your time at Sillustani.

What Are the Sillustani Chullpas, Anyway?

You know, before we get into the tour itself, I figured, basically, we should cover what these “chullpas” really are, alright? Very simply put, they’re ancient burial towers built by the Colla people, long before the Inca empire came along. That is, they used these structures for burying their big shots – important leaders and families. Apparently, these aren’t your average graves; they’re, in fact, pretty impressive stone structures, some reaching over 40 feet high! I mean, it’s almost they were saying, “Hey, remember us!” for, literally, centuries to come. They definitely tell stories of ritual and status in their society. Very simply put, Sillustani is really worth experiencing because of that kind of thing.

Booking Your Sillustani Tour from Puno

So, in some respects, organizing the tour is probably the easiest part. Typically, loads of travel agencies in Puno offer daily trips to Sillustani. Often, what I did, which, in my opinion, works great is to pop into a few agencies near the Plaza de Armas to check prices and itineraries. Very simply put, costs can vary, usually, between $15 to $30 USD, yet that tends to cover transport and a guide. Arguably, negotiating can shave a few dollars off the price, and it’s usually worth asking if lunch is included. It wasn’t for me, and I learned, that, packing snacks is, literally, a smart idea as there aren’t that many food options right at the site. Just a little tip, in a way, make sure to check the size of the group, because smaller tours can provide a, like your, better, more personal experience.

The Journey There: Puno to Sillustani

Usually, the drive from Puno to Sillustani takes about an hour, too it’s almost a scenic ride along the shores of Lake Titicaca. Sometimes, what I noticed is that the landscapes shift from urban streets to open plains and farmland, yet it’s an interesting transition that really sets the mood. Sometimes, guides tend to use this time to give you some background on the Colla people and, that, is why the chullpas are very much so culturally important. Often, I found it a good opportunity to ask questions and, honestly, to soak in the anticipation. Pretty much, that trip itself is part of the adventure, providing you with glimpses of rural life in the Peruvian highlands. The tour guides were basically mines of info so very useful.

Exploring the Sillustani Site

So, finally, we get to the actual site! Very simply put, the first thing that hits you is likely the scale of everything. Sometimes, those chullpas, set against the bright blue sky and tranquil Lake Umayo, are just something else. I mean, basically, your guide will lead you through the grounds, describing the history and the construction techniques of each chullpa, you know. Clearly, some are in way better condition than others, giving you insights into different stages of preservation. I want to tell you to walk around and have a closer look; that, honestly, the craftsmanship is seriously amazing when you, literally, consider how old they are. Basically, what they don’t tell you about Sillustani is, actually, you are able to get some pretty cool photos. Arguably, I would suggest spending a decent amount of time taking them to capture the landscape too.

A Word on the Altitude

Arguably, let’s talk about something you should seriously bear in mind, actually – the altitude. You see, Sillustani sits at a lofty 12,800 feet (3,840 meters), I mean, it’s pretty high up there, clearly. That is, some people may feel the effects of altitude sickness, like your, headaches or shortness of breath, literally. Often, to help prevent this, it is usually helpful to spend a day or two in Puno to get yourself acclimatized before your trip, that, literally, can make a big difference. Obviously, you need to drink loads of water and, definitely, you should avoid very strenuous activity, at least at first, definitely. Apparently, chewing coca leaves, which, basically, are offered by some locals, tends to help, just a little, too it’s almost an age-old remedy. In essence, be prepared, listen to your body, and really take it slowly. It does usually make for a, arguably, more pleasant experience.

What to Wear and Bring

I mean, very simply put, packing the appropriate things definitely contributes to, actually, making your tour more comfortable. In a way, layering clothing is really a must since the temperature changes a whole lot throughout the day. Basically, a warm jacket is pretty much crucial, too it’s almost, specially if you’re visiting during the cooler months. Clearly, good walking shoes are also a great idea since you’ll be on your feet a lot, literally. Obviously, sun protection is absolutely necessary – I mean, seriously, the sun at that altitude is super intense, literally. So, honestly, a hat, sunglasses, and, basically, high-SPF sunscreen should be on your list. I can recommend bringing water and snacks because there are, really, not many places to buy them around the site. Honestly, your camera to capture those, sort of, amazing views goes without, kind of, saying. Typically, just be ready for, literally, all types of weather.

Photography Tips for Sillustani

Literally, as a photographer, I was basically in my element there, sort of. Sometimes, Sillustani is very cool for landscape and architectural shots. As a matter of fact, early morning or late afternoon offers great light, you know, when the sun is literally lower and that typically casts long shadows which accentuate the, you know, textures of the chullpas, just a little, that, in a way, can give the images even greater depths. Usually, using a wide-angle lens helps, seriously, capture the scale of the towers in relation to the landscape and that pretty much gives some really nice panoramic views. Just, you, wait for the clouds because, seriously, that really gives greater effect. Usually, if there are clouds in the sky it tends to be absolutely perfect for landscape images. Arguably, I like to get down low, too it’s almost at ground level, and honestly, you get this kinda forced perspective, obviously, creating dramatic shots that look really impressive. In other words, don’t forget to check your camera settings – obviously, play with aperture and exposure to get things, you know, how you, know, like it.

Is the Sillustani Chullpas Tour Worth It?

Very simply put, I can suggest that, honestly, a trip to Sillustani is really worth it for those of you looking to experience a side of Peru that’s way deeper than just the well-known, sort of, Inca sites, kind of. That is, those burial towers do, you know, kinda provide an insight into a completely different culture. Sometimes, it’s an experience that very much connects you with the history and the land. Pretty much, that combination of culture, history, and that is really outstanding scenery provides a very special kind of value, that, basically, you seriously won’t find just anywhere, in a way. In some respects, despite the altitude and the remoteness, you know, kinda seeing these ancient structures in person is just something special, something great. Actually, if you value historical sights and panoramic landscapes then the Sillustani is almost an must-see. A friendly tour guide could make this an amazing experience.