Sillustani Burial Grounds

This impressive archaeological site outside Puno features remarkable Aymaran funerary towers.

Sillustani is a pre-Inca archaeological site on the shores of Lake Umayo, located 20 miles from Puno. This ancient burial site features the remains of large cylindrical and quadrangular tombs (chullpas), built by the Kollas and the Incas, the latter having wiped out the former. One of the most interesting aspects of these towers is the way they were built challenges the laws of equilibrium as they have a smaller diameter at the base than at the top. Outstanding among these are the Chullpas del Lagarto (lizard) and the Inti Watana.