Puno is a city located on the western shore of Lake Titicaca, at an altitude of 3,826 meters above sea level on the Collao Plateau. Founded in 1668 as San Carlos de Puno in honor of King Charles II of Spain, the city has preserved its colonial charm, especially visible in its churches and its cathedral, built in 1754. Today, Puno serves as an important commercial and communication hub of the southern Peruvian Andes, known particularly for trade in llama and alpaca wool. Its location on the shores of Lake Titicaca, the world’s highest navigable lake, makes it one of Peru’s most distinctive destinations.
