Folklore Capital of Peru

Puno, the folkloric capital of Peru, hugs the edge of the vast Lake Titicaca, and indeed, the fabled lake is the reason most visitors come here. Yet Puno also has another major draw. In this city, which sits at an altitude of over 12,000 feet, there is a richness of culture and a certain energy that can’t be rivalled in the region.

The city is renowned for its music and dance, which are showcased in several major annual festivities. The largest of the lot is the Festival of the Virgin of Candelaria, which is held annually in February and is one of the three largest festivals in all of South America.

During this exuberant event, the city mushrooms in size as spectators come in their droves to witness more than 100,000 dancers and 40,000 musicians. Many participants don extraordinarily elaborate costumes, adorned with silver, gold, tiny mirrors and sequins. These lavish outfits can weigh more than 60 pounds and can take several months to make – not to mention cost the wearer more than an average month’s salary! The spectacle lasts for 18 joy-filled days and takes over almost every inch of Puno.

With Kuoda’s private tours to Peru, we can make arrangements for you to attend the Festival of the Virgin of Candelaria and can build an itinerary around the event. Contact us today and get your free Peru trip quote.  At Kuoda Travel, all trips are custom and personally designed for you by one of our professional travel experts.