The town of Pucará is located on the main highway that runs between Puno and Cuzco, 80 kms (50 miles) northwest of the shores of Lake Titicaca and at the breathtaking elevation of about 3900 masl (almost 13,000 feet). It is a small town of between 1500-2000 inhabitants that is known across Peru for the archaeological site of Pukara and a vibrant modern pottery-making tradition. It is estimated that 80% of Pucareños are potters, in addition to growing high elevation crops and raising a variety of livestock. As is clear in the photos below, the altiplano is highly seasonal environment, with a cold and dry winter (May through October) and a warmer, rainy summer (November through April).
Getting to Pucará is quite easy and we recommend spending the day. Daily tour busses on the Puno-Cuzco route stop at Pucará for a few minutes-- only long enough to run through the Pukara Lithic Museum and perhaps buy some water in the Plaza. Popular (and comfortable) tour companies on this route include Inca Express, Tour Peru, and First Class. If you would like to spend more time in Pucará, it is possible to book a day trip through a travel agency in Puno or Cuzco with a private guide. For the more adventurous, local busses can be taken from Puno to Pucará, with a transfer in Juliaca (usually with a triciclista). A day trip to Pucará would include a visit to the archaeological site, the two museums in town, and perhaps to a pottery workshop and associated shop (several are marked with carved wooden signs). It is also an incredible place to do a bit of hiking-- we recommend looking for a local guide to take you up the Peñon (red sandstone outcrop) overlooking the town. There are some restaurants and hostals on the main highway and short-term apartments located on the southern edge of town (ask in the Plaza). Pucará is about 2 hours northwest of Puno, 1 hour north of Juliaca (location of JUL airport), and about 5 hours southeast of Cuzco.
