Claire Dean
Claire Dean

Claire Dean

Travel in South America is a joy to behold. The rich variety of destinations, experiences, landscapes and geography fascinated me so much, that I chose to relocate here, over 20 years ago! The best thing I ever did! Allow me to share my knowledge and passion for Central and South America with you and help you plan your holiday of a lifetime!

Sillustani Half-Day Tour

Sillustani Half-Day Tour

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Written by:Claire Dean

Last Update: 2025-02-11

Sillustani is one of the most unique sites in Peru. The main feature of this pre-Inca site is the huge cylindrical tombs, which were burial structures used by the Colla people and are among the most impressive remains left by the civilization that once lived in the area, near Lake Titicaca in Puno. Situated on the shores of Lake Umayo, at 4,000 meters (13,123 feet) above sea level, Sillustani is a large burial ground that dates to pre-Inca times. In fact, the site is believed to have been influenced by the Pukara, dating from 800 BC to 500 AD.

 

Sillustani is an unusual archaeological site on the shores of Lake Umayo. This lake is close by to the enormous Titicaca lake at an elevation of 4,000 meters (13,123 feet). Sillustani was a burial site that dates back to pre-Inca times. In fact, Sillustani is believed to have been built by the Pukara, who were around from 800 BC to 500 AD. Visit Sillustani on your Puno tours.

Silustani and lake Umayo

The Qulla People: An Aymara Society and Their Sacred Chullpas

The Qulla people, were an indigenous group that lived in western Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina for many centuries. They were an Aymara-speaking people and were conquered by the Incas in the 15th century. Colonial evidence at the time describes the Qulla as a highly centralized society. Veneration of the dead was an integral part of Qulla culture, and this was celebrated in this graveyard by the construction of a “chullpa”. A chullpa is a circular funeral tower made from large bricks; the tallest of these centuries-old towers stands around 12 meters high. The height and size of these towers increased with the importance of the people who were buried inside.

 

Revering the dead was an integral part of Qulla culture, and this was celebrated in this graveyard by the construction of "chullpa". A chullpa is a burial tower made from large bricks.

Different Chullpas at Sillustani

Chullpas: The Sacred Tombs of the Qulla Nobility and Their Afterlife Beliefs

A chullpa would have been constructed for a noble person or noble family. As part of the funerary rights, corpses would be buried in the tomb in a fetal position alongside a collection of their belongings, including items such as clothing and other everyday equipment. The interesting thing about these towers at Sillustani, is that they are wider at the top than at the bottom, and also at the bottom, there is only one opening, which faces the rising sun in the east. The opening is small enough to have allowed a person to crawl through. It was sealed after a burial. This opening was large enough for a person to crawl through, which symbolizes a belief that the dead would go onto an afterlife. Some of the chullpas have carvings that include lizards, thought to be a symbol of life due to the regenerating properties they have when it comes to losing and growing back their tails.

 
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Small Doors in the Base

Not all chullpas were for one singular person. There were also tombs of this kind built for entire extended families of royal lineage or for the elite of Qulla society. The bodies ended up being mummified by the dry environment created by the tomb. As a result, they survived in relatively good conditions for centuries. However, many chullpas were looted by graverobbers, leaving only the structures themselves that remain to this day, often half destroyed.

 

The bodies in the Chullpas became mummified by the dry environment created by the tomb. As a result, they survived in relatively good condition for centuries. Unfortunately, many chullpas were looted by graverobbers, leaving only the stone structures that remain to this day, often half destroyed. Winesses these chullpas when you visit Peru.

Half Destroyed Chullpa and local Lady

The Architectural Marvel of Chullpas:

The chullpas themselves are impressive, not only in their size but the skill involved in creating them. The massive stone blocks that were used to create these stone burial towers are thought to be more complex than even Inca masonry. The Qulla used stones that were made with even, rectangular edges, as opposed to the Inca style of stones of varying sizes and with rounded edges. Two different building techniques exist at Sillustani. According to some scholars, the smaller chullpas, which have less intricate brickwork, are believed to be Qulla-built; the more complex stonework in the larger, rounded towers are attributed to either Incas or to Qulla people under Inca rule who have learned new building techniques. To this day, whether this is the case or not is hotly debated.

 

Some of the chullpas at Sillustani come with interesting carvings – such as lizards and pumas. The most famous of them is the Chullpa del Lagarto (“Lizard Chullpa” in Spanish). Interestingly, this chullpa is wider at the top than at its base, like an upside-down cone, a shape thought to be for aesthetic reasons. Marvel at these Chullpas on the way from Lima to Lake Titicaca tours that head to the altiplano.

Chullpas

There are dozens of chullpas, around 90 in total, and thousands more semi-subterranean tombs at Sillustani. Some academics believe that, following the collapse of Tiwanaku around 1000 AD, Sillustani became “the most prominent pilgrimage center in the Titicaca Basin. However, even so, not a lot is known about the site or the people who were buried here. The chullpas are not only found here, however. They can be found across the whole south Central Andes. People come to visit Sillustani because it has the best-preserved chullpas in the region.

 

The Valencia Travel Sillustani tour includes transport and takes you to the archaeological site, so you don’t need to worry about getting there by yourself. In total, the tour takes around half a day (including travel time), with an hour and a half to explore the ruins themselves. This half-day Sillustani excursion as part of your Puno tours, will collect you from your hotel at any time you choose.

Royal Chullpas at Sillustani

 

Visit this fascinating ancient site on this archaeological tour of Sillustani, while you are in Puno and learn more about the lakeside civilizations of ancient Peru. Book here!
 

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