Tanka Tanka & Zepita Excursion

Learn about the myths of the ancient Lupaka culture in one of its most representative cities with this excursion to Tanka Tanka & Zepita from Puno. You'll also visit the beautiful church of San Pedro and San Pablo, located in this region of Peru.

Tanka Tanka & Zepita Excursion

After picking you up at your hotel in Puno at 8 am, we'll travel 170 kilometers southwest by bus.

We will stop at the archaeological complex of Tanka Tanka, near the Peru-Bolivia border. This site represents the Lupaka culture, which settled in the southern highlands of Puno around 1100 AD. The Lupaka emerged after the split of the Tiwanaku empire, alongside the Qolla, Pacajes, and Omasuyos.

The site has a curious shape—the name Tanka Tanka originates from a Quechua word for an insect. At this location, we will see large carved stone blocks forming a fortress with walls and chulpas, or funerary towers.

We will admire the chulpas and seek other constructions like a temple dedicated to the idol Tanka and ancient hydraulic engineering systems. Cave paintings can also be observed!

After our visit, we will have a typical lunch consisting of vegetable soup, a main course of meat, fish, or legumes, and herbal tea.

Next, we will visit the district of Zepita, exploring sites such as the colonial temple of San Pedro and San Pablo, noted for its impressive façade with high reliefs.

Finally, we will return to Puno and drop you off at your hotel, arriving between 3 and 4 pm.