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 head southwest and travel 170 kilometers by bus.

Nearly at the border of Peru and Bolivia, we'll stop at the archaeological complex of Tanka Tanka. Here we'll learn about the history of the Lupaka culture, which settled in the southern highlands of Puno around 1100 AD. The Lupaka were one of the peoples that emerged after the split of the Tiwanaku empire, like the Qolla, Pacajes and Omasuyos.

As we approach Tanka Tanka, you'll notice that the site evokes a curious shape. The name Tanka Tanka derives from a Quechua word for an insect. There, we'll also find large carved stone blocks that form a fortress with walls and chulpas, or funerary towers.

We'll admire the chulpas and search for other constructions among the remains, such as a temple dedicated to the idol Tanka and ancient hydraulic engineering systems. We may also see cave paintings!

After visiting the site, we'll stop for a typical lunch consisting of vegetable soup, a first course of meat, fish, or legumes, and herbal tea.

Then, we'll proceed to the district of Zepita, visiting emblematic sites like the colonial temple of San Pedro and San Pablo, a church with a façade adorned with high reliefs.

Finally, we will return to Puno and take you back to your hotel, arriving between 3 and 4 pm.