La Paz: Tiwanaku and Puma Punku Private Tour with Lunch

Are you looking for an amazing private tour of the pre-Inca ruins Tiwanaku and Puma Punku accompanied with a delicious lunch? La Paz is the perfect destination for travelers seeking a close and private encounter with awe-inspiring history.

This private tour offers you the opportunity to explore two of the most popular Inca sites on a private full-day excursion. You will take part in a deep dive into the fascinating ruins of Tiwanaku and Puma Punku and get to discover these civilizations’ past. After having explored the wonderful mysteries hidden in these ruins, you can enjoy a lovely lunch with of an incredible view of Lake Titicaca.

The Pre-Inca Civilization of Tiwanaku

The pre-Inca site of Tiwanaku (also spelled Tiahuanaco) is located in the Bolivian foothills of the Andean mountains, about 72 kilometers west of La Paz. Its earliest recorded settlements date back to 1500 BC and some believe that its origins date even further back in time and claims it is the most ancient city in South America.

This site has been extremely important in Bolivia’s and South America’s history and its monuments and structures, combined with their incredible age, have placed it under World Heritage protection by UNESCO.

Tiwanaku had been an important regional power in the Andean pre-Columbian world, before it was abandoned and left to decay when the Incas arrived in the area in the 15th century AD. During its heyday, it was among the most powerful religious centers held sacred by the Andean civilizations, developing a vast cultural and religious influence along the Western coast of South-America, from Peru to Bolivia and Ecuador, attracting people from all corners of the continent.

What is truly remarkable about this site is the amount of archaeological leftovers it has revealed: monumental monolith stones carved in mysterious shapes, immense stone sculptures, chullpa towers or mausoleums for ancestor worship, a series of sunken plazas, observatories and even an artificial lake. All these structures show us both their incredible technical proficiency, as well as their advanced religious knowledge.

Exploring Puma Punku

The ruins of Puma Punku are part of the larger Tiwanaku archaeological site and located near Lake Titicaca. As with Tiwanaku, there have been many opinions voiced as to when it was constructed, ranging from over 16,000 years ago to some time during or after 500 AD.

Puma Punku is located off the beaten tourist path and hasn’t seen as much attention as other sites like Machu Picchu. Although understandably lesser known than that ancient city, Puma Punku has been able to gain increasing attention over time due to its architecture, location and cultural heritage.

One of the most impressive things about this site is its precision in constructing and building its structures. The doorways of its temples are extremely precise – one example being how two blocks meet precisely at an angle threshold of only 45°. It has been speculated that this most be attributed to a level of precision only found in recent centuries.

To add to its mystery, recent studies by National Geographic have revealed fact that two stones found at the sites cores are covered in carbon dating up to 13,000 years old. This further adds to speculation that the site was created much earlier than suggested by the archaeological record.

What is Included in this Tour?

This private tour offers travelers a well-rounded experience combining history and local culture with outdoor activities. The day will start with a pickup from your hotel in La Paz and a trip to get you closer to these incredible ruins.

Once at the ruins, you will have an expert local guide who will show you around, explaining their history and cultural relevance as you go. With this tour, you don’t just have to explore by yourself but make the most out of your experience with an expert guide by your side.

This package also includes an incredible lunch for an opportunity for visitors to take a break and refuel with some delicious food. While enjoying lunch you will take in views of stunning Lake Titicaca in the background, making for a perfect setting to relax while breaking up your day’s exploration.

In addition to lunch, this private tour also includes transportation from hotel pick up/meeting point until returning you to your accommodation once your tour is finished. All you have to do is relax and take everything in your own time.

At last but not least, this tour meets at a convenient location near central La Paz. This makes it easy to access by public transportation or closer pick up points if not leaving from town.

Booking Tour

For anyone interested in exploring the wonders of Tiwanaku and Puma Punku but would like to do this privately or in smaller groups I can highly recommend this private tour. It gives visitors a great chance to enjoy these sites with their own personal expert guide who can provide insights into what makes these sites so special as well as learn about their history and importance during Inca times.

Furthermore, this tour offers visitors an opportunity to enjoy a delicious lunch while taking in stunning views as they gaze out onto shimmering Lake Titicaca before continuing on their exploration and discovery of these incredible sites. With transport included, finding meeting points and returning back home safely is easy allowing everyone more time to enjoy their experience at Tiwanaku and Puma Punku.

This activity is perfect for those looking for an intimate experience while exploring one of South America’s most historic and iconic sites accompanied by informative culture stories delivered right from the heart of Tiwanaku itself; all while enjoying some fantastic food with a beautiful lake view for good measure! So don’t hesitate, come to La Paz for an unforgettable experience with unbeatable local expertise.