Aymara Route tour from Puno: Fertility temple and chullpas

Walk through four archaeological sites and see how the Aymara Route was shaped

A full-day guided tour of the Aymara Route from Puno takes you to four pre-Inca and Inca sites: the fertility temple at Chucuito, the Molloco chullpas, the Aramu Muro rock formations, and the town of Juli. An official guide in English or Spanish accompanies the group through each stop, and the tour includes hotel pickup and an air-conditioned vehicle.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Aymara Route attractions

• Visit Temple of Fertility in Chucuito
• See chullpas of Molloco settlement
• Meditate and walk at Portal de Aramomuro
• Visit Juli main square and cathedral exterior
• Relax or do optional activities at Juli beach

The experience

You start at the fertility temple in Chucuito, known locally as Inca Uyo, where eight stone phalluses carved into the rock sit inside a small structure built, according to local belief, as a ritual site for treating infertility. From there the tour moves to Molloco, a pre-Inca settlement where the Lupaca and Inca cultures met: you'll see three square chullpas and one circular one, funerary structures that show how both cultures coexisted before the Inca annexation. The guide explains the architectural differences and the history written in the stone.

The route then heads to Aramu Muro, a historical-mythological site halfway between Ilave and Juli where rock formations rise from the landscape. You'll have time to walk and meditate here, taking in the geological formations that mark this remote corner of the altiplano. After roughly an hour on foot, you arrive in Juli, the town known as the Rome of America for its colonial architecture. You'll see the main square and the cathedral from outside, and the tour ends with a visit to Juli beach, where kayaking, ATVs and jet skis are available if you want them. Those water activities cost extra and are entirely optional.

The tour runs about seven hours total and finishes by 4 pm back in Puno. Your guide speaks either English or Spanish depending on which you choose at booking, and the vehicle is air-conditioned for the drive between sites. Hotel pickup is included, so you don't arrange your own transport to the starting point.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned vehicle.
• hotel pickup in Puno.
• official guide in English or Spanish.
• visits to the fertility temple, Molloco chullpas, Aramu Muro rock formations, and Juli town square and beach.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

AgesAdult (18 to 60 years) · Senior (61 to 80 years) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (6 to 12 years) · Infant (1 to 5 years): free

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Qhapaq Adventures

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English or Spanish, so choose the language that matches your comfort level. The tour suits all fitness levels, though the walk at Aramu Muro lasts about an hour and the day involves several stops with moderate walking at each one.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (6 to 12 years); Infant (1 to 5 years): free.

What exactly is the fertility temple at Chucuito, and why is it called Inca Uyo?

Inca Uyo, or the fertility temple, is a small stone structure in Chucuito containing eight carved stone phalluses. Local tradition holds that it was built as a ritual site to treat infertility in women, though the true purpose remains part of Peru's unproven but deeply held beliefs about pre-Inca sacred sites.

What's the difference between the chullpas at Molloco and the ones I'd see elsewhere?

Molloco's chullpas show a distinct style: three are square-shaped and one is circular, and they sit among underground niches that were also used for burial. They date to the Lupaca culture and show how that culture and the Inca coexisted in the same settlement before full Inca annexation.

How much walking is involved at Aramu Muro?

After arriving at the Portal de Aramu Muro, you walk for about an hour to see the rock formations and meditate at this historical-mythological site in the extreme south of Ilave district.

Is lunch included in the tour price?

Lunch is not included in the tour. You'll have time in Juli to eat, and the tour ends by 4 pm, giving you the afternoon to explore the town or return to Puno.

What are the water activities available in Juli, and do they cost extra?

Juli beach offers kayaking, ATVs and jet skis as optional activities. These cost extra (around USD 10 per activity) and are entirely up to you. You can skip them and simply visit the beach and main square instead.