Sillustani

Leaving Colca Canyon we were on our way out of Peru. However we couldn’t make the drive to the border in one day and aimed to stay at the pre-inca ruins of Sillustani for the night before pushing on.

On the way we stopped off at a roadside mirador where Sarah decided to try on and then buy a small hat ! I’m not sure when she’s going to wear it though.

We were making smooth progress until we hit the town of Juliaca where the roads were blocked by a parade causing a serious traffic snafu. We finally fought our way through, with the help of a friendly policeman who blocked the traffic so we could make a couple of turns, and reached Sillustani just as night was falling.

Fortunately the car park guy was still there and said we could stay overnight if we bought tickets for the ruins for the next day.

Early in the morning we set out up the hill from the car park to the site itself which is on top of a small hill looking out over Lake Umayo.

The site was in use for a long period of time and has both Inca and pre-Inca constructions. There are a large number of tower like constructions, called Chullpas, which were burial tombs. The towers were built to house whole family groups.

After a pleasant couple of hours walking round the deserted site it was time to head out towards the Bolivian border. Our time in Peru was at an end.