8 November, 2012

Turkani´s Puya Raimondii forest

On the highlands of Tinajani, we can find Tarukani. Considered the largest Puya Raimondii forest in the world. Puya Raimondii are gigantic and primitive plants that belong to the pineapple family. This plant has a large inflorescence formed by 15000 small white and yellow flowers that are pollinated by hummingbirds. Once the plant blooms it dies. People in the área use its trunks as seats. The puya raimondii is endemic from the highlands of Peru and Bolivia.  They form patches where they show their huge vertical inflorescence and pointy and thorny leaves.

Useful Tips

  • Tarukani is 15 kilometers Tinajani, about 4,200 meters above sea level
  • You can get to these places from Puno in private taxi for about 200 soles or hiring any of the tour operators located in the city center.
  • There is usually a non conventional turism route, so it is rare to find groups of tourists in the place.

Text & Photos by Iñigo Maneiro (www.bitacora.pe)