Tinajani

You’ll find Tinajani along a lesser-travelled path, deep in a private nature reserve called the ‘The Canyon of the Guardians’. With an altitude surpassing 12,900 feet, the tented camp lies between Cusco and Lake Titicaca, at the midway point of the journey from the Colca Canyon to the lake or the city of Puno, seated on its shores.

Tinajani’s namesake, the Tinajani Canyon, unfolds before it. It is a vast land sculpted by wind and the erosion of an ancient lake, leaving towering, reddish-hued sandstone formations in its wake. These mystical rock figures are steeped in folklore. Legend has it that they were giants turned to stone by the gods.

Beyond, the terrain merges Peruvian puya forest and meandering streams, where you can enjoy picnics. Nature trails, traversable on foot or bike, open to far-reaching panoramas. You can also visit artisan workshops in nearby villages to learn about ancient customs.

Aligned with their commitment to reusing pre-existing buildings, Tinajani has delicately restored an old farmhouse, transforming it into a cosy communal area. On its stone patio, you can savour breakfasts while the morning’s warm glow tints the rising lithic walls gold.

After the sun’s descent, a firepit or bonfire lights up the night, inviting you to share your tales from the highlands beneath glittering constellations; the clear skies above Tinajani, far from the glaring city lights of Puno, promise infinite opportunities for stargazing.

You’ll sleep in a safari-style lodging that connects two tents: one features a twin or king-size bed opening to an en-suite bathroom, and the second is a lounge warmed by a wood-burning stove. Both units spill onto a private terrace with a hot tub, from where you can watch hawks and falcons in flight.