Sillustani, Chullpas ( pre Columbian funeral towers ) - Peru

After such spectacular mountainous views around Machu Picchu we head south yet again this time to the Chullpas, pre Columbian funeral towers, of Sillustani. Set on top of a hill adjoining the beautiful lake Umayo we amble around this ancient site. These burial towers are from the Aymara speaking Colla tribe and most date back from the period of Inca occupation in the 15th century, the engineering involved is apparently far more complex than anything the Incas built.
This site however looks in decline as a large purpose built complex with all facilities is closed, the museum which holds skeletons, funeral caskets, ceramics etc is in disrepair but the highlight for Geoff and I is the caretaker allowed us to sleep amongst the skeletons. What a laugh, we had a good look round and set our roll mats and sleeping bags out along with a couple of others. Geoff insisted sleeping next to a skeleton he'd named Horace. Surprisingly they did look similar and when Geoff sat up in the night, the moon shone, reflecting off Horace's skull and Geoffs, it was hard to tell the difference :) At least we were dry, warm and alert ha ha.
The night over we now head to Lake Titicaca to explore the floating islands.

Adios

Tony x