Lake Titicaca Holidays
Lake Titicaca
Holidays
The world's highest navigable lake — floating reed islands, Inca mythology and extraordinary Andean culture
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Flight Time
12–14h to Lima, then 1h to Cusco + 6h train or 1h flight to Juliaca
Best Time
May to October (dry season)
Country
Peru
Suppliers
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Lake Titicaca Holiday Guide
Lake Titicaca is one of the most extraordinary destinations in South America — the world's highest navigable lake at 3,812m, with the Uros floating reed islands, the UNESCO-recognised textile tradition of Taquile Island and the extraordinary Andean culture of the altiplano.
Getting there: Puno is the gateway to Lake Titicaca on the Peruvian side. From Cusco, the most scenic route is the Andean Explorer train (PeruRail, 10 hours, runs on selected days) — one of the great train journeys of South America. The bus from Cusco takes 6-7 hours. Alternatively, fly from Cusco to Juliaca (30 minutes) and take a taxi to Puno (45 minutes).
The standard Lake Titicaca itinerary is a 2-day boat tour from Puno — day one visits the Uros floating islands and Taquile Island, with an overnight homestay on Amantaní Island; day two returns to Puno via Taquile. This can be arranged through any tour operator in Puno.
Altitude sickness is a real concern at 3,812m — acclimatise in Cusco (3,400m) for 2 nights before visiting Titicaca. Drink plenty of water, avoid alcohol and take it easy. The cold nights (temperatures can drop below 0°C even in the dry season) require warm clothing.
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Popular Areas in Lake Titicaca
Average Temperatures
Jan
13°C
Feb
13°C
Mar
13°C
Apr
13°C
May
11°C
Jun
9°C
Jul
9°C
Aug
10°C
Sep
11°C
Oct
13°C
Nov
13°C
Dec
13°C
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Call 01282 960 460Top 8 Things To Do in Lake Titicaca
The floating reed islands, Inca textile traditions and extraordinary Andean landscapes that make Lake Titicaca one of the most memorable destinations in South America.
The Uros Floating Islands
The Uros floating islands are one of the most extraordinary human habitations on earth — man-made islands built from layers of totora reeds (the buoyant aquatic plant that grows abundantly in the lake), inhabited by the Uros people for centuries as a refuge from the Inca and Aymara peoples. The islands are constantly replenished as the bottom layers rot away. The Uros people live on the islands, fish the lake and sell handicrafts to visitors.
Taquile Island — UNESCO Textile Heritage
Taquile Island is one of the most culturally rich communities in Peru — the island's textile tradition (knitting and weaving) has been recognised by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The men of Taquile knit the most intricate textiles in Peru (including the chullu, a distinctive knitted hat that communicates the wearer's social status) while the women weave on backstrap looms. The island has no cars, no hotels and no electricity — a day trip from Puno.
Amantaní Island — Community Homestay
Amantaní Island offers one of the most authentic community tourism experiences in Peru — staying overnight with a local Quechua family in their home, eating traditional food, learning to weave and participating in community life. The island has two hilltop temples (Pachatata and Pachamama) with extraordinary views over the lake. Amantaní is usually combined with a visit to the Uros islands and Taquile on a 2-day boat tour from Puno.
Sillustani — Pre-Inca Funeral Towers
Sillustani, 34km from Puno on the shores of Lake Umayo, has the most impressive pre-Inca funerary towers (chullpas) in Peru — cylindrical stone towers up to 12m high, built by the Colla people (predecessors of the Inca) to house the mummified remains of their nobility. The largest tower (the Lizard Tower) was never completed. The site offers extraordinary views over Lake Umayo and the surrounding altiplano.
Puno — Festival Capital of Peru
Puno is the folklore capital of Peru — the city has more festivals than any other in the country, with over 300 traditional dances performed throughout the year. The Virgen de la Candelaria festival (February) is the largest and most spectacular — 40,000 dancers and musicians perform in the streets for two weeks in a UNESCO-recognised celebration. The Puno Week festival (November) celebrates the legendary emergence of Manco Capac and Mama Ocllo from Lake Titicaca.
The Altiplano — High Andean Plateau
Lake Titicaca sits in the altiplano — the high Andean plateau that stretches from southern Peru into Bolivia at an average altitude of 3,800m. The landscape is extraordinary — vast, treeless grasslands (puna) grazed by llamas and alpacas, snow-capped peaks on the horizon and the deep blue of the lake. The light at this altitude is extraordinary — the sky is a deeper blue than anywhere else in the world and the sunsets over the lake are spectacular.
Inca Mythology — The Birthplace of the Sun
Lake Titicaca is the most sacred lake in Inca mythology — the Incas believed that Viracocha (the creator god) rose from the lake to create the sun, moon and stars, and that Manco Capac and Mama Ocllo (the first Inca and his sister-wife) emerged from the lake to found the Inca Empire. The Island of the Sun (Isla del Sol) on the Bolivian side of the lake is the most sacred Inca site on the lake — a day trip from Copacabana.
Bolivia Border Crossing — Copacabana & La Paz
Lake Titicaca is easily combined with a visit to Bolivia — the border crossing at Desaguadero (2 hours from Puno) or Yunguyo gives access to Copacabana (the Bolivian lakeside town with the Island of the Sun) and La Paz (the world's highest capital city at 3,640m, 3.5 hours from Copacabana). The La Paz-Puno bus journey (via Copacabana) is one of the most scenic in South America.
Explore Lake Titicaca on the Map
Key areas, beaches and attractions across the island.
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