Lake Titicaca: The inner sea of the Andes

Lake Titicaca is generally one of the highlights of any tour around Peru. It’s also an obligatory stop for people on their way to La Paz in Bolivia, and those traveling from Arequipa to Cusco.

Located at an altitude of 12,500 feet, Lake Titicaca covers a surface area of 5300 square miles, with a depth of 700 feet, which makes it one of the biggest lakes in South America and of one of the highest in the world.

The Lake is shared between Peru and Bolivia. On the Peruvian side, the city of Puno is the most important city on the Lake’s shores, and the starting place for any excursion across the lake. In Bolivia, it is the village of Copacabana which offers the best access to the Lake, and to the Sun Island.

Activities on the Lake

From Puno, there are several expeditions which take you across the Lake. The most conventional one takes you over to the Taquile Island, on a full-day return boat ride. From the top of the island, the views over the Lake are splendid. The length of the crossing (6 hours return) is the only downside to the traditional excursions.

You could also opt for a 2-day excursion, including a night spent on Amantani Island, near Taquile. You will spend the night at the home of a host family, which will allow you to take a closer look at the lives of these Indian communities, as you enjoy a rare quietness on this peaceful island, without the sound of traffic or dogs. The next day you will also visit Taquile island. If you would prefer something more comfortable, the Suasi private island offers a more expensive but more luxurious option.

During all these expeditions you will stop by the Uros floating islands, located 20 minutes away from Puno. With the boom in tourism, these islands have multiplied and are now home to a population of over 1000 people. Whilst the traditional lifestyle of these hunters-fishers has of course disappeared since tourism began on the islands, the Uros Islands remain an astonishing place.

The Uros islands can also be visited over a 2-3 hour excursion, and for the sportier people, by kayak from Puno.

Around Lake Titicaca

If you don’t have your sea legs, you can always opt for an excursion across the Socca peninsula, which offers beautiful views across lake Titicaca and the snowy peaks of the Bolivian White Range. The peninsula also has the advantage of taking you off the beaten path, where tourism is still a rarity and the local population still lives off agriculture.

The Lake Titicaca region was important in the development of the pre-Colombian civilizations of the Andean Plateau. According to the legend, it was from the waters of Lake Titicaca that the first Inca sovereign, Manco Capac, emerged. The Tiwanaku civilization, of which the center is near the Lake in Bolivia, played an important role and was undoubtedly the trailblazer of the Incas.

There are many interesting archeological sites in the surrounding area of Puno, such as the “chullpas”, or funeral towers of Sillustani, or the less frequented “chullpas” in Cutimbo. Each of these sites can be visited over a half-day.

Discover Lake Titicaca in pictures:

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Altitude and climate

How to get there

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Altitude and climate

Altitude: 12,500 feet.
Climat: Dry from April to November, rainy season from December to March.

Maximum daytime temperature (monthly average):

Summer: (Decembre to March): 17ºC / 62ºF
Winter (June to September): 16ºC / 60ºF

Minimum nighttime temperature (monthly average):

Summer: (Decembre to March): 7ºC / 44ºF
Winter (June to September): 4ºC / 40ºF

How to get there

By air:

Puno is connected by daily flights (via Juliaca airport, one hour away from Puno) to the cities of Lima, Cusco and Arequipa.

By road:

from Arequipa: by bus or private vehicle, 5 hours
from Cusco: by bus or private vehicle, 6-7 hours ; by train (3 times per week), 11 hours
from La Paz: by bus or private vehicle, 5 hours
from Copacabana: by bus or private vehicle, 3 hours

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