Visit Lake Titicaca
Ticked off in December 2015
Sail across a sapphire lake at 3,800 metres to islands built from floating reeds and the birthplace of the Inca sun.
The adventure
At this altitude the light is fierce and the water an impossibly deep blue, ringed by the snowy peaks of the Cordillera Real on the Bolivian side. Boats putter out from Puno into the reed beds, and suddenly you're stepping onto the Uros islands, built by hand from layers of totora reed. The ground gives softly underfoot, like walking on a mattress.
Further out, the islands are solid rock, terraced and quiet. On Taquile the men knit as they walk, and their hats tell you whether they are married or single. On Isla del Sol, Inca legend says the sun itself was born, and old stone paths link ruins high above the lake. Stay the night with a local family and you'll watch the stars come out over the water.
Why it’s epic
- It's South America's largest lake by volume, covering more than 8,000 square kilometres.
- The Uros islands have to be topped up with fresh reeds constantly, as the lower layers rot away.
- Taquile's textile art is recognised by UNESCO as part of humanity's intangible cultural heritage.
- The lake is home to the giant Titicaca water frog, found nowhere else.
What it is
Lake Titicaca is one of the highest navigable lakes in the world at around 3,800 metres.
How to do it
Visit the Uros floating islands from Puno in Peru, or Isla del Sol from Copacabana in Bolivia.
Top tip
Stay overnight with a family on Amantaní or Taquile.
Need to know
- Take the altitude seriously; arrive from somewhere lower gradually, rest on day one and go easy on alcohol.
- Crossing between Puno and Copacabana means a land border; UK visitors don't currently need a visa for short stays in Peru or Bolivia.
- The sun is intense on the water, so bring high-factor sunscreen and a hat, plus warm layers for the nights.
Plan this trip
- Rough cost
- £2,000 to £5,000 per person, including flights from the UK
- Time needed
- 2 to 3 days
- Best time to go
- May to October
- Fly into
- JUL airport
Getting to South America costs the most; boat trips and homestays on the lake are cheap.
Sample itinerary
- Day 1Arrive in Puno (Peru) or Copacabana (Bolivia)
- Day 2Boat to the floating Uros islands and Taquile, or a homestay on Amantaní
- Day 3Isla del Sol from Copacabana, then on to La Paz or Cusco
Do it yourself
- Tours and ticketsGetYourGuide
- FlightsKiwi.com
- Adventure travel insuranceWorld NomadsWe receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using this link. We do not represent World Nomads. This is not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.
Some of these are affiliate links: if you book through them I may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. More about this.
My experience
Ticked off, but the full story is still to be written up.
Over to you
Is “Visit Lake Titicaca” on your bucket list, or have you already done it? Tell me in the comments, and if you've got a question about it, ask away and I'll answer.