Lake Titicaca (Puno)
Lake Titicaca, considered the highest commercially navigable body of water in the world at 3,821m, is located on the border between northern Bolivia and southern Peru. Covering some 8,300 square kilometers, roughly 60% of the lake lies in Peru. Titicaca is the ancestral land of the Quechuas, Aymaras, Uros, Pacajes, and Puquinas and was the foundation of the most influential pre-Hispanic cultures of the Andean Region. According to the Incan mythology, this is the place where the world was created from, when the god Viracocha came out of the lake and created the sun, the stars and the first people.
The most popular attractions that can be visited from our home base of Puno include the Uro Islands (floating islands made completely of reeds) and Isla Taquile, where you can choose to spend the night with a Titcacan family. But, the highlight of many who visit Puno is the breathtaking Andean Explorer train service between Cusco and Puno!
- Popular itineraries
- What to see?
- How long to visit?
- When to visit?
- How to get there?
- Additional details
Lima-Puno-Cusco – This 9 day itinerary includes all the sites of Lima, Cusco and Machu Picchu from our classic Lima-Cusco itinerary as well as several days exploring Lake Titicaca (plus a ride on the world famous Andean Express train from Puno to Cusco).
Lima-Arequipa-Puno-Cusco – This 12 day adventure allows you to see most of southern Peru – it builds upon our Lima-Puno-Cusco tour by offering you the chance to explore beautiful Arequipa and see the stunning Colca Canyon.
Please inquire about visiting Lake Titicaca when you submit your booking information and we can provide you with all relevant details!
There are plenty of cultural activities to take part in when you visit Lake Titicaca – or you can just sit and enjoy the panoramic views of Lake Titicaca. Here are some of the most popular sites:
- Sillustani Tombs
- Uros floating islands
- Taquile islands
- Andean Explorer train from Puno to Cusco
- Hop over to Bolivia for the day to see Isla del sol or Copacabana (see note on visa requirements in “Additional Details” section.)
Check out our pictures on Flickr:
We recommend spending about 2-3 days around Lake Titicaca – especially since you may want to spend one of your nights on the Taquile Islands. Also, since Lake Titicaca is at one of the highest elevations of any popular destination in Peru, you will want extra time to get acclimated to the altitude and won’t want to push yourself to see everything in one day.
You can visit Lake Titicaca during most of the year – although in the summer (December – March) you will trade off warmer weather for precipitation since it is often warmer but also wetter during these months. Both because of the celebration of the Virgen de la Candelaria and the warmer weather – many people think that February is the best month to visit Puno (although note that this is the opposite of Machu Picchu and Cusco – where it is often rainy in February).
Weather
From February to November the climate around Lake Titicaca is mostly pleasant and sunny, but there’s often a cool wind off the lake and nights can get very cold. Most rainfall occurs in midsummer, December through January. The average year around temperature is about 50°F (10°C) and can range from a high of 60°F (15°C) to a low of 32°F (0°C) – so you will want to bring warm clothes regardless of the season.
Plane & Bus – Lake Titicaca is easily accessible via LAN and Peru – however the airport is in Juliaca, not Puno, which is about an hour drive. Flights on LAN are more reliable, but often more expensive. StarPeru provides an alternative for those on a budget, but requires a stop over in Cusco. Additionally, you can reach Puno via a 24 hour bus ride from Lima – which is the cheapest transportation option.
Train – The most spectacular route to Puno is on the 10 hour Andean Explorer train service to/from Cusco – which is one of the most beautiful and highest train rides in the world. The train operates on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday (with an additional departure on Fridays from April to October).
- Lake Titicaca sits at about 3,800 meters (12,500 feet) above sea level – making it one of he highest popular destination in Peru. Thus, we recommend consulting with your doctor about potential ways to combat altitude sickness – including getting a prescription for Acetazolamide. Other typical remedies for altitude sickness include drinking coca tea and/or chewing coca leaves (which is what the locals do) as well as spending several less-active days getting acclimated to the altitude before setting out on a hike or jam-packed day of travel.
- Because Lake Titicaca is at a high elevation, ultraviolet (UV) light is extremely strong. This means that you will burn much quicker in than you would at home. So be sure to bring plenty of sunscreen plus a hat and sunglasses to protect you from the sun.
- While a side-trip to Bolivia may only take a few hours, residents of the US should be aware that Bolivia now requires a visa for entry. A tourist visa costs $135.