TRAVEL TO TITICACA
The Titicaca Basin makes most people feel like they are on top of the world. Usually placid and mirror-like, the deep blue water reflects the vast sky back on itself. All along the horizon – which appears to bend away from you – the green Andean mountains can be seen raising their ancient backs towards the sun. The high altitude (3827 m above sea level) means that recent arrival from the coast should take it easy for a day or two, though those coming from Cusco will already have acclimatized.
A National Reserve since 1978, the lake has over sixty varieties of bird, fourteen species of native fish and eighteen types of amphibians. These days, Puno is the largest settlement and port in the whole of Lake Titicaca. Densely populated well before the arrival of the Incas, the lakeside Titicaca region is also home to the curious and ancient tower-tombs known locally as chullpas: rings of tall, cylindrical stone burial chambers, often standing in battlement-like formations.
There are more than seventy islands in the lake, the largest and most sacred being the Island of the Sun.
One the Peruvian side of the lake you can visit the unusual Uros islands. These floating platform islands are built from reeds – weird to walk over and even stranger to live on, they are now a major tourist attraction. Also visit the populated, fixed islands, Amantani and Taquile, where the traditional lifestyles of these powerful communities give visitors a genuine taste of pre-Conquest Andean Peru.
FEATURED ITINERARIES IN LAKE TITICACA
All of our sample tailormade Ttiticaca Lake trip itineraries are fully customized for you.
HISTORY
The scattered population of the region is descended from two very ancient Andean ethnic groups or tribes – the Aymara and the Quechua. The Aymara´s Tiahuanaco culture predates the Quechua´s Inca civilization by over three hundred years and this region is thought to be the original home for the domestication of a number of very important plants, not least the potato, tomato and the common pepper.
GEOGRAPHY
Lake Titicaca is the border that separates Peru from Bolivia, the lake spreads over the Altiplano with 3,200 square miles, it has a height of 12,500ft above sea level, this makes it the highest lake in the world to navigate.
Puno borders the Peruvian side of the lake.
- – With an altitude of 12,500 ft. (3,800m) above sea level.
- – On the northwestern edge of the lake is Puno.
- – All islands including Uros, Taquile and Amantani are a short boat ride away.
attractions
Sillustani Island
Scattered all around Lake Titicaca you´ll find chullpas, white-stone towers up to 10 m in height in which the ancient Colla tribe, who dominated the region before the Incas, buried their dead. Some of the most spectacular are at SILLUSTANI, set on a little peninsula in Lake Umayo overlooking Titicaca, 30 km northwest of Puno. This ancient temple/cemetery consists of a ring of stones more than five hundred years old – some of which have been tumbled by earthquakes or, more recently, by tomb robbers’ intent on stealing the rich goods (ceramics, jewellery and a few weapons) buried with important mummies.
Uros Islands
The man-made floating UROS ISLANDS have been inhabited since their construction centuries ago by Uros Indians retreating from more powerful neighbors like the Incas. They are now home to a dwindling and much-abused Indian population. Although there are about 48 of these islands, most guided tours limit themselves to the largest, Huacavacani.
The islands are made from layer upon layer of totora reeds, the dominant plant in the shallows of Titicaca and a source of food, as well as the basic material for roofing, walling and fishing rafts. During the rainy season months of November to February it´s not unusual for some of the islands to move about the surface of the lake.
Taquile Island
One of Titicaca´s non-floating islands, TAQUILE is peaceful place that sees fewer tourists than the Uros. Located 25-30 km across the water from Puno it lies just beyond the outer edge of the Gulf of Chucuito. Taquile is arguably the most attractive of the islands, measuring about 1 km by 7 km. The horizontal striations are produced by significant amounts of ancient terracing along the steep-sided shores. Such terraces are at an even greater premium here in the middle of the lake where soil erosion would otherwise slowly kill the island´s largely self-sufficient agricultural economy, of which potatoes, corn, broad beans and hardy quinoa are the main crops. Today, the island is still very traditional. There is no grid-connected electricity on the island, though there is a solar-powered community loudspeaker and a growing number of individual houses with solar lighting.
Amantani Island
Like nearby Taquile, AMANTANI, a basket-weavers´ island and the largest on the lake, has managed to retain some degree of cultural isolation and autonomous control over the tourist trade. Amantani is the least visited of these two islands and consequently has fewer facilities and costs slightly more to reach by boat. The ancient agricultural terraces are excellently maintained, and traditional stone masonry is still practiced, as are the old Inca systems of agriculture, labor and ritual trade. The islanders eat mainly vegetables, with meat and fruit being rare commodities, and the women dress in colorful clothes, very distinctly woven. The island is dominated by two small hills: one is the Temple of Pachamama (Mother Earth) and the other the Temple of Pachatata (Father Earth).
CULTURAL NORMES
Before there was any sort of division in the lake, separating Peru and Bolivia, ancient civilizations established themselves in the region. During some years the communities were able to live together peacefully, but some periods are tainted by war. Agriculture and building methods have been adapted and improved over the years. All the cultural differences are what make the Lake Titicaca community and culture so unique and interesting. Seeing similarities between the islands is a fun learning experience, for example the clothing worn on each island has a different symbolism. A man on the Taquile island will show his marital status by the color of the hat on his head. Make sure to pay close attention to your guide while touring the islands, you are likely to hear other native languages like Quechua and Aymara.
ACTIVITIES
Go island hopping
The reed islands of Uros are a great place to visit and the Taquile island famous for its textile traditions is only a boat ride away. You can learn about traditions that are centuries old by the people that actually live on the islands.
TIPPING
The best way to show appreciation for a job well done is to reflect it in a tip. Here we have a tipping range for your guide, depending if it’s a full or half day.
- – 10-30 soles per person for a half day tour.
- – 20-60 soles per person for a full day tour.
WEATHER
Lake Titicaca Climate
The Altiplano, or high plain, where Lake Titicaca is located has a semi-arid climate. Daytime temperatures average between 60-65ºF (15-18ºC) throughout the year. On a clear day the sun’s rays are strong – especially reflecting off the lake surface – and sun protection is a must. Night temperatures really drop around Lake Titicaca, so pack a jacket to keep warm. Snowfall is very unlikely.
Dry Season Vs. Rainy Season
– The dry season starts in April and ends in November, there is usually warmth and sunlight during the day, however at night in June and July the temperatures are borderline freezing.
– Rainy seasons starts in December until March, during the morning clouds with accumulate over Lake Titicaca to create massive showers in the afternoon. The heaviest rainfall in Lake Titicaca will have been during January and February.
When is the best time to visit Lake Titicaca?
– Throughout June, July and August is the busiest season for tourism, because of the dry season.
– During April-May and September-November there is fewer tourist, these months will experience rainy and dry season but will mostly be pleasant weather. One of the best times to visit Puno is after the rainy season, this is when plants are blooming and the landscapes are greenest.
TRAVEL TIPS
Health concerns
- – Altitude sickness can be concern on you trip. Upon arrival, you will have time to adjust to the altitude, but be aware that it can affect everyone differently, some symptoms include, headaches, nausea, no appetite and difficulties breathing. Serious reactions are rare but it is best to be precautious.
- – At such high altitudes, the suns potency can increase, combined with the sunlight that reflects off the lake, it can be very easy to get a sun burn without the proper protection. For a tour on the lake never forget your essentials for sun protection, hats, sun glasses and sunblock.
Transportation
Here we will list the multiple options for transportation to and from the main cities. Transportation to the lakes islands is usually by small motorized boats.
- – Puno, Peru is easily reached buy multiple forms of transportation, buses are available in all other major cities including Cusco, Arequipa and Lima. Another option is train travel. PeruRail has a luxurious Andean explorer train which travels between Cusco and Puno. Flying is also a great option for travelers that want to go direct from Lima, with a short flight of less than 2 hours, flying is definitely the easiest option. The airport, Inca Manco Capac, is only a 30-minute drive away from Puno.
- – To fully experience the lake, you must also visit its islands, numerous boat tours are available daily, only a short 30-minute boat ride away is the Uros island and close by is the Taquile island.
