Is Lake Titicaca worth visiting?
Is Lake Titicaca worth visiting?
One of the highest altitude lakes on earth, Lake Titicaca is a really special place to visit.
The clear blue skies and the rolling hills of the altiplano make for a perfect backdrop, and sailing around you’ll find many incredible ruins and sites to visit.
These range from ancient ruins to idyllic islands, and we’ll explore them all later.
In this article we’ll list the seven best reasons to visit Lake Titicaca, as well as cover any other important information you’ll need to know.
Is Lake Titicaca worth visiting?
Our quick answer: Yes – Regardless of which side you come from, you’ll find that this lake has many special sites. From the floating Uros Islands to the pre-Inca ruins found on Taquile Island, you’d be surprised just how much Lake Titicaca actually offers.
Where is Lake Titicaca?
This giant lake is found in the heart of South America, and actually straddles both Bolivia and Peru (split 56% and 44% between each respectively).
If coming from Bolivia then you’ll need to head to the city of Copacabana in the north, which is the gateway to the lake (you can easily arrive from La Paz in just a few hours).
For Peru you’ll head south to the city of Puno, which connects well with other Peruvian hotspots like Arequipa and Cusco.
Given it’s a high altitude Lake (around 3800 metres) you’ll want to follow our altitude safety tips, as well as bringing thick clothing given how cold it gets at night.
How far is Lake Titicaca from Cusco
Lake Titicaca is located roughly 300 km south of Cusco, and when heading here you’ll first arrive at the lakeside city of Puno.
The bus from Cusco to Puno takes roughly 8 hours, and we recommend taking the night-bus to save daylight time.
Given its location in the extreme south, it’s a good stop to add in after Cusco once you’ve seen the wonder that is Machu Picchu in all its glory.
Those shorter on time can also join this 2 day tour of Lake Titicaca from Cusco, which includes visits to both Taquile and the Uros Islands.
7 Reasons to Visit Lake Titicaca
Are you still wondering if Lake Titicaca is right for you? Here’s 7 awesome reasons why you should head to this Mexican island.
1. Visit the Floating Uros Islands
By far one of the most incredible man-made sites in Peru, the Uros Islands aren’t quite your typical island destination.
Built entirely out of the floating Totora Reed which grows wild on the lake, these islands are home to three different indigenous tribes; The Uru-Chipaya, Uru-Murato, and Uru-Iruito.
Completely self-governed, they live full-time on the islands cooking and doing whatever else is needed day to day to sustain themselves.
These groups were actually living on the mainland relatively peacefully, until the threat of invasions led them to building their own off-shore havens.
You can head to the islands on a day trip from Puno, with the boat ride taking just 45 minutes. As well as getting to know the groups and seeing how they live, you’ll also have the opportunity to ride around in one of their famous dragon-head boats.
2. Head up to Cerro Calvario
Heading over to the Bolivian side now, we have this epic mirador lookout point.
It’s located in the city of Copacabana, which is the main base camp for travellers looking to explore Lake Titicaca from the south.
Cerro Calvario is definitely the best land-based vantage point out onto the lake, and is a must for those who are short on time and can’t visit other islands such as the Isla del Sol.
The hike up takes around 30 minutes, but it’s definitely a humbling one given you’ll be panting with the high altitude. We recommend taking your time up, having frequent breaks and also bringing lots of water.
Whilst you can hike up pretty much any time you want, we suggest going around the early morning (6:00am) for an epic sunrise, where you can then grab a caldo by the lakeside before exploring the lake for the day (we’ll cover where to eat these later in this article).
3. Explore Taquile Island
Located roughly 45 km south of Puno on the Peruvian side, Taquile is arguably the most beautiful island of them all (and is a major stop for any traveller heading around Southern Peru).
Some of the best things to see here include the beautiful stone gates and paths, as well as various pre-Inca ruins.
Taquile Island is also the perfect place to have a homestay experience. The locals here are extremely friendly, hard-working and also are eager to share their traditions with foreigners staying with them.
Boats leave from Puno to Taquile in the early morning, and take around 3 hours to arrive. For this reason it’s best to spend the night given you’ll otherwise be in a rush trying to see everything.
If you have an extra day then consider this overnight tour to Taquile Island, which includes all meals, transport as well as a night stay on the beautiful Isla Amantaní.
4. Eat an Early-Morning Caldo overlooking Lake Titicaca
A big part of Andean life are the hot soups (or caldos as called in Peru and Bolivia), which are even more a staple for those living around this lake.
With temperatures regularly dropping down into the minuses, the late night and early mornings can be painfully cold.
Of course being here as tourists we’ll force ourselves out anyway to explore, so this is why we recommend grabbing a hot caldo to help warm yourself up.
In Copacabana the very best are located along the lake’s edge (when you walk down you’ll want to turn left, walk a couple of minutes and you’ll see dozens of tiny lakefront restaurants).
Some interesting options to try out include Chaulla Caldo (made with fresh fish), Sopa a la Minuta (spaghetti and vegetables) as well as the classic Caldo de Gallina (chicken-based).
5. Hike around Isla del Sol
Having already explored the two main islands on the Peruvian side, now let’s take a look at the main highlight of the Bolivian region.
Isla del Sol is by far the best thing to see in the south, and is also our personal favourite. Here you’ll see the rolling terraced hills rise up into the sky from below, which make for an incredible hiking circuit around the top of the island.
There’s also many ancient ruins to see here too such as the Ruinas del Sur.
Surprisingly we can also find a nice beach here (on the eastern coast, in the area of Cha’lla). Even more surprisingly is the fact that it gets quite hot here during the midday, so you could easily sunbathe for a few hours before the chilling evening cools return.
You can reach the Isla del Sol by taking a boat from Copacabana, which takes roughly 2 hours to arrive. Travellers who are in La Paz can also visit with this awesome day tour.
6. Check out the city highlights of Puno
We get it – your main reason coming here is to see the lake and the various islands within. However don’t let that sway you from seeing the more charming side of the Peruvian lakeside city.
The Plaza de Armas is a good place to head to, where you’ll see many architectural beauties. This includes the Puno Cathedral, which looks similar to the famous church in Cusco with its giant side towers and baroque facade.
You can also visit the Museo Carlos Dreyer, which features various paintings and Incan artefacts inside of a beautiful, blue colonial building.
There are some top-rated hostels to stay at in Puno, and while you are getting acquainted with the local vibes, we recommend going for a stroll along the Puerto Muelle Puno, which is a beautiful walkway that connects the city to the lake.
You’ll find many artisan shops along the way, and this is also the place to find local fishermen offering local trips, as well as heading on a tour to the Uros Islands.
7. Witness the legendary Festival de Candelaria
One of the biggest Peruvian festivals of the year, the Virgen de la Candelaria celebrates the Andean culture of Puno by putting on a festival every February.
During the first two weeks of the month there are numerous parades and features dancers from the region performing native routines.
They’re also known for wearing an array of terrifying masks and outfits that look something out of a horror film, which adds even more to the unique ambience.
The main highlight is held on the first Monday, where a non-stop 12 hour parade is held throughout the streets of Puno. Definitely worth planning your trip around if visiting this part of South America in February.
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Is Lake Titicaca worth visiting?
And that’s all for our guide on why you should visit Lake Titicaca.
A highlight on any trip to either Peru or Bolivia, this stunning lake is full of both mystery and worthwhile gems to uncover.
You’ll also find remote indigenous groups living full-time on these islands, and you can easily meet them and see how they continue to keep their ancient traditions alive today.
Be sure to read our comprehensive Backpacking Peru Itinerary, where we have even more travel tips and suggestions for your trip here.
If you’re heading south after, then our Backpacking Bolivia Itinerary will also come in handy.
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