Located on the border of Peru and Bolivia, Lake Titicaca is the legendary birthplace of the Inca Empire. This brilliantly blue lake, the highest navigable lake in the world, is famous for its floating islands. On handmade islands crafted from reeds, the people of the Uros islands have carried on the reed-crafting tradition of their pre-Inca ancestors.

The waters of Lake Titicaca, the birthplace of Inca legends, shimmer around the Isla del Sol

But any visitor to Lake Titcaca would be remiss to miss out on the Bolivian side of the lake, where the founder of the Inca, Manco Capac, first appeared on the Isla del Sol. On the island are pre-Colombian ceremonial temples, such as the Sun Temple and the Chinkana maze.

Also on the Bolivia side of the lake is the Copacabana peninsula, which shelters many more significant Inca landmarks. Situated just outside of the town of Copacabana, the Horca del Inca, an astronomical observatory, was constructed thousands of years ago.

On the island of Suriki live master reed craftsmen, including shipbuilders who helped the Norwegian scientist Dr. Thor Heyerdahl build rafts to sail across the Pacific Ocean. In the 1970s, Heyerdahl and his team successfully navigated from North Africa to the Pacific Islands in reed rafts, showing that early ocean migrations were possible. On the Isla del Sol is Inti Wata museum that discusses these navigations in depth.

There are a number of Lake Titicaca tours, including a full day catamaran tour. Beginning in Puno on the Peruvian side of the lake, travelers head to Copacabana in the early morning. A guide takes travelers around this Bolivian town, visiting the cathedral and main square, before setting out on the catamaran lake cruise that either returns to Puno or ends in La Paz, Bolivia.

Once the ship reaches Isla del Sol, travelers can get out an explore this fascinating island full of Inca landmarks. A guide will show the Inca garden, stairs, and fountain, and then give a tour of the Inti Wata complex, a museum full of archeological and anthropological items that recount the rich history of this lake region. It’s also possible to partake in a ceremony of the Kallawaya people, who are known for their mastery of natural medicine.

Next the cruise continues to the south side of Isla del Sol, where a guide will give a tour of the Pilkokaina Inca Palace. Visitors will also get a chance to watch a sailing demonstration, in which sailing experts show how to navigate their handmade reed vessels.

Visitors can enjoy lunch onboard the cruise while the ship continues on to the Chua harbor on Bolivia’s shores. From there, travelers will take a bus to La Paz, the governmental capital of Bolivia and linchpin for Bolivia tours.

There are many versions of this Lake Titicaca catamaran tour available, including a 2D/1N cruise that includes a trek around Isla del Sol, a Puno roundtrip tour, and a La Paz round trip tour. Check out our other recommended Bolivia tours, Puno and Lake Titicaca tours, or contact us to talk with one of our travel advisors if you have any questions.

The lake is the highest navigated area of water in the world and is one of the largest. What makes the lake so attractive are the amazingly crafted Islands of Uros, created out of locally grown tortoa reed in a process that has been passed down from generation to generation.

Tortoa reeds of Lake Titicaca.

The lake is easily accessible from Cusco and there are two primary transport options between Cusco and the principle city in the area, Puno. You can travel either by train or by bus. You can fly, but it would involve a connection in Lima.

The bus from Cusco to Puno takes between and 8 and 9 hours and makes various stops along the way at archaeological sites, as well as at rest-stops and restaurants.

The train ride is slightly longer – some 10 hours – but while the bus features first class accommodations for a vehicle of its variety, the first class accommodations on the train are significantly more opulent with lounge-chair seating, fine china and silverware used for first-rate, delicious meals, and a lookout-car, where guests can leisurely enjoy the scenery of the Peruvian highlands.

While the more luxurious train makes no stops, shorter bus ride to Puno does make several pauses along the way. Tourists traveling by bus normally enjoy bilingual guided stops at the following locations along the route:

• Andahuaylillas: known as the “Sixteenth Chapel of the Americas,” this church features an exhibition of colonial art work dating back to the XVI and XVII century. (Entrance fee: US $1.5/person)
• Raqchi: This is the temple dedicated to God Wiracocha, supreme God of the Incas. (Entrance fee: US$2/person)
• Sicuani: Here guests will be able to rest and enjoy an Andean buffet lunch
• La Raya: This is the highest point of the trip, where guests will be able to appreciate snow-peaked mountains, alpacas and the amazing scenery of the Andean countryside.
• Pukara: This is ancient archaeological complex constructed in a grand pyramidal shape dating as far back as 4,000 B.C. (entrance fee $2)

By travelling by bus, the journey normally includes snacks and on board hostess assistance.

For more cautious travelers a key advantage of bus transport is that you embark and disembark from a private bus station in both cities as opposed to a public train station.

The mode of transport you choose to take depends on your personal preference.

However many people talk about how spectacular the views are along the train route, especially as you approach Lake Titicaca.

The Sun Shines Over Peru's Glorious Lake Titicaca. Photograph: Matthew Barker 2009

The lake, the largest in South America and one of the highest navigable bodies of water on Earth, plays a central role in the mythical traditions of ancient Andean civilization. The Inca based the legend of their very creation on this inland ocean. It was from these waters that Viracoca, the God of Creation, emerged to create the sun and the moon, as well as mankind, and it was from here that the Inca began their long conquest of the Andes.

Stepping into this ethereal, high altitude world, where even the sunlight seems to shine with an unreal glow, it’s easy to see why ancient civilizations attached such importance to the lake. Not only is Lake Titicaca overwhelmingly beautiful, it’s also an abundant cradle of life, an environment that has sustained numerous tides of civilization over its long history.

Lake Titicaca today is an enormously popular Peru travel destination, drawing a steady stream of visitors year round. Using the city of Puno as a convenient base, it’s easy to discover some of the enchanting islands that make the lake such a unique place:

Uros

The artificial islands of Uros are one of the most unusual and interesting aspects of the lake. For centuries the Uros people have lived on these man-made floating islands, built entirely from the Tortuga reeds which grow in Titicaca in such abundance.

Originally built as an ingenious solution to aggression from the neighboring Aymara tribes, the islands provide a self-contained refuge with everything the Uros need to survive. Youngsters search for bird’s eggs within the reed forests, the men hunt and fish, while the women use the reeds to construct virtually anything, from the islands and houses themselves to impressive double-story boats capable of holding a dozen people.

The islanders are hospitable and welcoming to visitors. During your tour you will be able to meet community members who are happy to describe their unique way of life and show you round their island. It’s even possible to stay overnight in a small hostel, although most travelers prefer to move on to more comfortable accommodations elsewhere.

The Floating Islands of Uros on Peru's Lake Titicaca. Photograph: Matthew Barker 2010

Taquile

Compared to Uros, the island of Taquile is a metropolis, albeit one with no roads, cars and only intermittent electricity. All the same, the island is home to several thousand residents and is famed for its rich weaving and textile traditions. Islanders are famed for their extravagant clothing, with colorfully embroidered waistcoats, blouses and billowing skirts a common sight, as well as the ubiquitous wool hats. You can get to know this long history of expert weaving in the island’s small but interesting textile museum.

There are also a number of Inca-era ruins on the island, but the Taquile’s real attractions are the jaw-dropping vistas of vast expanses of shimmering water and the snow-capped mountains in the distance. Travelers can enjoy the views during long walks along the many trails that snake along the island’s 3.5 mile length, or from the highpoint of the island which measures over 13,000 feet above sea level.

Suasi

After exploring the relatively large Taquile, the island of Suasi appears as a microscopic dot in the vastness of Lake Titicaca. Suasi is a beautifully tranquil place to relax and enjoy the serenity. There are no permanent residents living here – other than a small herd of camelids, and it’s possible to cross the entire breadth of the island in less than thirty minutes.

Suasi is also one of the few private islands on the lake, accessible only to guests of the island’s single lodge, making this perhaps the most serene place in all of Lake Titicaca. But despite its diminutive size, the island packs a great number of activities and adventures for the visitor, from hiking the trails to sailing the surrounding waters, or simply enjoying the lodge’s spa. But the biggest treat is saved for night time, when under the blackness of night, nature’s spectacular light show of countless stars illuminates the entire island.

Islands Further Afield

Some of the lake’s other islands are much less visited and can be reached by local boat services from Puno. Amantani is one such island, home to several interesting archeological sites, while the island of Anapia is hidden way off in the lake’s far southern waters.

Meanwhile, on the Bolivian side of the lake are a duo if incredibly important islands, the Isla del Sol and Isla del Luna. It is actually on these islands that the Inca creation legends emerged and the islands are home to a fascinating complex of ruins and small settlements.

It is possible to hike along the route of an ancient pilgrimage, formally only open to the highest ranking of the Inca nobility, a trail that curves along the highest point of the Isla del Sol and passes some of the island’s numerous ruins. Reaching the Bolivian islands is possible on trips directly from Puno.

The islands, constructed entirely from reeds, are home to a community of several hundred indigenous Peruvians who have lived in this high altitude world for many centuries.

Arriving at the floating reed islands of Uros, Peru. Photograph: Matthew Barker 2009

Conquests by other Aymara tribes, competing for the highly fertile lakeside land, caused the local people to take to the lake in reed-constructed boats in a bid to escape their more aggressive rivals.

As natural fishers and boatmen, the people of Uros found lake life to be entirely satisfactory, and they gradually expanded their boats until they became islands in their own right. It is on these islands that they remained, trading their abundant fish for other products with their land-based neighbors.

The people of Uros have become one many unique communities which can be easily visited during a Peru travel adventure.

Nearby Puno boasts many tour operators who can arrange short visits to the islands, while more convenient excursions are also offered by international providers of Peru tours.

A trip to the islands is highly recommended and is guaranteed to offer the visitor a new insight into indigenous Peruvian life. The communities are virtually self sufficient; they harvest the lake for fish and also produce a variety of meals and products from the reeds themselves.

They have become expert hunters, using homemade rifles to hunt the birds that live within the reed forests and taking eggs from bird nests, but only taking 5 out of 10 eggs, keen to emphasize their connection and sense of protection of the natural world that they depend upon.

A view from the floating islands of Uros, Peru. Photograph: Matthew Barker 2009

The islands themselves are a sight to behold. Constructed atop the harvested roots of reeds, they consist of a thick layer of freshly cut reeds which create a bizarre, spongy feel underfoot and mean that no child can ever injure themselves by falling over!

Each island has around a dozen homes, also made from reeds plus a small chapel and a communal area and shared kitchen.

Recent additions have included improved sanitary facilities and solar panels which have cut the risk of fires from open candles and wood burning ovens. These improvements have been possible thanks to proceeds from a well-managed and sensitive approach to tourism which ensures that incomes are evenly distributed and community life does not become unsettled.

At the center of this floating community is a central, communal island, where the local councils meet and organize the life of the community, and also where a small restaurant, shop and even a hostel caters for the needs of community members and visitors alike.

Most trips to the islands last for around three hours, including a tour by a bilingual guide and a chance to meet the islanders themselves. Also available for purchase is the impressive range of handicrafts that the islanders have to offer, including elaborately and colorfully decorated materials and textiles, and small models expertly made from the reeds.

If you’re lucky, you might even get a chance to ride one of the impressive double-tiered reed boats that are hand-built on the islands according to ancient skills and traditions and which are much more sturdy and stable than they first appear.

A Uros family on a traditional reed boat, Peru. Photograph: Matthew Barker 2009

As with any trip to an indigenous area, it’s important to recognize that you’re visiting an ancient but potentially fragile community and that your impact can be a positive one if you take some simple considerations:

- Feel free to take gifts, but try to ensure they’re useful, healthy and culturally neutral. Sweets are a bad idea, as is anything that depends on batteries or produces a lot of waste. Colored pencils, crayons, coloring books and other educational toys for the kids are ideal.

- Indigenous societies are often conservative and hierarchical. Be guided by your tour leader when talking with community members and offer any gifts to the local chief who will distribute them to his community.

- If considering purchasing some local produce, bear in mind that tourist income is often the only additional source of cash so try not to barter too hard!

- Most of all, enjoy your trip and buen viaje!

The city of 200,000 people is often dismissed as nothing more than a convenient staging post before heading out onto the lake itself, but this reputation is unfair: Puno offers many attractions which will all add to your Peru travel memories.

Puno Cathedral and Lake Titicaca, Peru. Photograph: Matthew Barker 2009

A note of caution to any visitors, especially those arriving from low altitudes: Puno is one of Peru’s highest cities and mild altitude sickness is common. Take it easy when you first arrive and don’t attempt anything too strenuous.

Begin your visit to Puno with a short walk along the city’s pedestrianized central boulevard, Calle Lima. This central thoroughfare offers the best of the city’s restaurants, shops and bars, and has two small but handsome plazas at either end.

On the central Plaza de Armas you’ll find the city’s Spartan-style Cathedral which is open to tourists (entrance free) during non Mass times. At the other end of Calle Lima you’ll find Parque Pino where many a local sits to enjoy the high altitude air and bright sun (from which you’ll need plenty of sun protection.)

Stop for lunch at one of the many local menú restaurants which line the side streets. These are great places to fill up on cheap, authentic Peruvian cuisine from a set menu which includes a starter, a main course and a drink.

Alternatively, the nearby central market is a fine place to explore and witness every day Peruvian life, while the top floor is home to a countless number of small food counters offering cheap, delicious food for next to nothing.

After lunch hail one of the city’s ubiquitous mototaxis (motorbikes that have been converted to take two passengers) for a 4 sole ride to one of the best Puno hotels, El Posada del Inca. But you’re not here to check into one of the finest luxury Peru hotels, for just outside on the lakeside you’ll find a piece of Peru’s fascinating history.

Puno's Yavari steamship, Peru. Photograph: Matthew Barker 2009

The iron Yavari steamship was originally purchased by the Peruvian Navy in the 19^th century, from a British shipbuilders in Birmingham. The ship was sailed across the Atlantic to a Peruvian port before being disassembled into thousands of pieces and hauled by mule across the Andes to Lake Titicaca at almost 4000 meters above sea level.

Having been retired and fallen into disrepair, the ship was subsequently bought and restored by a British enthusiast and is now open to visitors who can visit the ship’s decks, engine room and bridge.

After your tour of the Yavari, head back into town for dinner at one of Puno’s fine restaurants, where the Lake’s trout and kingfish are both highly recommended, being served up in a rich variety of dishes.

Before heading to bed, take a look around Puno’s vast number of tour operators for a trip out onto the lake the following day. International Peru vacation package providers will also offer these excursions.

The options are almost limitless, from a short three hour trip to the floating island communities on Uros, to a full day island tour, to a multiple day cruise around the lake.

If, on the following morning, you choose not to take a tour onto Lake Titicaca, go for a walk up to one of Puno’s many miradors, viewing points. The viewing point at Huajsapata Park is probably the easiest and most accessible which also offers great views of the city and lake under the shadow of an enormous Manco Capac, the legendary Inca said to have been born from the lake.

Stop off at a bakery for a delicious empanada pastry and a coffee before continuing on to your next Peru vacation destination.