Lake Titicaca
in Peru

At 3812 metres above sea level, Lake Titicaca is the highest navigable lake in the world and the light up here is unlike anything at lower altitudes: sharp, clear, and slightly unreal. The floating reed islands of the Uros people have been inhabited for centuries and remain a functioning community rather than a museum piece. Taquile Island rises steeply from the water with terraced fields and weavers whose textiles are recognised by UNESCO. Take a slow boat, give yourself time to acclimatise, and accept that your pace will drop. The altitude insists on it.

how long to go for

a long weekend, a week

when to go

may, june, july, august, september

holidays

independence day peru (28 jul), inti raymi (24 jun), all saints day (1 nov), christmas day (25 dec)

how to get there

fly in to juliaca from lima or cusco, then take a taxi 45 minutes to puno on the lakeshore.

how to get around

by boat, on foot, by bus

nice to know

spend at least two days at altitude before arriving to avoid the worst of the altitude sickness.

local language

spanish, quechua, aymara

currency

peruvian sol / bolivian boliviano

in an emergency

call 105