Lake Titicaca: all you need to know before you go

In a plateau high in the Andes Mountains of South America, nestled between Peru and Bolivia, lies Lake Titicaca. It’s regarded for cultural richness, archeological ruins, awe-inspiring landscapes—where you can set foot on floating islands and be greeted by the indigenous Uru people, eager to share their knowledge and history. Here you can witness and appreciate the vast array of wildlife that live in this high-altitude oasis, including 530 aquatic species and 95 species of birds. In short, Lake Titicaca is a place like no other, and one that you can experience first-hand on our Grand Tour of Peru: Machu Picchu to Lake Titicaca.

Ready to pack your bags for Peru and see Lake Titicaca will your own eyes? If you’re not sure what to expect, here are some answers to commonly asked questions about Lake Titicaca.

Where is Lake Titicaca?

The largest freshwater lake in South America, Lake Titicaca can be found in the Altiplano of the Andes Mountains, with Peru to the west and Bolivia to the east. Its surface covers approximately 3,200 square miles, running 120 miles from shore to shore and stretching 50 miles across at its widest point. It’s one of many spectacular sights to see in South America.

Want to know more about the wonders of the world below our southern border? Check out all of our South America tours.

What is Lake Titicaca known for?

At 12,500 feet above sea level, Lake Titicaca is the highest navigable lake in the world (meaning it’s accessible to large vessels). It’s also known for its cultural significance as the home of the floating islands of Uros. These islands are manmade and constructed by stacking layers of totora—a reed-like plant that grows in shallow parts of the lake. The indigenous Uru who live on the islands also use totora to build houses, roofs, mattresses, and more. Since the lake is at such a high elevation, we visit it on the tail end of our 14-day Grand Tour of Peru: Machu Picchu to Lake Titicaca so that your body has time to acclimate.

Can you swim in Lake Titicaca?

While swimming isn’t forbidden in Lake Titicaca (adrenaline-seeking open-water swimmers have obliged), it’s not necessarily a place you’d enjoy taking a dip. Due in part to the elevation, the water is chilly. The surface temperature is consistently in the 50s F and falls below that in deeper sections of the lake. Keep in mind that altitude also makes physical exertion more difficult for those who aren’t accustomed.

Is Lake Titicaca manmade?

Lake Titicaca was formed through natural occurrences about 60 million years ago, when a massive earthquake split the Andes Mountains, forming a crater that filled with runoff and melting glaciers over time. Today, more than 25 rivers flow into Lake Titicaca, totaling about 215 cubic miles of water that fluctuates during the rainy and dry seasons. In addition to the manmade floating islands, 41 naturally formed islands dot the lake.

What’s the history of Lake Titicaca?

The name Titicaca comes from the Aymara—the indigenous historical and current inhabitants of the high plains of the Andes Mountains. and translates to “stone puma,” which refers to the shape of the lake that resembles the animal. Although the Incas are the most renowned inhabitants of Lake Titicaca, the region has been home to several important civilizations throughout history. Ruins along the lake’s shores and islands, and even a 1,500-year-old temple found submerged on the bottom, attest to the existence of one of the oldest civilizations in the Americas, the Tiwanaku. The pre-Columbian Tiwanaku people dominated the southern Andes and beyond around 600 to 1000 AD. They left a lasting impact by perfecting stone-carving techniques, which can be seen in the detailed remains of their temples.

What’s the mythology of Lake Titicaca?

Lake Titicaca was sacred for the Inca civilization, who believed it to be the birthplace of humanity. In Incan mythology, the god Viricocha created the sun, the moon, the stars, and humankind from the lake. There are various legends about the first humans to inhabit the area. One is that they were made from stone. Another is that Viricocha was disappointed in the humans he had made, and the tears of disappointment that he cried created a flood that became Lake Titicaca. A particularly popular legend about Lake Titicaca is that the Sun god Inti’s children sprang from the lake, one of which became the first king of the Incas, Manco Capac.

Is Lake Titicaca worth visiting?

Absolutely! The geographic location of Lake Titicaca makes it a lake unlike any other, with unique wildlife and preserved cultural traditions. Just imagine the views of the surrounding landscape while floating across a lake perched in the Andes mountains. A history lover’s dream, the lake is surrounded by UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and the lake itself is up for consideration to be added to the list.

What are some of the best things to do near Lake Titicaca?

Explore Puno, Peru.

Puno sits on the shore of Lake Titicaca in southeastern Peru and is filled with nearby sites to see. On our tours, a local guide will lead you through the Incan ruins at Raqch’i. Marvel at still-standing walls of the Temple of Wiracocha, a two-story adobe and stone structure towering almost 60-feet tall. After learning about the traditions, language, and food of the Raqch’i community, you’ll enjoy an included lunch with locally grown corn, potatoes, and quinoa. A final highlight of the day: you’ll travel to a view point of the often snow-dusted peaks of La Raya Pass.

Visit the Uros floating islands.

One of the most renowned parts of Lake Titicaca in South America are the floating islands of Uros, built and inhabited by the indigenous Uru people. Tourism is the main source income for people on the islands. A member of the community will direct arriving boats of visitors to different islands (there are currently more than 120) to spread them out and share potential wealth of any souvenir purchases.

Staffer Jen described stepping on to a floating island as something she had never experienced. “It’s not like any island you’ve ever been on. It’s built out of a straw-like plant that grows in the water there. They pack it together into blocks and then tie the blocks together, which the island floats on. When you walk on it if feels very squishy and you can feel it floating a bit,” she said.

Cruise to Taquile Island.

Other islands within Lake Titicaca might be lesser known, but just as culturally rich. Out tours take travelers to Taquile Island, home of the Taquileños, known for their UNESCO-recognized handwoven textiles. The island also features farming terraces, a pre-Incan technique for maximizing rainwater that is still used today to grow crops such as quinoa, potatoes, corn, barley, and beans.

“Taquile Island has its own culture separate from other parts of Peru. For example, the men and women wear different outfits to indicate whether they are single or married,” recounted staffer Jen. Another unique aspect of Taquileños is that starting at a young age, women are taught to weave and men are taught to knit so that everyone contributes to creating the UNESCO-recognized textiles. While visiting this island you’ll witness demonstrations of their wool cleaning, dyeing, and weaving techniques, as well as traditional dances.

What animals live in and around Lake Titicaca?

Vicuñas. Believed to be the ancestors of alpacas, vicuñas are wild camelids that live in high alpine areas of the Andes Mountains, including Lake Titicaca in South America. Their fur is incredibly soft and fine (finer than cashmere goats) and used for wool. Every two to three years, members of Peru’s Indian communities temporarily catch, shear, and release vicuñas to use their fur to make goods. In fact, this practice was implemented by the government in the early 1990s to combat poaching, considering that the animals would not be worth much without their fur. It has been so successful that vicuñas have been downgraded from an endangered to a threatened species as of 2002.

Titicaca water frogs. Endemic to Lake Titicaca, this is the largest species of aquatic frog and can often weigh more than two pounds. These frogs have been nicknamed “the Lake Titicaca Scrotum frog” due to their loose skin that gives them a baggy appearance. Once abundant, these frogs are now critically endangered due to pollution, over-harvesting, and invasive rainbow trout. Captive breeding programs have begun as a measure to protect them from extinction.

Andean foxes. Sleek and agile, these foxes wander the Andean foothills of South America, and are the second largest canid in the continent. They are solitary and in some regions, purely nocturnal so you’ll have to keep your eyes peeled if you want to spot one.

Guinea pigs. Herds of these social rodents can be found roaming wild around the shores of Lake Titicaca, but it's likely not the only place you’ll see one while in Peru. They are native to the Andean region and often raised domestically as a food source. Cuy is a traditional Peruvian dish of whole roasted guinea pig that has been eaten since pre-Incan times.

How to visit Lake Titicaca?

On our 14-day our Grand Tour of Peru: Machu Picchu to Lake Titicaca, all travel and accommodations are included. You’ll travel by a private bus from Cuzco to Puno where you’ll stay for two nights. Also included will be a boat ride to take you to the Uros floating islands and to Taquile Island.

How many days should you spend at Lake Titicaca?

Lake Titicaca covers a large area and has many distinct features and landmarks to explore. We recommend staying two full days at the least to explore a few highlights on the Peruvian side near Puno.

Ready to explore Lake Titicaca? Book a tour to Lake Titicaca now to be one step closer to visiting this awe-inspiring lake!