A Guide To Lake Titicaca

Lake Titicaca, at a breathless 3,812 m (12,507 ft) above sea level is the highest navigable lake in the world with regular passenger boat services.

It is also South America’s largest freshwater lake and the world’s largest body of water over 2,000 m (6,562 ft) above sea level, covering an area of 8,300 sq km (3,200 sq miles) and straddling the border between Peru and Bolivia.

Surrounded by the altiplano (high tundra), the lake enjoys a luminescent quality of light found nowhere else in Peru.

The almost surreal brightness pays testimony to the great height and openness of the area.

The water in Lake Titicaca is fed by five major river systems: the Ramis, Coata, Ilave, Huancane, and Suchez, in order of flow volume. More than 20 other smaller streams empty into Titicaca.

There is one river, the Desaguadero, that flows out of the lake, on the Bolivian side, but this only accounts for about 5 - 10% of Titicaca’s water balance. The rest of the water loss is caused by evapotranspiration, as a result of the intense sunlight and strong winds at this high altitude.

Flora & Fauna of Lake Titicaca:

The Peruvan side of Lake Titicaca has an average depth of 140 - 180 m (460 - 600 ft). In its dark blue waters, more than 530 aquatic species can be found, including the enormous and iconic Titicaca Water Frog (Telmatobius culeus).

Approximately 90% of the fish found in the lake are endemic species, with the most common being killifish and catfish. However, they are under threat from competition with introduced species, such as trout and kingfish.

There are also 24 species of freshwater snails living in Lake Titicaca.

The most important plant in and around the lake is the totora reed, which grows along the shore and in the shallows. It has a multitude of uses for the local inhabitants, including foodstuff, building material … and even hangover cure!

Totora reed also provides a home or temporary resting place for 60 species of native and migratory birds:

• Titicaca Grebe (Rollandia microptera)

• White-tufted Grebe

• Puna Ibis

• Chilean Flamingo

• Andean Gull

• Andean Lapwing

• White-backed Stilt

• Greater Yellowlegs

• Snowy Egret

• Black-crowned Night-heron

• Andean Coot

• Common Gallinule

• Plumbeous Rail

• Wren-like Rushbird

• Many-coloured Rush-tyrant

• Yellow-winged Blackbird

Islands of Lake Titicaca

Lake Titicaca has 41 islands, some of which are inhabited and well worth a visit. On the Peruvian side of the Lake, these include:

The Islas Flotantes (Floating Islands) of Los Uros which lie 5 km (3 miles) from Puno. The Uros (or Uru) people fled from the Colla and Inca, and used totora reeds to construct floating islands and dwellings. 

Today, they live on dozens of floating islands, depending on fishing and tourism. 

The islands are self-sufficient, with elementary schools and stores with basic supplies; but inhabitants travel to the mainland for essential purchases and further education.

Some floating islands are open to tourism: the inhabitants provide small towers for lake views, totora boats for brief rides, exhibit rooms with stuffed lake birds, and many souvenir stalls.

Taquile, 35 km (22 miles) and 3 hours from Puno by boat, is famed for its weaving and knitting.

Almost 2,000 islanders live mainly on the upper part of the island, reached from the port by over 500 breathlessly steep steps.

The 6 km long (3.5 mile) island has several hilltops with archaeological remains and wonderful views of the lake, with a backdrop of the snowcapped Cordillera Real in Bolivia.

There are no roads or vehicles, erratic electricity and few dogs.

Men walk around spinning wool or knitting the floppy woollen red caps that they all wear which, along with black calf-length pants, white shirts, and charming waistcoats, give them a dashing appearance.

The women wear voluminous skirts and beautifully embroidered blouses. Their traditional clothing can be seen in a museum and crafts store on the main plaza.

Amantaní, 3.5 hours by boat from Puno, is a larger island with 4,000 inhabitants and is somewhat less ‘touristy’ than Taquile.

Two main peaks, Pachata (Father Earth) and Pachamama (Mother Earth) have archaeological ruins and excellent views.

The people farm, fish, and make basketwork to sell. 

Tiny Isla Suasi, just 100 acres (0.4 square km) in size, is a privately-owned island near the north shore town of Moho. 

Pretty gardens, a mixed flock of camelids, boats and kayaks, superb views, walking trails and a sauna make Suasi a tranquil getaway.

It has one luxurious little hotel and, because it is hard to reach, is best visited on a complete package tour including guided visits to other islands.

Anapia is a rarely-visited island in Titicaca’s far southeastern reaches, in the Lago de Huiñaimarca which is separated from the main lake by the narrow Strait of Tiquina.

There is a project to have tourists stay and work with locals, learning about their life and customs.   

People of Lake Titicaca:

The way of life of the inhabitants of Lake Titicaca’s islands has changed little in centuries. Their location and history have forced them to be tough and self-sufficient.

Interestingly, the lake is something of a linguistic melting-pot.

When the Incas expanded into an empire in the 15th Century, they imposed their Quechua language on the areas they conquered.

Today, after Spanish, Quechua is the main language spoken in the highlands from Ecuador to Bolivia and northern Chile. 

However, people in the area around Lake Titicaca, Colca Canyon and parts of Bolivia resisted the change. After the Spanish Conquest, Aymara remained the first language of this region’s inhabitants, and it is officially Peru’s third language, with about a million people in Peru and Bolivia speaking Aymara as a first language.

Oddly, Taquile and Amantani islanders speak Quechua, surrounded by Aymara-speakers on both the mainland and the Uros Islands.

How to visit Lake Titicaca:

The Peruvian side of Lake Titicaca is usually accessed from the city of Puno. There are numerous trips to visit the islands of the lake:

• The Uros Islands can be visited in a couple of hours.

• Full-day trips go to either Taquile or Amantani island, stopping at the Uros on the way. This involves a lot of time on a boat, and you will be visiting the islands when they are at their busiest.

• Islanders have opened their doors to travellers who want to spend a night or more living with a family on this iconic lake. Overnight island stays let you avoid the crowds, enjoy a mid-lake sunset, and get to know the inhabitants. For that reason, we prefer them. But please note that the accommodation on both Taquile and Amantani is usually quite basic, with simple rooms and shared bathrooms.

For a more comfortable overnight experience, PeruNorth offers a 4-day Lake Titicaca itinerary, which features transfers from/to Juliaca Airport; visits to Sillustani funerary towers, the Uros & Taquile islands; and two nights on isolated and beautiful Suasi Island - with all meals.

Alternatively, you could visit the Bolivian side of Lake Titicaca, which is arguably even more spectacular. A night on Isla del Sol is included on our Titicaca, La Paz & Uyuni 7D itinerary.

Ask us for more information on how to visit this unique, magical place.