Lake Titicaca Tours: 2024 Updated information about Lake Titicaca Tours from how to get there, itineraries, prices, and FAQs!

Lake Titicaca Brief Summary:

  • Lake Titicaca Tours are the only way to experience the highest navigable lake in the world at over 3,800 meters above sea level!
  • Lake Titicaca Tours start in Puno, the gateway to launch a visit out to the famous Floating Reed Islands of the Uros people.
  • The Floating Reed Islands are made entirely of Totora reed, on which the Uros people have managed to forge a subsistence lifestyle for centuries.
  • Lake Titicaca Tours can be done in half a day, 1 day or overnight 2-day tours
  • How to get to Puno: Fly to Juliaca Airport (1 hour away from Puno) or use Peru Hop bus.

Lake Titicaca Tours, What Are Your Choices?

  • 2-Hour Tour– This tour will allow you to visit the famous floating islands of Uros if you’re on a short time limit.
  • Full Day– The best way to see the Amantani Island, as well as the floating islands!
  • Homestay Tour– Visit the mysterious floating Uros Islands, Amantani Island and Llanchon Peninsula. Spend the night on the islands and live like a local!

Since we know everyone’s needs are different and people like to explore the Lake and its islands in different ways, we have put together a comparison table below of short, full day and 2 day tours. Choose the option that best fits your style and timeframes and go explore.

Short Tour Full Day Tour 2 Day Tour
Availability Every Day Every Day Every Day
Entrance fee tax Included Included Included
Start time AM tour: 06:30am
PM tour: 16:00pm
07:15am 08:15am
Pick up time AM: 06:00am – 06:30am
PM: 15:30pm – 16:00pm
06:45am – 07:15am 07:45am – 08:15am
Return to Puno 08:30am or 18:00pm 17:30pm 16:00pm next day
Food N/A Included:
1 local lunch
Included:
2 local lunch
1 local dinner
1 local breakfast
Accommodation N/A N/A Night accommodation
with local family
English speaking guide Included Included Included
Transportation Private transportation included from hotel/hostel in Puno to lake and back.
Boat ride also included.
Private transportation included from hotel/hostel in Puno to lake and back.
Boat ride also included
Private transportation included from hotel/hostel in Puno to lake and back.
Boat ride also included.
Islands – Uros Islands – Uros Islands
– Amantani Island
– Llachon Peninsula
– Uros Islands
– Amantani Island (Overnight Stay)
– Llachon Peninsula

Peru Hop does not operate any tours on Lake Titicaca. To see Peru Hop’s recommended operators, check out our tips for the 2 Hour, Full Day, and Homestay Tours.

If you are looking for more information about Lake Titicaca Tours, visit FindLocalTrips.com where you can compare itineraries, operators and prices.

Lake Titicaca Guide Contents:

  1. How to get to Lake Titicaca – Compare transportation options.
  2. Did you know? – Lake Titicaca fun facts.
  3. What to bring out on Lake Titicaca? – Be prepared for your tour.
  4. Titicaca FAQs – We answer your frequently asked questions.
  5. Photo Gallery – A few of the best photos of Lake Titicaca.

How to get to Lake Titicaca

Lake Titicaca lies on the border between Peru and Bolivia. On the Peruvian shore sits the city of Puno, while on the Bolivian side lies Copacabana.

If you are looking for information on the best buses to take to Puno or Copacabana, visit our passes page. Select your departure city, the countries you want to visit, and amount of time you have to travel. Then browse our passes to see which include your desired stop in Puno or Copacabana.

Did you know?

  • Lake Titicaca is the world’s highest navigable lake at over 3800m above sea level!
  • The locals speak their own local language on the islands (not Spanish or Quechua).
  • The island of Amantani is so remote that they were used as high security prison islands during the Spanish Rule in Peru.
  • Over 25 rivers flow into Lake Titicaca.
  • 56% of the area of the Lake belongs to Peru and 44% belongs to Bolivia.
  • According to Inca legend the principal God, Inti (the Sun God), lived on one of the islands on the Bolivia side of the lake, Isla Del Sol (Island of the Sun). Here, he created his son and daughter, Manco Capac and Mama Ocllo, the very first Incas who later travelled North to found Cusco at the heart of what would become the Inca Empire!

What to bring?

We want you to be well prepared for your tour of the lake.

  • Small backpack
  • Water
  • Sunscreen – Very important
  • Hat, sunglasses.
  • Warm layers, sweater or jacket (IMPORTANT) –Temperatures reach lows of -10 ̊ C.
  • Basics like toilet paper, etc
  • Snacks
  • Personal medications (if necessary)
  • Money for drinks
  • Camera
  • If doing the Homestay Tour, bring a small overnight bag and toiletries

Titicaca FAQs

I have heard that the Floating Islands are very touristy and fake. Do the Uros people actually live on the islands and are they worth the visit?

The Floating Islands in Puno are the original authentic floating Islands. Due to their unique nature, they have become a very popular tourist attraction in Peru and have become almost a victim of their own success. A visit is still definitely worthwhile to learn about the incredible construction of these islands (houses, boats are all made of reed), and how the Uros people manage to forge a life out in the middle of Lake Titicaca on these tiny buoyant islands. Tourism is now the number one income and whilst families do live out on the islands a lot of the families and younger members do work and study in Puno.

Do the tour prices include the island entry fees? Do I need to take extra money?

Yes, all of the tour prices include the associated island entry fees. Please review the tour table above to see which meals are included if applicable. If heading to the islands of Uros and Amantani, we advise to take some money for souvenirs as they are renowned for some of the finest woven goods in Peru.

I will not be staying the night in Puno. Do I need to take my bags with me on the tour? What should I select as my pick up location?

In Puno, we work with the hostel, Lucky Your House – Titicaca 144. They offer our passengers a free bag storage service and a cheap price for shower use. You can leave your bags at the hostel whilst you do your tour and select this as your pick up location from Puno for the evening departure. It is a couple of blocks from the main plaza – Plaza de Armas.

Can I leave to do the Lake Titicaca Full Day Tour or 2-Day Homestay the same day as I arrive into Puno at 13:00pm?

Unfortunately, this is not possible. The 2-day Homestay and the Full Day tours start everyday early in the morning as the islands themselves are more than 3 hours in boat across the Lake from the city of Puno. You can spend the afternoon visiting the city of Puno, spend the night there and leave for the islands early the next day. Similarly it is not possible to come back from the Islands very early the next morning, there are no boats, the schedule of boats if fixed for these tours.