Fernweh: Home
    ExploreTravel GuidesPlan a tripMy tripLast visited
    de|en
    All Places & RegionsAll highlightsAbout FernwehFAQPrivacy PolicyImprint
    ExploreTravel GuidesPlan a tripMy tripLast visited
    • Overview
    • Places in the region
    • Getting around
    • Round trips
    • Nearby
    Puno and Lake Titicaca
    Diego Delso / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0

    Peru

    Puno and Lake Titicaca

    Region

    In the Altiplano on the border with Bolivia lies Lake Titicaca at an altitude of approximately 3,810 meters, the highest navigable lake in the world.

    by Felix Gillen

    1. Home
    3. Destinations
    5. Peru
    7. Puno and Lake Titicaca
    In the Altiplano on the border with Bolivia lies Lake Titicaca at an altitude of approximately 3,810 meters, the highest navigable lake in the world. The city of Puno on the west shore is the starting point for boat tours to the floating reed islands of the Uros and to Taquile Island, whose textile art UNESCO has recognized as intangible cultural heritage. In February, Puno celebrates the Fiesta de la Candelaria, also a UNESCO cultural heritage. The region is accessible by flight to Juliaca, by bus, or by train from Cusco.
    On the AltiplanoLake Titicaca lies at around 3,800 meters in the highlands between Peru and Bolivia. The light is dazzlingly bright, the nights are cold, and the sky feels particularly vast up here.Islands and VillagesFrom Puno, boats travel to the floating reed islands of the Uros. Further out lie Taquile, known for its weaving art, and Amantaní, where you can stay with families.Necropolises by the LakeAt Sillustani, the Colla and Inca's round burial towers stand on a peninsula above Lake Umayo. In February, Puno is also the scene of the Fiesta de la Candelaria, one of the biggest festivals in South America.
    Titicaca Lake
    Diego Delso / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0

    Place 1 of 2

    Titicaca Lake

    Lake Titicaca lies at an altitude of approximately 3,810 meters in the Altiplano and is shared by Peru and Bolivia. It is considered the world's highest navigable lake.

    Discover
    Puno
    Diego Delso / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0

    Place 2 of 2

    Puno

    Puno is located at about 3,800 meters on the western shore of Lake Titicaca and is the starting point for boat trips on the lake.

    Discover

    Sights in Puno and Lake Titicaca

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    Taquile Island

    Taquile Island

    The island is famous for its weaving art, which UNESCO has recognized as intangible cultural heritage. Here, men knit, and caps and belts reveal who is married and what their position is. From the boat dock, a steep path leads up to the main square, offering wide views over the lake. For lunch, there's often fresh trout.
    Open in Google Maps

    Exploring locally

    Getting ThereThe nearest airport is in Juliaca, with buses from Arequipa and Cusco. The Titicaca Train by PeruRail also runs between Cusco and Puno.On the LakeYou can only reach the islands by boat from the port of Puno. The easiest way is a tour that combines Uros and Taquile in one day.

    Round trips through this region

    Peru's South: From the Coast to Machu Picchu

    Peru's South: From the Coast to Machu Picchu

    Eighteen days from Lima via Paracas, Huacachina, and Nazca to Arequipa and the Colca Canyon, then on to Lake Titicaca, and finally to Cusco, the Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu. You travel to Cusco comfortably by long-distance bus; return to Lima by plane.

    17 Days
    11 stops

    Nearby

    Puno

    Puno

    Puno is located at about 3,800 meters on the western shore of Lake Titicaca and is the starting point for boat trips on the lake. The city calls itself the “Folklore Capital of Peru”: Every February, it celebrates the Fiesta de la Virgen de la Candelaria with thousands of dancers and musicians, an intangible UNESCO cultural heritage since 2014.On the Plaza de Armas stands the baroque cathedral, completed in 1757. From the hill with the monument to Manco Cápac, the legendary first Inca, you overlook the city and the lake. About 30 kilometers outside, on Lago Umayo, are the funerary towers of Sillustani, built by the Colla before Inca rule.The nearest airport is Inca Manco Cápac Airport in Juliaca. You can also reach Puno by bus or with the PeruRail Titicaca train from Cusco.After arrival, allow yourself time to acclimatize before going on excursions.
    Titicaca Lake

    Titicaca Lake

    Lake Titicaca lies at an altitude of approximately 3,810 meters in the Altiplano and is shared by Peru and Bolivia. It is considered the world's highest navigable lake. From Puno, boats depart for the Uros, islands that the inhabitants build and constantly renew from layers of totora reeds. Their boats are also made from the same reeds.Further out lies the natural island of Taquile, whose inhabitants speak Quechua and are renowned for their woven and knitted textiles. UNESCO recognizes Taquile's textile art as intangible cultural heritage. On the neighboring island of Amantaní, you can stay with families.Day trips to Uros and Taquile start in the morning from Puno's harbor.On the water, it is sunny and windy; bring warm clothing and sun protection.
    Arequipa and Colca

    Arequipa and Colca

    The southern region links colonial Arequipa (approx. 2,400m) to the Andean highlands. Above the city rise volcanoes Misti, Chachani, and Pichu Pichu. Roughly 160 km northwest, Colca Canyon offers Inca terraces and the Cruz del Cóndor viewpoint for observing Andean condors. Arequipa is a common stopover for the Puno and Cusco highlands.

    Arequipa is located in southern Peru at around 2,400 meters, at the foot of Misti volcano. The Spanish founded the city on August 15, 1540. Its center is almost entirely built from Sillar, a white to pink volcanic rock that earned it the nickname "White City." Since 2000, its historic center has been a UNESCO World Heritage site.The most important sight is the Santa Catalina Monastery, founded in 1579 and, covering around 20,000 square meters, is like a small city itself with alleys, courtyards, and colorful walls. The Museo Santuarios Andinos displays the mummy Juanita, an Inca girl found in 1995 on the summit of Ampato volcano. Enjoy views of Misti and Chachani from the Mirador de Yanahuara, with its Sillar arches.
    Colca Canyon

    Colca Canyon

    The Colca Canyon is located approximately 160 kilometers northwest of Arequipa and is one of the deepest canyons in the world. Along the valley, villages still cultivate ancient agricultural terraces, some of which date back to pre-Incan times. At the Cruz del Cóndor viewpoint, where the canyon floor lies approximately 1,200 meters deeper, Andean condors circle, best observed in the morning.The starting point is the town of Chivay, about a four-hour drive from Arequipa, with thermal baths in the surrounding area.To visit the viewpoints, you need the Colca Tourist Ticket, which you can purchase in Chivay or at the checkpoints.The road leads over high altitudes; plan for acclimatization.

    Sources & method

    • Photos: Wikimedia Commons. Each photo carries its credit.
    • Place data such as addresses and ratings comes from Google Maps.
    • The content is based on web research from public, traceable sources. How the content is made · The role of AI