Back
BOL_Lake Titicaca_Quick Facts_LPB (2)

For first time travellers to Lake Titicaca, take a read of our snappy Lake Titicaca fact file.

Location

The border between southern Peru and northern Bolivia.

Size

Spreads 8,300 square kilometres and roughly 107 kilometres deep. It comprises two parts: Lago Grande and Lago Pequeño.

Altitude

3,808 metres above sea level, it is the world’s highest navigable body of water.

Weather

Between February and November is the best time to visit, it is warm and pleasant. The highest levels of rainfall occur between December and January.

Islands

Dotted with about 41 islands, most are inhabited and by people who have lived on the islands all their lives.

BOL_LakeTititcaca_shutterstock437577166_freewithcredit

Ownership

60% Peru (western side) and 40% Bolivia (eastern side).

Surroundings

Fertile soils on the lake's shores support pretty adobe, indigenous villages with fields stretching down to the water's edge. Bordering the lake on the far horizon is the Cordillera Real, a regiment of snow-capped mountains. Puno – the capital of folklore – is a small university town on the Peruvian side of the lake. Copacabana is a small, enchanting town on the Bolivian side.

Myth

Lake Titicaca is believed to be the birthplace of the Inca civilisation; in Incan mythology the first Inca king, Manco Capac, was born here.

Accommodation

There is a variety of options from mid-range through to smart, first-class properties. The best places to stay are on the lake's shores and allow you to soak up the mesmerising views.

Favourite accommodation

Titilaka is a special place, with an emphasis on meaningful experiences and a bold stylish contemporary design. Isla Suasi is a charming hotel in a secluded magical setting on the uninhabited Suasi Island. Posada del Inca Isla del Sol a friendly guesthouse in a 17th-century hacienda on the idyllic Isla del Sol on the Bolivian side of the lake, with unbeatable views.

Combines well with

Unmissable highlights in Peru: Cusco, Sacred Valley of the Incas and Machu Picchu. And equally unmissable highlights in Bolivia: Uyuni Salt Flats and La Paz.

Things to do

PER_Lake Titicaca_shutterstock96802072_freewithcredit
There’s more than you’d think, from staying with a local family on one of the islands to exploring the Pre-Columbian ruins to visiting the floating islands made out of reeds.

Last updated: 15 Jun 2017

 

 

Tailor-made holidays

Flexible, custom-made holidays to Latin America created to match your exact requirements: our tailor-made itineraries are as unique as the clients for whom they are designed.

Design my trip

Papagaio

Your edit for Latin American inspiration

Our exciting range of articles on Latin America explore everything from iconic destinations and lesser-known cultural gems to delicious traditional recipes. You’ll also find exclusive travel tips, first-hand client reviews and the chance to get your personal questions answered by our travel experts.

View Extraordinary Inspiration
Bartolome, Galápagos

Meet our team

Real Latin american experts

  • Heloise
    Heloise Buxton - Travel Expert

    Heloise started her Latin American journey as an exchange student in Santiago, Chile. With extended summer holidays this was the perfect opportunity to backpack through Bolivia, Peru, Argentina and Brazil.

  • Ben
    Ben Line - Travel Expert

    Ben fell in love with Latin America on a six month backpacking trip from Colombia to Mexico in 1995. Since then he has explored most of South America, including living in Peru for a year. He is now Head of Sales.

  • Carrie
    Carrie Gallagher - Travel Expert

    A former JLA tour leader, Carrie brings a wealth of on-the-ground experience to our London-based Tailor-made and Group Tours department.

  • Paul Winrow Giffin
    Paul Winrow-Giffin - Travel Expert

    After graduating in Computer Science, Paul spent seven months travelling from Colombia to Argentina and came home hooked on Latin America.

  • Sophie
    Sophie Barber - Travel Expert

    Sophie lived in Chile before joining us and has travelled extensively across Latin America, from Mexico to the furthest tip of Patagonia and beyond to Antarctica.

  • Charlotte
    Charlotte Daubeney - Travel Expert

    Charlotte's fascination with Latin America began with a family holiday to Belize. She went on to study Spanish in school and at university before spending a year living in Santiago, Chile.

0 1 2 3 4 5