- Spectacular drive across Peru's altiplano, with stops at La Raya Pass and Raqchi Temple Complex
- Boat trip to visit the floating reed islands of the Uros Indians
- Sillustani burial towers
- Lakeside Puno city and its markets and textiles
Lake Titicaca Add-on Tour
Culture
Activity Level
Easy & Moderate
See our Activity Level Guidelines to check if this holiday is right for you.
Itinerary
Cuzco Hotel Juliaca Airport
Cross the altiplano to Puno (3800m)
Today we travel by shared tourist coach across the altiplano, the high plains separating the Andes from the jungle. Although it is quite a long drive (approx. 10hrs), it is interesting and often spectacular as you get a feeling for the immensity of the Andean landscapes. There will be a bilingual guide on board who will provide information in English and Spanish. There are four scheduled stops along the route (plus a lunch stop) to visit some of the most interesting sites: Andahuaylillas Church, the Raqchi Temple Complex, La Raya Pass (4335m) and the lithic Museum of Pukara. We arrive into Puno in the late afternoon (around 5pm), a high, chilly town on the shores of Lake Titicaca. A local representative/guide will meet you off the coach and take you to your hotel. There will be a short briefing about the next two days.
Accommodation: Hotel Casona Plaza (or similar)
Lake Titicaca
A morning spent exploring Lake Titicaca by boat, visiting the descendants of the Uros Indians, who live on islands of floating reeds and produce some fine textiles. In the afternoon there is a visit to Sillustani burial towers outside of town. Though the altitude here is tiring, the air is very clear and the lakeside views magnificent, with the snow-capped peaks of the Peruvian and Bolivian Andes towering in the background.
Accommodation: Hotel Casona Plaza (or similar)
End Juliaca Airport
A transfer to Juliaca airport is included today – the add-on tour ends here. Those who have booked a flight inclusive package from London will board a flight to Lima or Cuzco, then connect with your overnight international flight back to London.
Essential Info
Joining Instructions
3 days starting Cuzco hotel, ending Juliaca airport
A car and driver will collect you from your hotel in Cuzco in the morning and transfer you to the tourist coach on which you will travel to Puno. Upon arrival at Puno bus station in the afternoon, a local representative will meet you and take you to your hotel where they will give you a short briefing about the next day.
On the last day you will be transferred to Juliaca airport where this add-on tour ends.
Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.
Location start: Cuzco Hotel
Location end: Juliaca Airport
Weather
Peru’s diverse geography results in a very varied climate between different regions.
Cuzco and the Andes have a temperate climate. December to March is the rainy season in Cuzco/the Andes and April to November is the dry season; characterised by clear skies and strong sunshine in the mornings, sometimes clouding over as the day progresses. Daytime temperatures are usually pleasant (approx. 20 degrees C on average) but night times only 5-10 degrees C, except for May, June, July and August when days are cooler and nights are often close to, or a few degrees below, freezing. In the Andes, however, anything is possible at any time of year, including cloud, rain or even snow, and rapid and unexpected changes!
Lake Titicaca is high, lying at 3800m above sea level, and at this altitude the sun is strong but the air can be cold, and nights can be close to freezing. You will need to bring some warm layers and a waterproof or wind-stopper.
Peru is affected by the El Niño weather phenomenon whereby warming of Pacific Ocean surface water off South America drives a shift in the atmospheric circulation resulting in abnormally high levels of rainfall over parts of South America. These events occur at irregular intervals of two to seven years, and last nine months to two years. A strong El Niño event occurred in 2014-16. In El Niño years, temperatures in Lima can be much warmer than described above but it still rarely rains in Lima.
Weather Charts
Puno weather chart
Reviews
Add your own reviewLake Titicaca Extension
The Titicaca extension is an enjoyable and good value addition to the Inca Trail. If leave isn’t an issue I would definitely recommend this extension (after the trail). Don’t be put off by the long drive – it’s a comfortable coach and includes 4 sightseeing stops and a buffet lunch.
Most Inspirational Moment
The boat trip on Lake Titicaca & rowing a reed boat.
Thoughts on Group Leader
N/A - no leader on this extension.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Bring water on the coach. One of the stops has a pay toilet (1 sol), free at all other stops. Do the reed boat hop between islands. Take money on the boat trip - you will be expected to buy something from the stall of the island mama who shows you her hut & dresses you in traditional costume, preferably something locally made eg local design cushion cover (c 70 sol), model reed boat (c 70 sol). Ask your main tour guide to book the Balcons de Puna restaurant for you for dinner. La Recetta cafe is convenient for a light lunch.
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