Current as of: March 28, 2024 - 17:08

Lake Titicaca

Lake Titicaca extension Trip Notes

  • Destination: Peru
  • Programmes: Trip Extensions
  • Activity Level:

    2 out of 7 - Leisurely / Moderate

  • Ages: 16+
  • Trip Code: XTNTITICA3
  • Carbon Footprint: 185kg CO2e

Trip Overview

Titicaca’s floating reed islands, native communities and ancient burial towers

Journey across the spectacular high altiplano to Lake Titicaca, the world’s highest navigable freshwater lake (3800m). Explore its waters by boat and visit the descendants of the Uros Indians who live on floating reed islands, and are also known for producing fine textiles. Back on the mainland, we visit the pre-Incan site of Sillustani, comprised of burial towers with fantastic views over the region.

At a Glance

  • 3 days / 2 nights – Land Only
  • 2 nights comfortable hotel
  • Travel by shared tourist coach and by boat
  • Accompanied by expert local guides
  • 2024 price from £349 (per person, shared room and travelling together)
  • 2024 single supplement from £68 / sole traveller supplement from £150
  • Note – this extension runs on a shared tour basis with Exodus and non-Exodus guests

Highlights

  • 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

Is This Trip for You?

This extension is offered after any Peru tour which ends in Cuzco; we do not offer it pre-tour as Puno/Lake Titicaca is situated at high altitude (3800m) and acclimatisation is required.

There is no Exodus leader on this extension but you will have the services of local guides and transfer agents and be provided with the contact details of our local partner in Peru in case you should require assistance. 

Altitude is a factor to consider when booking this extension and may make activities feel more strenuous than normal; please see the Altitude Warning within the Trip Notesfor further information. The maximum altitude reached is 4335m at La Raya Pass, on the drive from Cuzco to Puno.

You should be comfortable getting on and off boats and have the mobility to do so. There is one long drive; the drive from Cuzco to Puno is by shared tourist coach and takes around ten hours including stops at sites of interest along the way and a lunch break. 

Protest action/strikes are not uncommon in Peru, and whilst these are generally peaceful, they can involve roadblocks and cause disruption to travel. Occasionally our local partner may have to adapt your itinerary in response to this. Similarly, occasionally Lake Titicaca’s waters can be too rough for boats to go out and it may not be possible to reach the Uros Islands, in which case an alternative activity will be offered (usually you would visit the Llachon Peninsula instead).

The sun is strong at altitude however at the same time it can be very cold; you will need to bring suitable sun protection and warm clothing.

Group

Please note that there is no Exodus leader on this extension and no Exodus group as such.

You will have the services of a driver for the transfers to the tourist bus at the start of the extension, and for the transfer to Juliaca airport at the end. In addition, a local representative will meet you off the coach in Puno, and you will have a local guide for the sightseeing excursions. You will also be given the contact details of our local partners in Peru in case of emergency.

The drive from Cuzco to Puno is by shared tourist coach (usually operated by Turismo Mer); there will be a bilingual English/Spanish-speaking guide onboard. Sightseeing around Lake Titicaca is a shared tour and there may be a mix of Exodus and non-Exodus clients.

Adult min age: 16

Min group size: 1

Itinerary

Titicaca Extension trip map

Land Only

  • Start City: Cuzco Hotel
  • End City: Juliaca Airport

Flight Inclusive

  • Start City: London
  • End City: London

Land Only Itinerary

Day 1
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)

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 2
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)

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 3
End Juliaca Airport

A transfer to Juliaca airport is included today – the extension ends here for land only clients. 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.

Meals included: Breakfast

Altitude warning

This trip includes one or more nights over 11,480ft (3,500m) above sea level, where there is a genuine risk of being affected by acute mountain sickness (AMS). If left untreated, AMS can be life-threatening. We expect most clients to experience some mild symptoms of altitude sickness, such as headaches, shortness of breath while walking or sleeplessness. Our leaders are trained to identify symptoms of severe AMS and if a client requires extra care, arrangements such as rapid descent, will be made immediately.

On some days, this trip climbs faster than commonly published ascent-rate recommendations. Based upon an assessment by our external safety and medical advisors and our risk-assessment process, we consider the ascent rate acceptable due to the additional safety measures in place for our customers. All our trips operating at high altitude meet our internal altitude-safety standards, which minimise the risk of serious incidents occurring while travelling at altitude.

Several medical conditions or medications can reduce your body’s ability to acclimatise. This may affect your performance and make you more susceptible to AMS. If you are worried about any pre-existing conditions, such as heart conditions, or your overall physical ability, you must seek medical advice prior to booking. The drug Diamox (also known as acetazolamide and normally only available on prescription) has been shown to aid acclimatisation in some individuals, and therefore may reduce the risk of AMS. Clients considering using Diamox should speak to their doctor about the drug, its side-effects and a prescription. While we endeavour to assist all our clients in achieving their goals, there may be times when your leader decides to delay or stop your ascent based on your overall condition or the onset of AMS.

Please note, while we endeavour to assist all our clients in achieving their goals, there may be times when your leader decides to delay or stop your ascent based on your overall condition or the onset of AMS.

If you are not taking out Exodus Travel Insurance, make sure your policy covers you up to the maximum altitude on this trip (if trekking in the Himalaya your policy should also cover the use of a helicopter for emergency medical evacuation).

Accommodation

Hotel

On this extension you will spend two nights in a comfortable hotel on a bed and breakfast basis. The hotel used may change depending on availability but the hotel usually used is Hotel Casona Plaza. This has local 4-star rating and is conveniently located within walking distance of the main plaza in Puno. 

A compulsory single supplement or sole traveller supplement may be applicable. 

Food & Drink

All breakfasts and one lunch are included in the extension. On the drive from Cuzco to Puno there is a scheduled lunch stop en route – usually comprising a buffet, serving a mixture of local and Western dishes.

Please do not drink the tap water in Peru – it is not potable.

Transport

The drive from Cuzco to Puno takes around 10 hours and is by shared tourist coach. There are scheduled stops to visit interesting sites en route, and there is a scheduled lunch stop. 

The boat on Lake Titicaca is a shared service. The boat is enclosed as it can get cold at this altitude but there are large windows on all sides and an outside deck to the rear. Life jackets are provided.

The short road transfers are by car or minibus.

Weather & Seasonality

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

Puno weather chart

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 of the extension you will be transferred to Juliaca airport where the extension 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

What To Take

Essential Equipment

Due to the altitude, it can be cold and windy on Lake Titicaca, however, at the same time the sun is strong at altitude. You should bring layers to take on and off to adjust your temperature, as required.
High SPF sunscreen and lip balm
Sunhat/cap and/or warm hat
Sunglasses
Warm scarf/snood and gloves
Waterproof (and ideally windproof) jacket
Warm jumper/fleece
Practical footwear/trainers
Personal first-aid kit

Optional Equipment

Camera and charger
Travel sick tablets or treatment (for the drive or boat journey)
Personal music player (for the long drive)
Travel games, book, or tablet

Practical Information

Visa

Peru

Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter Peru. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

If you are travelling via the USA and are eligible to transit under the Visa Waiver Program, you are required to register in advance for an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization). There is a US$21 charge, which is only payable online. Please see our website www.exodus.co.uk/usvisa for further information.

Please note, not all nationalities have the same eligibility for travel to or transit via the USA, and you may not be covered by the visa waiver program. Regulations stipulate that any person who has travelled to Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria or Yemen since March 2011, or have dual nationalities of these countries, may no longer qualify. In addition, if you have travelled to Cuba since 12 January 2021 you will not be eligible for the visa waiver program and should instead apply for a visa.

If you are in doubt of your eligibility, please check the visa requirements with your local US embassy.

Vaccinations and Health

Peru

There are no required vaccinations. However, recommended vaccinations include tetanus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rabies, typhoid, tuberculosis and yellow fever. Additionally, Zika fever, a mosquito‐borne viral disease, is a known risk in Peru. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available, so you should take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites. Please check all vaccination recommendations with your doctor or travel clinic.

Amazon: If you are travelling to the Tambopata reserve in the Amazon rainforest, the risk of malaria is slight, but you may wish to consult your doctor or travel clinic for further advice. We also strongly recommend that you obtain a yellow fever vaccination. Additionally, dengue fever and chikungunya are known risks in the Amazon region. Both are tropical viral diseases spread by daytime biting mosquitoes. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available for either, and therefore the best form of prevention is to take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites.

Local Time

Peru's time zone: America/Lima (UTC -05:00)

Electricity

Peru's electricity: Plug types A (two flat pins), B (three pins: two flat, one round) and C (two round pins)– 220V, 60Hz. Please note, on camping treks, spare batteries or a solar charger may come in handy. If staying in an Amazon lodge, there is no mains electricity; a generator will provide power for a few hours a day only in the main lodge/dining area, while lanterns, torches or candles will be provided in the bedrooms. Additionally, if you stay at the Inkaterra Hacienda Conception Amazon Lodge, there is limited electricity in the cabanas; however, all cabanas have reading lights and a ceiling ventilator.

Money

Peru's currency: Peruvian nuevo sol (PEN)

ATM Availability

We recommend either taking cash with you to change into Sol locally, or using local ATMs to withdraw money in Peru as you go, so you are not left with excess at the end of your trip. It is a good idea to change a small amount into Sol at the counters in the baggage hall upon arrival. Change is often in short supply, so ask for small denomination banknotes and try to break up any large notes at the earliest opportunity.

It is possible to obtain Peruvian Sol before you travel but exchange rates can be lower than exchanging money locally in Peru.

Some larger establishments and hotels accept US Dollars but the vast majority of places will only accept Sol.

There are ATM machines in Cuzco and Puno.

Extra Expenses & Spending Money

Food, drinks and similar incidentals can vary in price enormously in Peru and are relatively expensive compared to other developing nations. Allow about US$15-20 per meal not included to eat at tourist class restaurants. Cheaper food is abundant at small local cafes, although sanitary conditions at these places cannot be guaranteed. Bottled water and soft drinks are readily available for around US$1-2 each.

You should allow some spending money for your boat trip to the Uros Islands – there are woven souvenirs available for purchase and there is usually the opportunity to travel between two of the islands on a traditional reed vessel for a nominal charge. On the main reed island there is a cafe where you can buy snacks and hot drinks too.

Tipping

If you are happy with the service you have received you may wish to tip your drivers and guide. If and how much you tip is entirely at your discretion but as a guideline only, something in the region of US$10-15 for your local guide would be a welcome gesture.

At Exodus we believe in the power of Responsible Travel.

Every time we travel, we are part of a global movement that creates jobs, builds more sustainable societies, encourages cultural understanding and safeguards common natural and cultural heritage. To learn more about what Responsible Travel means to Exodus click here

Important Information

Water safety

This trip includes time by a lake, river or sea, where there may be opportunities to swim. You should always seek local advice before deciding whether to swim. Open-water or wild swim spots should be treated with extreme caution. Information on how to keep yourself safe while swimming is shown here.

Important Information

Your safe participation 

When booking this trip, you should be confident in your ability to participate in all activities described in these Trip Notes. If you have any doubt about your suitability, please call the Exodus office and ask to speak to one of the experts on this itinerary. 

Although our leaders are well trained to deal with different capabilities, if they have any concerns about someone’s ability to safely take part in an activity, or their impact on other people’s enjoyment, we authorise them to take necessary action which, in some circumstances, may involve asking someone to miss that activity. 

By booking this trip you agree to our Booking Conditions which clearly state that our leaders have the authority to do this. In these rare instances we will ensure anyone sitting out is safely provided for and offered alternative options where possible. Refunds will not be provided for activities missed and customers may be liable for additional costs incurred. 

How to Book

  1. Check availability: Go online to check availability, or contact us by phone or email.
  2. Secure your place: You can provisionally hold a place on this trip, usually for between three and seven days.
  3. Complete your booking and payment

When you’re ready to book, go to our website for online bookings, book over the phone or you can complete a booking form (available online or on request by calling us). We accept all major credit and debit cards, or you can pay be cheque.

After booking

You will receive your booking confirmation letter and invoice, which includes extra information and guidance about your travel arrangements.

Full joining instructions, including local emergency numbers and details of how to reach the start point, will be sent to you approximately two to three weeks prior to departure. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier, please contact our office or your travel agent.

Trip Note validity

These Trip Notes are valid from the “Current as” date on page one. They will occasionally be updated after booking and before departure; if there are any updates that significantly impact the inclusions or itinerary, customers will be written to separately. They will also receive a link to the most up-to-date Trip Notes with their Final Joining Instructions before travelling.

The information in these Trip Notes is given in good faith. Where differences exist between the Trip Notes and our current brochure or website, the Trip Notes supersede the brochure and website. All holidays can be subject to unexpected changes; to enjoy them you should be prepared to be flexible where necessary. Occasionally, it may not be possible to follow the itinerary as planned. This may be for a variety of reasons – climatic, political, physical or other. In these circumstances we will make the best-possible alternative arrangements that maintain the integrity of the original itinerary.

Licensing

Exodus is fully licensed and bonded as a tour operator. We hold Air Traffic Organisers Licence (ATOL) number 2582, issued and bonded with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). We are also bonded to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and we are members of the Federation of Tour Operators (FTO) and ABTA – The Travel Association. This means you can book your Exodus holiday with confidence, as all money paid to us for your trip is fully protected.