Colorful cultures, with rich traditions, amongst scenic beauty, on the world's highest navigable lake, make Lake Titicaca a perfect extension to your Machu Picchu trip.
Colorful cultures, with rich traditions, amongst scenic beauty, on the world's highest navigable lake, make Lake Titicaca a perfect extension to your Machu Picchu trip.
Lake Titicaca is both majestic and mythical. At over twelve thousand feet, the highest navigable lake in the world juxtaposes the sweeping dry altiplano, acts as frontier to Bolivia, and blends to horizon at the feet of Andean peaks. It is also home to a variety of colorful and unique indigenous communities whose strong traditions will intrigue and impress as you explore the cradle of the Inca civilization.
Leaving Cusco you will fly over the altiplano and into the mountains. Visit the charming town of Lampa and after a short and scenic drive, arrive at your lakeside hotel for a relaxing evening. Enjoy stunning views of the highest navigable lake in the world.
You’ll be picked up after breakfast and enjoy a beautiful drive out of town onto a remote peninsula where Andean communities remain unchanged. At Llachon you’ll descend to the pier and take a Titicaca-style boat to the rarely visited Uros Titinos Islands, which float upon the reeds that the Uros people rely on for food and transportation as well. Also visit the Quechua people of Isla Taquile enjoying a traditional lunch in a family restaurant before returning to your lakeside hotel.
Head out from Puno and visit the Sillustani burial towers overlooking Lake Umayo, and continue on to the airport for your flight back to Lima and onward.
This is an ideal extension for people coming from Cusco who want to further explore the timeless traditions of Peru’s indigenous communities while visiting the altiplano, thought to be the cradle of the Inca civilization.
Knowmad has vast knowledge and operations in Peru; this is a private trip and we are happy to modify excursions, accommodations, and the flow of the itinerary to perfectly suit your travel style and interests.
Listed prices are approximations. All Knowmad trips are custom and exact pricing is provided in your trip proposal.
TYPE Flexible Date Private Departures. You choose the date, your travel companions and one of our adventures. This is great for families, groups of friends and couples.
LIGHT TRIP Suitable for nearly all ages and ability levels. Walks are generally short and on flat terrain. Activities include cultural opportunities, history, train ride, shopping, wildlife viewing, optional hiking
DEPARTuRES Year round; can be set up to match your dates. The Peruvian highlands high season coincides with their dry season from May through October (see weather section below). The low and rainy season can also be a greener and less crowded time to visit. Consult us for more information on the time of year that best suites you.
LENGTH 3 days – 2 nights comfortable hotels BEGIN / END Cusco, Peru
INTERNATIONAL Airfare is not included in the land cost of our trips. You may arrange your international airfare independently, or we are happy to offer our feedback and assistance in helping you book it.
REGIONAL Regional flights are not necessary for the Cultures of Titicaca itinerary as a tourist-shared bus* will take you from Cusco to Puno.
*Flights from Puno to Cusco may be arranged at an extra cost according to your preference. If booked by Knowmad Adventures, internal airfare for this trip (Cusco/Puno, Puno/Lima) averages $440, however this is an approximation and the airfare is subject to change upon booking. If you would like to arrange your own regional flights, please consult us prior so we can verify the departure and arrival times.
Ready for the trip of a lifetime? Signing up is easy. Call us at 612-315-2894 or email [email protected] and reserve your spot. Or simply download our registration form, fill it out, and send it back to us along with your trip deposit. Please refer to registration form for terms & conditions.
This trip takes place mostly in the Peruvian highlands. Throughout the year the average temperature is in the mid-50s °F (10-12 °C) and does not fluctuate greatly. Evenings are cooler. There are primarily two seasons: wet and dry. December through March sees much more precipitation than other times of the year and is the less visited season. As Peru has three distinct climate zones, if you are interested in combining this trip with a visit to the jungle or the coastal areas please inquire for more weather details.
Prior to your departure, you are provided a detailed pre-trip information packet including a recommended pack list, information about the regions you’ll be visiting, suggested readings, up-to-date health information including any recommended vaccinations and more.
Our trips feature comfortable accommodations that complement their surroundings. We seek out intimacy and character, but never sacrifice cleanliness and security. We also find the best value for quality. In general, our physically moderate to vigorous trips feature hotels classified as 3+ to 4 stars, while less physically demanding trips feature 4+ to 5 star hotels.
As South American travel specialists, we’re experts and have inspected hundreds of properties. Knowmad is happy to suggest upgrades and alternative hotels based on your preferences to ensure your trip is perfect for you. Photos below are from this itinerary’s preferred accommodations. For more specifics, call or write to request more info, or download the detailed trip itinerary.
The accommodation featured in this itinerary is the following:
DAY 1 Cusco – Lake Titicaca
You will be picked up at your hotel and taken to the airport for your morning flight to Juliaca*, the airport nearest Lake Titicaca. Visit the charming town of Lampa and after a short and scenic drive, arrive at your lakeside hotel for a relaxing evening. Enjoy stunning views of the highest navigable lake in the world.
* For additional cost, you may also take a tourist-shared bus from Cusco to Puno. This is a 10-hour transfer filled with scenic countryside and interesting stops along the way. There is also a luxury train with on board entertainment. Inquire for pricing and more information.
DAY 2 Cultures of Titicaca – Uros Floating Islands and Taquile Island
You’ll be picked up after breakfast and enjoy a beautiful private van ride out of town onto a remote peninsula where Andean communities remain unchanged. At Llachon you’ll descend to the pier and take a Titicaca-style boat to the rarely visited Uros Titinos Islands, which float upon the reeds that the Uros people rely on for food and transportation as well.
Continue on to Taquile Island where Quechua people retain a strong cultural identity and rarely intermarry outside of the island. Visit our friend Alejandro for a typical meal of delicious products harvested locally and to learn of the islands lifestyle and traditions.
After lunch enjoy walking throughout the traditional island amongst this massive lake of vivid blue. Titicaca sits in stark contrast to the surrounding altiplano and separates Peru and Bolivia, making it as remarkable visually as culturally. The lake is also considered to be the birthplace of the Inca. Return by tourist-shared boat to take in the sunset from your lakeside hotel.
DAY 3 Puno – Lima
Head out from Puno and visit the Sillustani burial towers overlooking Lake Umayo, and continue on to the airport for your flight back to Lima and onward.
Just a short flight from Cusco, spotting troops of monkeys, colorful macaws and countless bird species, giant sloths, caimans, and maybe even a jaguar or puma in the Amazon Jungle is a traveler favorite. We have scoured the jungle lodges of Peru and can advise you on which experience fits you best while guaranteeing the best value.
This incredibly vast archaeological site – lost to the world until well into the twentieth century – is perched amidst Andean peaks and lush cloud forest making it as breathtaking as it is intriguing. Arrive by train or by a day’s hike on the Inca Trail.
Want to spend more time exploring this great city? Besides getting you a great value for hotels and airport transfers, we can line up a fantastic cooking lesson and culinary city tour, full and half day sightseeing adventures, surrounding ruin visits and much more.
Planning a trip to South America might seem a little overwhelming at first. Knowmad offers door-to-door trip planning: first, we listen, and then we help you navigate the seasonal differences and itinerary options, resulting in a holistic, seamless, and custom-crafted experience, all at a guaranteed best value.
The simplest way to get started is to give us a call at 612-315-2894or to fill out this short form so we can learn more about your travel preferences.
Journey through the rugged and otherworldly terrain of Southern Bolivia, exploring lagoons, volcanoes and Uyuni salt flats before ending in the capital of La Paz, perched atop the Andes Mountains, stopping at the historical rich communities of Potosi and Sucre along the way. Ideal connection with Chile’s Atacama Desert or start and finish in La Paz.
Our trip could not have been better. You attended to every detail, no matter how small. Being met at every airport, hot tea and water in the van, all the charming hotels. How special you made Tripp’s birthday 3 times during the day! All our guides and drivers, the experience in Amaru and the Amazon. And of course our guide, Harry, who really is the best!
By traveling alongside Knowmad you will be taking part in culturally and environmentally sustainable travel. You will be spreading the love, and the wealth. You will be doing Good Works. Learn more about Knowmad’s eco-travel efforts.
The Knowmad team put together the trip of a life time for us. Everything was perfect, from the guides to the accommodations to the activities, and your extensive knowledge of the area and personal relationships with the people we met in Chile were invaluable. We can’t recommend Knowmad highly enough.
After traveling to Chile two years ago with Knowmad Adventures there was no question as to who was going to help plan my trip to Peru! Thank you so much to Knowmad Adventures. The places they recommended, connections, and knowledge of these regions were impeccable. I highly recommend using Knowmad Adventures to plan your next trip to Peru or Chile!
Our trip was everything we dreamed it would be and more. Your group did a great job everywhere we went. We especially loved our guide Paula, and Explora was top notch too. All perfect.
Please don’t ever change the way you operate. You fulfill lifelong dreams and provide people with the chance to live what they thought could only be read about.
You put together a one-of-a-kind vacation for my group that I’ll long remember and enthusiastically recommend. I thank you and look forward, with much anticipation, to my next adventure with you.
We got back last night and I must say that the organization of the entire trip was AMAZING. We all loved Peru and thanks to Knowmad we even enjoyed it a lot more. Thanks a lot Jordan for everything as we had sooooo much fun. I’ll definitely recommend you to anybody that wants to experience Peru.
Journey through the rugged and otherworldly terrain of Southern Bolivia, exploring lagoons, volcanoes and Uyuni salt flats before ending in the capital of La Paz, perched atop the Andes Mountains, stopping at the historical rich communities of Potosi and Sucre along the way. Ideal connection with Chile’s Atacama Desert or start and finish in La Paz.
