Trip success is connected with many factors. It is important how it is being prepared and later realized. I can hear very often that Puno and Titicaca Lake are places not worth visiting. Is this true? From where this opinion is coming from? This region are not only Uros Islands which are being criticized most often. You can find on Titicaca Lake much more attractions than those islands. Are they worth to stop here? For who those places might be interesting? More details below!
Titicaca Lake in Peru is the highest lake in world on which even big ships can sail. It is located on 3812 m. above sea level. 56% of its territory is in Peru, the rest 44% is in Bolivia. Of course this border is being questioned by both countries.
For years the most popular attraction are Uros Islands, located 30 minutes from the shore. Many tourists visiting this place, say afterwards it is not attractive. Arriving in Puno and later Uros Islands makes them feel that not everything they saw was real. They had a feeling that they are part of some “theater” for tourists.
Is there any solution here?
In my opinion, yes. Visiting Titicaca Lake might end up with very positive feelings. Uros Islands do not need to be main point on your list. You can treat them as nice to have. If you do not like antique museums, then you can even skip this attraction.
And what are the other options?
Titicaca Lake takes huge area. There are few interesting islands there on Peruvian and Bolivian side. When you stay in Peru, one of the biggest ones are Taquile and Amantani.
Titicaca Lake by boat
And of course here we will find different opinions as well. Not worth it, overrated …
Maybe yes, but does it always need to be this way?
I have some theory regarding that
On each trip everything depends on the program and how it is being organized. I am not big fun of tour groups on Titicaca Lake, which are the ones you can like or not. They are not bad, they have its enthusiasts, but I am not the one. I was traveling through Titicaca Lake in a group tour and also on my own and I had slightly different experiences in each scenario. Much more interesting was to see this region on your own or on private tour.
Personally I prefer something different, far away from mass tourism. I am looking for it in each part of Peru. You cannot always escape the crowds, but you can always be a little further away from it.
In local clothes on Amantani Island
Is this possible on Titicaca Lake?
Of course. This lake can be very touristy and not touristy at all. Everything depends from the place. And then, silence, local people, beautiful views with water around and Andes in the distance..
How do you like this scenario?
It is possible to make it happen on Amantani Island which is located a little further from Puno than other attractions.
It is only an island, but when you will spend time there with local family, climb viewing point to see sunrise and sunset …
Imagine fresh air and sunlight above and few minutes later below water surface. It is like in the movie, but this time you are main actor here, and almost the only one. There are not many people coming here for sunset. Almost no one, only nature and this feeling like you are at the end of the world. Total silence and time to listen to yourself and nature around.
Isn’t beautiful scenery to finish the day? Big feast for those looking for silence, relax and willing to charge batteries.
If you want to stop for a while, relax far away from everything, Titicaca Lake and Amantani Island are perfect for you.
Trekking before the sunset on Amantani on Titicaca Lake
What’s next?
Good time sleep and another day. It is worth to start it at 5:30 am to see beginning of new day. This time you will see that show from the boat shared with local people going to the city for shopping. The island is slowly disappearing, when the land is getting closer. This time not busy shores of Puno, but slightly different side of the lake. Not spoiled by tourism yet.
Sunset, silence, relax on Amantani Island
Soon we will start next chapter of your adventures in Peru.
After such escape everything will get new dimension and character.
Another attractions in Puno
Titicaca Lake by kayak
It is not very common to go by kayak on 4000 m. above sea level. It is worth to try something like this at least once in the lifetime. It is not cheap attraction, but it is worth the price. The cheapest option is to get to Uros Islands within 1 hour. If you have more experience you can rent a kayak and go to any place you want.
Uros Islands on Titicaca Lake
Sillustani, pre Inca tombs
If you have few additional spare hours, it is worth to visit pre Inca tombs in Sillustani. It might be interesting point to any history and ancient cultures enthusiast.
Attractions on Puno – Cusco road
If you are looking untypical attractions on your way to Cusco you can take into consideration following places:
- Ruins in Pukara
- Tangasuca – lands of Tupak Amaru II, Peruvian hero
- Famous Inca bridge Qeswachaka
- Rainbow Mountains
In order to get to any of those attraction, you need to leave main road. But if you are so close, why not to use such opportunity.
If you do not have much time and you want to see as much as possible on the way Cusco – Puno, check our offer for 3 days/2 nights Titicaca, Rainbow Mountains and Qeswachaka, folklore trio
You can travel on Titicaca Lake on many ways. More or less locally, in more expensive or in more cheaper option. It is worth to think before the trip how do you want to get to know Peru. It will be easier then to choose the best solution. It will be more rewarding with less disappointments which very often goes with lack of knowledge, lack of preparation.
