Lake Titicaca, located on the border between Peru and Bolivia, is the highest navigable lake in the world, at more than 3,800 meters above sea level. With an area of 8,300 km², it is a place full of history and culture, known for its floating islands and its importance to ancient Andean civilizations, such as the Incas. In its waters are iconic places like the Island of the Sun and the Island of the Moon, sacred sites of great historical significance.
Lake Titicaca is home to several iconic islands, each with its own unique history. Among the most notable are the Island of the Sun, a sacred place of the Incas, and the Island of the Moon, home of the Virgins of the Sun. The Floating Islands of the Uros, made of totora reeds, are home to an indigenous community that preserves its traditions. In addition, Taquile Island is known for its traditional textiles, while Amantaní Island offers an authentic experience of Andean life. Each island of Titicaca is a destination full of history and culture.
Lake Titicaca is located on the shore of Lake Titicaca, Copacabana, in Bolivia, is a must-see destination. From here you can explore the Island of the Sun, where according to legend the god Viracocha was born, and the Island of the Moon, known for being home to the Virgins of the Sun. To get there from Puno, Peru, you take a bus to the Titicaca port, where tour agencies facilitate access to the islands. From La Paz, Bolivia, you travel to Copacabana and then by boat to the Island of the Sun. Copacabana also offers other attractions such as the Basilica of Our Lady and Calvary Hill.
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The Lake Titicaca is located in the Andean highlands, on the border between Peru and Bolivia. It is at 3,812 meters above sea level, making it the highest navigable lake in the world. It has an area of approximately 8,372 km², of which 56% belongs to Peru (Puno region) and 44% to Bolivia (La Paz department).
On the Peruvian side, in the department of Puno, you can visit the three most important islands such as the floating island of the Uros, Taquile Island, and Amantaní Island.
The Uros Island is part of a group of floating islands located on the Peruvian side of Lake Titicaca, near the city of Puno. These islands are unique in the world because they are built from totora reeds, an aquatic plant that grows in the lake. The inhabitants themselves, the Uro people, build and maintain the islands, constantly renewing the layers of totora to prevent them from sinking.
The Uros are one of the oldest cultures of the Andean highlands. Their way of life is closely linked to the lake: they engage in fishing, bird hunting, and handicrafts. Over the years, tourism has become an important source of income, allowing visitors to learn about their customs, original language, and traditional way of building boats and houses from totora reeds.
Visiting the floating islands of the Uros offers a unique cultural experience, where you can see how this community has adapted and maintained its traditions in harmony with the environment of Lake Titicaca.
Taquile Island is located on the Peruvian side of Lake Titicaca, about three hours by boat from the city of Puno. It is famous for its living culture and its textile tradition, recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The inhabitants of Taquile are known for their weaving skills: men dedicate themselves to the art of weaving from a young age, while women spin the wool.
The island has about 2,200 inhabitants who preserve an ancestral community organization, based on the Inca principles of Ayni (reciprocity), Minka (collective work), and Mita (work shifts). Local authorities are elected by consensus and tourism is managed communally.
Taquile offers impressive Andean landscapes, agricultural terraces, cobbled paths, and natural viewpoints with views of the lake. Visitors usually enjoy hiking, sharing with local families, and tasting typical dishes made with local products.
Amantaní Island is located on the Peruvian side of Lake Titicaca, approximately four hours by boat from Puno.
Amantaní is inhabited by Quechua communities mainly dedicated to agriculture, weaving, and pottery. The island stands out for its agricultural terraces and its two sacred hills: Pachatata and Pachamama, where traditional rituals related to harvests and the fertility of the land are celebrated.
Tourism in Amantaní is experiential. Visitors usually stay in the homes of local families, sharing their customs, meals, and daily activities. There are no hotels or restaurants, which allows for an authentic experience in direct contact with Andean culture.
From its natural viewpoints you can enjoy spectacular views of Lake Titicaca, especially at sunset.
The Bolivian side of Lake Titicaca, located mainly in the department of La Paz, is home to islands of great historical, cultural, and spiritual value for the Andean peoples. Among the most notable are the Island of the Sun and the Island of the Moon, the most visited attractions where you will also find a large number of ancient civilizations.
The Island of the Sun is the largest island of Lake Titicaca and one of the most emblematic places of Andean culture. It is located on the Bolivian side of the lake, opposite the shores of Copacabana. It measures approximately 14 km² and is made up of hills and agricultural terraces.
According to Inca mythology, the first human beings appeared on the Island of the Sun: Manco Cápac and Mama Ocllo, children of the god Inti (the Sun), sent to found the Inca Empire and civilize the peoples of the highlands. Therefore, the place is considered sacred.
The island is inhabited by Aymara and Quechua communities that engage in agriculture (potato, corn, quinoa cultivation), herding, and community tourism. Many families offer accommodation and food to visitors in their homes.
The Island of the Sun is a place without roads or vehicles. Its cobbled paths and mountainous landscapes invite you to explore it on foot, enjoying the tranquility and panoramic views of Lake Titicaca.
Main sites of interest on the Island of the Sun
The Island of the Moon is located northeast of the Island of the Sun, on the Bolivian side of Lake Titicaca. It is much smaller than its neighbor, with an area of about 1.2 km², but it has great spiritual and archaeological value in Andean culture.
According to Inca legend, this island was the place where the Virgins of the Sun or Acllas lived, women chosen from childhood to serve the god Inti (the Sun) and engage in religious, textile, and ceremonial tasks.
Sites of interest on the Island of the Moon
Once you arrive in Puno, you must take a bus to the Titicaca port or rely on a tour agency to start the trip. In general, all visits are made through an agency that will take you to the Puno port; the trip lasts about an hour to the islands.
But you may wonder, why hire a tour agency? To navigate the boats you need permission and to continue visiting the other islands; you can even take a two-day tour and spend the night on the floating island of the Uros.
Once you are in La Paz, you must go to Copacabana, from there you should take a bus or, as previously suggested, hire a tour with a certified tour agency. Once there, the tour will take you to the dock and you will take a boat towards the Island of the Sun; this trip will take about an hour and a half, then you return to Copacabana.
You can enjoy several attractions of Copacabana: the Basilica of Our Lady of Copacabana, Calvary Hill, Poncho Museum, etc.
