Puno Titilaka InkaTerra Excursion map Printable PDF Activities & Map

ABOUT TITILAKA INKATERRA ACTIVITIES - in their own words:

Excursions offered at Titilaka are included in the rates except for those specified as a special program or at additional cost. Our excursions are based on ¼ day, half-day, full day or 2 days duration and in three difficulty levels: Easy (I), Moderate (II), or Difficult (III). All excursions include private transport with driver and are guided by one of our trained professional interpreters in Spanish or English. Interpreters in other languages may be available upon request, subject to additional charge.

¼ DAY EXCURSIONS

ROWING AROUND THE REEDS:
Take a paddle boat tour through the totora reeds on the lake near the hotel. The totora reeds are aquatic plants used by the locals for different purposes ranging from construction to food. Just like land, the reed areas are divided among the villagers, who every so often harvest them for various uses. The reeds also provide a special ecosystem for birds such as wrens, grebes, moorhens and egrets.

DURATION: ¼ day - DIFFICULTY LEVEL: I - FREQUENCY: Daily
SCHEDULE: Morning and Afternoon - ATTRACTIONS: Birds, Boat and Photos
TRANSPORT: Provided by Inkaterra
RECOMMENDED FOR CHILDREN.

INKANATAVI:
Your excursion starts with a ride by car towards the south of the Titilaka refuge, then a light ascent on foot to a rocky mountain to reach the remains of an Inca Trail, where some polished stone seats were finely carved in large rocks and you can enjoy the panoramic view of the vast lake. After the descent, visit the local community for a brief rest and view their colorful textiles.

DURATION: ¼ day - DIFFICULTY LEVEL: II - FREQUENCY: Daily
SCHEDULE: Morning and Afternoon - ATTRACTIONS: Local Community and Archaeological Site
TRANSPORT: Provided by Inkaterra
RECOMMENDED FOR CHILDREN.

SOCCA BEACH:
Walk towards the east of the Titilaka refuge, through a peninsula to visit the rustic town community of Socca. Continue the tour through the wide sandy shores of the Lake Titicaca, between wetlands and farms where you can appreciate the agricultural practices of the locals, know the customs with an opportunity to relax see the unique sceneries around the highest navigable lake of the world.

DURATION: ¼ day - DIFFICULTY LEVEL: I - FREQUENCY: Daily
SCHEDULE: Morning and Afternoon - ATTRACTIONS: Photos, Birds and Astronomy
TRANSPORTATION: Provided by Inkaterra
RECOMMENDED FOR CHILDREN.

BIRD WATCHING:
Lake Titicaca is part of the RAMSAR Convention on Wetlands, a conservation and protection of the Wetlands and its wild life, where you can see more than 60 species, including waterfowl and shore birds and some others that are found inland. Depending on the season, you can see migratory birds such as flamingos, shorebirds, aquatic birds, among others, and resident birds like a variety of ducks, herons and grebes. Significantly, from the Titilaka Hotel one can see the Titicaca grebes (Rollandia microptera), endemic birds to the Titicaca Basin (Peru and Bolivia) in its natural habitat, which is in danger of extinction according to CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora). The Bird Watching route shall be determined according to the season and location by monitoring the places frequented by these birds.

DURATION: ¼ day - DIFFICULTY LEVEL: II - FREQUENCY: Daily
SCHEDULE: Morning and Afternoon - ATTRACTIONS: Photos and Birds
TRANSPORTATION: Provided by Inkaterra.

HALF DAY EXCURSIONS

UROS:
Enjoy a guided visit to Uros floating isles on Lake Titicaca, located on the National Reserve of Titicaca on the Bay of Puno. Made from reeds called totora these Islands are home of the Uros community which pre-dates the Incan civilization. They call themselves kot-suña or people of the lake who claim to have "black blood", are consequently immune to the cold and consider themselves the owners of the lake and its waters. They continue living on the islands by fishing, weaving and now, tourism.

DURATION: 1/2 day - DIFFICULTY LEVEL: I - FREQUENCY: Daily
SCHEDULE: Afternoon - ATTRACTIONS: Photos, Boat, Local Community and Birds
TRANSPORTATION: Provided by Inkaterra
RECOMMENDED FOR CHILDREN.

TITILAKA ARCH:
Take a familiarization walk around the Titilaka Lodge. In this excursion, see the community lifestyle adjacent to the hotel, observing residents in their daily tasks. Then ascend towards a stone arch, which is at the top of a hill from where you can see the landscape and magnificent view of the lake, the communities within and the idyllic environment.

DURATION: 1/2 day - DIFFICULTY LEVEL: II - FREQUENCY: Daily
SCHEDULE: Morning and Afternoon - ATTRACTIONS: Photos and Local Community
TRANSPORTATION: Provided by Inkaterra.

TAQUILE:
Take a boat ride to the island of Taquile, where you can see the beautiful mountain ranges of Cordillera Real of Bolivia and its snow peaks. This traditional island is inhabited by islanders of Quechua origin, as opposed to the majority of population of Puno who are of Aymara origin. Taquile lives in its own world, completely detached from the rest of the world, maintaining their ancient Quechua traditions. Its scenery is stunning, red soil in contrast with the intense blue of the lake, the sky and a striking background of snowcapped mountains of the Cordillera Real. On the higher part of the island are remains of ancient stone buildings, somewhat like quarters and roads. One can also view stone tombs. Enjoy lunch prepared by the Taquile locals.
NOTE: Private guide in a shared boat.

DURATION: 1/2 day - DIFFICULTY LEVEL: II - FREQUENCY: Every other day
SCHEDULE: Morning - ATTRACTIONS: Photos, Boat, Local Community, Birds and Archaeological Site
TRANSPORTATION: Provided by Inkaterra
RECOMMENDED FOR CHILDREN.

AMANTANI:
A few kilometers north of Taquile is the beautiful island of Amantani located in front of the peninsula Capachica. It is almost circular in shape and is the largest island in the Peruvian side of Lake Titicaca. The transfer from Titilaka takes about one hour in a motor boat and as you approach the island, you can see its large mountains with its highest point, the Llacastiti peak. Situated 320 meters above the lake, it has interesting ancient stone structures used during the celebration of their festivals and rituals to Pacha Mama (Mother Earth) honored every year as the source of their sustenance and agricultural livelihood. During the tour of the island get to know the locals of about 800 families, their prime source of living which is farming, producing potatoes, tubers, barley and beans. Due to the existence of granite in Llacastiti, they have developed it as a handicraft.

DURATION: 1/2 day - DIFFICULTY LEVEL: II - FREQUENCY: Every other day
SCHEDULE: Morning - ATTRACTIONS: Photos, Boat, Local Community, Archaeological Site and Birds
TRANSPORTATION: Provided by Inkaterra
RECOMMENDED FOR CHILDREN.

SILLUSTANI: Enjoy a guided tour in Sillustani, a peninsula facing the Umayo lagoon, a short distance from Puno. It was a burial ground of the Colla tribe that lived in the region long before the Inca expansion. The phallic structures known as Chullpas, which symbolized life and birth, are ancient and impressive tombs from the pre-Inca period, served as burial places for chiefs and important people. Later the site was inhabited by the Incas, who made their own version of these towers. That is why there are two types - the rough, smaller towers, and the smooth, larger ones made by the Incas. The biggest tower took about 50 years to make and consists of rocks weighing anywhere from 2 to 6 tons; an interesting site to visit, with a combination of archaeology, history and rustic landscapes.

DURATION: 1/2 day - DIFFICULTY LEVEL: I - FREQUENCY: Daily
SCHEDULE: Morning and Afternoon - ATTRACTIONS: Photos and Archaeological Site
TRANSPORTATION: Provided by Inkaterra
RECOMMENDED FOR CHILDREN.

MOUNTAIN BIKING TO INKANATAVI:
An excursion with a demanding level where you take an approximately two hours ride in mountain bike through the communities around this area of Lake Titicaca, to Inkanatavi, chosen name for the remains of an Inca Trail built on the edge of a rocky mountain. The ascent up the Inca Trail is moderate and may have some difficulty after riding the bike; the view from the top is privileged and near the Inca Trail some seats were finely carved into a rock. After the descent you may take some refreshing snacks to recharge the energies spent and return by private car to the hotel.

DURATION: ½ day - DIFFICULTY LEVEL: III - FREQUENCY: Daily
SCHEDULE: Morning and Afternoon - ATTRACTIONS: Bicycle and Local Community
TRANSPORTATION: Provided by Inkaterra.

LOCAL FESTIVAL:
Puno is the folkloric capital of Peru, a fusion of Catholic and Andean beliefs which have created an intense tradition of festival celebration as part of its culture and customs. Each feast involves an infinite number of dances and typical cuisine. Guests may visit neighboring local communities during its festival season according to the calendar of fiestas which we can provide upon request.

DURATION: 1/2 day - DIFFICULTY LEVEL: II - FREQUENCY: According to festivals’ calendar
SCHEDULE: Flexible - ATTRACTIONS: Local Community and Photos
TRANSPORTATION: Provided by Inkaterra.

PERKA (August 2008):
Start the excursion heading towards the totora reeds near Titilaka refuge sailing towards the west, observing these aquatic plants that are still utilized by the locals in their daily tasks. Continue to the shores of the peninsula of Chucuito, with an opportunity to see shore birds such as ducks, the Andean seagulls, flamingos and grebes and then visit homes of the locals and their nearby farmlands. Perka is a quiet community that practically does not have any connection with tourism but it is possible to enjoy its beaches and to enjoy some aperitifs on the shores of the lake in a relaxing peaceful ambience.

DURATION: 1/2 day - DIFFICULTY LEVEL: I - FREQUENCY: Daily
SCHEDULE: Morning and Afternoon - ATTRACTIONS: Photos, Boat, Local Community and Birds
TRANSPORTATION: Provided by Inkaterra

 

FULL DAY EXCURSIONS

INKANATAVI, JULI AND POMATA:
The excursion begins with Inkanatavi taking a van heading towards the south of the Titilaka refuge and then climb on foot to the rocky mountain, to reach an interesting Inca Trail ruins, where has polished seats carved in large rocks, and you can enjoy a stunning panoramic view of Lake Titicaca. After the descent, visit the local community for a break and appreciate its colorful textiles. Continue the journey south to visit the beautiful colonial churches of Juli and Pomata, which were the center of evangelization of the highland plateaus. The churches have striking architecture, gold-leafed altars, still maintain remarkable paintings from the viceroyalty era and massive bells that still toll up to today.

DURATION: 1 day - DIFFICULTY LEVEL: II - FREQUENCY: Daily
SCHEDULE: Morning - MEALS: Picnic
ATTRACTIONS: Photos, Architecture, Local Community and Archaeological Site
TRANSPORTATION: Provided by Inkaterra.

LAMPA (at additional cost):
Take a full-day excursion traveling through the cities of Puno and Juliaca to continue to Lampa; along the way you will see the typical Andean highland landscapes, sceneries, intense blue skies, rivers and wetlands visited by Andean birds; locals in communities carrying out their tasks in farms using traditional tools and animals such as Andean camelids. Lampa is known as "The Pink City" and is a picturesque colonial town, where its people invite and welcome travelers with pride to visit its unique church with its striking and original architecture, mysteries and surprising past in their catacombs and a stunning replica of the famous sculpture "La Pieta" by Michelangelo. Visiting Lampa is also an opportunity for bird watching enthusiasts, where you can nearby the last remains of queñuales (Polylepis sp.) forest, an endangered vegetation hosting interesting bird species. Return to Titilaka hotel in the afternoon.

DURATION: 1 day - DIFFICULTY LEVEL: II - FREQUENCY: Daily
SCHEDULE: Morning - MEALS: Lunch
ATTRACTIONS: Photos, Local Community and Birds