4-day adventure
Lake Titicaca Extension
Peru
- Kandoo Trekking
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£385
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Our local team
Our team in Peru has been running since 2012 and is lead by the highly knowledgeable José Quispe. He is passionate about his home country and showing others the amazing historical and natural phenomena that live there. Nothing is ever too much trouble for José and he will always be found with a huge smile on his face. He leads an incredible team, decked out in full Kandoo orange, they are hard to miss on the trail. They will do everything they...
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Kandoo's view
Squeezed between the mountains of Bolivia and Peru, Lake Titicaca is one of the most fascinating lakes in the world. It is the world's highest navigable lake at over 3800 meters and is a sacred place for the Inca civilization, as their mythology says that the first Inca king, Manco Capac, was born here.
The highlight of this fascinating area is the amazing floating islands of Uros located a 2 hour boat ride from Puno. Built entirely from the special type of giant bulrush, called totora, that grows in the shallows of the lake the inhabitants still follow the traditions going back centuries.
We can arrange an extension to your Machu Picchu trek to visit this region or incorporate this into a longer circuit visiting all of the best of Peru. Our most popular itinerary is set out below but this is just a suggestion. If you are interested give us a call to discuss the fantastic range of options.
The highlight of this fascinating area is the amazing floating islands of Uros located a 2 hour boat ride from Puno. Built entirely from the special type of giant bulrush, called totora, that grows in the shallows of the lake the inhabitants still follow the traditions going back centuries.
We can arrange an extension to your Machu Picchu trek to visit this region or incorporate this into a longer circuit visiting all of the best of Peru. Our most popular itinerary is set out below but this is just a suggestion. If you are interested give us a call to discuss the fantastic range of options.
Trip highlights
- Discover the beautiful Taquile Island
- Take a swim in the cold waters of Titicaca
- Visit the floating islands of Uros
Experiences
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Kandoo Trekking
Our core collection of treks and hikes, through some of the world's most outstanding landscapes
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Itinerary
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Day 1
FLY TO JULIACA FOR PUNO AND LAKE TITICACA
You will be met at Juliaca Airport and transferred to your hotel in Puno. The rest of the day will be free time in Puno. If you are arriving by train, you will be met at Puno train station.
- Transport: Private transfer
- Accomodation: Hotel
- Meals included: Breakfast
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Day 2
ISLANDS OF UROS AND TAQUILE ISLAND
Your guide will pick you up from your hotel at 07.30 hours to be transferred to the port of Puno where you will board a motor boat and travel across the lake for about 40 minutes to visit the floating islands of Uros. Here a family will welcome you, invite you into their homes and explain about their customs and way of life. You will then have time to make a short tour on the reed boats (Totora) around the islands.
You then continue across the lake and after a 3-hour journey arrive at Taquile Island. There, a long gradually ascending path will take you to the village. It takes approximately 50 minutes to walk up to the village to visit the communal cooperative, where you can watch the islanders making traditional textiles and clothing. You have lunch at one of the local restaurants with magnificent views of the surrounding area. After some free time in the afternoon, your guide will take you for a hike to the highest point of the island to watch the sunset.- Transport: Private transfer
- Accomodation: Home Stay
- Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
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Day 3
TAQUILE ISLAND AND RETURN TO PUNO
After breakfast you leave your host family and hike for around 2 hours to the far end of the island, passing through local communities and with some great views across the lake. Your trek will end at a quiet beach, where you have time to relax, and take a swim in this famous lake. Lunch is taken at a restaurant overlooking the beach. You return to Puno, a 3-hour return journey, at about 13.00 hours. Upon arrival at Puno, at approximately 16.00 hours you are transferred to your hotel.
- Transport: Private transfer
- Accomodation: Hotel
- Meals included: Breakfast
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Day 4
DEPART FROM PUNO
Depending on your itinerary you will be transferred either to Puno station to catch the train to Cuzco, or to the airport at Juliaca for your onward flight.
- Transport: Private transfer
- Meals included: Breakfast
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Details
Trip information
Difficulty
This trip is not overly strenuous and is achievable by anybody with a reasonable level of fitness and a Kandoo attitude. Lake Titicaca sits at over 3500m above sea level and you should be prepared to feel the affects of the altitude even on an easy walk.
Food & drink
Breakfasts are included at your hotel in Puno and your stay on Taquile Island will be full board. Whilst visiting the islands you will enjoy freshly cooked local cuisine with your hosts. The hotel in Puno will provide a range of international and Peruvian dishes for you to choose from.
Accommodation
In Puno you will stay in a comfortable hotel in twin or double room with en-suite facilities.
On Taquile Island you will stay with a local family. Private twin or double rooms are provided and there will be shared bathroom facilities.
Luggage
Your luggage will be transported with you in vehicles or boats and can be left at your accommodation while you are out and about.
How do I get there?
There are two options for reaching Lake Titicaca after your trek. It is possible to get the train from Cuzco to Puno or to fly from Cuzco to Juliaca. The train journey, although a fantastic experience, is very long. Many people choose to travel one way by train and then return by air. Please let us know your travel arrangements and a member of our team will meet you at either the train station in Puno or the airport in Juliaca.
Tips
May be offered to the guides or staff at the lodge, at your own discretion.
Formalities & health
Passport
Unlike many other countries where Kandoo operates, there is no requirement that your passport be valid for 6 months longer than your expected stay. As long as it is valid through your departure date, you are fine.
If you are coming into Peru from Ecuador, get your passport stamped for entry at the local immigration office nearest your border crossing. Most enter this way through Aguas Verdes in the Tumbes region. Make sure you find your way to the immigration office there, as if your passport is not stamped you will have to go back to the Ecuador border if your papers are inspected. You may also have trouble if you do not have a valid exit stamp from the country you left before coming to Peru.
Those entering overland from Columbia generally enter through Leticia. You will need to get your passport stamped in Santa Rosa, on the Columbia/Brazil/Peru border. Please keep in mind that Santa Rosa is rather under-policed, and tourists should avoid isolated places, and travel only in groups.
Lastly, if you are crossing into Peru from Bolivia by road, you will need to visit the immigration office for the Puno region, in Desaguadero.
If you are coming into Peru from Ecuador, get your passport stamped for entry at the local immigration office nearest your border crossing. Most enter this way through Aguas Verdes in the Tumbes region. Make sure you find your way to the immigration office there, as if your passport is not stamped you will have to go back to the Ecuador border if your papers are inspected. You may also have trouble if you do not have a valid exit stamp from the country you left before coming to Peru.
Those entering overland from Columbia generally enter through Leticia. You will need to get your passport stamped in Santa Rosa, on the Columbia/Brazil/Peru border. Please keep in mind that Santa Rosa is rather under-policed, and tourists should avoid isolated places, and travel only in groups.
Lastly, if you are crossing into Peru from Bolivia by road, you will need to visit the immigration office for the Puno region, in Desaguadero.
Visa
British and EU nationals do not need a visa to come to Peru as a tourist. You can get permission to visit upon arrival at the airport, and the duration is usually up to six months. American citizens and nationals do not need a visa either so long as they have a valid US passport, but will generally only get permission to stay as a tourist for 90 days. Still, this is usually plenty of time.
Vaccinations
You must though consult your own GP or medical adviser. Your GP will understand your overall fitness levels and any health issues you may have, and will be able to give you much more specific advice about what vaccinations or other medications you need, and which you should not have. When in doubt, ask your doctor!
That having been said, the following is a list of common vaccinations that are useful to many travellers in Peru and surrounding countries, and some specifics about each.
Hepatitis A and B
Kandoo recommends all travellers to the Andes region are vaccinated against Hepatitis A and B.
Typhoid
Typhoid is also present in the region, and it is a good idea for all travellers to be immunised against it.
Yellow Fever
Yellow fever is a problem in the area, especially in regions like the Amazon, the areas around Cuzco (but not the city itself), Loreto, Madre de Dios, north-eastern Ancash, northern Apurimac, northern and north-eastern Ayacucho, northern and eastern Cajamarca, the far north of Huancavelica, most of Huanuco, the north and east of Junin, the east of La Libertad, most of Pasco eastern Piura and northern Puno, as well as San Martin and Ucayali. Anyone travelling to these areas should be vaccinated against yellow fever, unless given specific medical advice otherwise.
Lambayeque, Tumbes, and certain parts of Cajamarca and Piura are less at risk, and only those who can expect to be bitten by large numbers of mosquitoes specifically need to be vaccinated.
Lastly, you will not need yellow fever vaccination if you will be above 2300 metres of elevation for your whole stay, or if you will only be visiting Cuzco, Lima, Machu Picchu and/or the Inca Trail.
Rabies
Trekkers who will be spending a great deal of time out of doors, who will for some reason be dealing with bats, or who are otherwise at risk of being bitten by animals, should be vaccinated against rabies.
MMR (measles, mumps and rubella)
If you have not already had the MMR vaccine and were born after 1956, you should have two doses.
Tetanus-diphtheria
This vaccine should be taken if you have not had the tetanus-diphtheria jab in the last ten years.
That having been said, the following is a list of common vaccinations that are useful to many travellers in Peru and surrounding countries, and some specifics about each.
Hepatitis A and B
Kandoo recommends all travellers to the Andes region are vaccinated against Hepatitis A and B.
Typhoid
Typhoid is also present in the region, and it is a good idea for all travellers to be immunised against it.
Yellow Fever
Yellow fever is a problem in the area, especially in regions like the Amazon, the areas around Cuzco (but not the city itself), Loreto, Madre de Dios, north-eastern Ancash, northern Apurimac, northern and north-eastern Ayacucho, northern and eastern Cajamarca, the far north of Huancavelica, most of Huanuco, the north and east of Junin, the east of La Libertad, most of Pasco eastern Piura and northern Puno, as well as San Martin and Ucayali. Anyone travelling to these areas should be vaccinated against yellow fever, unless given specific medical advice otherwise.
Lambayeque, Tumbes, and certain parts of Cajamarca and Piura are less at risk, and only those who can expect to be bitten by large numbers of mosquitoes specifically need to be vaccinated.
Lastly, you will not need yellow fever vaccination if you will be above 2300 metres of elevation for your whole stay, or if you will only be visiting Cuzco, Lima, Machu Picchu and/or the Inca Trail.
Rabies
Trekkers who will be spending a great deal of time out of doors, who will for some reason be dealing with bats, or who are otherwise at risk of being bitten by animals, should be vaccinated against rabies.
MMR (measles, mumps and rubella)
If you have not already had the MMR vaccine and were born after 1956, you should have two doses.
Tetanus-diphtheria
This vaccine should be taken if you have not had the tetanus-diphtheria jab in the last ten years.
Insurance
It is your responsibility to ensure that you are fully and adequately insured for the duration of your trip. Please ensure that all activities, excursions and destinations in your itinerary are included in your travel insurance policy, in addition to your regular cover for cancellation and medical expenses. Most of our treks in Peru do not exceed 4700m with the exception of the Ausangate Trek which will reach 5200m. If you are only doing the Short Inca trail your trek will not exceed 3500m. Please ensure that your insurance policy covers you for trekking at these altitudes.
We ask that you keep a copy of your policy summary (containing policy number and the emergency contact number for your insurer) in your day sack at all times, so that we can access this information should we need to contact the insurer on your behalf.
We ask that you keep a copy of your policy summary (containing policy number and the emergency contact number for your insurer) in your day sack at all times, so that we can access this information should we need to contact the insurer on your behalf.
Health
Altitude Sickness
Altitude sickness, called soroche in Peru and also known as Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) or hypobaropathy, is an illness caused by exposure to low air pressure, especially low partial pressure of oxygen, which many climbers experience at high altitudes. AMS is caused by exerting yourself at high altitudes, especially if you have not been properly acclimatised. It is most common at altitudes above 2400 metres. Our routes have been designed to aid your acclimatisation wherever possible, but the following will also help your body adjust:
Slow and steady. You need to keep your respiration rate low enough to maintain a normal conversation. If you are panting or breathing hard, you must slow down. There is no pressure on you to keep up with other members of your group.
Drink much more water than you think you need. Proper hydration helps acclimatisation dramatically. You need to drink at least three litres each day.
Diamox
There has been a lot of research on Diamox that shows is that it has been reasonably well proven to be helpful in avoiding AMS by speeding up the acclimatisation process. In the UK it is a prescription drug which must be prescribed by a doctor, but some doctors are reluctant to prescribe it. The concern is that by taking Diamox, people believe that they are immune from AMS and can ignore the symptoms. In reality, although Diamox can help prevent the symptoms, should symptoms still develop it means that you are not acclimatising and you have to take notice. Diamox is taken before you start the trek to prevent altitude sickness, not once symptoms have developed.
Malaria
There is no risk of malaria in Cuzco or on our treks due to the altitude. However, there is a risk of malaria in rural areas of Peru below 2,000m. This would include Tambopata National Park, so if you are planning an extension to the Amazon Rainforest, you need to plan anti-malarial medication for this part of your trip. In addition to taking medication, we would recommend you take every precaution to prevent mosquito bites by wearing long-sleeved trousers and shirts at dusk and dawn when the mosquitos are active, and by using a DEET based mosquito repellent.
Dehydration
You can easily become dehydrated at high altitudes. The lower air pressure forces you to breathe more quickly and deeply, and you lose a lot of water through your lungs. You will also be exerting yourself, and sweating, and may even suffer from diarrhoea. As a result, you will have to drink much more water than you normally would and you should drink at least 3 litres of fluids every day while climbing. Even when you do not feel thirsty you have to drink this amount as a minimum ??? preferably more. Stay on the look-out for signs of dehydration in yourself and your fellow climbers. The most common symptoms include thirst, dry lips, nose or mouth, headache and feeling fatigued or lethargic.
Altitude sickness, called soroche in Peru and also known as Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) or hypobaropathy, is an illness caused by exposure to low air pressure, especially low partial pressure of oxygen, which many climbers experience at high altitudes. AMS is caused by exerting yourself at high altitudes, especially if you have not been properly acclimatised. It is most common at altitudes above 2400 metres. Our routes have been designed to aid your acclimatisation wherever possible, but the following will also help your body adjust:
Slow and steady. You need to keep your respiration rate low enough to maintain a normal conversation. If you are panting or breathing hard, you must slow down. There is no pressure on you to keep up with other members of your group.
Drink much more water than you think you need. Proper hydration helps acclimatisation dramatically. You need to drink at least three litres each day.
Diamox
There has been a lot of research on Diamox that shows is that it has been reasonably well proven to be helpful in avoiding AMS by speeding up the acclimatisation process. In the UK it is a prescription drug which must be prescribed by a doctor, but some doctors are reluctant to prescribe it. The concern is that by taking Diamox, people believe that they are immune from AMS and can ignore the symptoms. In reality, although Diamox can help prevent the symptoms, should symptoms still develop it means that you are not acclimatising and you have to take notice. Diamox is taken before you start the trek to prevent altitude sickness, not once symptoms have developed.
Malaria
There is no risk of malaria in Cuzco or on our treks due to the altitude. However, there is a risk of malaria in rural areas of Peru below 2,000m. This would include Tambopata National Park, so if you are planning an extension to the Amazon Rainforest, you need to plan anti-malarial medication for this part of your trip. In addition to taking medication, we would recommend you take every precaution to prevent mosquito bites by wearing long-sleeved trousers and shirts at dusk and dawn when the mosquitos are active, and by using a DEET based mosquito repellent.
Dehydration
You can easily become dehydrated at high altitudes. The lower air pressure forces you to breathe more quickly and deeply, and you lose a lot of water through your lungs. You will also be exerting yourself, and sweating, and may even suffer from diarrhoea. As a result, you will have to drink much more water than you normally would and you should drink at least 3 litres of fluids every day while climbing. Even when you do not feel thirsty you have to drink this amount as a minimum ??? preferably more. Stay on the look-out for signs of dehydration in yourself and your fellow climbers. The most common symptoms include thirst, dry lips, nose or mouth, headache and feeling fatigued or lethargic.
Medication
It is always a good idea to carry a small first aid kit with elasticated bandages, plasters, pain killers, antiseptic cream and any personal medication.
Equipment & clothing
Clothing to bring
At more than 3800m above sea level it can get cold in the evenings so bring some warm clothes along. A thin base layer is a good idea as it is not too bulky to carry but you will also need a warm fleece or softshell jacket and a waterproof. You may also want to bring along your swim suit and a travel towel.
Price
Prices start from £385 / $495 per person
Want to ask us a question or book a private trip? Don't hesitate to contact us!
Contact usPrice includes
- Accommodation as per your itinerary
- A private tour guide
- Boat transportation on Lake Titicaca
- Transfers to Juliaca airport / Puno train station
Price does not include
- Airfares and departure tax
- Tips and gratuities for local guides and hotel staff
- Meals and drinks not specified
- Deviation from the itinerary
Extensions
