Peru | Road Scholar Trip Extension: Lake Titicaca

Peru | Road Scholar Trip Extension: Lake Titicaca

About this extension

Puno lies on the shore of Lake Titicaca, the world’s highest navigable lake, from whose waters the Inca believed Manco Capac, their cultural founder, emerged. Located 12,400 ft above sea level, Puno and the surrounding countryside are the cradle of the Aymara civilization and the legendary birthplace of the founders of the Inca Empire. Many ethnic groups like the Uros still depend on the resources of the lake for their living. The Uros themselves dwell on the floating islands they build with the lake’s reed vegetation. Near Puno, overlooking Lake Umayo, are Chullpas, or burial towers, that once served as the tombs of high-ranking Aymara Lords.

Highlights

  • Extend your stay in Peru at Lake Titicaca.
  • Visit Lake Titicaca’s floating islands, built from bundled reeds by the Uros people.
  • Meet indigenous people at Taquile Island and learn about their traditional way of life.
  • Learn about the textile arts of Taquile, proclaimed “Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity” by UNESCO.
  • Visit the pre-Incan burial grounds of Sillustani Tombs.
2 Travelers

Land Cost

$725 - Jan 1 - Dec 31, 2025

$754 - Jan 1 - Dec 31, 2026

Puno

Day 1

Today you will fly from Lima to Juliaca (airfare is not included in the below cost). Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Overnight Casa Andina Premium Puno or similar.

Overnight at Casa Andina Premium Puno

Puno

Day 2

Today you will join others on boat adventure on Lake Titicaca to the floating islands of Uros, and then continue to Taquile Island. The trip takes three hours each way. The village sits at the top of 500 steps and holds a commanding view. At approximately 35 km by boat (be careful of sunburns during the trip) from Puno and of approximately 7 km in its biggest length, it's the dream island: no hotels, no roads, no electricity, no cars, not even bicycles or dogs. Pre-Inca terraces and small ruins demarcate the territory and the many alleys that will keep you busy. The community of Indians is very welcoming and tourism hasn't changed yet the way of life of this people of another time, dressed with traditional clothing and speaking only Quechua. It's an island that has learned to preserve a great ethnic and cultural value and also the traditions of textile handcraft. Overnight Casa Andina Premium Puno or similar

Breakfast-Lunch- included
Overnight at Casa Andina Premium Puno

Depart

Day 3

This morning you will have time on your own to enjoy the area. Late morning you will be transferred back to the airport for your flight to Lima with a stop at Sillustani Tombs en route. The Chullpas were built by the Aymara-speaking Collas - a tribe that dominated the Titicaca region before the Incas. Each tower contained the remains of Colla nobility accompanied by their riches. Grave robbers have since removed their contents, although the towers are well preserved and well worth seeing. The engineering involved in their construction is more complex than anything the Incas built. Two of the towers are unfinished: one with a ramp still in place to raise blocks; the other with cut stones ready to go on a very ambitions dome. There is also a ceremonial center that has large stone towers used by the ancient to bury the dead. Upon arrival in Lima you will have time to connect with your international flight.

Breakfast- included