My Honest Review of Lake Titicaca – Exploring the Wonders

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Exploring the Wonders of Lake Titicaca

At 12,507 feet above sea level, Lake Titicaca is the highest navigable lake in the world and home to breathtaking views, unique culture, and centuries-old traditions. The lake is between Peru and Bolivia and is a popular destination for locals and international travelers.

In recent years, homestays have become increasingly popular during a two-day Lake Titicaca tour.

Hot Tip: If you are deciding between a day trip and a 2-day tour, we recommend doing the 2-day tour, which includes the homestay. Do the homestay! It is an unforgettable experience.

Read below for an honest review of Lake Titicaca’s two-day tour.

The Natural Beauty of Lake Titicaca

Lake Titicaca’s landscape stretches over 3,200 square miles, with numerous islands dotting its surface. The largest islands are Amantani and Taquile, home to local communities living off fishing and tourism for centuries. Visitors can participate in swimming, kayaking, or sailing in a traditional reed boat (or “balsa”) around the lake. There are also plenty of hikes around the area with stunning views overlooking the lake – perfect for a picturesque Instagram shot!

Uros Floating Islands

History & Culture

The history surrounding Lake Titicaca is as vast as it is captivating. Ancient civilizations like the Incas and pre-Inca people lived around the area thousands of years ago. They left behind archaeological sites like Tiwanaku and Uros Islands, where visitors can glimpse their rich cultural heritage. On Uros Islands, you will find unique handmade floating islands made out of reed beds that are still inhabited today by local communities who continue to engage in traditional customs, such as traditional dances performed during festivals that pay homage to Pachamama (Mother Earth) by offering grainy offerings (such as quinoa).

For modern-day Peruvians, Lake Titicaca is an essential water source for livestock production. It provides drinking water to over 2 million people in the area. However, climate change has harmed this region leading to droughts or floods that further threaten the health and livelihoods of those depending on this precious resource.

AMANTANI HOMESTAY Hike, www.travelvivir.com

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Temple of the Sun God

What To Take Away From Visiting Lake Titicaca

Visiting Lake Titicaca should leave you with unforgettable memories from your trip, along with an appreciation for its natural beauty, an understanding of its traditions and cultural heritage, and awareness about the environmental impact on local communities that depend on it. Whether you’re looking for adventure or want to explore this fascinating place – make sure to experience all that Lake Titicaca has to offer!

Lake Titicaca Tour & Homestay

An honest review:

Homestays are an excellent way to immerse yourself in a different culture, and the two-day tour of Lake Titicaca offers just that. On this tour, you’ll experience an at-home stay on an island near the lake, soaking up the incredible views and local hospitality. Homestays allow you to become almost part of the family, learning little bits as you go, including how to cook local dishes and make traditional clothing. One of the most popular attractions on this tour is a visit to the famous Uros Islands.

We booked our tour on Peru Hop. It was one of the stops on our way to Bolivia. After much research, the Peru Hop, Lake Titicaca Tour, and Homestay are one of the best budget-friendly options. We always felt safe and welcomed and had an incredible time.

Homestay Fiesta

Lake Titicaca- Day 1

Uros Floating Islands

Uros Floating Islands are a spectacular marvel located a 30-minute boat ride outside Puno, Peru. These islands are centuries old and were made from maize, totora reeds, and layers of earth; they were built by the Uru people for protection against invading tribes.

Life on the islands is simple yet beautiful; islanders rely on fishing and tourism for their food and livelihoods. However, due to overfishing, the indigenous people depend heavily on tourism. Many felt that the floating islands were a tourist trap, and depending on your guide, they can be. However, the history and knowledge taught and this brief stop were worth it.

Total Stop Time: 1:30 hours

Host family’s home

Arrive at your homestay.

You’ll travel across the waters of one of the highest lakes in South America and have the opportunity to explore Amantani Island, an island rich with history and culture. There you will stay in traditional Amantaní style homes and get to know the local people – learning about the livelihoods and way of life that have flourished there for centuries.

Your tour guide will bring Amantaní alive as they show you all its best-kept secrets. With its beautiful landscape, fascinating ruins, and fascinating stories. Your host family will greet you and take you to their humble abode. After a quick 20-minute, slightly uphill walk, your host mama will provide you with an incredible lunch made with all local ingredients.

20-min trek to the homestay

Sunset Hike overlooking Lake Titicaca

Although the altitude made the hike challenging, we took our time climbing the hill to Temple Mamapacha. Our tour guide gave us coco leaves to help while reveling ancient folklore sounding the island.

As we reached the top, the view was definitely worth it. The sun was setting, and the sky was painted in beautiful shades of pink and orange. We were surrounded by mountains, valleys, and smaller islands that looked like tiny dots on a map. We sat for a few minutes to take it all in before heading back down to our families for dinner.

Embracing Pachamama

Embracing the indigenous culture

After dinner, our host families dressed us in traditional garments and walked us down to the hall for a fiesta. We danced and laughed the rest of the night.