At Lake Titicaca, activities organise around lake excursions from Puno. Three main formulas (already detailed): half-day Uros (€30-50), full day Uros + Taquile (€50-80), 2-day/1-night Uros + Amantani + Taquile (€90-130, most immersive).
At Puno itself, the historic centre deserves a half day. Plaza de Armas (lively centre), 18th century baroque cathedral (San Carlos Borromeo church), Casa del Corregidor (1668, restaurant-café-museum), Calle Lima (pedestrian commercial street with restaurants, agencies, shops), mirador del Condor (panoramic view of city and lake, taxi access PEN 10 or 30 min steep walk), mirador Kuntur Wasi (giant condor statue, 360° view). Puno central market (Mercado Bellavista) offers authentic local experience.
Land excursions from Puno. Sillustani (35 km from Puno, half day €25-40) — pre-Inca archaeological site of the Colla culture (1000-1438) on the shores of Lake Umayo, famous for its chullpas (circular stone funerary towers, up to 12 m high, containing the nobles' mummies). Spectacular view of Lake Umayo below. Lampa ('the pink city', 80 km from Puno, full day €30-50) — small 17th century colonial town with its ornate church and pink alleys, authentic atmosphere off beaten path. Cutimbo (pre-Inca chullpas, 22 km, half day €20-35).
For sports lovers, ascents from the lake: Cerro Pachatata or Cerro Pachamama (sacred peaks on Amantani island, 4,130-4,200 m, 1-2h from Amantani port, 360° view of lake and Bolivian cordillera).
Bolivian side (2-3 day transboundary excursion): Copacabana (Bolivian base city on the lake, colonial charm, Virgen de la Candelaria basilica 1605), Isla del Sol (the sacred Inca island, spectacular 4-5h north-south hike along the ridge, Inca ruins, possibility of 1-2 night homestay €30-50/night). Itinerary for travellers combining Peru + Bolivia over 21+ days.
Luxury cruises on the lake. Andean Discovery (2-4 day cruises €800-2,000/person in comfortable cabins, Uros + Taquile + Amantani + Suasi + Aramu Muru park, premium experience). Suasi Island (private island, luxury eco-lodge €300-500/night, total isolation, exceptional experience for premium budget).
Read also
- Arequipa and Titicaca — The complete region: Arequipa, Colca and the sacred lake.
- Arequipa — The White City at the foot of Misti, ideal previous stop before Titicaca.
- Peru — Complete country guide: visa, currency, regions, best time to visit.
- Cusco and Machu Picchu — The absolute must-see, accessible from Puno by bus 6-8h or Titicaca train.