Lake Titicaca seems almost Mediterranean but at a staggering 14,000 ft and surrounded by the Cordillera Real in the Andes. The Colca Canyon has amazing hiking, quaint small villages and beautiful hot springs. Learn how to add these destinations to your next Peru adventure!
- Lake Titicaca: How To
- Colca Canyon and Arequipa: How To
A frequent question that many of our guests (especially those doing the Inca Trail) have is: “I read about Lake Titicaca and the Colca Canyon but don’t how to integrate them into our trip to Peru- can you help us with this?”
LAKE TITICACA: HOW TO
Taquile Island, Lake Titicaca
Santa Catalina, Arequipa
Mt, Misti, Arequipa
Gretchen Trekking in the Colca Canyon
I love both of these destinations. Lake Titicaca seems almost Mediterranean but at a staggering 14,000 ft and surrounded by the Cordillera Real in the Andes. I do not advise visiting Lake Titicaca before Cusco/Sacred Valley/ Machu Picchu though as it is at a much higher altitude and most people are very uncomfortable when they jump straight from there to Lima. If you visit Lake Titicaca, I would recommend doing so after your Inca Trail Trek or visit to Machu Picchu. I recommend 3-4 days at Lake Titicaca. It can be reached in the following ways:
- Flying from Cusco to Juliaca (45 mins) and driving to Puno (40 mins)- middle price
- Train from Cusco to Puno (10 hours luxury, most expensive)
- Tourist bus from Cusco to Puno (I highly recommend this- you get to stop in several small villages and visit archeological sites, lunch and entrance fees are included) – this is the cheapest option as well. 8 hours.
Taquile Island, Lake Titicaca
Sunset at Lake Titicaca
Kayaking on Lake Titicaca
Gretchen boating on Lake Titicaca
THE COLCA CANYON AND AREQUIPA: HOW TO
The Colca Canyon and Arequipa are excellent too (and a wonderful add-on after trekking to Machu Picchu). The Colca Canyon has amazing hiking, quaint small villages and beautiful hot springs. I recommend at least 3 days/2nights at the Colca Canyon and at least 1 night and a day in Arequipa. Arequipa, also know as the “White City” for all of its buidlings constructed out of white sillar stone is at around 8,000 ft and a good place to acclimate before the Inca Trail as well. The Colca Canyon is at around 12,000 ft. The Colca Canyon can be reached the following ways:
- Flying from Cusco to Arequipa (45 mins) OR Lima to Arequipa (1.5 hours) + driving (3 hours)
- Bus from Lake Titicaca (includes stops at several wildlife refuges and lunch) – 6 hours
Santa Catalina, Arequipa
Central Plaza, Arequipa
Want help adding one of these destinations to your next Peru adventure? Feel free to check out the following trips or contact us:
3-Day Lake Titicaca and the Floating Isles
1-Day Arequipa City Tour and Sta Catalina
Your friendly South America expert,
Gretchen