Everything You Need To Know To Elevate Your Experience On Lake Titicaca At The Titilaka Resort!

November 12, 2021 | by: Molly Krifka

Where is the Titilaka Resort?

First and foremost, it must be said that the Titilaka resort isn’t your standard all-inclusive getaway, because of its extremely unique location on Lake Titicaca, aka the world’s highest navigable lake! And if this utterly breathtaking backdrop weren’t enough, Titilaka makes each and every guest feel at home, while also completely pampering them in the lap of luxury.

Titilaka is the only accommodation outside the main port city of Puno, which makes touring Lake Titicaca that much more memorable. Their exclusive spot brings this mythical lake to life and connects you to the Quechua and Aymara communities who call this breathtaking landscape home. In this article, we share all the ways to enhance your Lake Titicaca private journey at Titilaka!

How to get there?

We can answer this question in a few different ways. And the great news is that you can easily pair a trip to Lake Titicaca, and Titilaka resort more specifically, with a few days in the Arequipa & the Colca Canyon region before your trip to Cusco & Machu Picchu. You can also include it as an exciting add-on after your time in Cusco & Machu Picchu.

If you are making the journey from Colca Canyon or Arequipa, we recommend a private driver and guide. The total time is about four and a half hours from the former and five and a half from the latter, and the scenery is unparalleled! You will also most likely have the wonderful experience of seeing vicuña and/or alpacas and llamas peacefully grazing in their highland home on the way.

When planning a trip from Cusco, you have three transport options: 1) flying from Cusco to Juliaca – the nearest airport to Lake Titicaca, 2) taking a guided private drive of about ten hours (with plenty of interesting stops along the way), or 3) taking the Titicaca train from Cusco to Puno, which only departs on Sundays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

When arriving at the Puno train station, you will then have a 60-minute car and/or boat ride to the resort. And if you opt to fly from Cusco, you will enjoy a 120-minute private drive – another perk of flying is that you will be able to arrive at Titilaka in the early afternoon and start your stay with a half-day excursion or activity.

What is the best season to visit it?

As for most of Peru, this really depends on what you’re hoping to see and do. The dry season (roughly from May to October) ensures some of the most brilliant sunshine you have ever seen dancing on the lake’s surface. Whereas the rainy season (roughly from November to April) guarantees a lush, ultra-green, and seemingly overflowing landscape.

Another reason to travel in the rainy season is the exciting festivities that take place every February. The festival called “La Virgen de Candelaria” is an electric celebration that UNESCO has claimed Intangible and Cultural Patrimony of Humanity with more than 360 dances hailing from pre-and post-colonial times. Staying at Titilaka during these dates guarantees you exclusive access to 12 local Candelaria parties.

What makes it a luxury experience?

The Titilaka resort belongs to Relais & Chateaux, an association of over 550 properties around the globe committed to promoting the richness, elegance, and sophistication of local cuisine and gourmet chefs. Each meal at Titilaka reflects this excellence and offers an array of gourmet local dishes inspired by time-honored Peruvian regional gastronomic tradition. Luxury lives in every bite.

In addition to the food, staying at Titilaka offers a type of cozy luxury with only 18 suites, all facing the lake, and all equipped with a bathtub, minimalist local artisanry, and peppered with fresh flowers daily. When you step out of your room each day, you are also guaranteed the full freedom of which activities you would like to experience, with no fixed itinerary to speak of.

What can you do there?

We will keep these descriptions brief; however, keep in mind that each and every one of these excursions is exclusive to the Titilaka resort. This means that the only other people you will see will be your local guides, other guests at the lodge, and local community members who work collaboratively with Titilaka as part of a community-based and responsible travel model.

 Aymara route

You can embark on this excursion by car, bike, or on foot, and all options translate to a full-day tour. This picturesque route takes you through the Acora district with astonishing views of the Chucuito peninsula. You will see impressive archaeological remains, be able to connect with local artisans, and commune with the thriving natural ecosystems.

 The Colla Route

Another full-day tour, this route takes you through a series of paths that once belonged to the original network of Incan roadways called the Qhapaq Ñan. This route is for anyone who loves to head into the mountain for a trekking adventure, and relishes in the reward of magnificent lookouts from above, in this case overlooking Lake Titicaca and the glorious Peruvian Altiplano.

 Birdwatching

Calling all birdwatchers! You can spot as many as 103 species of both resident and migratory birds on a protected wetland area near the lodge. This area also happens to be a member of the RAMSAR Convention on Wildlife. For this half-day exploration, you will either leave very early in the morning or late in the afternoon, depending on your preference.

 Visit the islands

The Uros floating islands made from Totora reeds are probably the most popular destination on Lake Titicaca, but did you know there are actually 80 Uros Islands to speak of? The Uros Titino Islands exclusively work with the Titilaka Resort, so you won’t feel like you’re in a tourist trap whatsoever. Titilaka has also cultivated a unique route on Taquile Island together with local farmers and fishermen.

 Visit the marketplace

This half-day tour to a local open marketplace is best experienced on Sunday when the stalls take on a whole new life, and local community members stock up for the week. If you love learning about hyper-local ingredients and agricultural products, don’t miss this unique opportunity and plan your stay at Titilaka to fall on a Sunday.

 Take advantage of the boathouse

Have you ever wanted to kayak, canoe, or even swim in the world’s highest navigable lake? This is your best chance at Titilaka’s private boathouse that you will have access to during the day as a guest. In addition to kayaks and Canadian canoes, you can also choose paddleboard or sunfish sailboats. An experienced Titilaka instructor will help orient you, and then you’re off!

 Observe Aymara constellations

The dry season is an ideal time for this activity, because at Titilaka you are far away from the light pollution coming from Puno, and the Milky Way (or Warawara Hawira in Aymara) paints the Altiplano sky. Make sure to bundle up with plenty of warm layers before you go out with your guide, who will explain local cosmology and constellations.

 Stroll in the Altiplano

Who wouldn’t love an extended and tranquil nature walk 12,507 feet above sea level, where the clouds seem to meet the earth? Strolling in the Altiplano also brings you closer to local ways of life, where you can learn about traditional fishing and agricultural practices in this region.

 Visit the Sillustani funeral towers and Lampa on your way in or out

Depending on your itinerary schedule, timing, and mode of transportation, you may be able to visit the Sillustani chullpas (funeral towers), which is one of Lake Titicaca’s most impressive archaeological sites, and/or the quaint colonial town of Lampa, an architectural gem. Both of these activities are considered “en route excursions,” and they typically pair best with flights in or out of Juliaca.

A special Kuoda recommendation

Our top recommendation? Stay more than two nights! We know this can be challenging when trying to fit so many other destinations within Peru into a limited timeframe, but this one-of-a-kind property is entirely worth it. The individualized and immersive experience you can have at Titilaka merits three or four nights. Contact us today to learn more from one of our travel designers!