Titilaka
- Day 1: Arrive Titilaka Hotel
- Arrive and checkin at Titilaka Hotel
- Day 2: Explore Lake Titicaca Area - Choose From A Plethora Of Great Excursions
- Take advantage of the optional excuersions at the hotel. Passengers can also add more days to enjoy even more the area has to offer! Contact us for more details to customize and extend your Lake Titicaca Adventure.Islands of Lake TiticacaOne of the world’s most interesting oddities, the Uros Floating Islands are handmade islands constructed of the totoro reeds that grow abundantly along the lake’s shores. Explore the Uros floating islands and the Island of Taquile on this full-day trip, one of our most popular excursions. Originally constructed as refuge for the Uros people from warring tribes, the new inhabitants never left. They have since developed their own subculture of the Aymara Culture, in one of the most intriguing environments on earth.
The Aymara RouteIn the Aymara Route excursion, taking up a whole day, you will get to discover the geography, neighboring communities, nature, and privileged views of the Chucuito peninsula and Acora. Dive into pre-Incan times, in the legends and stories your guide will tell you all about and learn about Lake Titicaca’s importance in the local worldview and means of subsistence.Grow closely acquainted with the unique interconnectedness of man and nature surviving to this day. Be it by car, by bike or on foot, make your way through the paths pondering through open fields and pastures, reaching the privileged views of natural lookouts and finally enjoying the lake’s extensive reach. As part of the excursion, guests will see the lodge’s neighboring communities engaging in daily labors, birds in their varying ecosystems, archeological remains, and astonishing landscapes. Along the way, stop and enjoy your specially prepared lunch in the company of the lake’s calm and majestic views.Colla Route TrekThe Colla Route, part of the original network of Incan roadways, runs through the rocky mountain area near the lodge. Leaving early in the morning, the traveler has numerous route options to choose from along the Colla Route or up to the Titilaka Archway. While walking, you’ll be able to enjoy views of the area and Bolivia’s impressive Cordillera Real or Royal Mountain Range.Marketplace visitThe people of the Peruvian Altiplano are faithful to many historic traditions, among them, bartering or trading as a main form of payment and commerce. Sundays are typically the day to trade agricultural products. You´ll see a colorful display and an imense variety of potatoes, quinoa, chuño, among other local goods not seen elsewhere. The visit to the marketplace offers a unique opportunity to participate in the local swift shopping experience.Colonial Temples VisitStop and explore the epicenter of the region’s evangelizing mission of indigenous peoples during the Spanish conquest in Puno’s Juli and Pomata churches, this last one used as a model in the construction of other South-American colonial-period temples. Located between Cuzco and the historic mining town of Potosí, these religious centers are at the intersection of millenary cultural legacies, the mining rush, and the clash of faiths.Local FestivitiesKnown as the Peruvian Capital of Folklore, Puno is host to some of the region’s most renowned traditional festivals. Among the most celebrated and popular, the feast of the Virgin of la Candelaria, declared Intangible and Cultural Patrimony of Humanity by UNESCO boasts over 360 pre and post-colonial dances. Weaving together a unique version of local history, this festival is held each February and gathers around 40,000 people.Nautical SportsAs the first nautical sports facility on Lake Titicaca, our boat house offers you the exclusive opportunity to sail at more than 12,000 feet above sea level. Choose among kayaks, Canadian canoes, paddle boards and sunfish sailboats, or try them all as you explore this wonderful body of water. Experienced Titilaka instructors will look over your safety and explain navigation procedures before you begin your nautical journey.Rafting through the reedsAllow our guides to gently lead you on a raft through masses of Totora reed near the lodge as you learn more about this local hydrophilic plant species. Explore the lake’s ecosystem and learn about the close relationship existing between the peoples inhabiting the lake and its natural resources. Used in a number of ways, Totora reed is part of the local diet as well as a construction material for housing.Sundowner - Aymara, Constellation observationPuno’s clear skies and the Altiplano’s serenity make the lake’s environment a perfect place for astronomical observations. Layer up before stepping outside to our lodge gardens where your guide will explain the movement of stars and locate constellations such as the Warawara Hawira (Milky Way).BirdwatchingAccompanied by our specialized guides, you’ll learn to detect, identify, and even mimick bird songs as you attempt to connect with native species. As part of the excursion, you’ll visit different ecosystems where you’ll be able to find a wide range of local birds, especially in the protected wetland area near the lodge.Strolling Across the AltiplanoConsider the magnificent views, hues, and impressive Andean geography while you walk along rural paths near Titilaka. Visit a local community and learn more about the traditions and practices of Andean life in the Peruvian Altiplano. Observe local agricultural and fishing practices, an essential part of the daily routine.Cycling through PlateriaUndoubtedly one of our most memorable journeys, cycling through the fields of Platería offers unforgettable scenery as you explore outdoors under Puno’s blue sky. Crossing varying terrain, you’ll follow rural paths along the lakeshore where you will see locals participating in their daily activities.
- Day 3: Depart Titilaka Hotel
- Depart Titilaka onto your next destination.
Titilaka
- Pricing
- Starting at$1,090$1090 3D/2N Program on King Room (Low Season: Apr 1-30 / Sep 1st to Dec 14th/ Jan 16th to Mar 31st)$1280 3D/2N Program on King Room (High Season: May 1st to Aug 31st / Dec 15th to Jan15th)
- Included in tour cost
- All airport/hotel transfers
- All hotel accommodations
- All listed activities
- English-speaking certified guides
- Entrance fees for all scheduled tours, national parks & archaeological sites
- Meals as indicated
- Southern Explorations pre-departure services
- Excluded from tour cost
- Airport taxes, international and local
- Domestic airfare within South America
- International airfare to and from Central & South America
- Tips and gratuities
- Medical & travel insurance (highly recommended)
Titilaka
- Trip Dates
- Daily Availability, contact Southern Explorations for details.Available
Our trip was amazing! All of our guides were friendly and professional. Our guide’s knowledge and communication skills were exceptional! He was a fabulous tour guide and we really enjoyed hiking the Inca Trail with him. We always had the best campsites – other hikers were often jealous of where our camp was set up and would ask which company was handling our trip. Our guides were excellent on the rafting trip. We had never been through class V rapids before so I was a little hesitant at first; but, our guides were so skilled, we always felt completely safe. Chef’s cooking was fantastic! I’m not sure what I expected but I did not expect three course meals every night while camping. On the rafting trip, they noticed I don’t eat many grains and mostly eat meat and dairy foods so the chef brought more meat along on the Inca Trail than usual to make sure I was ok. I never mention it in the special requests because I don’t expect it to be accommodated, and I always carry lots of protein bars with me so it’s not an issue – I do appreciate the extra effort they made and the food was excellent! -Jerri Lipple, Texas (Peru & Amazon)
Overall a great experience! Have already started to think about Patagonia!!!! - Barry Tereshkow, California (Machu Picchu & Lake Titicaca)
We would highly recommend Southern Explorations for their professional and thorough operation. Our trip was "smooth", well-paced and incredible! Our guides spoke outstanding English, and were informative and friendly - we thoroughly enjoyed each of them as individuals. Drivers were prompt and skilled. The itinerary was packed literally with "the best of Peru", providing enough time to see everything with no wasted time. Thanks it was a great experience. - Alan and Lindy Jones, Canada (Peru)
We had a wonderful trip, such a journey to Machu Picchu and we enjoyed every single minute of it. Our guide from Cusco onward, Juan, was very informative and interesting and really made the entire trip very exciting. We enjoyed our time alone in each city and then also our excursions during the day with Juan. There was so much to see. Thanks so much for arranging our trip and getting us the best possible of everything. I was happy we did a private tour. I will continue recommending your company to people. - Leslie Williams, California (Machu Picchu)
I thoroughly enjoyed my travel experience with Southern Explorations! I would recommend you and travel with your tour group again. - Nancy Sing-Bock, New York (Machu Picchu & Lake Titicaca)
Our Luxury Peru trip was wonderful. We had a wonderful guide, Juan who relayed the history and culture to us, was energetic and really made the trip go smoothly. Peru is a fabulous country – we loved our lodging, the food, the sights, everything. This was a trip for my mom who is 83 and always wanted to see Machu Picchu. The guides were so attentive to her and assisted her in seeing every sight we visited. She says it was the best trip of her life. I can’t wait to go back to Peru. - Sue Strater, Oregon (Peru)
Thank you for your services in organizing our trip to Peru/Machu Picchu. The trip went smoothly and we are very satisfied with all aspects of the trip. I appreciate the professional staff we worked with in Peru to ensure our good health and safety. In Lima, Giovanna was a wonderful guide and accommodated our special requests without question. We sincerely thank her for giving us a look at local Peruvian life, not just the tourist view. She is a great asset to your organization. In Cusco, Augusto our guide and Claudio our driver were very professional and I am most appreciative of their concern for our good health and safety. Augusto is very knowledgeable, and we gained a great deal of history and information from him. Claudio was kind enough to allow us our special requests. - Nicole Peterson, California (Peru & Machu Picchu)
Thank you, Southern Explorations, for a wonderful trip. We'd been looking forward to seeing Machu Picchu for years, yet despite all of that anticipation what you delivered somehow still exceeded our expectations. Thank you not only to Chenna – the best guide on the planet – but also to all the people who worked quietly in the background to make this such a memorable trip for us. - Gordon McConnell (Peru)
We travel a great deal. We believe that Southern Explorations stands at the top of our experience in its focus on the customer. In addition to a superb job of organizing a trip and attention to details, were most impressed with the way that the US and Peru-based staffs made extraordinary efforts to work with our family. This included making sure our son was safe to eat the foods (due to his food allergies), to adding on specific excursions to a small village of weavers and arranging a bike tour, to the ability of the local guides to get to know us as people, not just to conduct the guided tour. This made for a rich and worthwhile experience. Keep it up! The ultimate compliment in this world is whether we would call again to arrange a trip to another country. The answer is a definite Yes. - The Gilman Family (Peru)
Southern Explorations provides perfectly organized excursions featuring a well-balanced mixture of learning and hiking in very small groups. I enjoyed every moment of my Peru trip; I am fascinated by the Inca Empire and the mind-blowing landscape. I highly recommend Southern Explorations. - Sven Zuehlsdorf (Peru)
The whole trip was perfect. After all of the wedding planning and the wedding itself, it was awesome to have this trip where we did so much but never had to really think or stress about planning, travel, communicating with locals, etc. It was exactly the honeymoon we wanted. Thanks so much to everyone at SE who helped to make it happen! -John Gaetzi, Colorado (Peru)
This was our second trip with Southern Explorations. Again, every element was perfect. Our guides were knowledgeable and attentive. The accomadations were superb. The itinerary was varied and fascinating. You think of every detail. We loved learning about the culture and history of different parts of Peru. We also had a chance to challenge ourselves by hiking to the top of Huayna Picchu and slogging through the mud in the Amazon. It was wonderful to have the opportunity to visit the village of Huilloc and see their beautiful textiles. We were thrilled to give them the books that we had collected for their school. Again, thank you for another amazing trip. - Chris Howard (Peru & Amazon)
Our guides were all organized, professional, extremely informative and passionate. Most highly recommended. Organization was flawless. Guides exceptionally helpful and informative. - Ronald Shapiro (Best of Peru)
We have never traveled using a travel company before but felt it would be a good idea going to Peru. So glad we did! This was the best trip of our lives! Southern Explorations uses very knowledgeable, friendly, and patient guides. We had to change our itinerary while on the trip and the company handled everything perfectly. I highly recommend them to anyone traveling out of the country. - Laurie Key, Utah (Machu Picchu & Lake Titicaca)
Our guide was absolutely fantastic. She made this a memorable experience. Billy Chiquito, a National Park guide, was more than we could have imagined for a guide. All accommodations were first class. - Howard Flicker (Private Experience Machu Picchu and Legend)
Just returned from a 12 day trip to Peru and have to say this was the best vacation ever. I have never arranged travel through a company before so I was a little leery about what to expect. Needless to say I was quite impressed by how comprehensive and well planned every detail of the trip was put together. Southern Explorations did an amazing job especially considering I only booked the trip one month in advance. Our guide in Lima, Natalia was excellent and very knowledgeable. Our guide in Cusco and the Sacred Valley, Washington Gibaja Tapia was incredible. He shared a part of his culture and community with us on a deep spiritual level so we were able to leave Peru feeling like we understood the significance and true beauty of the place and people we visited. Thank you Southern Explorations for a trip of a lifetime. - Michelle Barker (Inti Raymi Festival & Machu Picchu & Amazon)
The trip was an amazing once in a life time experience. Juan took us through the Inca Trail, Machu Picchu and Wayna Picchu. He was an excellent and very knowledgable guide. The trip was well organized and the Hotel accommodations exceeded my expectations. - Paul Demarco, USA (Inca Trail, Machu Picchu & Wayna Picchu)
This is our second trip arranged by Southern Explorations. Our first was to the Galapagos, which was exceptional as well. We’ve pretty much run out of superlatives to describe our adventures! We have found Southern Exploration – your Seattle staff, the guides you use, the drivers, the tours, the arrangements, etc, all to be wonderful! Thank you! - Joseph Wright, USA (Short Inca Trail)
Trip of a life time; good outfitter and good friends. - Carol Croom (Classic Inca Trail)