At an altitide of 3800m and straddling the border between Peru and Bolivia, Lake Titicaca is the highest navigable lake in the world. It's electric blue waters are a spectacular site against the bright sky and snow-capped Andean mountains. The Uros floating reed islands and Taquile and Amantaní are some of the many islands on the lake, home to some of Peru's oldest peoples and where traditional ways of life still predominate. Visit small villages around the lake, the archaeological site of Sillustani or stay in a comfortable lodge sitting right on the lake shore or on the remote island of Suasi.
The best way to arrive at the Lake is on the Belmond Andean Explorer train service from Cuzco which runs once a week. Exquisitely decorated in the manner of the great Pullman trains of the 1920s, the Andean Explorer boats fully refurbished coaches and is owned by Belmond. This overnight journey takes you high up into the altiplano on a leisurely trip through the Andean landscape where you can spot llamas, vicuna and alpaca.
The border between Peru and its neighbour Bolivia cuts the Lake in half and the islands and small towns on the Bolivian side certainly are worth the extra journey. The Sun and Moon Islands in particular are very picturesque with some charming simple accommodation on Sun Island. Also the town of Copacabana is known for its white-washed church and lakeside restaurants serving fresh trout. If you wish to continue your journey from Lake Titicaca, you may also cross the lake by catamaran or hydrofoil and travel on further into Bolivia towards La Paz.
