The world’s highest lake is more than just a beautiful body of water

Seven must-do highlights within Lake Titicaca, Peru

Rural life and ancient traditions flourish around the perimeter of South America’s largest and highest water spectacle.

Explore the world’s highest navigable lake

More than just a beautiful body of water, Lake Titicaca is also the largest lake in South America. Five river systems empty into its waters, which at its deepest, reaches 284 metres. With so much water, it is a wonderland for birdwatchers and marine-life enthusiasts and its coastline provides excellent hiking. Book a fishing tour or simply head out on the lake to enjoy its calm waters, visit some of its 91 islands and enjoy spectacular views across the Puno landscape.

Meet the Uros people

When the indigenous Uros fled the coastline of Lake Titicaca about 500 years ago to hide from Incan warriors, they probably weren’t expecting it to become a permanent arrangement, but their skill at using the lake’s thick totora reeds to create islands that could both hide their families and float away from danger became a sustainable way of life. Visit an island and see how they use the reeds to build islands, houses and boats. It’s a touristy, but nevertheless fascinating look at life lived on the lake.

Take a walking tour of Puno

Puno city was established by the Spanish in 1668 on the shore of Lake Titicaca and its grand Plaza de Armas is an excellent starting point for exploring its pre-colonial and colonial history. Visit the 18th-century, Andean-baroque style Puno cathedral and the Carlos Dreyer Museum, which features a collection of pre-Incan pottery and Aymara textiles, and admire La Casa Del Corregidor, one of the oldest examples of colonial architecture in Puno. From here, head to Jiron de Lima Street to browse the markets, then stroll to Parque Pino to observe the city’s social heart.

Visit Taquile Island

From childhood every member of the Taquile community – famed for the quality of its textiles – learns how to create traditional handcrafts; the women and girls weave, the men and boys knit. This community-first tourism model is focused on family-run businesses and cultural experiences, while the island offers homestays, meals in family restaurants and workshops.

See pre-Incan architecture

A 35-minute drive from Puno, Sillustani has extraordinary examples of chullpas, the distinctive cone-shaped funerary towers built by the Colla highland communities before and during the Incan era. The site, which also offers spectacular views, includes 91 towers spread across 60 hectares as well as examples of terraces and other structures. To fully appreciate its cultural significance, a guided tour is recommended.

Get a taste of local life

You can drive to the village of Luquina but a boat trip to this small rural community on the Chucuito Peninsula, is much more scenic and offers the chance to observe local Aymara farming and fishing and eat at local restaurants that feature Andean cuisine made with ingredients from the surrounding farmland and waters. A low-key, laid-back experience, visitors come for the beautiful lake views, hiking, stargazing and highland life.

Take part in the La Candelaria Festival

This folklore festival takes place in Puno in late January and February and attracts travellers from all over Peru and South America.

A living example of the blending of indigenous and Spanish Catholic traditions, the festival may have originated in the Canary Islands, but the dances and celebrations date back to pre-colonial times. One of Peru’s most important folklore celebrations, it’s an explosion of colour, choreography, costumes and music like no other.

The writer travelled to Peru as a guest of TravelMarvel.