Human Encounters in Titicaca Lake

Lake Titicaca is known as the highest navigable lake in the world since it rises to 3800 masl. Nestled between Peru and Bolivia, this incredible site in the heart of the Andes is home to unique flora and fauna. During your tour around Lake Titicaca, you will meet and interact with the local populations. In total immersion, homestay, you will learn a lot about the culture, crafts, gastronomy and traditions of the communities of Chuquiñapi and Santiago de Okola. This excursion to Lake Titicaca will be rich in warm and authentic moments of sharing in a preserved and unique place! In all simplicity, you will discover the community of Chuquiñapi, which will take you on a Catamaran on Lake Titicaca and will lead you to the Isla Sunata, as well as the community of Santiago de Okola, at the foot of the “Sleeping Dragon”, a small hill which overlooks the village and from where the view of the lake is just magnificent! To reach the latter, you will follow the organic farming fields with more than 250 cultivated species such as quinoa, beans, onions, wheat, medicinal plants.

Overview :

Length of stay :

3 days on the spot.

Transport :

Private vehicle

Entry of the sites :

NA

Guide :

English speaking Guide

Altitude of the journey:

from 3.820 m asl and 4.050 m asl

Best moment of year :

from March to December

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Steps and highlights:

Main steps:

Day 1

Day 2

Highlights:

  • Nights in a monastery and homestead
  • Gourmet meals prepared by the super chef of the monastery
  • Navigation in catamaran on the lake
  • Two nice days hiking (Sunata island, Tortuga island and Sleeping Dragon), where you will be able to watch Andean geese and pink flamingos from Lake Titicaca
  • Discovery of organic agriculture and medicinal plants of the village.
  • Demonstration of weaving and discovery of traditional Bolivian clothes.
  • Visit of the nice small museum of the community.
  • Sharing of Andean food (Apthapi) and diner around a warm fire

Day 1 : LA PAZ - CHUQUIÑAPI / SUNATA ISLAND HIKE (3.820 m a.s.l./12,500 ft)

More infos
Departure :

08:30 am

Accommodation :

overnight in a monestary

Meals included :

lunch, dinner

Altitude :

Time of transport :

3h30

Walking time :

2/3h

LA PAZ - CHUQUIÑAPI / SUNATA ISLAND HIKE (3.820 m a.s.l./12,500 ft)

We depart in the morning from the hotel by private vehicle to the village of Chuquiñapi located off the beaten path on the shores of Lake Titicaca. Our first stop is the José Ferrari Monastery located in the middle of the Andean countryside overlooking the Lake. After lunch at the monastery, we drive to the island of Sunata south of Chuquiñapi (20 minutes). From here we start an easy hike. After exploring the small island of Sunata, we go north along the banks of the Lake, returning to the monastery on foot. From there, you can continue hiking or relax and enjoy the tranquility of the place. Dinner is at the monastery. Return to hotel.

Special information :
Change in elevation: +115 m/-85 m

Day 2 : CHUQUIÑAPI / CATAMARAN - SANTIAGO DE OKOLA / TORTUGA ISLAND (3.810 m a.s.l./ 12,500 ft)

More infos
Departure :

08:30 am

Accommodation :

overnight with local host families

Meals included :

breakfast, lunch, dinner

Altitude :

Time of transport :

2h

Walking time :

2/3h

CHUQUIÑAPI / CATAMARAN - SANTIAGO DE OKOLA / TORTUGA ISLAND (3.810 m a.s.l./ 12,500 ft)

For this second day around the Titicaca Lake, we will head towards the Lake and take a catamaran out for a sail. Views of the massive glaciers of the Royal Cordillera are amazing. We return to the monastery at the end of the morning and help the community prepare lunch. After lunch, departure to to the village of Santiago de Okola. We will be warmly welcomed by the families of the community of Santiago de Okola. In the afternoon, go hiking following the shore of Lake Titicaca, to the Tortuga Island, located on the other side of the bay. Very nice and pleasant walk on the shores of the lake. We can observe many kinds of birds like ducks, Andean geese, or even pink flamingos. The Tortuga Island can now be reached by foot. Our guide will explain that when he was young, this was not possible. The lake level has decreased a lot during the last few years. So, we will walk to the top of this small island, and enjoy one more time the view upon the bay. Return along the same route. Diner in the families of the community.

Special information :
Change in elevation: +50 m/-50 m

Day 3 : SANTIAGO DE OKOLA – DRAGON DORMIDO – LA PAZ (3600 m a.s.l. / 11,811 ft)

More infos
Departure :

08:00

Accommodation :

none

Meals included :

breakfast, lunch

Altitude :

Time of transport :

3h

Walking time :

3h

SANTIAGO DE OKOLA – DRAGON DORMIDO – LA PAZ (3600 m a.s.l. / 11,811 ft)

After breakfast, we will walk to the “Sleeping dragon” which overlook the bay. Discovery of the rupestrian paintings, located below the dragon head. The hike starts with a gentle slope leading to the Tunupa cave. Then, once at the top (Alt. 4095 m), the scenery is gorgeous. The view on the lake, a real inner sea, and the bay is totally clear. Then, there’s a sporting descent on the other slope... You can’t miss this very beautiful hike! Return to the village and meeting with a village weaver to learn about the traditional weaving techniques. Weaving is not actually easy, and it requires patience and skills. Weaving an “Aguayo”, a traditional Andean fabric, may take up to one month. To conclude this immersion, we will savour an Apthapi, the traditional lunch in the Andean countryside. Families of the village bring and prepare together local specialties: patties, fritters, quinoa biscuits, corn, potatoes, or deep-fried little fishes from the lake, all shared in a friendly atmosphere. By the beginning of the afternoon, we will go back to La Paz in private transport.

Special information :
Change in elevation: +270m/-270m

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