Lake Titicaca: Day Trips and Tours from La Paz

If you are in Bolivia, put a day trip to Lake Titicaca from La Paz at the top of your bucket list. Lake Titicaca is more than just a picture-perfect setting – it’s also the origin of the Inca Empire and is estimated to be a million years old. Situated over 3 000 meters above sea level it’s one of the world’s highest navigable lakes.

The vibrant blue water, surrounding lush, green vegetation and snowcapped mountain peaks make Lake Titicaca a superb destination. Make unforgettable memories as you can cruise across the lake, visit the floating islands or explore the nearby ancient ruins.

Here's all you need to know about Lake Titicaca, one of the most exciting day trips from La Paz.

How to get to Lake Titicaca from La Paz

Lake Titicaca straddles two countries, as the western part of the lake lies in Peru’s Puno region, while the eastern side is in Bolivia. Some trips entail crossing the Bolivian border into Peru, so ensure you check the visa requirements as it can vary depending on your nationality.

From La Paz to Lake Titicaca by car

The direct drive from La Paz going to the Peruvian side of Lake Titicaca is around 263 kilometers and generally goes via the towns of Guaqui, Pomata, and Chucuito. It takes around 5 hours to drive, but this does not include the border crossing. Driving can be risky because of the high altitude and in some cases bad road conditions.

If you are journeying to the Bolivian side of Lake Titicaca, the distance is approximately 90 kilometers.

From La Paz to Lake Titicaca by bus/public transport

A bus from La Paz to Lake Titicaca takes around 3 hours. The drive is usually through the Bolivian town of Copacabana and offers lots of beautiful views. Visitors can take in more of the sights by using Bolivia Hop, a hop-on hop-off bus that lets you choose how long you want to stay in each place.

Guided tour to Lake Titicaca from La Paz

Various tour operators offer trips from La Paz to Lake Titicaca, and this often includes visits to other popular sites in that region, such as Tiwanaku, Copacabana and Isla del Sol (Island of the Sun).

The day trips can be long as they vary from 8 to 15 hours but are a great option as they remove the hassle of planning each leg of your journey.

What is the typical itinerary?

While each tour is different depending on your option, tours departing from La Paz usually include hotel pick-up or from a central meeting point in the city center. From there, an air-conditioned minivan or bus will start the approximately 3-hour journey to Lake Titicaca.

Most tours include a visit to Tiwanaku where you can take in the mysterious ruins of the Inca Empire. Some tours also include the option of sailing on Lake Titicaca so you can soak up this spiritual oasis on the water – either on a boat or one of the locally made "totora” boats.

You can also enjoy a delectable lunch at the lake, so you get to bask in the sights and sounds of Lake Titicaca. At the end of the tour, your driver will take you back to your hotel in La Paz.

What kinds of tours are available to go to Lake Titicaca?

Guided tours to Lake Titicaca often offer the best value as many tours have combined trips to other popular attractions in the area.

Day trip to Lake Titicaca plus Copacabana and Isla del Sol from La Paz

You can expect the maximum Lake Titicaca tour experience with this 15-hour long guided day trip. It starts with a 3-hour journey to Tiquina, the narrowest part of Lake Titicaca, where you’ll board a boat and sail across to the other side.

It also includes visits to the historical towns of Copacabana and Yumani, where you can see the mystical Inca Fountain or the fountain of youth.

Private day trip to Lake Titicaca plus Tiwanaku from La Paz

If you’re looking for some private exploration time, this tour offers a 45-minute guided tour of the ancient, ruined city of Tiwanaku and time to sightsee on your own or visit the nearby museum where local artifacts are displayed.

After all that walking you can relax and enjoy lunch at Lake Titicaca, chat with the shoreline communities, and take some selfies in this picturesque spot.

Two-day tour to Lake Titicaca from La Paz

This relaxed 2-day trip from La Paz allows you to delve into Inca history and experience the region's cultural offerings and natural beauty. On day one, soak up the sights of the quaint town of Copacabana, enjoy a boat ride to Isla del Sol and end off with an early evening stroll to take in the gorgeous sunset over Lake Titicaca.

There's also an alternative itinerary add-on for day one, which offers a visit to Isla de la Luna (Island of the Moon) to see the Inca ruins and temple, and a trip to Sampaya, a town built in stone.

Day two offers a tour of the ruins of Pilcocaina on Isla del Sol, followed by a relaxing afternoon in Copacabana including a delicious lunch at a local restaurant.

Full-day guided day tours to Lake Titicaca from La Paz

While this tour is long, running for 12 to 14 hours, it offers a mix of transportation modes – bus, ferry and a cruise. You can take the ferry across Lake Titicaca and then enjoy a boat trip to Isla del Sol and Isla de la Luna. You can also explore the ruins on the islands and learn more about this ancient civilization.

How much does a day trip to Lake Titicaca from La Paz cost?

The cost of a day trip to Lake Titicaca from La Paz varies depending on the size of the group and experience picked.

A day trip to Lake Titicaca, Copacabana and Isla del Sol offers great value for money at US$100 per person. This tour is suited to travelers who are looking to see as much as they can in a limited timeframe. Pickup is from the city center and the tour is limited to 10 participants.

A private guided tour to Lake Titicaca and Tiwanaku starts at around US$150 per person for a group of two, and the price decreases with more participants. It includes hotel pickup and drop-off, however, hotels outside of La Paz do have an extra charge of US$20.

A 2-day tour to Lake Titicaca is a wonderful option for those looking to savor a more relaxed experience. Meals and overnight accommodation are included. Costs start at US$190 per person or US$280 for the added-on trips. Children under 5 are free. This activity requires a minimum of two people.

A full-day guided tour to Lake Titicaca from La Paz with photo stops at Copacabana, Isla del Sol Day and Isla de la Luna costs from US$250 per person for a group of two and includes a lake cruise and ferry trip.

What will you see and do?

Experience nature at its finest with gorgeous cerulean water and enjoy the illusion of floating on one of the earth's highest elevations.

Take in Lake Titicaca’s charming floating islands that offer lots of photo opportunities with their signature reeds, colorful homes, boats and crafts. You can revel in an up close and personal experience with the mysticism behind Inca culture, religion, and history.

Here's how you can make the most of this magical region:

Get on the lake

Whether you take a boat cruise or want to ride on one of the locally made totora boats, make sure you get on the water. After all, it's not every day that you can sail on a million-year-old lake!

Explore ancient civilizations

Lose yourself in the ruins of the ancient city of Tiwanaku which is also an important pilgrimage destination. And you don't want to skip seeing the Inca temple and ruins at Isla de la Luna.

Meet the local communities

Meet the Uros indigenous people, who live on Lake Titicaca’s floating islands and discover their way of life. Explore the charming local Bolivian towns with stops at Copacabana, which is well known for its quaint atmosphere.

Yumani, a village on Isla del Sol, offers incredible photography options with snow-capped mountains, green hills, and the deep blue expanse of Lake Titicaca. Make sure to visit Yumani’s Inca fountain – which some people believe was the fountain of youth.

When is the best time to visit Lake Titicaca?

The best time to visit Lake Titicaca if you're seeking good weather and are okay with a bit of a crowd is from May to September. However, if you prefer a more tranquil experience and have no problem with a bit of rain, the shoulder seasons are also a good time to visit.

Are there any tours to Lake Titicaca from other cities in Bolivia?

No, there are no tours departing from other cities in Bolivia. However, there are many tours to Lake Titicaca if you are staying in Peru:

• Day trips to Lake Titicaca from Cusco
• Day tours to Lake Titicaca from Puno

Travel tips

• Make sure you have Bolivian currency, bolivianos, as credit cards are not widely used and it’s best to take smaller denominations.
• While it can be chilly due to the elevation, Lake Titicaca can get quite warm so dress in layers. Don’t forget your sunscreen, sunglasses, extra water and use comfy walking shoes.
• The water conditions can get a bit choppy on Lake Titicaca, so if you’re prone to motion sickness you might want to bring some medication.