Peru · The high altiplano
High on the altiplano between Peru and Bolivia lies Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world and one of the most atmospheric places in the country. The light here is extraordinary, the water a deep cobalt under enormous skies, and the cultures along its shores among the oldest and most distinct in the Andes.
From the lakeside town of Puno, the folklore capital of Peru, we set out by boat to the Uros islands, hand-built from layer upon layer of totora reed and home to the Uros people for centuries. Further out, islands like Taquile move at their own gentle pace, famous for weaving so fine it is recognized by UNESCO, and for long lunches of fresh trout above the water.
For travelers who want to go deeper, we arrange an overnight homestay on one of the islands, sharing a meal and a night with a local family. It is a slower, quieter chapter of a Peru trip, and often the one our travelers remember most fondly.
