Visit to the Copacabana town and boat trip to the Sun Island
About Titicaca Lake
Lake Titicaca is one of Bolivia's most important tourist attractions. It can be visited from the city of La Paz or along the route Puno - Copacabana - La Paz, crossing the Bolivia-Peru border at Kasani.
Lake Titicaca keeps in their depths secrets that are not yet to discover, all of them in relation to the culture of the people that lived on its shores, to its unique underwater fauna and its peculiar flora.
The communities currently living in that area are direct descendants of those mysterious people, and their habits still maintain that greatness that at some point was the dominant in times now forgotten.
That is why Lake Titicaca is one of the most important tourist attractions in Bolivia, on the rute from La Paz there is a circuit lookouts to admire the blue horizon of the lake and the grandeur of the Bolivian highlands.
FULL DAY TOUR TO COPACABANA AND THE SUN ISLAND, STARTING AT LA PAZ
Day 1: La Paz - Copacabana - Sun Island - La Paz
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Departure from your hotel between 07:00 and 07:30 (only hotels in the city centre).
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Travel across the Altiplano; after about two hours you reach the Tiquina Strait, which we will cross in local boats together with the community members.
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Arrival in Copacabana around 12:00 pm, followed by lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon you board a public boat across Lake Titicaca heading for Sun Island. On the island we will visit the Yumani community, where the Inca sites of Pilcocaina, the “Inca Staircase,” and the “Fountain of the Three Waters” are located.
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After taking some photographs of the lake and the spectacular view of the Cordillera Real, we return by boat to Copacabana, where the Sanctuary of the Virgin of Copacabana, patron saint of Bolivia, stands.
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Bus back to La Paz at 18:30, arriving at the La Paz terminal around 22:30, where our transport will be waiting to take you back to your hotel.
General tour description and important notes
- Tours are available every day of the week.
- When crossing from the Tiquina Peninsula to Copacabana, you may be asked to present identification, such as your passport.
- The Sun and Moon Islands are at high altitude and involve steep uphill walks. The hike on the Sun Island to the Pírkocaina palace and the Yumani settlement takes about two hours, while the walk on the Moon Island involves climbing stairs for roughly 15 minutes.
- Make sure you are in good health and have enough stamina to participate without difficulty.
Our recommendation: Optional Visits
We recommend taking at least 2 days to fully enjoy one of the most beautiful and mystical natural landscapes. You can book accommodation in Copacabana or on the Sun Island; both offer a variety of hotels, hostels, and lodging options.
On the Sun Island
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North‑to‑south hike across the Sun Island, passing through communities and pre‑Columbian paths (the routes are part of the multinational Qhapaq Ñan – Inca Roads project).
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Boat visit to the northern part of the Sun Island, where the community of Challapama and the archaeological complex of the Chincana (Labyrinth) and the Sacred Rock are located. Legend says they originate from Manco Kapac and Mama Ocllo, later founders of the city of Cusco.
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Visit to the Moon Island, a former Inca sacred site that houses the Temple of the Sun Virgins. It is believed noble women were trained there to serve the Inca who resided in the Pilcocaina palace on the Sun Island.
From Copacabana
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Visit to the town of Sampaya, notable for its small stone‑wall constructions and thatched roofs, unique in the area and reminiscent of pre‑Columbian settlements.
Types of Walks
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On the Sun and Moon Islands a moderate‑difficulty trek is required, involving climbs up the islands’ hills.
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On the Sun Island, the walk from the Pilcocaina Palace to the Yumani community takes about 2 hours.
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On the Moon Island, the ascent to the Temple of the Chosen Women follows a staircase and lasts roughly 15 minutes.
Includes
Not Included
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Titicaca Lake Tours
From 1 to 3 days
