Lake Titicaca Self-Launched: Floating Islands, Altiplano & Sillustani
3 days · Lake Titicaca, Peru
Exodus Travels charges £450
No-markup version: ~£115 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
This self-launched 3-day itinerary replicates the Exodus Lake Titicaca add-on independently — travelling the spectacular altiplano from Cuzco to Puno by shared tourist bus, visiting the floating reed islands of the Uros people by public boat, and exploring the ancient Sillustani burial towers. You skip the group tour premium entirely by booking transport and activities directly, staying in a comfortable guesthouse in Puno, and eating at local restaurants. All costs are approximate estimates per person.
Day-by-day
Cuzco to Puno: Cross the Altiplano
Cuzco → Puno
Take the shared tourist bus from Cuzco to Puno — the same route used by the Exodus tour. Several reputable operators run this daily service (try Inka Express or Turismo Mer), departing around 8am and arriving in Puno around 5–6pm. The journey (~£15–20) includes stops at Andahuaylillas Church, Raqchi Temple Complex, La Raya Pass (4,335m), and the Pukara Lithic Museum, plus a buffet lunch stop en route. The Inka Express bus is bilingual (English/Spanish) and very popular with independent travellers — book directly on their website or at a Cuzco agency a day or two ahead. Arrive into Puno and check in to your guesthouse near the Plaza de Armas. Grab dinner at Balcones de Puno or La Recetta café.
🚌Shared tourist bus Cuzco to Puno (Inka Express or Turismo Mer) — approximately £15–20 per person, ~10 hours including stops. Book directly at inkaexpress.com.pe or through a Cuzco tour agency.
🛏Hostal Los Uros, Casa Andina Standard Puno, or similar guesthouse/budget hotel near the Plaza de Armas — approximately £18–28 per night
- →Shared tourist bus Cuzco → Puno with Inka Express or similar (~£15–20, bookable direct or via Cuzco agency)
- →Stop at Andahuaylillas Church (included in bus fare)
- →Stop at Raqchi Temple Complex (included in bus fare)
- →La Raya Pass (4,335m) photo stop (included in bus fare)
- →Pukara Lithic Museum stop (included in bus fare)
- →Buffet lunch en route (usually included in bus fare, ~£5–8 if separate)
- →Evening stroll around Puno's Plaza de Armas and local markets
Lake Titicaca: Uros Floating Islands & Sillustani Burial Towers
Puno, Lake Titicaca
Head to Puno's port (a short walk or £1 tuk-tuk from the centre) and join a shared public boat tour to the Uros floating reed islands — these depart regularly from around 7:30am. Book directly at the port ticket office the morning of, or the evening before (~£5–8 per person). Spend the morning with the Uros community: see their hand-built reed islands, watch traditional textile demonstrations, and optionally row a reed boat between islands. Bring some cash (sols) to purchase a small item from local artisans — a great way to support the community directly. Back in Puno by lunchtime, grab a local almuerzo (set lunch ~£2–4). In the afternoon, book a shared minibus tour to Sillustani burial towers (~£5–8, bookable at any Puno agency or your guesthouse), a stunning pre-Incan site with panoramic lake views. Return to Puno for dinner.
🚌Short walk or tuk-tuk (~£1) to Puno port for boat. Shared minibus to Sillustani (~£5–8, included in tour price from local agency).
🛏Hostal Los Uros, Casa Andina Standard Puno, or similar — approximately £18–28 per night
- →Public boat tour to Uros floating reed islands from Puno port (~£5–8, book at port ticket office)
- →Reed island community visit — textile demonstration and traditional costume experience
- →Optional: row a traditional reed boat between islands (small tip appreciated)
- →Purchase locally made crafts directly from Uros artisans
- →Shared minibus tour to Sillustani burial towers (~£5–8, book via Puno agency or guesthouse)
- →Views over Lake Titicaca with Peruvian and Bolivian Andean peaks
Puno to Juliaca Airport
Puno → Juliaca Airport
Enjoy a final breakfast at your guesthouse or a nearby café. Check out and arrange a shared taxi or colectivo from Puno to Juliaca Airport (Inca Manco Cápac International Airport), approximately 45 minutes away. Shared colectivos from the Puno terminal cost around £2–4 per person; a private taxi arranged through your guesthouse costs around £10–15. Allow at least 2 hours before your flight. From Juliaca you can connect to Lima or Cuzco for onward international flights.
🚌Shared colectivo Puno to Juliaca Airport (~£2–4 per person, ~45 mins) or private taxi (~£10–15 arranged via guesthouse).
- →Final breakfast at guesthouse or local café (~£3–5)
- →Explore Puno's artisan market if time allows before departure
- →Transfer to Juliaca Airport by shared colectivo or private taxi
Self-launched vs. Exodus Travels
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Exodus Travels | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£115 | £450 |
| Duration | 3 days | 3 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £335 per person (74%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Exodus Travels-style trips? Check them out here.~£115
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Lake Titicaca Self-Launched: Floating Islands, Altiplano & Sillustani cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £115 per person for 3 days in Lake Titicaca, Peru. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Exodus Travels?+
Yes — Exodus Travels charges around £450 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £115 — a saving of roughly £335 (74%) per person.
How long is the Lake Titicaca, Peru trip?+
This itinerary runs 3 days, covering 3 day-by-day stops through Lake Titicaca, Peru.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a culture, adventure, budget trip through Lake Titicaca, Peru, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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