Investing in Lake Titicaca: Contamination, Conservation, and Quality of Life
Travelers flock to Lake Titicaca, eager to visit traditional Taquile and Amantani Islands, Sacred Sun Island, and the famous Floating Islands of Uros. With pre-Inca and Inca temples and agricultural terraces, one of the oldest civilizations on the continent, diverse flora and fauna and scenic landscapes, it's considered a national treasure, but one that is coming under increasing risk. Now, a number of programs are being initiated in Lake Titicaca to deal with contamination, save nativ
Published on 18-09-2012, por Inca World
Spanning the border between Peru and Bolivia, Lake Titicaca has remained a natural and cultural wonder, attracting visitors from all over the world. The flat blue waters of the world's highest navigable lake cover an area more than three times the size of Luxembourg. The lake's massive size lends it a resiliency in the face of contamination from the booming lakeside cities, but although much of the water is still clean, immediate intervention is required to assure the health of the lake's ecoystem and those who depend upon the lake for survival.
Bringing Electricity to Arrive to Taquile and Amantani
Officials indicate that at long last, electricity will arrive to the Quechua-speaking islands of Taquile and Amantani, a service promised to the islanders since the 1990s. District mayor Marcelino Yucra insisted, "We receive national and foreign tourists daily, and a touristic attraction cannot continue to be neglected by the central government, without plumbing or electricity." Taquile attracts many visitors thanks to the population's reputation as producers of some of the country's highest-quality artisan products, which UNESCO has declared "Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity" in 2005. Both islands are collectively managed, and though they lack hotels they host visitors through homestay programs that allow guests to learn about local ways of life.
Cleaning Up Contamination
Environmental Minister Manuel Pulgar-Bidal announced earlier this week that 296 thousand soles have been earmarked for the collection of refuse from Lake Titicaca, of a total of 32 million soles marked for investment in the zone. He met with his Bolivian counterpart in Puno yesterday, along with local officials, to discuss the issue of contamination, reviewing technical proposals and discussing concrete policy solutions. Pulgar-Bidal indicated that a Supreme Decree is being drafted to form a multi-sector technical group charged with the environmental prevention and recuperation of the lake and its tributaries, adding that Bolivia should take the same measures with their half of the lake.
The problem is manifold. According to the Autonomous Authority of Lake Titicaca, more than 30,000 informal miners discard their tailings into the lake's tributary rivers. In addition, the lake receives 20% of the 100 tons of solid waste that the city
Travelers flock to Lake Titicaca, eager to visit traditional Taquile and Amantani Islands, Sacred Sun Island, and the famous Floating Islands of Uros. With pre-Inca and Inca temples and agricultural terraces, one of the oldest civilizations on the continent, diverse flora and fauna and scenic landscapes, it's considered a national treasure, but one that is coming under increasing risk. Now, a number of programs are being initiated in Lake Titicaca to deal with contamination, save nativ
Published on 18-09-2012, por Inca World
Spanning the border between Peru and Bolivia, Lake Titicaca has remained a natural and cultural wonder, attracting visitors from all over the world. The flat blue waters of the world's highest navigable lake cover an area more than three times the size of Luxembourg. The lake's massive size lends it a resiliency in the face of contamination from the booming lakeside cities, but although much of the water is still clean, immediate intervention is required to assure the health of the lake's ecoystem and those who depend upon the lake for survival.
Bringing Electricity to Arrive to Taquile and Amantani
Officials indicate that at long last, electricity will arrive to the Quechua-speaking islands of Taquile and Amantani, a service promised to the islanders since the 1990s. District mayor Marcelino Yucra insisted, "We receive national and foreign tourists daily, and a touristic attraction cannot continue to be neglected by the central government, without plumbing or electricity." Taquile attracts many visitors thanks to the population's reputation as producers of some of the country's highest-quality artisan products, which UNESCO has declared "Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity" in 2005. Both islands are collectively managed, and though they lack hotels they host visitors through homestay programs that allow guests to learn about local ways of life.
Cleaning Up Contamination
Environmental Minister Manuel Pulgar-Bidal announced earlier this week that 296 thousand soles have been earmarked for the collection of refuse from Lake Titicaca, of a total of 32 million soles marked for investment in the zone. He met with his Bolivian counterpart in Puno yesterday, along with local officials, to discuss the issue of contamination, reviewing technical proposals and discussing concrete policy solutions. Pulgar-Bidal indicated that a Supreme Decree is being drafted to form a multi-sector technical group charged with the environmental prevention and recuperation of the lake and its tributaries, adding that Bolivia should take the same measures with their half of the lake.
The problem is manifold. According to the Autonomous Authority of Lake Titicaca, more than 30,000 informal miners discard their tailings into the lake's tributary rivers. In addition, the lake receives 20% of the 100 tons of solid waste that the city
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Explore the latest from our Cusco travel blog. Get practical guides, Machu Picchu updates, and fresh trekking and culture recommendations. Everything you need to travel Cusco safely and stylishly in 2026. Your next Andean story starts here!
Lima's greatest devotion also walks through Cusco, departing from San Francisco Square. October dyes Peruvian streets purple with robes, incense, and fervor. We tell you how to follow the official 2026 processions in Lima and experience the Cusco replica from the Andes with practical details.
tags: lord of miracles, cusco, lima, peru processions, religious tourism, purple month
Just 11 kilometers from the Plaza de Armas, the historic district of San Jerónimo celebrates its patron saint every late September: 5 days of processions, 26+ dance troupes, a food fair, and a 16th-century church built on an Inca huaca. In 2016, it was declared Cultural Heritage of the Nation. Most tourists don't know it exists; many young locals don't either. This year it starts on Monday, September 28, with the main day on Wednesday 30.
Third Sunday of September. 9 a.m. The pututos sound and 1,500 students from the National School of Sciences of Cusco set off in procession from their school to the Sacsayhuamán esplanade. They are going to compete — for real — in speed, strength, and endurance tests that replicate those the Tahuantinsuyo used to determine who was ready for adulthood. It is not a choreography. It is the Warachicuy, and in 2025 it was declared a Cultural Interest.
Are you planning to visit
Machu Picchu in 2026?
We would like to inform our travelers that availability for Circuit 1 and 2 for the months of November, December and January is at 85% of capacity. We recommend booking at least 3 months in advance.
New Circuits and Routes
The Ministry of Culture has consolidated the three main tours. As of 2026, Tour 2 (The Royal Route) remains the only one that allows visitors to take the classic photo from the Guardian’s House. We have adapted all our packages to ensure this access.
Digital Check-In and Biometric Verification
Say goodbye to long check-in lines! Starting this season, entry is faster thanks to the new digital check-in system. Our packages include full management of your personalized tickets to prevent errors on the state platform.
| Circuit | Ideal for... | Clasic photo | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Circuit 1 (Panoramic) | High views and photo posts | Yes | Low |
| Circuit 2 (Andean) | Complete circuit through the ruins | Yes | Medium |
| Circuit 3 (Reality) | Persons or reduced movement | No | Very low |
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Explore the best of our land
Explore the breathtaking diversity of the Central Andes. From ancient archaeological wonders and surreal high-altitude landscapes to world-class gastronomy and Amazonian adventures, our updated 2026 guides showcase the very best of this premier global destination.
