Lake Titicaca kayaking: paddling to the Uros islands
Lake Titicaca kayaking from Puno takes you onto a lake that lies at about 3,810 m, according to the Peruvian protected-areas agency. You paddle along the shore, past reed beds and the island of Foroba, towards the Uros floating islands, which sit on mats of totora reed. From a kayak you are level with the water and the reeds, a very different view from the deck of a motorboat.
The trips below all start in Puno and end at or near the Uros islands. They differ in length, in the time of day and in what is added to the paddling: an island entrance ticket, a support motorboat or a ride on a tourist boat. Prices are per person and current as of November 2026.
Our picks: Lake Titicaca kayaking
A morning paddle, a sunset trip and a longer excursion with a tourist boat ride and an island ticket.
Hand-picked tours, booked through Viator and GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of November 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Lake Titicaca kayaking excursion
- Instructor guide in English and Spanish
- Tourist boat ride
- Entrance ticket to the island
Five hours that combine a tourist boat ride, an island visit and a paddle through the floating hotels.
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Kayaking to the Uros floating islands
- Bilingual guide
- First-aid kit
A three-hour kayak trip on Lake Titicaca towards the Uros islands with a bilingual guide.
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3 hour guided kayak tour on Lake Titicaca
- Kayak equipment
- English and Spanish group guide
- Uros island entrance fees
A morning paddle from Puno to the Uros islands, starting at 9 a.m., with a group guide in English and Spanish.
Check availability →Sunset kayak on Lake Titicaca
- Kayak equipment
- Uros entry
- Group guide in English or Spanish
A late-afternoon paddle from the Isla Esteves harbour to Uros and back, timed for sunset.
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Uros floating island kayak experience
- Instructor guide in English or Spanish
- Island entrance fee
- Support motorboat
Four hours with an instructor, a support motorboat, kayak equipment and the island entrance fee.
Check availability →Kayak tours on Lake Titicaca
Guided kayak trips from Puno to the Uros islands, with live prices and availability.
Which kayak tour fits you
The 3 hour morning tour starts at 9 a.m. at Pino Park or with pickup from hotels in the centre of Puno. It costs 50 USD and includes kayak equipment, an English and Spanish group guide and the entrance fees to the Uros islands.
The 4 hour instructor-led trip costs 44 USD and is the cheapest of the five. It includes an instructor guide in English or Spanish, the island entrance fee, a support motorboat and equipment.
The sunset trip costs 45 USD and lasts about 3 hours. The group leaves the harbour at Isla Esteves and paddles to Uros, about an hour on the water, then returns by kayak. Pickup is around 3 p.m. The operator warns of afternoon wind and recommends warm clothing, so bring an extra layer even if the day is sunny.
The 3 hour bilingual-guide trip costs 66 USD and begins in Puno with round trip transport, a bilingual guide and a first-aid kit.
The 5 hour excursion costs 95 USD and is the longest. Besides the guide you get a tourist boat ride, an entrance ticket to the island and a paddle through the floating hotels.
Prices and what makes the difference
The five trips range from 44 to 95 USD per person. Among the 3 and 4 hour options the price differences are small, so choose by start time and by whether you want a support boat.
Season, weather and fitness
Trips run all year, and one local operator recommends April to November. Peru's weather service shows more rain from December to March than from May to August. Morning departures avoid the afternoon wind that one operator warns about.
The morning 3 hour tour asks for moderate fitness and is not recommended with back problems or pregnancy. A second operator advises against kayaking with arm, back or leg problems and says no prior experience is needed.
At this height, the US health agency CDC recommends only light activity during your first 48 hours. Arrive a day or two before you paddle and read our altitude guide. For more island options see the Uros islands guide and the weather page.
Lake Titicaca kayaking: common questions
How much does kayaking on Lake Titicaca cost?
The five trips cost 44, 45, 50, 66 and 95 USD per person. The sunset trip and the 3 hour morning tour are 45 and 50 USD, and the 5 hour excursion with a tourist boat ride is 95 USD.
How long are the trips?
Most last 3 hours. One instructor-led trip takes 4 hours and the longest excursion takes 5 hours.
Do I need kayaking experience?
One operator states that no experience is required. The morning 3 hour tour asks for moderate fitness.
When is the best time to go?
An operator recommends April to November. Rain is more frequent from December to March. Morning and sunset trips avoid the stronger afternoon wind.