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Peru · South America
Titicaca
Cradled in the Andes at 12,507 feet, South America's largest lake holds secrets in its slightly salty waters.
Why Titicaca stands out
Lake Titicaca straddles the Peru-Bolivia border, a vast expanse of freshwater (with a whisper of salt) that crowns the Andes. At 3,812 meters elevation, it claims the remarkable title of world's highest navigable lake, where ancient civilizations once thrived on its shores and floating islands.
The geography and story of Titicaca
This colossal body of water ranks as South America's largest by both surface area and volume, yet remains only the 18th largest globally. Its scale defies expectation—a freshwater sea in the sky, sustaining ecosystems and cultures that have endured for millennia in one of Earth's most dramatic landscapes.
Despite being called a freshwater lake, Titicaca's waters are slightly brackish, a geological mystery that intrigues scientists to this day.
Titicaca at a glance
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Test yourself
Which South American lake sits highest in the world yet remains navigable by boats?
Lake Titicaca is the world's highest navigable lake at 3,812 meters elevation in the Andes, straddling Peru and Bolivia.
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