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Isla Suasi is in the midst of Lake Titicaca, at an altitude of 3,800m (12,500 ft.), a high elevation for most travelers. Those who haven’t had time to acclimatize in Colca, Puno, Arequipa or Cusco, should understand that soroche, or altitude sickness, is common. Symptoms include headache, fatigue, stomach illness and dizziness. Travelers should drink a lot of water as well as mate de coca or mate de muña and eat light meals. |
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Suasi is remote, in the northeastern extreme of Lake Titicaca, and reachable by fast lancha (motorized speedboat). One transportation alterative is to travel by land to the island and enjoy the gorgeous landscapes along the edge of Titicaca, including Mano del Diablo. It’s even possible to make stops at some of the prettiest lake beaches in route and then making a very short trip by boat to the island. |
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The trip by land is 3 hours each way. Taxis are the cheapest way to reach Suasi (each trajectory will cost about USD 100). However, the rustic road could be dangerous and uncomfortable. A better option is to travel in a 4x4, with the security of Casa Andina vehicles that will leave you in the village of Cambria at the edge of the lake, where you take a Zodiac dinghy (just 5 minutes) to arrive at the island. |
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It’s important to consider that in order to visit Suasi, it’s imperative that you spend the previous night in Puno, so that you can make a very early morning departure. (Afternoon trips by boat are complicated by wind and waves.) The trip by high-speed motorboat is slightly longer than 2 hours, and it can take as long as 5 hours with stops at the Uros islands and on Taquile. |
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To take full advantage of the last day on the island, we strongly recommend that guests leaving the region after Suasi seek a departing afternoon flight from Juliaca (the airport which is 40 minutes from Puno) between 3 and 6pm. This will allow for a stop in the beautiful colonial village of Lampa, on the outskirts of Juliaca, on the way to the airport. |
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Puno and Lake Titicaca can be dry and cold, especially at night, and the sun is extraordinarily intense at this altitude. It is necessary to take sweaters, gloves, sunscreen and hats. Casa Andina also recommends swimming suits, water booties and wetsuits to swim in the lake. |
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Isla Suasi occupies just 43 hectares, or 106 acres, and has no automobiles, no electricity, no television – and no permanent human habitants. Casa Andina Private Collection – Suasi, the only place to stay on the island, is an ecolodge that’s all solar-powered, featuring Internet access only in the main lobby. |
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In addition to the 23 rooms in the principal buildings of the hotel, Casa Andina offers the exclusive Andean Cottage, a privileged and private apartment (with 2 bedrooms, a large living room and bar and chimney) right on the banks of the lake. It has its own private beach and dock, and is ideal for families or couples. A bilingual butler service is available 24 horas a day. |
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The lodge closes the entire month of February for environmental reasons (for cleanup and to protect the local ecosystem). |
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| QUICK LINKS |
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| Casa Andina Hotels in Isla Suasi |
| Casa Andina Activities in Isla Suasi |
| Puno Travel Guide |
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More than 15 years of publications, including 220 books and guides about Peru and its environment. |
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More than 15 years of publications, including 220 books and guides about Peru and its environment, five encyclopedias and more than 1,000 articles in magazines in Peru and abroad. He is considered the most prolific publisher on ecological topics in the country in the last decade. Forest engineer, journalist, publisher, professional photographer and analyst of environmental topics, Wust is the only Peruvian to publish five articles in National Geographic magazine. Currently he is the director of Wust Ediciones. |
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Ten years crisscrossing Peru, producing 240 TV programs on diverse topics. |
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Ten years crisscrossing Peru, producing 240 TV programs on diverse topics. A journalist and writer, for nearly a decade he has directed and hosted the TV program Tiempo de Viaje, in which he travels throughout Peru (and occasionally other countries), documenting natural, historical and human scenes infrequently visited by conventional tourism. His perspective is not that of a tourist, but of a traveler, who immerses himself in what he finds and shies away from nothing in his reporting. He is also the author and/or publisher of an extensive series of books about Peruvian culture. |
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The author of 15 travel guides to cities and countries around the world, including 4 editions of Frommer’s Peru. |
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The author of 15 travel guides to cities and countries around the world, including 4 editions of Frommer’s Peru, and articles on subjects ranging from the travel industry to food and wine. A travel writer, journalist and photographer, Schlecht first traveled to Peru and trekked to Machu Picchu as a student in 1983, and he has returned repeatedly to Peru over the last two decades. He has also been a consultant on international development projects for the European Union and USAID, as well as a correspondent for a Spanish art magazine. |
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With nearly 15 years of travel experience, and having lived in different places in Peru. |
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With nearly 15 years of travel experience, and having lived in different places in Peru. Agronomist, theologist, and holding an M.A in Amazonian anthropology. He’s lived 7 years with the Aguarunan people of Alto Marañon; also in Huanchaco (Trujillo), Urubamba (Cusco), and Madre de Dios. Consultant in tourism, collaborator for several media resources and professor of Sustainable Tourism Diploma at Ruiz de Montoya University. |
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