Lake Titicaca, the Birthplace Of The Sun.

Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake on Earth sits high at 3800m.  In Incan culture this is known as the birthplace of the Sun and his son, Manco Cápac, the first Incan.  A visit here will give you the opportunity to see indigenous communities leading a traditional way of life, beautiful views and even the chance of a homestay. 

• Local Indigenous Andean Cultures
• Artisan textiles and crafts
• Floating island made from reeds.

Where is Lake Titicaca?

Puno is the town nearest the lake, and most travellers spend a night or two near here when visiting Titicaca.  Puno itself is known for its festivals and 300 dances which exhibit the fusion of the local indigenous Andean cultures; the Aymara & Quechua.  The western side of the lake is Peruvian and the eastern side is Bolivian, so you will have great views of the snow-capped Cordillera Real Mountains in the distance.  Puno is also a useful stop-over if you want to cross to Bolivia. 

Fancy a Peru adventure holiday with a trip to the islands of Lake Titicaca?

What will I see at Lake Titicaca?

Embark on a boat from the pier; the first tiny islands you will reach are the homes of the Aymara speaking Uros people.  These islands can be quite touristy, but they make an interesting trip nevertheless.  The Uros make the islands, boats & houses from totora reeds. The islands are composed of layers and layers of the reeds, with a new layer being added every week, as the bottom of the island will be decomposing. There are over 40 islands; one is even used as a football pitch.  Hop off the boat and you will literally feel the island springing beneath your feet.  The community will invite you for a ride on a caballito, one of their unusual boats, made from the reeds that grow in and around the lake. 

Take a boat trip to the islands

Your next boat stop, around 45km from Puno, will be the Quechua speaking 7sqkm island of Taquile.  The landscape of Taquile almost feels Mediterranean, with its layers of agricultural terraces, stone walled lined paths and blue water glistening in the background. There are no cars on this island; it’s a climb up 545 steps from the pier to the village, make sure you have a bottle of water with you! See crops of quinoa and potatoes growing in the red soiled island.  The islanders of Taquile are famed for their textiles, this skill is shown in their outfits.  Women wear layers of petticoats under their skirts, a married women wears a red skirt on top.  Men wear different coloured caps (red for married, white & red for bachelors).  We enjoyed a delicious trout lunch overlooking the water (trout are an introduced species in the lake).  It is possible to stay with a local family in a homestay on Taquile, a great opportunity to immerse yourself into a local culture.

Some boat trips also include a stop off at Isla Amantani, famed for its woven grass baskets and stone carvings.  Here you will discover Incan sites and can even have your tea leaves read by a local shaman!

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