Where is Lake Titicaca? At the southernmost part of Peru on the border with Bolivia is the one of the world’s highest inland lakes, Lake Titicaca. According to Inca legend, the first Inca´s rose from the lake and traveled to Cusco where they declared Cusco to be the home of the Inca.
The name Titicaca comes from the native dialect world, Titi Khar ka, which means Rock of the Puma which if seen from above the lake resembles that of a puma pouncing on a long eared rabbit.
Today, tourism is of major economic importance to the lives of the people living on Lake Titicaca. Native art pieces and handicrafts made by the local people are also popular products for the tourist.
Year round cold weather is the climate around Lake Titicaca. The rainfall is on average around 24 inches every year mostly through thunderstorms in the summer months. The lake has islands that are rocky and steep hills to climb, some of the islands have ancient ruins. The fauna in the lake includes many different species of fish, shellfish, snails and freshwater shrimp.
There are many islands on Lake Titicaca the most famous group of Islands are the Floating Islands of the Uros people. This cluster of 72 artificial totora reed islands are home to the Uros people who many hundreds of years ago made the islands to escape the warring tribes on the mainland. The local people have not only made the islands but also their houses and boats, which they use to get from island to island. Tourist visit the islands every day to experience the way of life of these interesting people. The Uros people make a living from tourism but also lead a peaceful life growing their food and fishing.
Lake Titicaca Peru has also some natural rock islands, some of which are open to tourism. To get to these islands involves a long boat trip. The first you should visit is Taquille Island. When you arrive at the port, you will need to climb a long flight of stairs to get to the top. Here you will find a small village. The beauty of this island is that there are no cars so the island has a lovely peaceful atmosphere. The local men make wonderful knitted handicrafts that you can purchase at the local market with all the proceeds going back to the local community. There are basic homestays available if you want to stay the night.
Not far from Taquille Island is Amantani Island, like Taquille this is also a rock island where you may visit. The islands has ruins to visit and some spectacular views of the lake. Again there are stairs to climb and you may stay overnight at one of the many home stays available. You can visit both islands on a group or private Lake Titicaca tour.
The town of the shores of Lake Titicaca is Puno and the town itself has many different sites that you can visit. Not far from Puno are the pre Inca tombs of Sillustani, where the Aymara Qulla people deposited their nobility in burial towers known as Chullupa. Later the towers were conquered and looted by the Incas and then the Spanish.
Also near Puno is the Inca Temple of Inka Uyu that was dedicated to Inti, the Sun Good and his wife Pachamama (Goddess of the Earth), the temple was used to perform fertility rituals for couples that had problems conceiving.
On the Bolivian side of Lake Titicaca, there are also some great spots to visit. The lovely little town of Copacabana is a firm tourist town, located on the shores of the lake in Bolivia. The town is a resting place for both international travelers but also Bolivian locals. There is some good hiking but is also a great place to relax, with plenty of hotels and restaurants to suit your needs. Here you will also find the Basilica of Our Lady of Copacabana, a large white church that overlooks the town, this combined with the station of the cross on the hill above Copacabana, makes this little village one of the most important religious sites in Bolivia.
Copacabana is also the gateway to the Sacred Inca Island of the Sun. This island has a number of ancient sites, artefacts and ruins. The Sun Island was believed by the Inca to be the birthplace of the sun and was the original home of the Inca Rulers.
So where is Lake Titicaca? The lake is on the boarder of Peru and Bolivia. It has and overall depth is 351 feet. The Suchez, Huancane, Coata and Illave rivers all contribute to the lakes waster volume. The lake consists of around 41 rock islands and of course the reed islands. The natural beauty of the Lake makes it a draw card for many an overseas visitor. Visit Lake Titicaca for an experience of a lifetime, book your Peruvian adventure today.
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