| Lake Titicaca | |
 | |
| Sunset over Lake Titicaca. | |
| Information | |
| Country |  Bolivia,  Peru |
|---|---|
| Area | 8 562 km² |
| Location | |
 15 ° 45 ′ 0 ″ S 69 ° 25 ′ 0 ″ W | |
the Lake Titicaca is a symbol ofSouth America, located at an altitude of 3,800 between the Peru and the Bolivia. Crossroads of the oldest Amerindian civilizations, place of passage of great historical destinies, Lake Titicaca has always exercised a great power of fascination on travelers and conquerors. It is part of a grandiose setting, between the Peru and its mysteries and the barrier of Cordillera Royale, uninterrupted series of snow-capped peaks over 6,000 meters. With the wind, we let ourselves be carried away by a fisherman from theSun Island, cradle of Inca mythology. Here, Viracocha deposited his children: Manko Capac, the first Inca, and his sister, Mama Ollko, who later founded the capital of the empire in Cuzco.
Understand
On the islands we will discover many vestiges: the temple of Chinkana, the famous temple of the Sun or the temple of the Virgins on the island of the Moon. Beliefs here mix with legends that are still alive and it is not uncommon to be told one of them by one of the wise men of the village of Kalahuta or from Tiquira in all simplicity, around a fire when the time for the bivouac has come, under a starry vault of crystalline purity ...
Regions
Cities
- 1 Copacabana – Both a seaside resort and a place of pilgrimage to the Virgin, the city is popular with the surrounding populations. It is easy to find low-cost accommodation and restaurants, as well as road transport to La Paz (3-4h) and Peru (especially Cuzco and Puno). It is the main starting point for visiting theIsla del Sol.
- 2 Puno – On the shores of the lake, side Peru.
Other destinations
- 1 Isla del Sol (Sun Island) – The largest island in the lake is home to Inca ruins and is considered the birthplace of the Moon and the Sun. It is reached by boat from Copacabana (between 1 and 2 h path). Most tourists visit a few Inca ruins and then leave less than two hours later. However, there is a wide range of accommodation and catering in the villages of Yumani (south) and Challapampa (north). You can cross the island on foot by 3 h by the path of the ridges.
- 2 Isla de la Luna (Moon Island) – Island smaller than that of the Sun, less developed.
To go
On the Bolivian side, the lake is accessible by road. Buses serve Copacabana in 3-4h from La Paz, and travel agencies offer two-day excursions from this city to go for a ride on theIsla del Sol.
Circulate
Boats provide service to Isla del Sol from Copacabana and back. You buy your ticket directly at the pier, specifying the destination "north" or "south". They are loaded and quite slow. You can also rent a private boat for a day on the lake and stop elsewhere than the two villages served on the island (Challapampa to the north and Yumani to the south).
Do
To buy
Eat
Have a drink / Go out
Security
The roads south of the lake (around Copacabana) are not very safe at night: better to take day buses.