Lake Titicaca

Things to do here:
Visit archeological sites	Local feasts and folklore
Visit the islands in the lake	Meet local people

Location: It's located in the high plateau of Collao in the Southern highlands of Peru, in the border with Bolivia. It's at 3,830 meters or 12,560 ft. above sea level, therefore, take it easy on the first days, otherwise, you could get sick because the altitude.

Climate: It's dry and very cold at night (below 0°C or 32°F), but it's sunny during the day (13°C or 55°F). The rainy season is from December to March, and it's common to hail on those days.

Landscape: The lake Titicaca is the highest navigable lake in the world and the largest one in South America. Its surface area is 8,300 km square, with a length of 195 km and an average width of 50 km. It's also very deep with a maximum depth of 285 meters (940 ft.). The temperature of its water remains between 10°C (50°F) and 12°C (54°F), that's why it's possible to swim and also fish there. It are trout, king-fish and other native fish in the lake. It is possible to see also many birds as ducks, gooses, flamingoes, Andean ibis, and even seagulls. It are also many kinds of llamas in the surroundings of the lake.

History: These territories were inhabited by cultures before the Incas, especially by the Tiahuanaco (100 - 700 AD), later, when this kingdom was destroyed, its people went to the North and then, its descendents founded the Inca kingdom. Finally, the Incas conquered these territories and considered the lake as a sacred place.

It are some remains of these ancient times in the environs of the lake. The most important one is Sillustani, an Inca cemetery where the Inca people built huge towers (12 meters or 39 ft. height) as tombs. Another interesting spot is the temple in Chucuito town, there are several phallus-shaped stone sculptures, suggesting it was devoted to the cult of fertility. Both places are worth a visit.

Customs and feasts: The most important festivity in Puno city, next to the lake, is “la Candelaria”, a catholic feast in honor of the virgin Mary. It is in early February and lasts two weeks, on the first Sunday of February takes place a contest of typical dances from the region, and a big parade with special outfits designed for the feast. The festivity is extraordinary thanks to the people’s joy and their rich folklore.

The Peruvian islands in the Titicaca Lake

On the Peruvian side of the Titicaca Lake are two big islands. Taquile is one of those, and it is unique for many reasons, but the main one is its inhabitants. They have kept their ancient customs wearing typical clothes and living like they did a century ago. They wear distinctive clothes: for men, black pants, white shirt, black vest and a colorful hat called "chullo"; for women, traditional skirts and long black tunics called “llicllas”. In the islands there are no cars and, curiously enough, no dogs. Perhaps, the most interesting characteristic of the people of Taquile is their solid sense of community and their belief that been lazy is a sin.

The other island is Amantani, there you can stay for a night in a family house in one of the communities there. On your arrival to the island many people will be waiting for you to give you their welcome. One of the families there will take you to their home, previously arranged by the tour guide, there you will have lunch. Then, they will take you to the temple of "Pachatata" on top of a hill, from there you are able to watch a lovely sunset over the lake Titicaca. After dinner, you can go with your hosts to the community house to join them for a party, there the local people play music and invite you to join them to dance as members of their community. If you want, you can dress up as a local either.

Advice: It's a good idea to bring gifts for the family who will host you in the island. The best are fruits, notebooks, crayons, color-pencils for the kids. It would be also nice if you bring with you postcards, caps or t-shirts of your home-city or country, that way you can explain them about your country.

Finally, it are the amazing Uros islands, those small islands aren't natural ones, it are hand-made. Yes, it's true, it have been made by its inhabitants, who using an ancient technique have built their own island with "totora" reed. It are known as the "floating islands" because it are like big flat boats, but it doesn't move because it are anchored. To walk on it is like to walk on an air-bag or water-bed, it's so funny and incredible that you can not miss it.

To go to these islands is not only a trip to one of the most interesting spots in Peru, it's a journey through time and the Peruvian culture, a real contact with the local people and their life-style.