There are some remains of these ancient times in the environs of the lake. The most important is Sillustani, an Inca cemetery. There are towers 12 meters (39 feet) tall built as tombs for the Inca noble people. Another interesting site is the Fertility temple in Chucuito town, there are several phallus-shaped stones, suggesting it was devoted to the cult of fertility. Both places are worth a visit.

Festivities: The most important festivity in Puno city, on the shores of the lake Titicaca, is “la Candelaria”, a catholic feast in honor of the virgin Mary. It takes place on early February and lasts two weeks. On February's first Sunday takes place a contest of typical dances from the region, and on the following days big parades with special outfits designed for the feast flood the streets. The festivity is extraordinary due to the people's joy and their rich folklore.

The Peruvian islands in Lake Titicaca

On the Peruvian side of the Lake Titicaca 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 as wearing their typical clothes and living like they have done since 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”. But, the most interesting characteristic of the people of Taquile is their solid sense of community and their belief that to be lazy is a sin, that's the reason why they are always doing something, as knitting or spinning wool all the time, especially the men. Also, their textile art and traditions have been recently recognized by the UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

The other island is Amantani, there you can stay for a night in a family house in one of the communities there. Upon 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, you can hike to the top of a hill to watch a lovely sunset on the lake Titicaca. After dinner, you can go with your host 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 to the family who will host you in the island. You can bring notebooks, crayons or 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 show them your country.

Finally, there are the amazing Uros islands, these small islands aren't natural ones, they are hand-made. The Uros people who live on these artificial islands have built them using an ancient technique and the "totora" reed, that grows on the shallow parts of the lake. They are known as the "floating islands" because they are like big flat boats, but they don't move because they are anchored. They are unique and definitely a must-see site in Peru.

There are no cars and, curiously, no dogs in the islands, that makes these places very quiet. To go to all these islands is not only a trip to one of the most interesting sites in Peru, but a journey through time and the Peruvian culture, letting you watch closely the local people and their life-style.