By Edwin Thomas
Lake Titicaca Travel Guide
Lake Titicaca is one of the world's great natural wonders. Located on the Bolivia and Peruvian border, it is the highest and also one of the largest lakes in the world. It is also rich in ancient history and culture. The area is home to South American Indians with unique traditions, and some of the islands were central locations in the religion of the ancient Incas.
Lake Facts
Lake Titicaca is watered by 27 rivers. It is 118 miles long and 50 miles wide, covering an area of 3,232 square miles. The deepest point of the lake is 922 feet, with an average depth is 351 feet, and it holds more fresh water than any other lake in South America. Sitting at 12,500 feet above sea level, the lake is the highest navigable freshwater body in the world.
Base Towns
Copacabana, Bolivia
Most travelers and the more popular established tours base themselves in the lakeshore town of Puno, on the Peruvian side. On the Bolivian side, that town is Copacobana. The duality of Lake Titicaca poses a problem, because the best attractions as split evenly between the two countries. A complete tour must necessarily involve crossing the border. Entry into Peru requires only a valid passport, with the tourist stamp lasting for 90 days. Entry into Bolivia, on the other hand, requires getting a tourist entry visa. This is best obtained in advance.
Embassy of Bolivia
Consular Affairs
4420 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite # 2
Washington , D.C. 20008
Tel: (202) 232 4827
http://www.bolivia-USA.org/
Peruvian Attractions
Amantani
Peru's rugged islands of Amantaní and Taquile host collections of pre-Inca native ruins and small communities of farmers. Taquile was also the site of a Spanish colonial-era prison. There is also the ever-shifting archipelago of the Uros islands. These are traditional Indian artificial floating islands fashioned from reeds in the Peruvian shallows near Puno. People work and live on these islands, making them half-functional and half-tourist destination.
Bolivian Attractions
On the Bolivian side are the islands of Isla del la Luna, Isla del Sol, and Suriqui. These two islands were prominent in the Inca religion as the place where the god Viracocha commanded the rise and fall of the moon and as the birthplace of the sun god respectively. Suriqui is thought to be the sole remaining place where the traditional craft of making boats from reeds has survived, with famed nautical adventurer Thor Heyerdahl having gone there to learn the craft in 1998. Finally, the shore-side's Copacabana 16th Century Basilica of Our Lady of Copacabana is a pilgrimage destination in the region.
About the Author:
Edwin Thomas has been writing since 1997. His work has appeared in various online publications, including The Black Table, Proboxing-Fans and others. A travel blogger, editor and writer, Thomas has traveled from Argentina to Vietnam in pursuit of stories. He holds a Master of Arts in international affairs from American University.
Photo Credits:
Wikimedia Commons
