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What to see in Peru
Lake Titicaca
Tourist attractions Lake Titicaca
The world’s highest navigable lake, Lake Titicaca, situated in the Andes, straddles the border between Bolivia and Peru. Andean tradition dictates that Lake Titicaca is the birthplace of the sun and contemplating its bright, reflective waters, it’s easy to understand how the lake has acquired such a mystical legacy. The most famous inhabitants of the lake were, of course, the Incas, but Andean communities have always been drawn to this magical place, including the ancient Tiwanaku people, whose presence on the lake dates back over 1000 years, as well as the Quechuas, Aymaras and Uros people, to name only a few.
Owing to the diverse communities that have settled here over the centuries, a trip to Lake Titicaca is a cultural experience like no other, and an unmissable highlight of any holiday to Peru. The lake is famed for its floating islands, constructed by the Uros people with thick, buoyant reeds that grow around the banks of Titicaca. A number of natural islands are also found, dotted throughout the lake, such as Taquile, Amantani and the Bolivian islands of Isla del Sol and Isla de la Luna. The city of Puno, on the western shores of Lake Titicaca, is a major center of Peruvian culture and the starting point for most trips to Lake Titicaca. When it comes to Peru’s top sights, Lake Titicaca is on par with Machu Picchu and is invaluable for the insights it allows travelers to gain into Inca heritage and a rich mixture of Andean cultures.
What to see in Lake Titicaca
If you travel to Lake Titicaca, you’ll likely want to explore its varied islands and discover the different cultures of its indigenous communities. Taquile Island is one of the most popular islands on the Peruvian side of Lake Titicaca and is protected by UNESCO for its cultural heritage. This hilly island is home to the Taquile people, Quecha-speaking people with a rich traditional culture. Both Taquile men and women wear colorful, traditional dress and are famed for producing high-quality handicrafts. Knitted, weaved and yarned textiles in a rainbow palette of colors are sold by the locals who have embraced the increased tourism to Lake Titicaca in recent years, offering homestays and guided tours to the islands pre-Inca ruins.
Aside from Taquile Island, visiting the floating islands is the most popular thing to do in Lake Titicaca. These small man-made islands, composed of buoyant reeds, are a fascinating sight and reveal much about the history of the Uros people in Peru. There are around 42 islands in total, and approximately 100 locals live there full time in their floating homes, which can be moved around the lake, historically to protect themselves from any threats that could arise on the shoreline. One of the Uros Islands even has a post office, allowing visitors to send a postcard from the only floating post office in the world!
Another unique thing to do in Lake Titicaca is to take a cruise in one of the Uros Totora Reed Boats, magnificent constructions and the traditional mode of transport of the Uros people. Finally, a holiday to Lake Titicaca would be incomplete without taking some time to explore Puno, nestled between the shores of the lake and the surrounding mountains. Puno is a major hub for indigenous culture and it’s where most visitors to Lake Titicaca choose to spend the night. It’s worth exploring it’s elegant plazas or getting stuck into the local folklore traditions during the rambunctious Feast of Virgen del la Candelaria celebrations. The views of Lake Titicaca from Puno are equally as soul-stirring.
OUR BEST TRIPS TO LAKE TITICACA
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Tourist attractions peru
Points of interests
- Trips to Aguas Calientes
- Trips to Arequipa
- Trips to Colca Canyon
- Trips to Cuzco
- Trips to Iquitos
- Trips to Islas Ballestas
- Trips to Lake Titicaca
- Trips to Lima
- Trips to Machu Picchu
- Trips to Nazca
- Trips to Puerto Maldonado
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Other Points of interests
- Trips to Amazon
- Trips to Argentinian Patagonia
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- Trips to Banos
- Trips to Baquerizo Moreno
- Trips to Bariloche
- Trips to Barrio La Boca
- Trips to Bogota
- Trips to Buenos Aires
- Trips to Buzios
- Trips to Cartagena de Indias
- Trips to Chilean Patagonia
- Trips to Christ the Redeemer
- Trips to Copacabana Beach
- Trips to Cotopaxi National Park
- Trips to Cuenca
- Trips to Easter Island
- Trips to Eduardo Avaroa
- Trips to El Calafate
- Trips to Galapagos Islands
- Trips to Getsemani
- Trips to Guayaquil
- Trips to Iguazu Falls
- Trips to Iguazu Falls
- Trips to Ilha Grande
- Trips to Islas del Rosario
- Trips to La Candelaria
- Trips to La Loberia Beach
- Trips to La Paz
- Trips to Lake Titicaca
- Trips to Luna Valley
- Trips to Manaus
- Trips to Medellín
- Trips to Mendoza
- Trips to Middle of the World Monument
- Trips to Mindo
- Trips to Otavalo
- Trips to Paraty
- Trips to Perito Moreno
- Trips to Potosi & Cerro Rico
- Trips to Praia do Forte
- Trips to Puerto Natales
- Trips to Quilotoa
- Trips to Quito
- Trips to Rapa Nui National Park
- Trips to Reserva Nacional Los Flamencos
- Trips to Rio de Janeiro
- Trips to Riobamba
- Trips to Ruins of Ingapirca
- Trips to Salar de Uyuni
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- Trips to San Andrés
- Trips to San Cristobal Island
- Trips to San Felipe de Barajas Castle
- Trips to San Pedro de Atacama
- Trips to San Rafael Glacier
- Trips to San Telmo
- Trips to Santa Cruz Island
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- Trips to Santa Marta
- Trips to Santiago de Chile
- Trips to São Paulo
- Trips to Serrano & Balmaceda Glaciers
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- Trips to Tayrona
- Trips to The Devil's Nose
- Trips to Tiahuanaco Ruins
- Trips to Torres del Paine National Park
- Trips to Ushuaia
- Trips to Valley of the Moon
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