Travel To Lake Titicaca, Bolivia

Andes seen from Lake Titicaca

Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world, bordered by Bolivia and Peru, is the birthplace of the Inca civilization and a must-see tourist destination for many visitors to South America. This photographic tour takes us from Puno, Peru to Copacabana, Bolivia, with stops at islands important to the Inca Empire, archaeological sites, the floating islands of the Uros and views of the magnificent scenery of earth, sky and deep, blue water.

The lake is the highest navigable lake in the world. At 3820 m high and covering 8000 sq km, bounded by altiplano and the snow-covered Andes, Lake Titicaca has a number of islands.

Weeds in Puno Harbor

The weeds in Puno harbor, seen here with excursion boats and the town rising rather drably against barren hills, create a colorful nuisance.

Silustani near Puno

On Lake Umayo, the round towers called challpas, were burial places for the Colla people who were absorbed into the Inca Empire. They gave their name to the southern quarter of the empire, Collasuyo.

The Yavari is the oldest boat on Lake Titicaca

The Yavari was built in Britain and then deconstructed in thousands of pieces, sailed across the Atlantic and then up the Pacific to Peru. Then each of the pieces were carried by mule across the Andes to Puno, where it was then re-constructed and launched six years later.

Marshy Area

The reeds are used for multiple purposes. Houses, boats, fuel, food, and even the "ground" under the feet of the Uros people who build their homes on floating islands built of layers of reeds.

Floating Island Towers

From these towers, villagers spot incoming boatloads of tourist as well as offering a splendid view of the lake.

Reed Raft

This decorated raft could be used for many purposes: transportation, religious services,community meetings or other functions, including storage.

Illampu

Seen here from Isla del Sol, at 21,276 ft (6,485 m) high, in the Cordillera Real of the Bolivian Andes, Illampú dominates the skyline. Although lower than the adjacent peak, Ancohuma (21,489 ft/6,550 m high), Illampú is the name usually given to the whole mountain. It is sometimes called Sorata, from the village high on its slopes. Permanently capped with snow, Illampú dominates the mountain scenery visible from La Paz and Lake Titicaca.

Taquile Island Terraces

These agricultural terraces demonstrate how the Taquile islanders could remain isolated for so long.

Lake from Taquila

Seen from Taquile island, Illampú and its mountain range seem like a fog bank on the horizon.

Lake and agricultural terraces

Agricultural terraces right up to water's edge where stands of tortora reed take over explain how various cultures and civilizations have utilized both the lake and the surrounding land to survive.