The Titicaca Lake, at 3810 m.a.s.l., is located at the most extensive mesa of the Tropical Andes; islands and mountains emerge from its 284 meters deep bottom on diverse parts of its great area of 8550 km2. This lake is very important in the Andean mythology because, according to the legend, Manco Capac and Mama Ocllo, sons of the Sun god (Inti) and founders of the Incan empire, emerged from its waters.
Lake Titicaca is in the heart of the region of Puno and on one of the most important points of the South American continent. This wonderful lake connects Peru and Bolivia. It is the highest and one of the longest navigable lakes in the world. Despite the altitude of the place, the temperature of the water is around 10°C, ideal for aquatic life. The lake houses a great number of animal species such as wild ducks, different birds and fishes as the suche and the carachis, and the Titicaca giant frog, made famous by Jacques Cousteau. The totora, an edible plant used to build floating islands, houses and “caballitos de totora” (typical boats) is the most representative.
From all the islands on the Peruvian side of the lake, Taquile, Uros, Suasi and Amantani are the most important.
Uros is made up of many floating islands, which are currently inhabited by the Aimaras, the heirs of customs of the los town of Uros. The villagers fish with rustic nets and live in huts.
Taquile on the other hand is in the center of the lake, four hours from the city of Puno. This island is very special; their inhabitants speak quechua (the language of the region) and not aimara. The people are mainly fishermen and weavers that wear beautiful multicolor attires as the “chumpi” or the “llicllas”.
In the island there is not any noise, policemen, electricity or dogs, so we recommend taking the challenge of staying in Taquile and enjoy a few quiet days away from the overwhelming modern world.
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