Peru Travel: Destination Lake Titicaca and Uros Islands

May 4
07:19

2010

Matthew Barker

Matthew Barker

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Lake Titicaca is home to a unique population of islanders that make their own islands. Read about this special society from a local Peru For Less travel expert.

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This huge lake is the highest navigated body of water in the world,Peru Travel: Destination Lake Titicaca and Uros Islands Articles split between the nations of Peru and Bolivia. Yet the lake area has a strong pre-nation indigenous culture that has existed from before the Incas.

 

The lake dwellers live actually on the lake, in manmade islands created out of dried reeds. The reeds have to be maintained in a process passed from generation to generation. This ancient process has continued for centuries, the reason being that it provided security for attack and living on the lake is warmer than living on the shore. The communities have now progressed and residents go to universities on the shores, yet many still live in isolated areas away from tourists, preserving this unique way of life.

 

The lake is a beautiful gem in the mountain range, with stunning views over the surrounding snow capped mountains and landscape. The lake is the largest in South America and is also important in ancient Inca folk law. According to myth the Inca creator deity Viracocha (the Sun), emerged from the lake and sent his children Manco Capac and Mamo Ocllo, to found the Inca dynasty. However, before the Incas the local Aymara Indians located in the now ruined town Tiahuanaco in Bolivia.

 

The main town on the Lake on the Peruvian side is Puno, and is actually at a higher altitude than Cusco. Originally a large silver mining town, Puno has a number of sight of its own including a grand cathedral from 1757 as well as a number of fine museums that how ancient Aymara artifacts and ceramics. The town also has regular festivals that celebrate the Indians past. However, Puno is most famed as the gateway to the Lake and the islands of Uros having a direct train connection from Cusco.

 

The Uros islands are made from reeds and can be accessed by boat from Puno. The islanders have their own customs and rituals, interestingly including a ‘trial’ period with a potential spouse before marriage. Also in the Uros islands, women seem to dominate the society which is unusual in comparison to other ancient cultures.

 

For travelers looking for something different it is possible to visit and stay the night on the islands of Amantani. Visitors will be the guests of a local family for the night and will be treated to local music and cuisine. This one night experience is truly magical and offers an insight into the life of modern society drenched in tradition and history.

 

For travelers looking to go onward to Bolivia the main town of Copacabana can catch a minibus around the lake to the town. Bolivian firms are currently negotiating the right to collect passengers directly in Puno and offer a direct international connection. Ferries already operate to connect the train lines between the two nations.

 

From Copacabana is it possible to visit the Bolivian islands on the lake. These include the Islands of the Sun and the Moon. The Island of the Sun has a has a sacred Inca rock at one end and the ruins of Pilko Caima as well as a portal to the Sun God at the other. The Island of the Moon, which is also sometimes called Coati, has more ruins of an Inca temple.

 

Copacabana offers easy onward transport to La Paz as well as other sites such as Tiahuanaco.