Titicaca lake

Places of Interest - Bolivia

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introduction

One of the most interesting and popular places in Bolivia is the largest lake in South America caled Titicaca. This borderlake of Peru and Bolivia lies at over 3800 meters above sealevel and is the highest commercially navigable lake in the world. The depth is on average 140-180 meters with a maximum of 280 meters and there are legends that the lake is (still) full of Inca gold. There are 25 rivers coming from and going to the lake and in are 41 islands of which "Isla de Sol" is the best known.

Originally, these islands were the refuge of the Uros Indians for the advancing Incas, which is now a very popular tourist resort. Since Bolivia lost its coastal strip to Chile in 1884, the Bolivian Navy is practicing in Lake Titicaca. The level of the lake can vary considerably over the years. The lake is a remnant of an inland lake and is located in a beautiful mystical environment in the Altiplano with high mountains and rugged landscape. In 2013 archaeologists from Belgium found more than two thousand objects in a sediment in the lake, such as sculptures and gold jewelery.

There were ancient objects of the Incas and the Tiahuanacu, and objects from the 19th and 20th century.

highlights

Even before the Incas arrived, the shores of Lake Titicaca have been inhabited by people and the water of the enchanting lake in Bolivia has been given magical powers. These pre-Incas believed that the sun and their white-bearded King had risen from the lake.

The Incas, on the other hand, assumed that their whole existence came from the lake. According to Inca legends, Isla de Sol is the island where the sun god Inti was born and started their civilization. It is still assumed that in the lake stacks of gold were dumped by the local residents who did not want it to fall into the wrong hands. There would also be countless cities below the water surface which would not be so strange given the very fluctuating water level. Many times, entire villages, houses and household goods were found.

Isla del Sol

Isla del Sol is the most famous island in the Titicaca lake in the territory of Bolivia. The island was known among the first inhabitants as Titi Khar Ka (the puma rock), where the name of the island came from. The Incas believed that the first of their kind - Manco Capac - and his sister-wife Mama Ocllo appeared by a direct order from the sun, which also originated directly from the lake. There are still people in Peru and Bolivia who see this legend as the truth. Isla de Sol contains 2500 inhabitants and the island is hilly and consists mainly of rocks. Interesting hiking trails that run from the south all the way to the north including beautiful views, antique ruins and small traditional villages. You can only travel by foot or by boat because there is no motorized traffic on the island. It is advisable to walk a whole day to get a feeling.

Highlights of the southern island are the ruins of Pilko Kaina located on the southern tip with its Inca palace built by Inca emperor Tupac Yupanqui. At about 30 minutes walk from the palace you will find the Inca waterfall which is also called the staircase of water. The source is literally an extremely important source of water and is used by many locals for daily use. You can take a look at the local church in Yumani village where you can also find a number of guesthouses. From the village Japapi you can easily visit the ruins of Chincana and Cha llapampa as well as the lighthouse.

On the northern island you can visit the strange flattened rock, which is also called Piedra Sagrada, the sacred stone. This would have been used to carry out executions for criminals. You can also recognize parts of the old wall from the temple of the sun here. The most spectacular ruins of the North Island lie on the north side of the island and are again called the Inca Palace. It is a labyrinth of stone walls and small passageways.

Copacobana:

Copacabana is the largest city along the Titicaca lake in Bolivia and is located on the south side of the lake. The town which is a great hub for boats to Isla del Sol and Isla de La Luna lies between two mountains and is by nature a place for many pilgrims but also for numerous tourists. Today the town is often the scene of countless fiestas. After the fall of the Tiwanaku culture, the Kollas (Aymara) took over the power in the Lake Titicaca region.

The best known Gods were the sun, moon (who were married), Pachamama (the earth) and a number of spirits. When the Aymaras were integrated into the great Inca empire, the Inca emperor Tupac founded the town of Copacobana. The Incas divided the population into people who embraced the Inca culture and those who did not. The latter worked as a glorified slave on the land. Because the locals did not adhere to this approach, the Spanish missionaries would partially grow success and support for the Christian faith that was mixed with local customs.

Because of the presence of the black Madonna, the town quickly became a place for pilgrims. In 1805, a cathedral was built that was finally completed fifteen years later. The cathedral is now the most spectacular sight of Copacobana with its beautiful blue tiles. Although the beach can not be compared to its counterpart in Rio de Janeiro, the beach on the lake is used a lot by Bolivian families to have a bite to eat and have a drink together. For example, you can eat good trout here from the lake. Other things you can do is a walk to the top of Cerro Calvario where you can enjoy the sunset. Horca del Inca is a pre-Inca astrological observatory while you can also take a look at the "Tribunal del Inca" whose background is unclear.

Other attractions:

Not far from the lake are the ruins of the city of Tiahuanacu, which had its heyday between 500 and 1000 AD. In fact, a part of the city is even below the water level.

Copacobana-Bolivia-Titicaca-Lake-Holy-Festival-Dance

tips & advice (2000)

There is no bus station in Copacobana; the buses arrive and depart from Av 6 de Agosto. Many offices can arrange a seat in a bus that departs directly from Copacobana to Arequipa.

From the Copacobana beach, boats normally go twice daily (more - small boats in high season) to Isla del Sol. They usually leave at 08:30 and 13:30 and you can buy tickets at the ticket counters on the beach. Half day trips often go only to the south island.

Copacobana - Puno - Arequipa: the journey between Copacobana and Puno takes about 3 to 4 hours and costs about B30. It takes another time (4 to 5 hours) from Puno to Arequipa (B95 in total).

Name: Hostel Sonia (Copacobana)

Address: Murillo 256

Price: B25 (single)

Phone nr. : 862-2019

Content:

Hostal Sonia in Copacabana is about 200 meters from the main square and 100 meters from Nuestra Señora de Copacabana Cathedral. It is a bit corny and the rooms are somewhat rundown, but on the other hand brightly painted and cheerful. There is a kitchenette, a terrace and you can have your laundry done. A great choice if you stay here for a few days.

Titicaca lake

Places of Interest - Bolivia

introduction

highlights

tips & advice (2000)

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