LAKE TITICACA HOLIDAYS

Located in eastern Peru on the high plateau or ‘Altiplano’, are the shores of Lake Titicaca, close to the Bolivian border. The Altiplano has an average altitude of 4,000 metres, which makes the lake, at a size of 8,300 sq km, the highest navigable lake in the world. The small town of Puno is full of Peruvian character, with narrow dusty streets and a colourful market.
Lake Titicaca is the main attraction, once the cradle of the most important pre-Hispanic cultures in the Andes, the Tiawanaco, who flourished between 100–700 AD. Even when it was eventually incorporated into the Inca Empire, the area continued to be held in high esteem, as according to Inca creation mythology, Manco Capac, their founder and his sister-wife emerged from the lakes dark waters to found their nation.

The islands within Lake Titicaca are, fascinating and welcoming. The floating islands of Uros are made from reed and anchored to the bottom of the lake. Women make textiles and carvings and the men fish and constantly build up the islands reeds. A further 4 hr boat ride brings you to the island of Taquile, where there are Inca ruins, and the inhabitants still retain all Quechua traditions, from dress to festivals. This one of the most fascinating parts of the Altiplano.