For those who have already researched a little about South America or who have been to our blog before, it is easy to talk about the famous Lake Titicaca, known for being the highest navigable body of water in the world, as it is at almost 4,000 meters above sea level.
Its extension is so immense that this giant body of water divides part of the lake between Bolivia and Peru, where most of its area is located, so this is one of the most sought-after destinations by backpacker travelers.
Lake Titicaca is located in the southern region of Peruvian territory, more precisely, it is sheltered by the city of Puno, known as the Folkloric Capital of Peru, which is the starting point for adventures on the highest navigable lake in the world, in addition to offering countless cultural experiences, such as some of the biggest Peruvian festivities, that bring the traveler even closer to our culture.
So, if you already have some knowledge about this wonder of nature, it will be easy to answer the question titled this article. And it can even be difficult to know where to start to tell the characteristics that make Lake Titicaca such a special place!
With that in mind, we decided to bring together the highlights of this giant lake to give free rein to your imagination as you reflect on how many incredible experiences this destination can add to your life luggage during and after the realization of your dream trip to Peru. Are you ready to dive into yet another destination with Viagens Machu Picchu? Let ‘s do it!
Hospitableness in largest lake in South America
As you may already know, Lake Titicaca is known not only for its size but also for the opportunities for excursions possible through its waters. In all its extension there people live in small villages that carry with them millenary traditions and customs since they are people who have inhabited this place for centuries.
On the Peruvian side of the lake, it is possible to find islands such as Taquile, Amantani, and the famous Floating Islands of Uros. And it is a great experience to be able to board one of the boats that cross the Titicaca and head towards one of these gems while enjoying some of the most beautiful landscapes in Peru. On the Bolivian side, it is possible to find The Isla del Sol and the Isla de la Luna, 150 km from La Paz.
And what makes it even more charming is the contact with the people who make this place their home, because the exchange makes it possible for these meetings to allow us to be impressed not only with the physical dimension of the lake but with the even greater dimension of the culture that resists in it.
Some of the locals have experience with the tourist activity and have unparalleled hospitality, welcoming each group of travelers and sharing a little more about some aspects that, for those who come to the lake for the first time, may believe to be a mystery.
In addition, in these experiences by Lake Titicaca, it is possible to experience the culinary delights of each person, and in some cases, the food is grown by the residents themselves, since not only tourism is part of their routines, but also agriculture, textile activity, and handicrafts.
Surely, you won’t regret taking a tour of this fascinating destination, whether it’s a half-day or a full-day tour, it’s worth taking the time to appreciate this place full of culture, stories, and legends. And for those who think that just one day is too little to experience all this, you can also make a more immersive experience, but you’ll learn more about that later in this text!
Ancient customs and traditions
We have already mentioned that the people who inhabit the islands along Lake Titicaca are descendants of ancient cultures that emerged and took root in this giant body of water.
Because of this, countless customs remained with the residents of the lake throughout this time, even among the remarkable facts that occurred in the centuries of local history, which went through political instabilities, conflicts, and colonization period, among other events.
Despite this, today we can find the result of a lot of resistance from these people who struggle to keep their cultural roots alive, although some aspects have been lost along the way. One of the most obvious points, for example, is the language, which for some people was Aymara, which has worn off over time, but nowadays many residents only speak the Quechua language, which makes the whole exchange experience more interesting.
Did you like this trivia? Read on, as we will bring you other millenary aspects of the culture on Lake Titicaca below, we are sure you will understand a little more about what makes this place so special.
- The People and Floating Uros Islands
Without a doubt, these are the best-known references to Lake Titicaca. It is uncertain to say exactly when this person appeared in history, but it is known that they have more than 3,000 years of records in these lands. The Uros people are known for their engineering skills, using different materials to build not only their homes but the very ground they walk on.
You may have heard of the Floating Islands of Uros, which form a group of about 100 artificial islands built by the Uros from totora cane, which is a plant endemic to the lake that has a fibrous root that helps support buildings. . It is very interesting to think about how this skill has been passed down through generations and on a tour of this lake attraction, you will be able to learn a lot more about it from the experts themselves!
- Celebration of Pachamama and Pachatata
In another attraction of Lake Titicaca, we find Amantani Island, considered the most important of the lake and with one of the most fascinating scenery. Part of these scenarios is composed of two hills, Cerro Llaquistiti and Cerro Coanos, which are home to two archaeological sites. It is still difficult to say with certainty what the functionalities were, but they are believed to have been ceremonial centers of worship to Mother Earth (Pachamama) and Father Sky (Pachatata).
This tradition has been maintained and, although the archaeological sites remain closed throughout the year, there is a date on which the island’s residents hold a celebration, in the form of a ritual, in gratitude to Earth and Heaven. On this occasion, even visitors can participate in this unique moment and enjoy the sunrise from the Pachamama Archaeological Site.
Is this the cradle of the Incas?
As if all the natural and cultural charms found in Lake Titicaca were not enough, there is still a mythical aura that surrounds the entire place, the reference to which is the legend about the origin of the Incas. According to the legend of Manco Capac and Mama Ocllo, the lake was the cradle from which the first Incas emerged in this world.
She tells that the God Sol Inti sent a couple to earth to end the sadness of men, this couple being Manco Capac, who would teach men agriculture and engineering, and Mama Ocllo, who would teach women how to weave.
And when they came to Earth, they should civilize the planet from a prosperous land and start an empire that would make cults in their favor. Upon being sent ashore, the couple would have emerged from the waters of the giant Lake Titicaca, which would make it the cradle of the famous Inca civilization.
And if you are still not convinced about everything that makes this attraction such a special place, we bring you another experience that makes the whole trip something even more unique and particular.
Experiential tourism on Amantani Island
For those who enjoy immersive and culturally rich experiences, this is the way to go! In addition to the day or half-day tours of Lake Titicaca, we also offer an experience that will bring you closer to the routine of the residents of this beautiful wonder of nature.
At the Amantani Island Lodging opportunity, you can visit the Uros Floating Islands and learn a little about what the locals share about their culture, then you will take a boat trip to Amantani, where you will spend the rest of the afternoon enjoying the landscapes and local archaeological sites and in the evening you will participate in a delicious family dinner and welcome celebrations.
The next morning, you will leave for Taquile Island, where you will discover other cultural aspects of the people of Lake Titicaca, and then return to Puno. This is an incredible tour where you can get to know and get even closer to the culture and people of our country, understanding more about what makes Lake Titicaca so special!
Did you like everything you’ve seen so far? So, don’t forget to take a look at our packages to Lake Titicaca and many other destinations in Peru. Get inspired for your next trip and contact us to start planning to make this dream come true!