TITICACA: THE LAKE OF THE GODS
Lake Titicaca is on 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 around 928.48 feet deep and 118.06 miles long. It is the highest and one of longest navigable lakes in the world. Despite the altitude of the place, the temperature of the water is around 10 Centigrade, ideal for aquatic life. The lake houses a great number of animal species such as wild ducks, different birds and fish (suche), the carachis. The totora, an edible plant used to build floating islands, houses and caballitos the totora (typical boats) is the most representative. From all the islands in the Peruvian site of the lake, Taquille, 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 lost town of Uros. The villagers fish with rustic nets and live in huts. Taquille on the other hand is the center of the lake, four hours from the city of Puno. This island is very special; their habitants speak Quechua (the language of the region) and not Aimara. The people are mainly fisherman and weavers that wear beautiful multi color attires as the chumpi or the Ilillas. In the island there is no noise, no policeman, no electricity nor dogs. We recommend taking the challenge of staying in Taquille and enjoy a few quite days away from the overwhelming modern world.
PUNO: THE FOLK CAPITAL OF AMERICA
Puno is the most important city on the edge of the Titicaca Lake, the most navigable and highest lake of the world. The city of Puno is considered to be the Folk Capital of America because of its 300 typical dances. The Sikuri and the Diablada are typical dances performed during festivities such as that of the Virgen de la Candelaria, the city’s patron. This festivity is held in February and gathers thousands of people. Puno is located on these cold high plains at 4000 m.a.s.l. The city also known as the land of camelidae, was the home of the Tiahuanaco culture many thousands of years ago. This culture has some of the most beautiful legacies such as the Puerta del Sol (The Sun Gateway), a temple sculpted in stone.