Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
LAKE TITICACA ISLANDS
Lake Titicaca's islands are world famous for their peaceful beauty and the living tradition
of their agrarian cultures, which date to pre-Columbian times. All travel agencies in Puno
offer island-hopping tours of the major islands. Travelers often complain that these offer
only a super ficial view of the islands.
For more insight into the culture, it's recommended to stay overnight at a homestay or
travel independently. Regular ferries from Puno travel to all the major islands and tickets
are valid for 15 days, so you can island-hop at will.
Be aware that not all islanders welcome tourism, since not all benefit from it. Plus, many
see the frequent intrusions into their daily life as disruptive. It's important to respect the
privacy of islanders and show courtesy. Our advice: go with a recommended operator (
Click here
)
.
Detour:
In Bolivia: Islands of the Sun and
Moon
The most famous islands in Lake Titicaca are located on the Bolivian side of the lake: the Islas del Sol y de la Luna.
Isla del Sol
(Island of the Sun) is the legendary birthplace of Manco Cápac and Mama Ocllo. Here, a series of Inca
remains include the
Chincana
(a labyrinth complex), the fortresslike
Pilkokayna
and the gorgeous
Inca Stairway
in
the south. The less-visited
Isla de la Luna
(Island of the Moon) has some partially rebuilt ruins that once housed vir-
gins of the sun, women chosen at a young age to serve the sun god Inti.
Sunshine and altitude can take their toll, so bring extra water, food and sunblock. You can visit the main sights on
organized trips from Puno, but it is also possible to spend the night via homestays.
Puno-based operators such as
Transturin
Offline map
Google map
( 35-2771;
www.transturin.com
;
www.titicaca.com
; Ayacucho 148)
offer one- and two-day tours that include visits to these islands, as well as to
the Bolivian coastal settlement of Copacabana. Note that these require immigration proceedings - for which you will
need a passport and, in some cases, a visa.
