Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
result of this, Isla Suriqui is now rather over-touristed, but you can still get a glimpse of a
lifestyle that has changed little in centuries.
Isla Pariti
JusttothesouthofIslaSuriqui,thesmaller
Isla Pariti
,hometoanothersmallAymarafishing
community, was an important ceremonial destination during the Tiwanaku era. A cache of
beautiful ceramics dating back to this period was discovered here in 2004, and many of the
items are displayed at the island's museum (Bs20).
Isla Kala Uta
Close by to Isla Pariti and connected to the mainland by a narrow spit when the level of the
lake is low,
Isla Kala Uta
has a series of stone tombs (
chullpas
) built by the Aymara-speak-
ing tribes who dominated this area before the Inca conquest.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE: HUATAJATA AND THE ISLANDS OF
WIÑAY MARKA
By boat
FromHuatajata theroadcontinues26kmwesttotheEstrechodeTiquina,thenarrow
stretch of water that joins Wiñay Marka with the main body of the lake, known as Lago May-
or, and separates the Copacabana peninsula from the rest of Bolivia. All vehicles heading
to Copacabana cross the straits on barges; bus passengers have to cross on small launches
(Bs1.50). This is one of the few places where you'll see the Bolivian Navy, and troops may
ask to see your passport here. From San Pedro on the west side of the straits, it's another
40km or so to Copacabana.
GETTING AROUND
By boat
Many of the restaurants in Huatajata hire out boats to the nearby islands of Suriqui,
Pariti and Kala Uta. Motorboat hire costs 210-280; a sailboat costs less but takes consider-
ably longer.
TOURS
Fremen Tours
Edificio Handal, Av Mariscal Santa Cruz, La Paz 02 2444808,
andes-
amazonia.com
.
This La Paz-based agency runs informative trips to the area that visit several
islands on Wiñay Marka; an overnight stay can also be added on.
The Cordillera Apolobamba
North of Lago Titicaca, flush with the Peruvian border, is the
Cordillera Apolobamba
, the
remote northern extension of the Cordillera Oriental. The splendour of the high mountain
scenery in this isolated range equals or even exceeds that of the Cordillera Real, and the en-
vironment is more pristine. The region is protected by the
Area Natural de Manejo Integ-
rado Nacional Apolobamba
,whichcoversnearlyfivehundredsquarekilometres.Therange
