Claire Dean
Travel in South America is a joy to behold. The rich variety of destinations, experiences, landscapes and geography fascinated me so much, that I chose to relocate here, over 20 years ago! The best thing I ever did! Allow me to share my knowledge and passion for Central and South America with you and help you plan your holiday of a lifetime!
Visit Titicaca in South America On Your Peru Vacation Packages
Written by:Claire Dean
Published: 2022-09-05
Lake Titicaca is a spectacular mass of water, split almost 50/50 between the two countries of Peru and Bolivia. This lake is home to hundreds of rare animal species, floating islands, male knitters and a number of mysterious fables thrown in. In terms of a vacation or trip to this lake, on your Peru visit, adventure is never far away. Lake Titicaca´s weather is generally crisp and cool at the high elevation it is found, and the views are so much more than stunning. Rainy season runs from December to March which makes for slightly choppier waters. Titicaca in South America is one of the most remarkable and unique places to visit in Peru. Here are some interesting facts about this impressive lake.
Shores of Titicaca
The Highest Lake in the World
Lake Titicaca is the highest navigable lake in the world, at a whopping 3,810 meters elevation/ 12500 ft. Lake Titicaca was formed in a dramatic fashion around 60 million years ago. A huge earthquake hit the Andes Mountains, causing them to split in two and creating a huge hollow. The space is filled with water from melting glaciers, creating this magnificent freshwater lake.
Stunning Titicaca
Titicaca is the Largest Lake in South America
With a surface area of 8,400 km2, of which 3,690 km2 is on Bolivian territory, Titicaca in South America has several depths, the maximum depth being 283 meters deep (930 feet). This makes it the biggest lake in South America.
Lake Titicaca is in both Peru and Bolivia
Lake Titicaca lies in both Peru and Bolivia. The Peruvian side is slightly bigger than the Bolivian side yet the lake is worth a visit from both sides of the border for different experiences.
Totora Boat near the Floating Islands
Lake Titicaca was the "Cradle of the World"
To the Incas, Lake Titicaca was the birthplace of the sun and its' people. In essence, they believe the world began at Lake Titicaca and therefore call it the "cradle of the world". Legend has it that the first Inca, Manco Capac, and his wife, Mama Ocllo were believed to have been born here also, making Titicaca incredibly sacred for the Quechua people.
The lake is Home to the Famous Floating Islands of the Uros People
Lake Titicaca has 41 islands, including the famous floating reed islands. The floating islands, called Uros, are actually man-made islands constructed from totora reeds collected from Titicaca itself and the shores of the lake! The floating islands were built by the Uros people who made them so they could move them if they were threatened by hostile invaders.
Uros People
One island has 180 Inca Ruins!
The island named Isla del Sol, or Island of the Sun, on the Bolivian side of the lake, is the largest island on Lake Titicaca and is home to 180 Inca ruins. If you are not going to the Bolivian side of the lake, you can also find ancient Inca ruins on the island of Amantani. There are two Inca sites here that sit on the two peaks of the island, Pachatata and Pachamama. The stunning landscapes in between offer spectacular views with perfect hiking terrain and impressive agricultural terraces between them.
The Lake was home to other pre-Inca civilizations
Before the Incas, other cultures resided on Lake Titicaca and left their marks on the culture and landscape, including the Urus, Pukara, Tiwanaku and Colla civilizations.
Rowing around Uros
A Lost City in its Depths?
There are many tales of a lost city hidden in the lake, considering that Lake Titicaca is the largest lake in South America it is not hard to believe that it holds some secrets. In 1966 Argentine divers discovered a paved road similar to the Inca Trail, along with a group of sacred labyrinths. It was suggested that these trails and labyrinths could have been a path to Machu Picchu.
Taquile Island Heritage
The inhabitants of Taquile Island depict their culture, beliefs, and ancestral heritage in their textiles. Taquile was declared an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2005 for its weaving traditions. Visitors can explore the trails across the island, visit ancient agricultural terraces, and learn all about the island's ancestral weaving traditions.
Where does the Water come from to Fill Titicaca?
More than 25 rivers and many glaciers feed Titicaca in South America, but there’s only 1 river that flows outward. One small river, the Desaguadero, drains the lake at its southern end. This single outlet empties only 5% of the lake's excess water; the other 95% is lost by evaporation under the fierce sun and strong winds.
Titicaca Sunset
A Natural Protected Reserve
Lake Titicaca holds national reserve status and is protected by Peruvian law. It became a designated Ramsar Site in 1998, meaning it is a 'wetland of international importance'. This status is very important in conserving biological diversity, and stresses the importance of protecting the large number of endemic species found in and around Titicaca.
Giant Frogs Live Here
Lake Titicaca is home to the telmatobius culeus, or giant frog, these frogs are exclusively aquatic and can be found at depths of up to 100 meters. These creatures can measure up to 14.5cm, which is big enough however Jacques Cousteau the French explorer, claimed to have come across a giant frog measuring 50cm in the '70s!
Giant Titicaca Frog
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