Lake Titicaca

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Lake Titicaca

Why Go? Juliaca...... 168 In Andean belief, Titicaca is the birthplace of the sun. In ad- Around Juliaca...... 169 dition, it’s the largest lake in South America and the high- Puno...... 171 est navigable body of water in the world. Banner blue skies Around Puno...... 179 contrast with bitterly cold nights. Enthralling and in many Lake Titicaca Islands.....181 ways singular, the shimmering deep blue Lake Titicaca is the longtime home of highland cultures steeped in the old ways. Capachica Peninsula & Around...... 184 Pre-Inca Pukara, Tiwanaku and Collas all left their mark upon the landscape. Today the region is a mix of crum- South-Shore Towns...... 186 bling cathedrals, desolate altiplano and checkerboard fields Bolivian Shore...... 188 backed by rolling hills and high Andean peaks. In this world, crops are still planted and harvested by hand. Campesinos wear sandals recycled from truck tires, women work in pet- Best Places to ticoats and bowler hats, and llamas are tame as pets. It might first appear austere, but ancient holidays Stay & Eat are marked with riotous celebrations where elaborately »»Titilaka (p186) costumed-processions and brass bands ripcord a frenzy that »»Casa Andina Isla Suasi lasts for days. (p184) »»Casa Panq’arani (p173) »»Capachica community When to Go homestays (p184) Puno °C/°F Temp Rainfall inches/mm »»Mojsa (p176) 40/104 12/300

30/86 8/200 Best Festivals 20/68

»»La Virgen de la Candelaria 10/50 (p172) 4/100 0/32 »»Puno Week (p173) -10/14 0 »»Fiesta de San Juan (p173) J F DNOSAJJMAM »»Alacitas (p173) Early Feb For Jun–Aug Winter’s Early Nov Puno »»Feast of Saint James the marvelous dry season her- Week celebrates (p173) spectacle of alds cold, clear the birth of the festival of nights and bright Mánco Capac, the La Virgen de la sunny days. first Inca, in wild Candelaria. style. 50 km (45km) To La Paz Huatajata Isla

25 miles Tiahuanaco Isla Taquiri Tiquina Estrecho de BOLIVIA Laguna de Anapia Wiñaymarca (p190) (p176) Isla de la Luna Cross into Bolivia to to Bolivia into Cross Recharge your batteries batteries your Recharge Stargaze and sleep on Stargaze

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pa 111 Sillustani Boat the serene blue the serene Boat Admire the elaborate the elaborate Admire To Ayaviri (22km); Abra La Raya (90km Celebrate festivals with with festivals Celebrate

Lam Getting There & Around costumes in in costumes Peru’s 3 Lake that dwarf temples islands Titicaca 2 crazy and bands brass blaring Lake Highlights Titicaca 1 the mystical to expanse Cueva de los Toros Pucará Lago Umayo climate to the altitude; flying straight from Lima can serve up quite a headache. Cuzco (see p178). If arriving from sea level, it’s best to travel overland in order to better ac Puno) from Lima and Cuzco. Regular buses travel from Arequipa, Cuzco and Lima to Juliaca and Puno. There’s also an iconic train route from 8 There are daily flights to Juliaca(one hour from

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Lake T 168