TITIKAKA LAKE AND SURROUNDINGS, Bolivia

Located only 65 km. from the city of La Paz, is situated the beautiful and mysterious Titikaka Lake; this enormous inland sea located 3,900 above the sea level and with an extension over 8,300 km. is the rest of a huge Paleolithic lake that covered a huge part of the Bolivian plateau and led to the formation of the Uyuni and Coipasa Salt Flats, also the Poopó lake. 

Their histories, its landscape, its archaeological sites, its inhabitants, mix to bring a special experience to the visitors, full of mysticism, experience. The Titikaka lake, cradle of Andean civilization, is full of archaeological samples as Tiwanaku, aymara and Inca, whose monuments and ceremonial centers can be admired in its islands and major towns of the region.  

Huatajata in the minor lake and Copacabana in the Mayor lake are the towns which traditionally open their doors to visitors and propose them new and unforgettable experiences.  

Huatajata

In the Huatajata population you can delight diverse plates of rainbow trout, visit the Totora museum or make an excursion to the Suriqui Island, populated by traditional constructors of Totora rafts, which participated in international expeditions as the Norwegian Thor Heyerdal or the Spanish Quitín Muñoz, building inter oceanic rafts made with Totora and demonstrating the quality of his technique. 

Suriqui Island

Located on the lower lake of Titicaca Lake, it belongs at the Los Andes province in the La Paz department at 80 km. of the city. Huatajata can be accessed by any bus to Copacabana due to it is in the way, and being in Huatajata you can hire a boat toward Suriqui Island.

The island has a minimum size of 3.7 km long and 2.2 km wide, it covers an area of 4.5 km. approximately. This region is a tourist destination noted for its reed boats manufacture, natural resource that allows to the andean man sail on the lake in remote boats although now they only make wood rafts.

The Suriqui Craft Center exposes sheep, alpaca and llama handcrafted knitting. Aguayos multicolored emit a mystic language of andean nature. Also manufactured decorative and utilitarian articles inspired by the fauna of the island, also it is near to an interesting museum reed boats.The Suriqui Island awaits for foreign and national tourists 365 days of the year.

Copacabana

Copacabana was originally a pre-columbine ceremonial Center and the same time of astronomical observation, linked with the pilgrimage to Isla del Sol and Isla de La Luna during the Inca Empire. As part of the evangelization process in the 16th century, in the main square and on the sacred site or waka, the sanctuary of Virgen de Candelaria was built, a brunette image carved in wood by Tito Yupanqui. The building is white and imposing with bright and colorful cupolas; the altar is clad with gold and silver and dress oh the small image are full of valuable jewels of the colonial era. The Museum enabled on one of their areas is an interesting sample of the power and importance of this site. Starting in Copacabana can be some excursions and interesting walks to some viewpoints as the Calvary and the La Horca del Inca, go on a trip to the boat for Isla del Sol or walk along the beaches and rest.

Isla del Sol

Isla del Sol is a special, gentle and friendly site, its landscapes are spectacular, permanently dominated by the eternal snow of the Cordillera Real; Yumani staircase is a challenge to the strength of the visitor and is awarded with the waters of the three sources. The Chincana, Pilkokaina, the trace of the Sun and the sacred rock are samples of the religious importance of the island during the Inca occupation, walking by its hills and go from the east to the west is a dignified living experience.