Lake Titicaca

The world's highest navigable large lake, at 3,812 m on the Peru–Bolivia border, with the floating reed islands of the Uros, Isla del Sol and Andean Indigenous culture.

Lake Titicaca lies in the northern Altiplano of the Andes and covers about 8,300 square kilometers. Its west side belongs to Peru's Puno region and its east side to Bolivia's La Paz department. It is the largest lake in South America and, in Inca myth, the birthplace of the children of the Sun god. On the Peruvian side, Puno is the gateway: take boat trips to the floating islands the Uros people weave from totora reeds, to Taquile Island (its textile art is on the Intangible Cultural Heritage list) and to Amantaní Island (stay with Quechua families), and nearby are the chullpa tower tombs of Sillustani. On the Bolivian side, the lakeside town of Copacabana is the gateway: the Basilica of Our Lady of Copacabana, climbing Cerro Calvario at sunset, and boat trips to Isla del Sol (Inca ruins, a north–south hike) and Isla de la Luna. At the lake's southeastern end, the Tiwanaku site (a World Heritage Site) is near La Paz. Classic cross-border route: Cusco – Puno (2 days) – cross at the Kasani/Yunguyo border to Copacabana and Isla del Sol (1–2 days) – bus via the Strait of Tiquina (crossed by ferry) to La Paz, 4–5 days in all, often combined with the Uyuni Salt Flat. The lake region sits near 3,900 m, with strong UV and cold nights, so bring warm clothing if staying on the floating islands or in homestays. Chinese citizens need to arrange a visa in advance to enter Bolivia.

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