Lake Titikaka is enormous (190 kms long, 80 kms accross, 180 metres deep) and looks more like a sea than a lake. It is a beautiful area, fringed by snow capped mountains and dotted with Islands.
We visited the city of Copacabana on the shores of the lake, then did a 17 km hike to a nearby village where we caught a boat to the Isla del Sol, famous for being the birth place of the Inca sun.
On out bus trip to Copacabana, we had to catch a ferry across the lake. As you can see, the ferry was barely big enough to carry our bus!
The Virign Mary was spotted in Copacabana some years back, causing a massive sensation and attracting thousands of pilgrims. An impressive cathedral was built on the spot. Each Saturday, the locals bless the vehicles (cars, buses, motorbikes) in the area of the cathedral with flowers and beer. They pour litres of beer on the wheels and bonnets. It was quite painful to see such copious amounts of delicious beer being spilled!
From Copacabana, we did a tiring 17 km hike to another village on the lake shores. It was not a steep hike, but the 3800 metre altitude took its toll. The hike provided gorgeous scenery.
The wildlife along the way was not too wild but the elpacas and sheep were very cute. I felt a bit guilty when I tucked into a huge elpaca steak later. It was too delicious for the guilt to last though. As the saying goes, I didn´t fight my way to the top of the food chain to be a vegetarian!
We did see some birds too including this Swainsons Hawk and American Harrier.
We then caught a boat to the south of Isla del Sol and chatted to friendly fellow backpackers on the way. We also got to a strange local boat made entirely of reeds.
The island is bleak but has a stark beauty and is dotted with Inca ruins (the first we have seen on our trip). We stayed the night in a hostel in the south with a breath taking view. The next day, we did a hike along the length of the island, exploring the vistas and ruins along the way.
The Inca ruins were not particularly impressive - but the first we had seen so exciting nevertheless. A good warm up for Machu Pichu to come. The temple at the north of the island was the most impressive - a layrinth of rooms and pathways with great views over the lake.
The locals love their dogs and puppies abound. This little fellow really caught my heart.
And what would a blog posting be without a giant leap.
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