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Titicaca Lake
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Lake Titicaca is the highest navigable lake in the world and the biggest of South America. The Lake and its islands are rich in history and, to this day, are revered as the legendary site of the Inca’s earthly origin. Near the Lake are the ruins of Tiwanaku, the home of advanced ancient civilization that long predated the Incas.
Lake Titicaca, at an altitude of about 12,467 ft (3.600 m), is located two hours by bus from the capital city of La Paz. The Lake is in the Andean highland plateau and is divided almost evenly between Bolivia and Peru. Its surface area is about 3,474 sq.miles (9,000 sq.km ) with a length of 93.15 miles (150 km) and an average width of 31.05 miles (50 km). The lake’s maximum depth is about 1,509 ft (460 mts). Water temperatures vary between 50 and 56.6 F (10 and 12 C), thus is possible for the bold to enjoy an invigorating swim, and to fish for native trout, and for pejerrey among others. The Lake is home to a great variety of birds, including, ducks, Andean geese, flamingos, ibis and gulls, to name a few.
The climate is very dry and can be chilly at night under 32 F (0 C) in June to September, but very sunny during the day, usually with clear, blue skies. Do not forget to take sunscreen for exposed skin and lips because the combination of dry climate and strong sun can quickly lead to sunburn. Rainy season, which includes some hail, comprises December through March.
The environs of the Lake were once inhabited by pre-Inca populations, principal among them the Kingdom of Tiwanaku. Tiwanaku is a culture that reached a high level of development, but as yet is not well understood as to origin or history of peoples who inhabited it. Estimates are that less than 15% of this magnificent city have been discovered. Many historians consider its inhabitants direct ancestors of the Incas. Lake Titicaca was a sacred place for the Inca culture. Many traces and impressive ruins of the Inca Empire are found in areas surrounding the Lake. Many other archaeological ruins of these cultures have yet to be excavated or fully studied, including the ancient burial grounds of Sillustani with enormous stone towers of 39.37 ft high (12 m), the Island of the Sun (earthy birthplace of the Inca), the Island of the Moon (earthly birthplace of the mother Inca), and many others.
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