Undoubtedly, Lake Titicaca Peru is among the most sought after attractions by tourists looking for a more complete tour of the country.
After all, like other Peruvian destinations, the place involves much more than a beautiful landscape and preserved traditions, but also something inexplicable with a unique energy and full of mysteries.
It is precisely for this reason that the country is incomparable and will never be the destination of a single trip. Those who visit it should be prepared to experience and experience sensations and emotions that are not limited to photos or memories. It’s real, true and indescribable. So, we decided to prepare this post with tips and trivia from one of the most unique and incredible places there: Lake Titicaca and its charms!
Want to check it out? So, come with us on this trip and be surprised!
The 6 biggest curiosities of Lake Titicaca Peru
1- The highest navigable lake in the world
It is no less than 3,811 meters above sea level, which gives it the title of highest navigable lake on the planet. As if that were not enough, Lake Titicaca Peru is still considered the one with the largest volume of water in South America. Before anyone claims that Lake Maracaibo, in Venezuelan lands, is bigger and deeper, it is worth remembering that it it has an outlet to the ocean, thus characterizing itself as a bay.
Therefore, all that immensity of blue waters, at the top of the Andes, is a unique and exclusive landscape in the world. So, prepare not only the camera, but the heart as well!
2- Lake Titicaca Peru is divided by the borders of two countries
Another curiosity of Lake Titicaca in Peru is that it belongs to the Peruvian and Bolivian territories, most of which belong to the first country. The exact location is in the city of Puno, one of the most traditional in the entire region. The cool thing about all this is that you can take advantage of your travel itinerary to visit the Bolivian side as well and get to know a little of the culture and people on the other side of the bank.
However, there is no doubt that the part of Peru is the most complete and perfect for a more surprising tour.
3- Lake Titicaca Peru is also considered the cradle of pre-Columbian civilizations
It would not be surprising to talk about mythology and mysteries of ancient local peoples regardless of the city or town in question. The fact is that the entire country hides a little of its millenary history in its customs, archeological sites, traditions and even in its cuisine. At Lake Titicaca it couldn’t be different either.
Many studies indicate that this is exactly where the Inca civilization originated. According to Andean legend, the Sun God ordered his sons Manco Capac and Mama Ocllo to look for a perfect place for the development of their people. The choice would have been made by a place named Isla del Sol, which was inhabited by the ancients until the invasion of Europeans in the 16th century.
In addition, there was a civilization known as the Uros, who built and lived on several floating islands in the middle of the lake. Currently, there are more than 40 of these islands inhabited by fishermen and artisans, who still keep their original traditions alive.
On your tour of Lake Titicaca in Peru, you will be able to visit preserved archeological sites inhabited by local indigenous communities, who descend from the original Incas. A true historical experience provided to the traveler by these traditions, cultures and legends. Ever wonder?
4- Lake Titicaca receives other names in Peru
Another curiosity of Lake Titicaca in Peru is related to its name. In fact, the origin of the term is still discussed by many, as well as its meaning. However, the most convincing translation, defended by the majority, is from “Pedra do Puma”, mixing words from Quechua and Aymara.
However, the subject does not stop there. Also on the Peruvian side, the lake is “separated” by the Strait of Tiquina, which divides it into two parts, a smaller and a larger one. The first is named Lago Pequeño and the other Lago Grande. In the Bolivian part, these same places are known as Lake Huinaymarca and Lake Chuchuito, respectively.
5- Lake Titicaca Peru is part of a nature reserve
Since 1978, the lake has been officially protected by the Peruvian state, through the creation of the Lake Titicaca Nature Reserve, covering a total area of more than 37,000 hectares by the municipalities of Huancané, Ramis and Puno. This government initiative not only benefited the region’s environmental preservation, but also reinforced the historical and cultural importance of its people, preventing construction and deforestation in the area.
With this, your tour of Lake Titicaca Peru will always be contemplated by the customs and traditions of its local inhabitants, as well as by the unspoilt scenery and full of native species of fish, birds and animals from there. The islands of Santa Maria, Huaca Huacani and Toranipata are also part of the nature reserve.
6- Typical boats are an attraction in themselves
Chances are, if you’ve already researched any topic related to Lake Titicaca Peru, you’ve come across those typical boats of the region that, without a doubt, are trademarks of the place and its people.
In addition to the tours that you will certainly take on them, the most interesting part of the story is that these boats are handcrafted and the material used in their construction is called totora, a kind of aquatic plant very common there and that , has been part of the indigenous routine and traditions for centuries.
Anyway, these were some of the main curiosities of Lake Titicaca in Peru and that will certainly make your itinerary even more complete. There are many others to discover and explore in what is one of the most spectacular destinations in the entire South American continent and which, in particular, makes Peru one of the most incredible countries to visit. Pack your bags and check out all the magic of the highest lake on the planet!
Did you like it? Did you already know these curiosities of Lake Titicaca? So, share the post on your social networks and show it to your friends! Maybe that travel partner is excited to pack his bags with you?