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Peru
Puno and Titicaca Lake
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Puno is located in the southeastern region of the country. It has a rough topography with most of its cities located in the Sierra. The city of Puno includes colonial architecture, as does the nearby town of Juli, famous for its four-16th and 17th churches. The ideal months to visit are from April to December; the rainy season is from January to March with strong sun during the day and cold at night. Acclimatization is necessary, to avoid high-altitude sickness. Avoid over-exertion the first day, eat easily digestible food and drink coca tea.
Lake Titicaca is bordered by a vast highland plain in the Puno region between Peru and Bolivia. Titicaca is the world's highest navigable lake, at 3,820 masl (12,500 ft). It covers an area of over 8,300 square kilometers (3,205 square miles), of which 4,700 km2 (1,815mi2) are in Peru. |
Uros Island at Lake Titicaca
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The ancient Andean civilizations of the Quechua and Aymara, the two most important ethnic groups of ancient Peru, believed the lake was sacred and legend has it that the founders of the Inca Empire, Manco Capac and Mama Ocllo, emerged from its waters.The lake is very popular among tourists and scientists alike, who are amazed at the richness of its waters. It is a National Reserve and is home to numerous species of birds and waterfowl, a dozen species of fish, a variety of mammals, and seven amphibians, including a unique species of giant frog. The lake is also home to the floating islands made of reeds that are populated by the Uros, descendants of an ancient people.
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Totora Reed Boat
Titicaca Lake |
Also very interesting to visitors are three islands that maintain their ancient social and farming systems: Taquile, Amantani and Suasi.
Activities
Archaeology, eco-tourism, experiential tourism on the islands, wildlife watching (endemic bird species), boat and balsa raft rides, and arts and crafts shopping.
Nearby Attractions
Visits are suggested to the towns along the lakeshore: Chucuito, Juli and Pomata; also to the Sillustani chullpas or burial towers and the towns of Lampa, Pucara and Ayaviri (Tinajani rock forest).
Visits to the islands of Taquile, Suasi, Amantani and Anapia and to the floating islands of the Uros are unforgettable.
Other interesting sites include: Juliaca, an important commercial city; Lampa, a city with a rich Colonial heritage; Chucuito, a site rich in archaeological vestiges; and Pucará Village, where the Gran Templo de Pucará is located. The local people here are wonderful artisans and potters, famous for their Pucará bulls. There is also Tinajani, located in Ayaviri. This canyon, formed by two huge masses of rock, is also known as Baño del Diablo (Devil’s Bath); other nearby towns are Desaguaderos and Yunguyo |
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