The main tourist attraction in Lake Titicaca is the Uros Islands -- also known as the floating islands. These islands are made from reed that grows in the lake's waters. It is very touristic.
The Taquili island with it's special social system is very interesting and also very beautiful.
The Amantani island, more remote, and more agricultural, is a beautiful and authentic place. It is a nice place to meet the locals and see beatiful sunsets.
All islands can be visited independently or on an organized tour. One possibility is to take a two day tour that includes visiting all the islands and spending the night in Amantani Island. It costs 50 soles.
Around the lake, there are many ruins. The most known of them is the Sillustani funerary towers. These towers, from different periods, are interesting and set in a fine location, near a small lake.
For more details, click on each sight's article.
Contributors
July 21, 2006
February 15, 2008
Sillustani is located on a hill near a small and beutiful lake. Both Incan and pre-Incan cultures used this site to build towers for burrying their kings and noblemen. They were burried with their familes, and also with offerings to the gods, such as llamas, alpacas, quinua, etc..
It is easy to identify the difference between the more primitive pre-Incan towers, and the more precise Incan towers. The Incas respected the culture that they conquered and kept the tradition.
The Spaniards, though, wanted to destroy old religious rituals and spread Christianity, so many of the towers were dismantled or damaged after the conquest.
type: Graves and Cemeteries
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address: Sillustani
Taquili island is gorgeous. It is a hilly island in the lake, where a special social culture has developed. Each person has clothes according to their social status. Leaders have black hats, for example. There is a difference between single men, dating men and married men. This applies also for women.
Contrary to many traditional societies, a couple must live together for one year, to see if it works out, before getting married. Weddings are held anually in a great celebration (a full week) for all the couples. Many sheep are slaughtered for the occasion, and the whole island joins in the festivities.
type: Hotspots
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The Uros islands, also known as the floating islands, are the major tourist attraction in Lake Titicaca. Nowadays, it has become very touristic. The locals jump at visitors when they land on one of the islands and try to sell them all kinds of souvenirs. They claim that they are original from the islands, but it can't really be guaranteed.
Nonetheless, they look nice.
The islands are made from reed that grows in the lake. The bottom rots over time, so new layers are added regularly. The islands are sometimes divided when there is a family dispute — the inhabitants simply cut the island in two and float apart.
type: Hotspots
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Amantani Island is a beautiful island, more than 3 hours by boat from Puno. Its rather remote location makes it less touristic. The community that lives there maintains traditional agricultural life. It seems like not much has changed during time.
The island is not very large, so one can hike around it. A hot spot is the highest hilltop on the island. It is both a sacred place, and a great place to see sunsets. The 300 meter elevation from the lake level could be hard if visitors are not acclimitized. Otherwise, it is a very straightforward and smooth walk to the top.
type: Hotspots
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