Lake Titicaca

My final stop in Peru was Puno on the shore of Lake Titicaca. Lake Titicaca is one of the highest great lakes in the world at 3813 metres above sea level. When I arrived in Puno I went to visit the nearby Sillustani, a pre-Incan cemetery. The tombs are tower like structures called chullpas, which house entire families.

Saying goodbye to Peru I crossed the border to Copacabana in Bolivia. From Copacabana I visited Isla de la Luna and Isla del Sol in Lake Titicaca. I sat on the roof of the boat as we headed off towards the islands, through the crystal clear water and past the beautiful terraced mountains.

Isla de la Luna, or Moon Island, is a small island home to only around 80 people. On the island is the Temple of the Virgins of the Sun. Not much is known about the ruins, but they are assumed to be Incan, and a type of convent for women worshiping the sun. It was quite beautiful perched on the hill overlooking the lake.

Isla del Sol, or Island of the Sun, according to Incan lore is the birthplace of the sun god, and of the first two Incan people. The island is home to over 80 Incan ruins from the 15th century. I explored the north side of the island where there were the ruins of a labyrinth like palance, and what is assumed to be a sacraficial table where animal and human sacrifices took place.

Back in Copacabana I enjoyed the local scenery and watched the sun appear to disappear into the lake at sunset. You can understand how the Incans believed that that is where the sun is born! I also had some of the delicious lake trout, where you could get a huge plate of food for about £3. Then I wandered around the town where there was a lively band playing some awesome tunes!Read more