Trips to Bolivia

TRIPS TO BOLIVIA: LAKE TITICACA

The Titicaca lake is in the Andean plateau (plateau of the Collao), in the border between Peru and Bolivia. It has a surface of about 9,000 squared kilometers, with a length of 150 kilometers and a wide average of 50 km Located to about 3,800 meters on the level of the sea more stop of the greatest world and in South America is the navigable lake.

Esteem that their maximum depth is of about 460 meters, although can vary according to the season of rains. The temperature of its waters varies between 10 and 12°C thus is possible to swim, and to fish native trouts, pejerrey and other fish. Also there is a great diversity of birds: ducks, Andean geese, flamenco, ibis, gulls.

The climate is very dry and cold (under 0°C of June to September) but at night sunny by day because the skies are always very cleared. Not to forget to take to protective cream for the skin and lips, because the combination of dry climate and radiating sun is very detrimental. The time of rains and hail is of December to March.

The environs of the lake were inhabited by pre-incaicas populations, emphasizing the Tiahuanaco kingdom. Many historians consider that they were his descendants who, later, became the Incas. For them the Titicaca Lake was a sacred place.

More interesting the archaeological rest of these cultures are: the cemetery Inca of Sillustani with enormous stone towers (12 meters of height) constructed like last dwelled of the noble Incas; the temple of Chucuito, in which a series of stone sculptures can be found with fálicas forms dedicated to the cult of the fertility.

The most important celebration in the zone is “the Candlemas”, religious festival in honor to the Virgin of the Candlemas. This celebration is celebrated from the 2 to the 15 of February, weeks in which competitions of typical dances are organized, as well as pasacalles. The dancers go dresses with typical attires, reason why he is very interesting besides funny.

The lake for of natural border between Bolivia and Peru.


OF THE BOLIVIAN SIDE THEY STAND OUT:

Island of the Sun:
One is in means of the Titicaca lake and during the Hispanic time pre-, was an important religious establishment. Its extension is of 9.6 kilometers in length by 4.6 kilometers in width. They are places of interest within the island:

- Pilkokaina, a construction to the south of the island, that characterizes by its doors and quarters of stone.

- Chincana, passages and semi-underground tunnels of a palace Inca, give the impression to form a labyrinth in the North part of the island.

- Footsteps of the Sun: it counts the legend that, after a great deluge, the Sun was in the Earth and, when it rose towards skies, left its tracks noticeable. In fact, the footsteps of the star geologic king are formation that are in the surface of the island.

- Sagrada Rock: a legend says that Able Manco and Ocllo Breast took refuge on this rock, in which are appraised two human figures.

- Perrons of Yumani: tens of steps of the time of the children of the Sun lead to the Source of the Incas, in whom cults to the water were realized. Stories of past times assure that the place was the Source of Eternal Youth.

- Kalahuata: its name comes from the words aymaras: kala (stone) and huata (house). In the island there are rest of a great cemetery that dates from the period post- Tiahuanaco or the Collas empires. The settlers cultivate quinua, beans, maize and Pope, that are characteristic of the altiplánica region.

- Suriqui: This island is famous by its weavers of totora, skillful craftsmen to construct resistant rafts.

- Narrow of Tiquina: He is one of the most beautiful places of the lake and is located to 117 km of La Paz. In the borders of the Straits the populations of San Pablo and San Pedro de Tiquina extend. In order to move from one to another one it is necessary to approach a boat and, in the case of the motorized vehicles, these they must be taken by a ferry that crosses waters of the Titicaca.

- Copacabana: To only 158 km of La Paz and 3.841m, is east town whose main attractive it is the sanctuary of the Brown Virgin, where it surrenders cultured to the Virgin of Copacabana, an image carved in wood in 1592 by Francisco Tito Yupanqui, descendant of the Incas.

- Basilica of Copacabana: it emphasizes by his ornamentation and precious statures. It was built between 1610 and 1619 by Francisco de Siguenza. The four chapels of the vestibule draw attention.

- The Calvary: like penance, thousands of devotee pilgrims and of the Virgin of Copacabana, follow this rock road that leads to a hill, from which has a precious view of the lake.

- Astronomical observatory: for the observation of the winter solstice, the old cultures of the plateau (previous to the Incas) placed in this place a group of líticas pieces. From here, a spectacular view of the lake is had.

- Intikala or the court of the Inca: to less than a kilometer of Copacabana a series of capably worked gigantic stones by pre-Columbian artists can be appreciated, who worked rock seats cheers and pedestals for their Gods.


IN THE PERUVIAN SIDE OF LAKE TITICACA THERE ARE TWO GREAT ISLANDS:

- Taquile is one of them and is unique for several reasons, but the main one is their settlers. These have preserved their customs through the years and dress clothes distinguish that them. The typical attire of the man is: black pants, white shirt, black vest and “chullo”, typical cap that distinguishes to the men married of the single women; in women, the clothes is a skirt and a dark túnica. All customs and traditions are captivating, but most interesting of this people it is his felt solid of community, as well as its firm belief that being sluggish it is an unforgivable sin.

- Amantaní is the other Peruvian island. In her it is possible to stay itself in the house of some family of the communities. When arriving there are several women hoping to give the welcome to the visitors, who are lead to the houses of their hosts, where they will be received by the family.

The houses count on special rooms for the guests, and the meals are including in the lodging. After lunch, the possibility exists of raising the top of a hill from where there is a gorgeous view of the putting of the sun in the lake.

After dinner, the tourists are invited to a celebration of the community; there the villagers touch music and dance inviting the visitors to be united them like part of the community.