THE BEAUTIFUL LAKE TITICACA 

Although there are many impressive lakes in South America, one stands out above the rest – Lake Titicaca.  Bordering on the Bolivia and Peru borders, this lake is massive in size.  Known as the world’s largest navigable lake, it covers more than 3,800 square miles. Located at a summit of 12,500 feet above sea level, Lake Titicaca is a huge resource for people living in this region. 

In addition to the farmers and fishers who live and work off what the lake offers, there is also the Uros people who live in “floating islands”, which are boats carefully constructed from the lake’s reed vegetation.  The waters are cold but offer an abundance of fishing.  The primary fish include the Orestias, which is the Killifish, and the Trichomycterus, or the Catfish.  However, Trout was also brought into the lake in the late 1930s.  Then in the shallower areas of the lake is a very large frog called a Telmatobius, sometimes reaching up to one-foot in length. 

The level of the lake fluctuates depending on the season and generally over a cycle of years.  For instance, in the rainy season, which is the summertime that runs from December to March, the lake waters will rise but then as the dry season approaches, which is the winter, the water will recede.  At one tie, it was believed the lake be drying up very slowly but current studies show that the lake merely goes through cycles. 

The waters of the lake are limpid and slightly brackish.  On the surface, the average temperatures are around 56 degrees but as you go to around 65 feet, they drop to 50 to 52 degrees.  Lake Titicaca has also undergone significant testing with the discovery that it is very rich in sodium, chloride, magnesium sulfate, and calcium sulfate. 

Te depth of the waters range between 460 to 600 feet but the bottom part leans dramatically towards the Bolivian shore.  At this point, the depth drops to an amazing 920 feet deep off the northeast corner by Isla Soto.  To keep the water levels high, explorers have discovered over 25 rivers that dump into this lake.  The largest of these is called the Ramis and the smaller called Desaguadero.  The depth of Lake Titicaca is so vast that on certain days, you will even see waves just as if you were on the ocean. 

Lake Titicaca and the surrounding islands are said to be mystical and sacred.  It was here that the Inca Empire lived and where today, various Indians still exist.  All around the lake are more than 40 islands, some inhabited, even with semi-modern facilities.  However, the majority of the islands are very pre-Colonial Peruvian with no electricity, running water, and infrastructure of any kind. 

Sadly, the Uros Indians, although happy and content, live a life of deep poverty.  With this, many have been forced to move inland to the town of Puno but others insist on living the way of the water, keeping entire families on the lake, seldom going to shore.  They cook, clean, work, play, and do everything a normal family would do but on the boat.  Even though these people strive to maintain the dignity of the earlier descendants, many use motors to guide their boat through the waters of the lake. 

Life on the lake of Titicaca moves to a different rhythm, one of ancient times.  You can take a number of tours of the lake and even stay in homes of the locals to learn more about their culture up close.  The view is magnificent and as the sun begins to rise and set, the water turns to a rich, golden orange color.  If you love adventure and have a true appreciation for ancient history, this would make an excellent destination. 

You can visit any number of islands and cities around Lake Titicaca such as Arequipa, which is actually a very sophisticated colonial place that features the Catedral, Monasterio Santa Catalina, and the Plaza de Armas.  This entire town was built of sillar, which is a sparking white volcanic stone.  Then just a short distance from there is the Colca Canyon, where you will discover ancient stone villages and the Cruz del Condor, the largest flying bird in the world.