Lake Titicaca, the "Cradle of the World"

Lake Titicaca, the “cradle of the world”

To the Incas, Lake Titicaca was considered the birth place of the sun and its people. They believed the world began at Lake Titicaca and called it “the cradle of the world.”

Lake Titicaca is the highest lake in the world. At 12,500 feet, it is also the highest navigable lake for boats and is home to more than 530 aquatic species. Visiting Lake Titicaca is like taking a trip back into history where you can experience the past and an ancient way of life that still continues to this day.

Lake Titicaca has 41 islands, called “floating islands,” that are actually man-made from local totora reeds. These reed islands were built by the Uros people hundreds of years ago, who designed them to be mobile to protect themselves from attack by hostile invaders, namely the Incas who were expanding their territory. The Uros still inhabit the floating islands today, as they have for hundreds of years, and still practice many of the traditional ways of life as they did then – but with some modern enhancements like solar panels and radios. The Uros people are one of the oldest ethnic groups in South America.

Lake Titicaca is the highest lake in the world.

Nearly half of the lake falls into the neighboring country of Boliva, to the south of Peru. The lake was formed over 60 million years ago when a huge earthquake happened along the Andes Mountains, causing the mountain range to split in two, creating a large basin that eventually filled up with glacial meltwater from the Andes Mountains.

There is an island on the Peruvian side of the lake called Amantani, that is home to over 180 Inca ruins. Before the Incas inhabited the islands, the lake was inhabited by other indigenous cultures including the Pukara, Collas, Tiwansku and the Urus.

Traveling to Lake Titicaca, Getting There

To get to Lake Titicaca from the Peruvian side, I traveled by bus from the town of Arequipa, about 21 hours on the Pan-Americana Sur Highway—a fairly grueling trip, but also a spectacular one. You can also reach the lake from Cusco, about a two day bus trip or much shorter train trip. This is a spectacular journey, that takes you over the Andes Mountains and is considered one of the best train journeys in all of South America. You can also reach the lake from the Bolivian side from the town of Copacabana.

I lived with a Peruvian family in their home on the lakeside, which is easy to do. You can also stay in one of the many (now) accommodations available along the lake. It’s well worth the journey to this fascinating and beautiful place.