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Top Of The World: Lake Titicaca: Sacred Place Of The Inca Empire

Lake Titicaca is situated at an elevation of 12,500 feet and is said to be the highest navigable lake in the world. The lake is self is located right along the Peruvian and Bolivian Borders. During the time of the Inca Empire this lake and some of its islands were considered to be sacred. Around the lake and on various islands one can find a variety of interesting pre-Columbian ruins.

Today the region is home to a variety of people who make a living farming and herding llama and alpaca. Throughout the region are a variety of small communities and one larger town. Puno is the main jumping off point for trips on the lake, around the lake, and is the last stop before going into Bolivia.

Lake Titicaca is home to some interesting islands. One of the most famous are the floating islands inhabited by the Uros indians. The islands are small, man-made islands that in the past provided protection from larger more aggressive groups in the area. Today the islands are popular with tourists who like to visit the islands and purchase locally produced goods.

The other islands of interest is Taquile. The island is home to a group of weavers. The trip out is beautiful and the island and its people are very interesting. If arranged in advance one can spend the night on the island.

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