Go deep into South America and explore the Inca's Lake Titicaca.
Detailed travel guide to Lake Titicaca:
Documents: Make sure to bring a valid passport and visa.
Clothing: The Lake Titicaca area has a high altitude and a large temperature difference between day and night. You need to bring warm clothes and prepare sun protection products. Ultraviolet rays are strong in high-altitude areas.
Medicines: Prepare medicines to prevent and alleviate altitude sickness, such as rhodiola rosea, etc.; also bring commonly used medicines, such as cold medicines, gastrointestinal medicines, etc.
Other items: cameras and chargers, personal toiletries, etc.
Transportation guide:
Public transportation: Starting from La Paz, the capital of Bolivia, first go to the Central Cemetery and take a bus to the lakeside town of Copacabana. The journey takes about 3 hours and the one-way fare is 15 Bolivianos. When the bus arrives at the Tiquina ferry, you need to get off the bus and take a speedboat (cost 1.5 Bolivianos) to the other side of the lake, and then reboard the previous bus to continue driving to your destination.
Group tour: You can book a 1-day tour of Lake Titicaca at your hotel in La Paz or charter a bicycle to go there. A one-day individual tour costs about 200 Bolivianos, and a full-day charter costs about $180. Group tours allow travel agencies to arrange transportation, meals and sightseeing tours, which is more worry-free.
Accommodation recommendations:
Copacabana: This is an important town on the lake with more accommodation options. For example, Rosario Hotel, Gloria Hotel, Hotel Onkelinntorres, etc. are all relatively high-end and comfortable hotels by the lake, costing about US$70-100 per night.
Must-visit attractions:
Uros Islands: Also known as "Floating Islands", they are floating islands made of locally produced reed grass. This is the place where the Uros people once escaped the genocide of the Inca Empire, and now it has become a unique tourist attraction. You can visit the structure of the floating island, learn about the lifestyle of the Uros people, and take a tour on a boat made of reeds.
Isla del Sol: Located near the tip of Bolivia’s Copacabana Peninsula, it is the largest island in the lake. There are relics of the Inca civilization on the island, such as ancient temples, altars, etc., where you can feel the mystery and solemnity of the Inca culture. The island also offers a beautiful view of the lake and the Andes Mountains in the distance.
Taquile Island: This is a small island located in the middle of the lake. Unlike floating islands, it is a real island. There are squares, churches, schools, small clinics and other social facilities on the island.
Food recommendations:
Trout: Lake Titicaca is rich in trout, with delicious meat. Local restaurants usually prepare trout in a variety of flavors, such as trout with garlic, grilled trout, etc., served with chips, rice and salad, which is a dish not to be missed.
Salteñas: Grilled empanadas filled with olives, raisins, vegetables and potatoes, usually filled with pork, beef or chicken. To eat, bite off one end first to suck out the juices, and then finish the entire pastry.
Humintas: Made from fresh corn, seasoned with fennel and cheese, wrapped in corn husks and cooked.
Things to note:
Cultural customs: Respect local cultural customs and religious beliefs. Indians have their own traditions and taboos.