There are certain names of places that have fired my imagination ever since I was a child – ‘Lake Titicaca’ is one such place.
A visit to this high-altitude lake feels like a journey to the top of the world. Everything, and everyone, that sits beside this impressive body of water seems to fall into the background. Set between Peru and Bolivia, at 3,808m and covering 8,372 sq-km (3,232 sq mi) it is the highest navigable lake in the world.
The origin of the name Titicaca is unknown. It most likely is derived from the Sacred Rock on the Island of the Sun (Isla del Sol) known as Titikala.
First I had to get myself from Sucre to La Paz! Apparently it’s a long and painful journey to get from one to the other overland so I decided to fly between the two and then take an overnight tourist bus, coupled with a ferry, to the town of Copacabana.
Nestled between two hills and perched on the southern shore of Lake Titicaca, Copacabana (Copa) is a small, bright and enchanting town. That said, it was a bit too touristy for me.
Copacabana was purely a means to an end. My ultimate destination was a further 2-hour boat ride away.
Next stage: Isla del Sol.
