.jpg) Since
immemorial time, the island of the Sun has drawn visitors. Its real name
is Titicaca ‘The feline of rock’ but the Spanish applied this
name to the whole lake. It used to be the obligatory destination for Tiwanaco
and Inca religious pilgrimages. According to legend the Sun and the Moon
detached themselves from this island after the ‘Great Flood’.
Likewise the founders of the Inca Empire went out into the world from
this island.
Tiquina strait divides
Lake Titicaca in two main portions; we will kayak on the large one, departing
from the harbor of Yampupata - located at northwestern end of the Copacabana’s
peninsula - we will paddle around the island of the Sun and back to the
departure point. The Island of the Sun has a unique natural beauty and
the most important archeological sites around Titicaca. We will visit
some of the ancient pilgrim sites and, on the Cata-Kayaks, reach the beaches
and places out of the main tourist route.
Although Titicaca
Lake is known to be the highest navigable lake on earth there are hardly
a few big ships sailing on its waters. The only boats that can be seen
are the Aymara fishing boats with their colorful sails.
We strongly suggest
to be acclimatized to the highlands, ideally to have spent at least 1-2
days at the highlands before signing for this trip. For more information
about this subject, please refer to the page acclimatization at our website.
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Itinerary:
D1. Transp.to Yampupata.
Cata-Kayak to Chincana. Camp.
D2. Trek on Challapampa. Cata-Kayak to Challa. Camp
D3. Cata-Kayak to island of the Moon-Sampaya. Camp
D4. Cata-Kayak to Yampupata. Transp.La Paz. |
Highlights:
- Extraordinary sightseeing
of the highlands and Lake Titicaca shores on the way in and out to the
Island of the Sun.
- An interesting
alternative to get acclimatized by paddling around the islands of the
Sun & the Moon.
- Several archaeological
sites visited along of the trek, including: Pilcocaina and the Virgins
temples and Chincana labyrinth.
- Demanding 4-day
trip around the island paddling/sailing Lake Titicaca.
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| Day
1. Transport to Yampupata. Kayak to Chincana. Camp. |
Elevations
La Paz 3,650m (11,972f)
Chincana beach 3,815m (12,513f)
Timing
Driving: 4-5 Hrs
Paddling: 4-5 Hrs
Meals
L,D |
Departure from La Paz.
Our vehicles will take us along the flat highlands to the shores of Titicaca
Lake. Crossing in a ferry the Tiquina strait we will get to Yampupata at
the northern end of the Peninsula of Copacabana. There we will board our
Cata-Kayaks and start paddling across the lake towards the Sun island. If
we are lucky we will take advantage of the wind on our displayed sails and
arrive to our campsite, otherwise we may need a little of help of the motor
boat that will be always accompanying us. Our campsite will be located in
a white sand beach at the bottom of the ruins known as the “Chincana”
(The labyrinth).
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| Day
2. Trek on Challapampa. Kayak to Challa. Camp. |
Elevations
Chincana 3,910m (12,824f)
Challa 3,815m (12,513f)
Timing
Walking: 1-2 Hrs
Paddling: 4-5 Hrs
Meals
B,L,D |
In the morning we will
walk over the Inca trail that used to lead the pilgrims coming from the
south. First we will visit Chincana ruins and visit a sacred rock, which
was worshipped as the birthplace of the first Incas: Manco Kapac and Mama
Okllo, son and daughter of Viracocha. On the way we will have the chance
to admire Inca terraces many of which are still being used, indigenous villages,
sandy beaches and beautiful landscapes. It is difficult to believe that
these cobalt-blue waters are almost 4km (2.5mi) above sea level, the view
of the snow-capped peaks of the Cordillera Real in the background are just
breathtaking. We will descend to the shores in the opposite side of the
island towards Challapampa village. After lunch, we will get back to the
Cata-Kayaks and head to our next campsite at the southeast side of the Island
near the village of Challa. |
| Day
3. Kayak to Island of the Moon & Sampaya. Camp. |
Elevations
Sampaya beach 3,820m (12,529f)
Timing
Paddling: 5-6 Hrs
Meals
B,L,D |
Aging, depending of
the wind, we will probably need most of the morning to paddle open water
towards the Island of the moon. A visit to the Inca Ruins of the “Virgins
Palace” is worthwhile. After lunch we go back to the mainland again,
our destination is a nice beach on the western shores of Copacabana peninsula.
After setting campsite on a nice beach facing to the mountains, we can walk
uphill to the charming village of Sampaya. |
| Day
4. Kayak to Yampupata. Transport to La Paz. |
Elevations
La Paz 3,650m (11,972f)
Timing
Paddling: 2-3 Hrs
Driving: 4-5 Hrs
Meals
B,L |
Today we will make the
last stretch paddling our Cata-Kayaks back towards Yampupata. There our
vehicle will be waiting to take us back to La Paz. On the way we will make
a quick stop at Copacabana, a traditionally a pilgrimage center since ancient
times, and pay a visit to the Moorish-style cathedral originally built between
1610 and 1620. If we are lucky, it may be a blessing day when locals bring
their cars and trucks to be blessed in front of the cathedral; a colorful
event with the vehicles decked with flowers, ribbons and balloons. Depending
on the owner’s preference, holy water or alcohol and firecrackers
are used for blessings (in Bolivia, Catholicism and ancient Andean beliefs
are often intertwined). |
