Sightseeing the most important attractions in Lake Titicaca: Tiwanacu , Copacabana, and the islands of the Sun & the Moon.

Traveling through the highlands towards Tiwanacu archeological site make you understand the importance of Lake Titicaca during pre-colonial times. Surrounded by desert like hills and snow caped mountains, the lake offered, and still offers, rich lands and a mild climate. Tiwanacu used to be a port, an important ceremonial center and a huge urban establishment.

We have to cross the straight of Tiquina on ferries on the way to Copacabana, traditionally a pilgrimage center since ancient times. The main plaza is dominated by the Moorish-style cathedral originally built between 1610 and 1620, now much restored; it houses the Virgen de Candelaria, Bolivia's Patron saint. Every Sunday people 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). The Cerro Calvario with its Stations of the Cross sits on a headland, which overlooks the town and the port. The name Copacabana comes from Kota meaning ‘lake’ and Kawaña meaning ‘bay’ and it is said that the name was taken to Brazil by a priest who took with him a reproduction of the Madonna from this town.

The original name for the Island of the Sun was ‘Titi Karka’ or ‘Titi Kachi’ meaning “The rock of the Puma”, the Spanish adopted this and used it to refer to the whole lake. It used to be a mandatory destination for Tiwanacu 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. We retrace the steps of the ancient pilgrims in this tour and visit the different gateways one must pass to reach the labyrinth. On the last day we visit the Virgins temple at the island of the Moon (originally called Koatia); these archaeological ruins were once used as a prison for political prisoneers during the revolution of 1952.

Itinerary:

D1. Visit of Tiwanacu. Transp.to Copacabana. Hotel.
D2. Transp.to Yampupata. Boat to Chincana-Yumani. La Estancia Lodge.
D3. Boat to Island of the moon-Yampupata. Transp.to La Paz.

• The most enriching interactive-tour to understand the Tiwanacu culture visiting museums, archaeological sites, as well as its capital and surroundings.
• Extraordinary sightseeing of the highlands and Lake Titicaca shores on the way in and out to the Island of the Sun.
• Full sightseeing of the main attraction on the islands of the Sun & he Moon.
• Several archaeological sites visited along of the trek, including: the temples of Pilcocaina & Virgins, and Chincana labyrinth.
• The best opportunity to meet local cultures and interact with them.