Enjoy the wonders of the largest lake in South America fromthe waterfront town of Copacabana. LakeTiticaca spreads for hundreds of kilometres to the northwest of town,hiding islands and Inca ruins. Before taking a boat trip over the deep watersof the lake, explore the ancient town of Copacabana and its mountainoussurroundings.
Start out with a hike to the top of the hill looming overtown, the Cerro Calvario. The trailbegins at the Iglesia de Colquepata(Church of Colquepata) and leads to a religious monument at the summit.Look out over Lake Titicaca and note the layout of Copacabana.
The town is situated in mountainous terrain 3,841 metres(12,602 feet) above sea level. Hike to the Bañodel Inca (Bath of the Inca), a thermal spring, or the Asiento del Inca (Seat of the Inca), a throne-like rockarrangement. If you are an expert hiker, take the strenuous hike to Horca del Inca, an ancient observatorybuilt by the pre-Inca Chiripa people.
Explore the lake by joining a boat tour leaving from Copacabana’sport. Try to make it to the two nearby islands, the Isla de la Luna (Island of the Moon) and the Isla del Sol (Island of the Sun), where Incan civilization began.
Visit Copacabana is on a holy day, when religious pilgrimsgather at the Plaza 2 de Febrero inthe heart of town for dances and religious services. Copacabana is considered aholy site due to the Virgin of Candelaria in its possession, a 16th-centurystatue in the Copacabana Cathedral.
The local cuisine consists of Andean specialties andTiticaca seafood. Have a buñuelo, a specialty donut, over a cup of “mate decoca” (coca-leaf tea) at a town market. Head to the restaurants at Copacabana Beach to eat lake trout.
Reach Copacabana by bus from La Paz (a 3-hour drive away) orPuno, Peru (a 2.5-hour drive away). Otherwise, cross Lake Titicaca from Peru byboat for a full tour of the mystical mountain lake.
