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Lake Titicaca is the world's highest navigable lake, lying at 12,500 feet above sea level. ... more

Lake Titicaca is the world's highest navigable lake, lying at 12,500 feet above sea level. It covers some 3,200 square miles and extends in a northwest-to-southeast direction for a distance of 120 miles. It is 50 miles across at its widest point. A narrow strait, Tiquina, separates the lake into two bodies of water. Forty-one islands, some of them densely populated, rise from Titicaca's waters. The largest, Sun Island lies just off the tip of the Copacabana Peninsula in Bolivia.

Ruins on the shore and on the islands attest to the previous existence of one of the oldest civilizations known in the Americas, antedating the Christian era. The chief site is at Tiahuanaco, Bolivia, at the southern end of the lake. On Sun Island ruins of a temple mark the spot where, according to the tradition of the Incas, the legendary founders of the Inca dynasty, Manco Capac and Mama Ocllo, were sent down to Earth by the Sun. In Inka mythology, the children of the Sun, emerged from the depths of Lake Titicaca to found their empire. Like famous naturalist Jacques Cousteau, You will surely feel the same emotion that captivated the symbolic universe of the ancient Peruvians. With lofty snow-capped peaks along its far shores, the vast blue lake is one of the Andes' most enchanting scenes!

Puno and the surrounding countryside are the cradle of the Aymara civilization and the legendary birthplace of the founders of the Inca empire. ... more

Puno and the surrounding countryside are the cradle of the Aymara civilization and the legendary birthplace of the founders of the Inca empire. Puno serves as the perfect stopover for passengers heading to La Paz since it is located on the banks of Lake Titicaca, the natural border with Bolivia. The most important archaeological site in the area is the burial ground of Sillustani (17 miles from Puno), once the tombs of high-ranking Aymara Lords.   (close)

The city of Cuzco is the archaeological capital of the Americas and the continent's oldest continuously inhabited city. ... more

The city of Cuzco is the archaeological capital of the Americas and the continent's oldest continuously inhabited city. Massive Inca's stone walls line most of Cuzco's central streets and form foundations of colonial and modern buildings. This is a great city to spend a few days with plenty to do. Plazas, archaeological sites, churches, museums, coffee shops, markets, artist communities such as San Blas are just a few of the attractions.  (close)

The Machu Picchu archaeological complex is located at 75 miles from Cuzco. ... more

The Machu Picchu archaeological complex is located at 75 miles from Cuzco. The ruins are situated on the eastern slope of Machu Picchu in two separate areas: the agricultural and the urban. In addition to roaming the Machu Picchu Inca citadel, there are many activities available to the visitor such as trekking the Inca trail, bird-watching or bathing in the hot springs of the village of Aguas Calientes, located at the foot of the citadel.   (close)

The once-called City of Kings, founded in 1535, is the gateway to Peru's main tourist attractions. ... more

The once-called City of Kings, founded in 1535, is the gateway to Peru's main tourist attractions. It is a city of fine museums and magnificent pre-Columbian collections, such as the Gold Museum, the National Archaeology and Anthropology Museum, the Amaro Museum, Museo de la Nacion etc. It is the gastronomic capital of South America with outstanding restaurants. Peruvian cuisine is world-renowned. Shopping for locally crafted textle items such as sweaters, rugs, etc is a pleasure.  (close)