Shrouded in legend, Lake Titicaca is the birthplace of the Inca civilization, considered the origin of life and sacred place, is the highest navigable lake in the world (about 3,800 metres), the second largest in South America. Lake’s water is cold and characterized by an intense blue that creates a wonderful contrast with the colors of the mountains in the background.
According to Inca mythology, from this sacred water they emerged Manco Capac, son of the Sun, and Mama Ocllo, daughter of the moon, to found the Inca civilization.
The lake has a lot of islands. Its inhabitants have a traditional way of life, centered on fishing, farming and weaving.
The Uros live closer to Puno, on floating islands like huge nests of straw, built on a foundation of roots with several layers of reeds, and talk about their life as a floating life “between the water and the sky” .
Amantani is the largest island in the lake, famous for textiles and handmade baskets. On the peaks of the island there are sites sacred to the Incas and the shamans of the place read the future in coca leaves.
The islanders have always lived by growing potatoes and quinoa, fishing, weaving and raising sheep and llamas, a lifestyle that they still save jealously. Everything is arranged according to the natural cycles and respect for Pachamama, Mother Earth, who is worshiped by means of tenders.
