One of the most attractive sites of Southern America, which lures visitors by its charming mythical quality and a spectacular beauty lies on a high plateau shared by Bolivia and Peru. Locals consider this place sacred as according to the legends two children of the Sun God, Manko Kapak and Mama Ocllo came here to improve the life of the Andean people. Lake Titicaca is said to be the birthplace of many ancient civilizations and the magnificent views from its island and shore as well as diverse archeological treasures only confirm these beliefs.
The Islands of Sun ad Moon belong to the greatest natural and cultural monuments of South America; they still house dozens of ancient settlements. There are many places of interest on the Sun Island. Once at the Pilcocaina harbor, the tourists are encouraged to visit the remains of the remarkable Sun Temple and join the panoramic trek with llamas on genuine Inca Trail. Another great option is the panoramic trek to Chincana Ruins and the Sacred Stone, which is to be found in the northern side of the island. Visiting any of the local villages is also a must, especially at sunset, as many claim the views are strikingly beautiful.
The Moon Island is not as frequently visited as the Sun Island, though a visit here includes the “Inak Uyu” Sun Virgin temple. According to the legend, only the most beautiful maids of the Incas were given the honor to maintain an eternal sacred fire in the temple.
Once back on the Sun Island, the must-see places include the chullpas, mortuary towers of several periods. A popular site is a stone village of local fishermen, the mud igloos and floating islands of the Urus Chipayas culture, as well as the Takanas agricultural terraces.
A great opportunity to admire the architectural genius of the Incas is to visit the Kalauta Island. Here tourists come to admire Tiwanacu, which ranks as one of the highest ancient imperial capitals in the world (over 3,800m above sea level).
