Peru
The altiplano is a region located at high altitude between Peru and Bolivia, which is home to many famous tourist sites and offers a unique experience to discover the culture and history of the region. This region is characterized by its vast expanses of plains and mountains, as well as lakes, volcanoes and archaeological remains.
Puno, the port of Lake Titicaca
The city of Puno, located on the shores of Lake Titicaca, is one of the starting points for exploring the region. Lake Titicaca** is the largest lake in South America and the highest navigable lake in the world. Visitors can explore the floating islands of the Uros, which are made of reeds, as well as the islands of Taquile and Amantani**, where local communities preserve their ancestral traditions, customs and colorful clothing. Visitors can also discover pre-Inca archaeological remains, such as the *chullpas of Sillustani*, which are funerary towers built by the Kolla civilization.
La Paz, de facto capital of Bolivia
In Bolivia, the city of La Paz is a starting point to explore the region. The city itself is a mix of indigenous and Spanish cultures, offering unique experiences such as a visit to the witchcraft market, where you can find traditional medicinal herbs and potions as well as the whole parafernalia of traditional Andean rituals. Even if La Paz is not on the altiplano, its peripheral neighborhoods such as the city of El Alto and its airport are there.
Original agricultural techniques of the altiplano
The inhabitants of the Peruvian altiplano region have invented very original agricultural techniques such as the famous "Waru Waru". The "**Waru Waru" are pre-Columbian drainage canals that were built in the Bolivian Andes to improve the irrigation of agricultural lands. The canals consist of shallow trenches filled with water, topped with a layer of soil to create raised fields. The *Waru Waru* were used by ancient Andean cultures, such as the Incas, to grow vegetables and grains in arid mountainous areas. Today, the "Waru Waru" are still used in some regions to grow traditional crops such as quinoa, and are considered an outstanding example of sustainable agriculture because of their ability to save water and improve soil fertility.
Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world
Lake Titicaca** is a lake located on the border between Peru and Bolivia, in the Andes. It is the highest navigable lake in the world, perched at an altitude of over 3,800 meters. It is also considered one of the most sacred lakes in the world for the indigenous peoples of the region, who believe that the lake is inhabited by gods and spirits. Lake Titicaca** is also famous for its spectacular scenery, with crystal clear waters and towering mountains in the background. Visitors can take a cruise on the lake to enjoy the breathtaking views and discover the different islands in the area. The islands of the Huiñaymarca such as those of the archipelago of Anapia or the one surrounding the big island of Suriki in Bolivia, the Islands of the Sun and the Moon near Copacabana or the one of the region of Puno as Amantani, Taquile or Suasi are very popular tourist attractions for the visitors.
The Tragedy of Lake Poopó
In Desaguadero, a small border town between Peru and Bolivia, the Lake Titicaca flows into the river of the same name that joins the Lake Poopó. Lake Poopó** is a salt lake located in Bolivia at an altitude of more than 3,600 meters. Once the second largest lake in Bolivia, it has lost about 90% of its surface area in recent decades due to drought and the excessive use of its waters for agriculture and mining. Despite this, Poopó Lake remains an important ecosystem for migratory birds and endemic fish species. Visitors can explore the surrounding area to learn about local history and culture, as well as enjoy spectacular views of the lake and surrounding mountains
The lakes of the altiplano region are undergoing a natural process of drying up, in some cases aggravated by human activities. It is believed that at one time the entire altiplano was submerged and was a gigantic lake. The banks of the Salar of Uyuni show vestiges of the old banks overhanging the desert of some tens of meters.
The Sajama
The Sajama region, located in the Andes of Bolivia, is famous for its spectacular scenery, with the Sajama volcano rising to more than 6,500 meters above sea level and the many lagoons and hot springs that dot the area. Visitors can hike the surrounding mountain trails, meet the locals to learn about their culture and crafts, and relax in the natural hot springs, and the more courageous can even attempt to climb this "trekking peak." It is a unique destination for travelers in search of nature, culture and relaxation in a spectacular setting of the Bolivian mountains.
The great salt deserts
The Salar de Coipasa is a salt desert located in the department of Oruro in Bolivia, near the border with Chile. Although it is less well known than the Salar of Uyuni, the Salar of Coipasa offers equally spectacular scenery, with a brilliant white salt surface that stretches as far as the eye can see and of which a significant part is sometimes flooded, forming a huge mirror. The salar is also surrounded by imposing mountains, with active volcanoes in the area such as Tunupa separating it from the great southern Salar. The Salar de Coipasa is also important to the local community, with indigenous villages living on its shores and practicing agriculture and livestock. Visitors can meet the local people to learn about their traditional way of life and crafts, as well as to learn more about Andean culture. The Salar de Coipasa is also a popular destination for photographers, with spectacular views of water reflections, sunsets and the surrounding mountains. Visitors more interested in archaeology can visit the site of Alcaya, which features several interesting Inca tombs. Visitors can also explore the surrounding area to discover colorful lagoons, hot springs and ancient archaeological sites.
The Salar de Uyuni is the largest salt desert in the world, located in the department of Potosí in Bolivia. This expanse of salt, which covers more than 10,000 square kilometers, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Bolivia because of its spectacular scenery. Visitors can walk on the salt plains to admire the salt formations, giant cactus islands, multicolored lagoons and geysers. The Salar de Uyuni is also a popular destination for photographers, with incredible views of sunsets, stars at night and reflections of water on the salt surface. Travelers can also visit local communities living in the area to learn about their culture and traditional way of life such as in Jirira or Coipaza or San Pedro de Quemez.
The pre-Columbian cultures of the altiplano
The altiplano is also home to many pre-Columbian sites and cultures. Among the most famous sites are Pukara and Sillustani in Peru, which were built by pre-Incan civilizations. Pukara was an important religious and military center, with massive stone structures and stone carvings of animals and deities. illustani was a burial site, with stone burial towers.
The Pilcokaina, located on the Island of the Sun in Bolivia, was a sacred site for the Incas, with temples and palaces built from carefully fitted carved stones. The site of Tiwanaku, also in Bolivia, is another important pre-Columbian site of the theocracy of the same name, later allied with the Huari military empire, of the central Andes of present-day Peru, with temples, pyramids and stone statues that were built by the Tiwanaku civilization between 300 and 1000 AD.
These pre-Columbian sites are important witnesses to the history and culture of the altiplano, and they offer a unique opportunity to understand what preoccupations the leaders of these civilizations had with astronomy and the calculation of time. Visitors can explore the ruins, admire the massive stone structures and learn about the religion and cultural practices of the pre-Columbian peoples. In conclusion, the altiplano region is a fascinating destination for travelers interested in history, culture, and archaeology, and these pre-Columbian sites offer a unique opportunity to discover the richness of this Andean region.
In summary, the altiplano between Peru and Bolivia is a fascinating region that offers a unique experience to discover the culture and history of the region, as well as to explore the spectacular landscapes and biodiversity of this area.
