Located between Peru and Bolivia, Lake Titicaca is one of the most fascinating lakes in the world. It is situated at a very high altitude (some 3800 meters above sea level) in the Andes Mountains making it one of the highest navigable lake in the world and the largest (by volume) in South America. The lake is largely fed by rainfall and melting snow from both the glaciers and mountains.
The Floating Islands
Copacabana is the main Bolivian town and travel destination on the shores of Lake Titicaca. Copacana is the most important religious sanctuary of Bolivia and attracts numerous pilgrims throughout the year. Its dominated by the impressive moorish style cathedral dating back to 1605. From here you can catch a boat tour to Isla del Sol (Island of the Sun) which is the birthplace of the sun in Inca mythology.
A cluster of smaller islands known as the ‘Floating Islands’ can be visited from Peru’s Puno. These islands are made from layers of the buoyant ‘totora reeds’. Today several hundred people still populate the islands.
One great reason to visit Lake Titicaca is for the abundance of cultural experiences between both Bolivia and Peru. It offers spectacular lake scenery flanked by the Andes Mountains.
The beautiful area of Kumarakom is made up of islands, lakes, rivers and canals. It’s often referred to as ‘paradise’ with its mangroves and coconut trees and is found in the State of Kerala.
With a well balanced tropical climate it offers perfect conditions for a vast population of flora and fauna. The area has always attracted many migratory birds such as the heron, Siberian stork, teak and egret. The establishment of the 14 acre ‘Bird Sanctuary’ allows this to continue in a protected environment and is now a popular tourist spot.
A great way to really experience what the area has to offer is to hire a motor boat or better still, if the budget allows, a houseboat and stay out on the lakes for a couple of nights.
Hallstatt is a small village on the banks of Lake Hallstatt in Austria. It’s surrounded by the beautiful Austrian Alps and is a picture postcard travel destination. The homes display splashes of colour from the many window boxes and even the small, local cemetery is a delight. Hallstatt is a UNESCO listed World Heritage site.
Diary extract – 4 August, 1988
“…I disembarked from the train and headed to the ferry to cross the lake to the township. WOW! Once the ferry drew closer and the town could be seen through the fog, it was an absolute picture. It was a fairy-land, full of little doll-like houses. Hallstatt is the prettiest place I have ever set my eyes upon. The houses built behind one another, up the slope of the mountain. Each with window shutters and surrounded in a brilliant shower of colour from the window boxes.”
Waterton Lakes National Park is located in the beautiful Province of Alberta, Canada and lies adjacent to the great ‘Glacier National Park’ in Montana, USA. During 1932 they combined to form the world’s first International Peace Park and became a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Waterton Lakes National Park offers a range of environmental features, including lakes, mountains, waterfalls, prairies and lying beside the Upper Waterton Lake, in the heart if the National Park, is the small Waterton Village.
The most well known landmark in the area is the Prince of Wales Hotel. Built in 1927, it is one of the largest all-timber buildings in Alberta. It has managed to survived wind and fire to become a well known landmark by photographs throughout the world.
A great way to experience the region is on horseback or mountain bike and ride over the rolling hills and pastures, to take in the views of the Rocky Mountains and surrounding lakes.
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