The Colours of Titicaca
Known to most as the highest navigable lake in the world, and to others as the birthplace of Inca mythology, Lake Titicaca is one of less than 20 ancient lakes on the entire planet, at more than three million years old. It has floating islands, unique and distinct cultures and languages and is shared by South America's two most indigenous culturally rich nations, Peru and Bolivia.
All this is great, but the sum of its uniqueness pales in comparison to the richness of its ever-changing colours. Lago Titicaca is truly a palette of the sky. Every day on the lake brings gradual changes in tones and colours and finishes, if cloud cover permits, with a sunset so rich it makes conversation seem sacrilege.
For Wild Frontiers' travellers there is no better way to enjoy the lake and its astonishing colours than from the deck of our favourite lodge, Titilaka. Aside from the fabulous Relais & Chateaux kitchen, the smart rooms with lake views, attentive, but laid-back staff; what makes this lodge unrivalled is its position on Lake Titicaca. Deeply rural at one hour from Puno, the lodge juts out from the southwest shores of the lake on a narrow spit of land, wrapping its guests in visual peace and magnificence.
Lake Titicaca makes it easy to understand why, in Spanish, sky and heaven are the exact same word, "Cielo", as quiet time at Titilaka makes contemplation, meditation and peace easy, almost mandatory. After all, at 3,812 meters above sea level, meditation is always on tap, as the mind slows, focus grows instinctive, and pleasures simplified.
For this reason, and despite the fact I wholeheartedly recommend visiting the islands in the lake, taking out a canoe and paddling its grassy shallows, there is no finer pleasure than taking a half-day to just ponder the lake, watch its colours change from deep purple, to pink, to cobalt blue and then explode into orange and red as night falls. It is an experience in itself and one that makes a visit to Lake Titicaca so worthwhile.