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EcoLodge La Estancia


Lake Titicaca - Bolivia


General Description

Sun island - Titicaca Lake - Bolivia No travel to Bolivia would be perfect without visiting the sapphire-blue waters of mystical Lake Titicaca, with the snow-capped peaks of the Cordillera Real as backdrop. The world's highest navigable lake, at 12642 ft/3856 ms, played for 2 millennia a leading role in Andean beliefs and was at the heart of the most sophisticated Andean civilisations. Manco Capac and his sister, Mama Ocllo, spring from the lake to found Cusco and the Inca dynasty. At the time of the Spanish conquest, the Island of the Sun was one of the most important religious centres of the Incas. It is still scattered with Inca remains and the people who live on the shores of the lake still consider the lake as sacred and make offerings to her.

The ECOLODGE "LA ESTANCIA"
is an amazing spot located in the southern part of Sun Island near the Aymara native community of "La Estancia", from where the name was taken.

It was built preserving the Andean architecture and it combines with the modern comfort, always respecting the harmony of the surrounding nature and habitat. The cabins were constructed with adobe brick and thatch roofs, and were set between pre-Inca terraces, also using solar energy.

The community work is an important goal and slowly more people are involved in the project, for example using their boats for the lake transportation, use of a local restaurant, native bands playing music, cross cultural experiences in mystic ceremonies and fishing, and locals working in the ecolodge.

Itinerary

Sun island - Titicaca Lake - Bolivia DAY 1:
Transportation from La Paz or Puno to Copacabana, where we embark on a boat to Sun Island. We land near Pilkokaina Ruins and have a typical aptapi. Then, we hike uphill to ecolodge La Estancia our beautiful base for the next days. (LD)

DAY 2:
DON'T MISS THE SUNRISE! After an early breakfast, boat excursion to the Island of the Moon to visit the Inak Uyu ruins. We continue in boat north to the Chincana Ruins for a short hike to the Challapampa, board again the boat to Challa to visit a cultural museum and come back to the ecolodge. Afternoon free to enjoy the peace and beauty of the area. (BLD)

DAY 3:
Today we share our morning with a local family to learn more about their life and traditions. In the afternoon, enjoy a fishing experience. (BLD). Sun island - Titicaca Lake - Bolivia

DAY4:
Morning hike through Yumani and the Garden of the Incas before boarding our boat backto Copacabana. We visit the famous church sheltering the Dark Virgin, have lunch before drive back to La Paz or Puno. (BL)

Suggested walks around the Ecolodge

There are three different ports to land and then hike to Ecolodge "La Estancia":
1. Pilkokaina ruins. (Our best suggestion) After visiting this Inca palace, hike uphill with good views of the land (terraces), lake. Cross the Indian community of Yumani until you reach Ecolodge "La Estancia" (1 hour).
2. Yumani bay. You are in the Garden of the Incas, hike steep the Inca steps and reach the water spring of the "Eternal Youth". Continue uphill and cross part of the Indian community of Yumani, then smooth to reach Ecolodge "La Estancia" (1 hour).
3. Huacani bay. This is the shortest way, steep to reach Ecolodge "La Estancia", going up from the bay (½ hour) and crossing nice old Inca terraces.

Other activities include : Sea kayaking, Cross cultural exchange with the Aymara native communities, Mystical ceremonies in this blessed Inca land, strongly related with the nature.

Sun island - Titicaca Lake - Bolivia What the lodge offer to the locals and tourists

# Boats of locals for transportation in the area.
# A local restaurant in a stop before reaching our ecolodge.
# Cargo animals for transporting the luggage with locals operating it.
# Permanent jobs for people working in administration, services and in the near future local guides
# A place in the ecolodge for locals to show and sell their typical handcrafts.
# Temporary jobs in construction, gardening and maintenance.
# Indian doctors sharing their ancient knowledge and practice with the clients.
# Provision of local veggies, cheese and fish from the area.
# Old people from the community playing native music at dinnertime.

General Information and Price

Rated: Easy


EcoLodge La Estancia
   2 days / 1 night 3 days / 2 nights 4 days / 3 nights   
N° of participants   2 4 2 4 2 4 SGL Supp.
USD $ 355 $ 251 $ 478 $ 341 $ 562 $ 410 $ 17
EUR € 294 € 208 € 397 € 283 € 466 € 340 € 14
GBP £ 198 £ 140 £ 268 £ 191 £ 315 £ 229 £ 9
(*) Price last updated on 06 April 2005. Current price may vary due to elements out of our control, so please always check by sending us a
quotation request .
(**) The single supplement is per night (***) Special price for 1 person & discount for larger groups

Included: Lodging in standard hotels, meals as specified, experienced English speaking guides, transport and transfers, entrance fees, specified meals

Not included: Other meals, drinks, tips