Lago Titicaca is the largest lake in South America, at an elevation of 3812masl. The shores of Lago Titicaca proved to be good for mountain biking. First I did a lap around the town of Juli. Our van was parked at an elevation of 4075masl. Quite high but of course I was already used to the higher altitudes because we travelled all the way from Cusco through the Puno region of Peru.
Around Juli, Peru
Juli is the name of a town, just to be clear. You see, in Dutch, “Juli” means the month July. Anyway, I made a counter clockwise loop of around 30km with the use of Basecamp, to get an idea and “guideline” so to speak to do the ride.
While following the GPS track that I made, I found myself don a road to some pastures and other fields. This track was gently winding down to the shoreline. There were some small villages and occasionally a jetty for the small boats that the locals use here. From here on I followed the shore for quite some time until I reached the town of Juli.
I didn’t find the climate that comfortable for bathing, but there was a recreational area with a beach to enjoy the cool clear waters of Titicaca.
Juli itself doesn’t have a lot to offer, but it does have quite an authentic feel and looks. When I left the town I decided to ride around the local hilltop (also 4075masl) before I headed back to our wild camp site.
Copacabana, Bolivia.
Then, a few days later after we crossed the border into Bolivia, I made a second ride along the lake, with Swiss friends Corina and Raphael, whom we met before in Equador.
We did a nice loop east and north of Copacabana, following more or less the contours of the peninsula. Again, the weather was favourable considering the altitude: clear skies, not much wind and around 15°C. I think the pictures say it all.
