This is part 2 of our two-part series of posts about exactly which locations will be affected by this initiative. Read part 1 to see the 5 locations to be receiving the largest shares of support.

6. Lake Titicaca, Puno – US$ 14.5 million

Lake Titicaca is the highest navigatable lake in the world and with that comes a unique culture. The lake straddles the border of Peru and Bolivia where the original Copacabana lies. Puno on the Peruvian side is where travelers go to get a feel for the lake region and its people. From boat rides to floating islands made of reeds to various museums and galleries in the town of Puno itself, this is a very distinctive break from the mountains, jungles, and deserts of the rest of Peru. The investments in this area should help develop these opportunities even more.

The floating reed islands of Puno on Lake Titicaca are some of the most unique accomodations to visit or even experience during your trip to Peru.

7. Northern beaches of Piura and Tumbes – US$ 6.6 million

If sun and splash is your idea of fun, the sandy beaches of Punta Sal, Organos, Colán, Máncora, Cabo Blanco, Zorritos, and countless others between the cities of Piura and Tubes are perfect stops for your Peru vacation. The wild waves of the Peruvian Pacific draw some of the best surfers from around the world. The water shines cerulean blue all year and the rays never relent. It’s no wonder the government wants to show this area off!

8. Cusco – US$ 6.4 million

In addition to the lure of nearby Machu Picchu, Cusco has its fair share of things to boast about too.  Cusco is regarded as the oldest city on the continent and the capital of the legendary Inca Empire. In just 20 years, the population has boomed triple fold as a result of both tourism and natural growth. The San Blas neighborhood offers a bit of hippie flavor in contrast to the touristy kitsch on main roads. Then the glorious beauty of the city’s Cathedral and Plaza de Armas will leave you speechless, especially at night when illuminated with golden lamps. Sure, enough money flows into Cusco every day, but the new government investments will be put to good use.

The Cathedral of Santo Domingo in Cusco's historic center is one of the most iconic symbols of the colonial city.

9. Arequipa – US$ 4.8 million

Arequipa is Peru’s second most populated city and is dominated by Volcano Misti in its background. A number of markets, cathedrals, and other remnants from eras gone by are available for exploration. These sights are some of the most beautiful in the country because the White City, nickname Arequipa received because of its white buildings made of volcanic stone, is considered the epitome of mixed Spanish colonial and indigenous culture. Many visitors also come to check out the Colca Canyon, one of the deepest canyons in the world. Condors flying around in the open skies are quite magnificent to witness, and investments hope to bring more people to see them.

Volcano Misti loom over the Arequipan landscape in this glorious landscape of southern Peru.

Located on the border of Peru and Bolivia, Lake Titicaca is the legendary birthplace of the Inca Empire. This brilliantly blue lake, the highest navigable lake in the world, is famous for its floating islands. On handmade islands crafted from reeds, the people of the Uros islands have carried on the reed-crafting tradition of their pre-Inca ancestors.

The waters of Lake Titicaca, the birthplace of Inca legends, shimmer around the Isla del Sol

But any visitor to Lake Titcaca would be remiss to miss out on the Bolivian side of the lake, where the founder of the Inca, Manco Capac, first appeared on the Isla del Sol. On the island are pre-Colombian ceremonial temples, such as the Sun Temple and the Chinkana maze.

Also on the Bolivia side of the lake is the Copacabana peninsula, which shelters many more significant Inca landmarks. Situated just outside of the town of Copacabana, the Horca del Inca, an astronomical observatory, was constructed thousands of years ago.

On the island of Suriki live master reed craftsmen, including shipbuilders who helped the Norwegian scientist Dr. Thor Heyerdahl build rafts to sail across the Pacific Ocean. In the 1970s, Heyerdahl and his team successfully navigated from North Africa to the Pacific Islands in reed rafts, showing that early ocean migrations were possible. On the Isla del Sol is Inti Wata museum that discusses these navigations in depth.

There are a number of Lake Titicaca tours, including a full day catamaran tour. Beginning in Puno on the Peruvian side of the lake, travelers head to Copacabana in the early morning. A guide takes travelers around this Bolivian town, visiting the cathedral and main square, before setting out on the catamaran lake cruise that either returns to Puno or ends in La Paz, Bolivia.

Once the ship reaches Isla del Sol, travelers can get out an explore this fascinating island full of Inca landmarks. A guide will show the Inca garden, stairs, and fountain, and then give a tour of the Inti Wata complex, a museum full of archeological and anthropological items that recount the rich history of this lake region. It’s also possible to partake in a ceremony of the Kallawaya people, who are known for their mastery of natural medicine.

Next the cruise continues to the south side of Isla del Sol, where a guide will give a tour of the Pilkokaina Inca Palace. Visitors will also get a chance to watch a sailing demonstration, in which sailing experts show how to navigate their handmade reed vessels.

Visitors can enjoy lunch onboard the cruise while the ship continues on to the Chua harbor on Bolivia’s shores. From there, travelers will take a bus to La Paz, the governmental capital of Bolivia and linchpin for Bolivia tours.

There are many versions of this Lake Titicaca catamaran tour available, including a 2D/1N cruise that includes a trek around Isla del Sol, a Puno roundtrip tour, and a La Paz round trip tour. Check out our other recommended Bolivia tours, Puno and Lake Titicaca tours, or contact us to talk with one of our travel advisors if you have any questions.

The lake is the highest navigated area of water in the world and is one of the largest. What makes the lake so attractive are the amazingly crafted Islands of Uros, created out of locally grown tortoa reed in a process that has been passed down from generation to generation.

Tortoa reeds of Lake Titicaca.

The lake is easily accessible from Cusco and there are two primary transport options between Cusco and the principle city in the area, Puno. You can travel either by train or by bus. You can fly, but it would involve a connection in Lima.

The bus from Cusco to Puno takes between and 8 and 9 hours and makes various stops along the way at archaeological sites, as well as at rest-stops and restaurants.

The train ride is slightly longer – some 10 hours – but while the bus features first class accommodations for a vehicle of its variety, the first class accommodations on the train are significantly more opulent with lounge-chair seating, fine china and silverware used for first-rate, delicious meals, and a lookout-car, where guests can leisurely enjoy the scenery of the Peruvian highlands.

While the more luxurious train makes no stops, shorter bus ride to Puno does make several pauses along the way. Tourists traveling by bus normally enjoy bilingual guided stops at the following locations along the route:

• Andahuaylillas: known as the “Sixteenth Chapel of the Americas,” this church features an exhibition of colonial art work dating back to the XVI and XVII century. (Entrance fee: US $1.5/person)
• Raqchi: This is the temple dedicated to God Wiracocha, supreme God of the Incas. (Entrance fee: US$2/person)
• Sicuani: Here guests will be able to rest and enjoy an Andean buffet lunch
• La Raya: This is the highest point of the trip, where guests will be able to appreciate snow-peaked mountains, alpacas and the amazing scenery of the Andean countryside.
• Pukara: This is ancient archaeological complex constructed in a grand pyramidal shape dating as far back as 4,000 B.C. (entrance fee $2)

By travelling by bus, the journey normally includes snacks and on board hostess assistance.

For more cautious travelers a key advantage of bus transport is that you embark and disembark from a private bus station in both cities as opposed to a public train station.

The mode of transport you choose to take depends on your personal preference.

However many people talk about how spectacular the views are along the train route, especially as you approach Lake Titicaca.

The islands, constructed entirely from reeds, are home to a community of several hundred indigenous Peruvians who have lived in this high altitude world for many centuries.

Arriving at the floating reed islands of Uros, Peru. Photograph: Matthew Barker 2009

Conquests by other Aymara tribes, competing for the highly fertile lakeside land, caused the local people to take to the lake in reed-constructed boats in a bid to escape their more aggressive rivals.

As natural fishers and boatmen, the people of Uros found lake life to be entirely satisfactory, and they gradually expanded their boats until they became islands in their own right. It is on these islands that they remained, trading their abundant fish for other products with their land-based neighbors.

The people of Uros have become one many unique communities which can be easily visited during a Peru travel adventure.

Nearby Puno boasts many tour operators who can arrange short visits to the islands, while more convenient excursions are also offered by international providers of Peru tours.

A trip to the islands is highly recommended and is guaranteed to offer the visitor a new insight into indigenous Peruvian life. The communities are virtually self sufficient; they harvest the lake for fish and also produce a variety of meals and products from the reeds themselves.

They have become expert hunters, using homemade rifles to hunt the birds that live within the reed forests and taking eggs from bird nests, but only taking 5 out of 10 eggs, keen to emphasize their connection and sense of protection of the natural world that they depend upon.

A view from the floating islands of Uros, Peru. Photograph: Matthew Barker 2009

The islands themselves are a sight to behold. Constructed atop the harvested roots of reeds, they consist of a thick layer of freshly cut reeds which create a bizarre, spongy feel underfoot and mean that no child can ever injure themselves by falling over!

Each island has around a dozen homes, also made from reeds plus a small chapel and a communal area and shared kitchen.

Recent additions have included improved sanitary facilities and solar panels which have cut the risk of fires from open candles and wood burning ovens. These improvements have been possible thanks to proceeds from a well-managed and sensitive approach to tourism which ensures that incomes are evenly distributed and community life does not become unsettled.

At the center of this floating community is a central, communal island, where the local councils meet and organize the life of the community, and also where a small restaurant, shop and even a hostel caters for the needs of community members and visitors alike.

Most trips to the islands last for around three hours, including a tour by a bilingual guide and a chance to meet the islanders themselves. Also available for purchase is the impressive range of handicrafts that the islanders have to offer, including elaborately and colorfully decorated materials and textiles, and small models expertly made from the reeds.

If you’re lucky, you might even get a chance to ride one of the impressive double-tiered reed boats that are hand-built on the islands according to ancient skills and traditions and which are much more sturdy and stable than they first appear.

A Uros family on a traditional reed boat, Peru. Photograph: Matthew Barker 2009

As with any trip to an indigenous area, it’s important to recognize that you’re visiting an ancient but potentially fragile community and that your impact can be a positive one if you take some simple considerations:

- Feel free to take gifts, but try to ensure they’re useful, healthy and culturally neutral. Sweets are a bad idea, as is anything that depends on batteries or produces a lot of waste. Colored pencils, crayons, coloring books and other educational toys for the kids are ideal.

- Indigenous societies are often conservative and hierarchical. Be guided by your tour leader when talking with community members and offer any gifts to the local chief who will distribute them to his community.

- If considering purchasing some local produce, bear in mind that tourist income is often the only additional source of cash so try not to barter too hard!

- Most of all, enjoy your trip and buen viaje!