Lake Titicaca, an immense expanse of water (8,500km²) at an altitude of nearly 3,800m, between Peru and Bolivia, straddles mountains and plains, offering a magical vista. Thousands of fish and birds have found refuge among its reeds and rushes (totora), also widely used by the local population to make dugout canoes. The lake's numerous islands, Uros, Taquile and Amantani, are all stunningly beautiful. According to legend, the first Incan Gods were born in this lake!