Altiplano (Bolivia)
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The Bolivian Altiplano is the area of the Andes above about 3500m in Bolivia. The altiplano stretches into neighbouring Peru and Argentina,
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Vicinity of Lake Titicaca.
Not far from the shores of Lake Titicaca on both the Peruvian and Bolivian shores are the remains of one of the most fascinating agricultural engineering feats anywhere in the world and definitely worthy of a visit. Prior to the Incas and perhaps contemporaneous with the Tihuanacos, the farmers of the region built extensive areas of narrow ridged fields alternating with water-filled canals in between. While not the highest elevation agriculture in the world (up to 15,000 feet elsewhere in the Andes), this environment is defintiely a challenging place. Frosts at over 12,000 feet can come at almost any time. Present day farmers in the region hedge their bets with a variety of crops and landraces at different elevations to ensure a successful crop.
The narrow canals with their thermal mass of water protected the crops growing on the intervening ridged fields from frosts. The farmers would also collect algae and water weeds to dig into their soil to provide organic matter. Fish could also be netted from the water. This system went out of use quite some time ago, certainly no later than the Spanish conquest. Academics from an American university have gone back into the area as part of their research and convinced/hired farmers to rejuvenate small areas of the fields and canals. Their research has confirmed the efficacy of the system. It provides the local farmers with a more stable crop system. It is also confirmation for these people of the brilliance of their ancestors.
I know of no one who is currently providing tours of the fields, but maybe someone at one of the universities in La Paz might be available. I think that there's potential here.
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- One of the highlights of this region is the Salar de Uyuni: 200 square miles of flat dazzling white salt at an altitude of 3000 metres. There are many tours of this salt lake from Uyuni - or for a four day tour choose the one from Tupiza near the Argentine border. There are many fascinating islands on the lake with giant cactii growing everywhere.
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During the Bolivian winter time (in June and July) the temperatures can drop really low so bring good winter clothes and a sleeping bag suitable for temperatures bellow 0 degrees.
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