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Lake Nakuru National Park

Lake Nakuru National Park is one of Kenya’s two Premium Parks, and is a birdlover’s paradise. It surrounds Lake Nakuru in the Central Rift Conservation Area in the Southern Rift Valley region of Kenya. Originally protected as a bird sanctuary, this park hosts over 400 bird species, including five globally threatened species, and is an important stop on the African-Eurasian Migratory Flyway. It is on the list of Ramsar sites, internationally important wetlands.

This park was also the first national Rhino sanctuary and hosts one of the world’s highest concentrations of the Black Rhinoceros.

Understand
Lake Nakuru National Park is one of Kenya’s 23 National Parks and one of two in the Premium category, along with Amboseli National Park. It can be found in Central Kenya, about 90 miles (140 km) northwest of Nairobi, in the Nakuru district of the Rift Valley Province. The ecosystem is comprised of the lake, surrounded by wooded and bushy grasslands. The park supports a wide ecological diversity including Flamingos (Greater and Lesser) and other water birds, and the Black and White Rhinoceros which are the major attractions of the area.

History
Lake Nakuru National Park started as a bird viewing and sport shooting area of migratory birds in 1950s, but has since been expanded and fenced to protect populations of endangered giraffes and rhinoceros.
 * 1957 - declared a conservation area
 * 1961 - Southern two thirds designated a bird sanctuary
 * 1964 - the bird sanctuary was extended covering the whole lake and a small strip of land around it
 * 1968 - gazetted as National Park
 * 1977- a number of Rothschild Giraffes translocated to the park from western Kenya for their protection
 * 1984 - established as first government managed rhino sanctuary
 * 1986 - an electric fence was erected around the park to replace the earlier chainlink
 * 1987 - the park was declared a rhino sanctuary.
 * 1990 - the lake was designated as a Ramsar site
 * 2009 - designated as IBA (450 identified bird species)
 * 2011 – Designated by UNESCO as one of the Kenya Lakes System (Lakes Elementaita, Nakuru and Bogoria) World Heritage Sites

Landscape
Depending on the season, Lake Nakuru can cover up to about 25 sq mi (40 km²), and the entire park covers about 116 sq mi (188 km²). The lake is highly saline, so it is surrounded by a grassland of highly adaptable alkaline grasses. This park also has many hills with established viewpoints from which the lake, the woodlands, and often times the herds of buffalo can be seen.

Flora and fauna
In addition to its 400 species of birds, Lake Nakuru National Park is home to more than 50 mammal species, and over 500 species of flora. This park is famous for the flocks of Greater and Lesser flamingos that gather around the lake, sometimes with as many as 2 million! You can find this great pink mass around the lake for a good part of the year, as these birds stay mostly within the Rift Valley, migrating from lake to lake. Because Lake Nakuru National Park was fenced to protect endangered rhinos and giraffes, it can’t support African elephants, so you won’t find any here!

You are guaranteed to see: White Rhinos, African Buffalos, Rothschild Giraffes, Zebras, Impalas, Olive Baboons, Vervet Monkeys, Waterbucks, a variety of water birds (Yellow-billed Pelicans, Marabou Storks, Hammerkops, Fish Eagles, etc.)

Common in the park: Hyenas, Jackals, Lesser Flamingos, Hippopotamus, Pythons

If you are lucky you may see: Lions, Leopards, Black Rhinos, Wild Dogs, Colobus Monkeys, Cheetahs

Don’t forget the plants! In Lake Nakuru National Park you can see a wide variety of beautiful landscapes: from grasslands to dense forests, and the very rare tarconanthus bushlands and euphorbia forests.

Climate
Lake Nakuru National Park is classified as dry sub-humid to semi-arid, which basically means it’s not too wet and not too dry, or too hot or cold. The climate in this area is really beautiful, you won’t fry in the sun here like you would in Amboseli or Tsavo. You are likely however, to get rained on. Late afternoon is the most common time for rain showers. If you want the best chance of avoiding these rains, consider coming some time between July to December or January to March. However, avoiding the rain is not guaranteed, even during these dryer months. Also, these months are in the peak tourism season, so the park will be very crowded with tourist vehicles. If you don’t mind a little rain and you want to avoid the crowd, come in December or April to June (you’d also save money coming at this time!). Another great thing about this park- it’s fenced, so even during the wet months you will see wildlife because they cannot migrate away from the park.

Get in
The park opens at 7AM. If you are travelling from Nairobi, then take the Naironi-Nakuru highway. On the way to Nakuru you will have a great view of the Rift Valley, so drive slow and enjoy the scenery! From Nairobi, it is about a 30-minute drive to a scenic overlook at 7200 feet (2200 m) above sea level and from here you can get a spectacular view of the volcanoes Suswa and Mount Longonot. There are also a group of great little curio shops at this stop where you can buy souvenirs. Seeing the entire park could take you a full day, so plan to arrive around 9Am unless you have more than a day in the area. It might take you few minutes to get your ticket and the vehicle checked.

The park has very well established roads that make most parts of the park accessible by 2-wheel-drive vehicles. Some less-travelled parts and most viewpoint hills will require 4-wheel-drive. The park has three gates: the Main Gate and Lanet Gate that link the park with the Nairobi-Nakuru highway and the less-used Nderit Gate.

If you choose to fly: It’s about a 25-minute flight from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi to the Naishi airstrip inside the park.

Fees and permits
The entry fee is US$80 for adult, nonresident foreigners, $40 for nonresident children and students. If possible, pay in US dollars. If the fee is paid in Kenyan shillings (Ksh), the fee is converted to US dollars at a very unfavorable rate.

For Kenyan nationals the fee is Ksh 1,000 for adults, Ksh 200 for children; for foreign adult residents of Kenya the fee is Ksh 1,000 and one-half that amount for resident children ages 3 through 17. If you’re using a currency other than the US dollars, see here for an up-to-date exchange rate calculator.

A really cool thing that KWS has started is called SafariCard. You can buy a permanent one ahead of time and load it up with money to use at several of Kenya’s parks, or you can buy a temporary one at the gate, surrendered at the gate when you leave. See the details here.

An additional vehicle fee is required, the amount of which is determined by the number of seats in your vehicle.

Get around
The best way to get around almost any national park is by car. For a list of safari companies that are a part of the Kenya Association of Tour Operators, click here.

Do & see

 * Game Driving
 * Camping
 * Picnic
 * Photography

Viewpoints (established- means you can park your vehicle, get out, and enjoy the view, take photos, have a picnic on picnic tables present at these sites):
 * Lion Hill
 * Baboon Cliff
 * Out of Africa

Hills (not established viewpoints):
 * Enasoit
 * Honeymoon
 * Lion Ridge

Waterfalls:
 * Makalia Falls (you can leave your vehicle here too, and take a short hike over to the falls)

Buy
It’s suggested that any gear you might need like sunscreen, bug repellant, camping gear, etc. be brought with you to Kenya as the highest quality stuff may not be readily available to you once you get there. If you’re staying in Nairobi you can probably find a lot of this stuff at a Carrefour (large supermarket chain in Kenya), but it may still be a good idea to bring it from home.

Souvenirs can be bought inside the park in the lodge gift shops, but if you want to buy from one of these places make sure you budget for it. Stuff in these gift shops is not cheap. If you have time, it’s better to spend it exploring and shopping in the nearby Nakuru town. You can find the same stuff from locals here for 1/3 the price lodge gift shops ask for.

Eat & drink
If you are staying outside the park or will only be in the area for a day, you should definitely bring your own food and drinks and enjoy them at one of the scenic picnic spots throughout the park. However, if your budget allows it, you can stop at one of the lodges in the park and try the buffet or the a la carte menu. These lodges also have poolside bars where you can grab a cold drink (try a Tusker beer!) Eating at a lodge won’t be cheap: it’s usually around US$40/person for lunch or dinner.

If you plan to stay at a lodge in the park, they usually offer some sort of meal package that includes packed lunches for your day of game driving.

If you are staying in Nakuru town, see Nakuru for some restaurant suggestions.

If you are camping inside the park, you should also bring all your own food and supplies.

Camping
Special campsites- include the grounds only
 * Naishi, Chui, Rhino, Soysambu, Nyati, Nyuki, Reedbuck

Public campsites- include water and latrines

Stay safe
Some general common-courtesy, safari-etiquette things that will keep you safe and keep you from getting yourself kicked out of the park: For KWS’s official list of park rules and regulations, click here: http://www.kws.org/tourism/park_rules.html
 * Don’t harass the animals
 * Don’t feed the animals
 * Don’t litter
 * Don’t leave your vehicle
 * Never ever drive off of the designated roads- it could get you removed from the park, land you with a fine, and strip your tour driver of his tour license
 * If you see something really awesome, pull over to the side of the road, shut off your vehicle, keep quiet and watch. Don’t try to get closer or coax the animal into coming closer to you, and don’t block other people from seeing whatever you’re seeing

Go next
The park closes at 6PM, and the last car is let in at 5:15. There are many things to see and do just outside Lake Nakuru National Park.
 * Nearby National Parks to check out: Hell’s Gate, Mount Longonot.
 * For more birdwatching, check out these other Ramsar sites: Lakes Naivasha, Bogoria, Baringo, and Elementaita
 * Menegai Crater

title: Lake Nakuru National Park


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Lake Norden

Lake Norden is a city of 432 (2000 census) in the Glacial Lakes region of South Dakota.

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Lake Norden


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Lake of the Ozarks

Lake of the Ozarks region, lake and recreation area is in the Central Missouri region of Missouri. It is a very popular tourist area in the northern part of the Ozarks.

Understand
The Lake of the Ozarks is a long lake, created by the Bagnell Dam stopping the flow of the Osage River. The lake is a precious resource, please respect it by throwing away trash and cigarettes into their proper receptacles.

History
The lake was created by the construction of Bagnell Dam, which was a depression era project that became operational in 1931. For a long time it was the largest man-made lake in the United States. The dam provides hydroelectric power for much of the region. Since the dam's opening, the lake has slowly grown as a tourist attraction for regional people (and more) as an easy access getaway. Many family owned resorts, hotels and condos line it's shores. The Bagnell Dam Strip is where it all started.

Landscape
Ozark Mountain hills, some windy roads and elevation changes around the water.

Climate
Typical temperatures in the summer range from 80s to even low 100s on the worst days. Fall can be hot until early October- many waterfront bars keep their pools open through the first or second week of October and you will be quite comfortable in them. Winter can vary- cold days can be 10s to 30s; 40s to even 70s on some days. It is not uncommon to have stretches of 50s, 60s and low 70s in the Dec. through February time-frame- with sunshine, it can feel quite warm with low winds, making a nice weekend getaway and even some golf.

By car

 * From the north, US Highway 54 coming from Jefferson City runs directly through the city and offers many exits to Lake of the Ozarks.
 * From the west, the Lake of the Ozarks is can be reached via US Highway 65 near Warsaw.
 * From the south, it can be reached by Missouri Route 5 near Camdenton. US Highway 54 is another effective means of transportation when coming from the south.
 * From the east, visitors can take Missouri Route 42 through Brumley directly into Osage Beach.

By plane
There are no openly commercial airports located in the area, making driving from a larger airport a requirement when visiting Lake of the Ozarks.
 * Columbia Regional Airport, small airport with daily flights to Chicago, Dallas, and Denver through United Airlines and American Airlines. Drive to Lake of the Ozarks is about one hour by taking US Highway 63 and US Highway 54
 * Springfield-Branson National Airport, reasonably sized airport with about 10 gates offering many daily flights throughout the United States. Drive to Lake of the Ozarks is a little under two hours by taking Interstate 44 and Missouri Route 5
 * Kansas City International Airport, large international airport serving a wide variety of destinations. Drive to Lake of the Ozarks is about three hours when taking Interstate 70 and Missouri Route 5.
 * St. Louis Lambert International Airport, major international airport offering flights to and from many major cities. Drive to the Lake of the Ozarks is about two and a half hours when taking Interstate 70 and US Route 54.

By rail

 * Amtrak provides rail service in many Missouri cities, including Sedalia, Jefferson City, Kansas City, and St. Louis. Drive to Lake of the Ozarks from the Jefferson City station is about forty minutes when taking US Route 54.

Get around
It's a good idea to have a car to get around Lake of the Ozarks. Drive to the Lake of the Ozarks is about three hours by taking Interstate 70 and Missouri Route 5. Public transit is not available. If you have a boat, you can see most of the best areas via water.

There are taxi companies, and water taxis that are available.

Renting a boat is a good idea and makes for a great day of sightseeing and visiting nice waterfront establishments, as well as seeing some very large, beautiful home properties; get a map and plot the waterfront places you would like to go. Most marinas will charge around $400 for an all day pontoon rental. Many marinas also rent speedboats and personal watercraft, as well. Be sure to observe No Wake Zones and observe the rules/laws that the marina advises you on- the Missouri Water Patrol is very active during high season.

Areas
The Lake of the Ozarks is a winding 93 miles (150 km) long. The common indicator for determining a lake location is the mile marker. Beginning at Bagnell Dam each mile of the lake has a marker designating how far from the dam by water the position is. There are several areas with distinctions
 * North Shore referring to the first 6 miles along the north side of the lake. It includes the town of Rocky Mount and by land can be reached via Highway W in Miller County.
 * Horseshoe Bend refers to the peninsula created by the bend in the lake along the first 17 miles of water. The area is often referred to by the main highway that runs its length "HH".
 * Shawnee bend refers to the bend the lake makes immediately after Horseshoe Bend. By land it is connected to Horse Shoe Bend via the Lake of the Ozarks Community Bridge (locally known as the toll bridge).
 * The West Side includes the Greenview, Sunrise Beach, Laurie and Gravois Mills areas. It's considered the "quiet side" of the lake. By water it includes parts of the Niangua Arm, parts of the Osage Arm, the Little Niangua arm and some would consider the Gravois arm part of the Westside.
 * The Grand Glaize is an arm of the lake formed where the old Glaize Creek flowed into the Osage River in modern day Osage Beach. It is home to Lake of the Ozarks State Park and the ever popular Party Cove.
 * The Gravois Arm is the Northernmost arm of the lake formed where the old Gravois Creek flowed into the Osage River near modern day Rocky Mount.

Nearby towns

 * Camdenton
 * Eldon
 * Gravois Mills
 * Lake Ozark
 * Osage Beach
 * Sunrise Beach

See

 * Main Street Music Hall Live entertainment: From Opry to "Reelin' In the Years" (60s, 70s, 80s) and also Christmas- something for everyone.

Do

 * Go golfing. There are more than 13 golf courses around the lake.
 * The Lodge of Four Seasons Is a championship course and one of the most challenging in the Midwest.
 * Osage National Golf Club This is an Arnold Palmer layout and has imposing bluffs, creeks, lakes and large bentgrass greens.
 * Shawnee Bend Gold Course Is on the westside of the lake in Warsaw an is a 9-hole course.
 * Go fishing. There are more than 1300 miles of shoreline on the Lake of the Ozarks. That's a lot of Crappie.
 * Big Surf Waterpark Has everything you would expect
 * Celebration Cruises Yacht giving scenic and theme tours, dinners, etc. Full bar at Bagnell Dam.
 * Tropic Island Lake Cruises- Island themed yacht, full bar- both scenic and lunch/dinner theme cruises; full bar. Located in Margaritaville.

 * Party Cove If you're the drinking and partying type, make your way to the Party Cove. (You will need a boat – and be sure to have a sober designated driver along.)
 * Rent a boat or a wave runner.

Events

 * Yearly, Seasonal and One-Time Events can be found on the funlake.com website, sponsored by the Lake Area Chamber of Commerce
 * Yearly, Seasonal and One-Time Events can be found on the funlake.com website, sponsored by the Lake Area Chamber of Commerce

Buy

 * Osage Beach Outlet Outdoor Mall with many retailers such as GAP, Ralph Lauren, Nike, Banana Republic, etc.  There is a bar/restaurant as well as a movie theater.
 * Dogpatch A legend on The Strip; Souveniers and things you will not find anyplace else.
 * The Strip many unique shops- from t-shirts to old time photos.
 * Summer USA Everything you ened from swimwear, tee shirts, sunglasses, souveniers, decor, refreshments....
 * Hwy 54 has everything you need, from a Hy-Vee to Target, to local and national retailers, restaurants and lodging and entertainment.  Worth a drive just to take in anything you may want to visit.

Eat
There are over 40 waterfront restaurants along the Lake of the Ozarks.
 * Open all year.
 * Seasonal.
 * Seasonal.
 * Open all year.
 * Schuckers Tuckers- Oysters, seafood and other fare for the non-seafood eater, as well. Bagnell Dam Strip and open all year
 * Sergios Taqueria- Mexican right on Bagnell Dam Strip, good food and even better Margaritas. Open all year.
 * Lil' Rizzo's Italian food in two locations- one of HH with a cove view and an inland location right by the outlet mall.  Open all year.
 * The Jerk Shack- Waterfront restaurant/bar serving Jamaican themed food and drink, as well as domestic offerings. Seasonal.
 * The Jerk Shack- Waterfront restaurant/bar serving Jamaican themed food and drink, as well as domestic offerings. Seasonal.

Lodging

 * Margaritaville- Formerly Tan-Tar-A, the resort has been updated, remodeled and has numerous new bars & restaurants.  You can stay at the main complex or in the Estates section.
 * Lodge at Port Arrowhead'''- remodeled and has a new restaurant/bar called "Fat Pollys"; great view of the lake and has indoor and outdoor pools.
 * The Inn at Grand Glaize- at the Grand Glaize Bridge, full service hotel with bar and restaurant. Outdoor pool overlooking the lake with a bar.

Camping
Many Resorts offer camping; check the funlake.com site under "Resorts"

Stay safe
Lake of the Ozarks is the third most accident-prone body of water in the United States, after the Atlantic Ocean and the Colorado River. In the past, this was mainly because of alcohol-related boating accidents in and around Party Cove. However, Party Cove is no longer the busy cove it used to be. The no wake buoys have been removed. Find out what happened to Party Cove here. If you wish to boat at Lake of the Ozarks, make sure you have a designated driver for your boat.

Carrying insect repellent during the summer months is a wise idea. Mosquito and other chiggers in the grass and brush can turn a fun trip into an unpleasant one. Also don't forget to use sunscreen when on the water. There isn't much shade out there and during the summer you can get a bad sunburn very quickly.

Go next

 * Lake of the Ozarks State Park, the largest park in the state. See some beauty and caves.
 * Cross the Swinging Bridge over Grand Glaize Creek near Brumley, MO
 * Osage Beach Premium Outlets go shopping at the outlet mall in Osage Beach.
 * Play the arcades and shop the Lake Ozark strip.
 * See the castle at Ha Ha Tonka State Park

title: Lake of the Ozarks


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Lake Ontario

Lake Ontario is one of the Great Lakes on the border between the United States of America and Canada. Sequentially the last of the lakes, Ontario is the smallest by surface area and second-smallest in size. Water comes in from Lake Erie via the Niagara River (and Niagara Falls) and leaves via the Saint Lawrence River, headed for the Atlantic Ocean.

Although the Lake Ontario shore is heavily populated and developed in Canada, the American shore tends to be undeveloped and rural.

Nearby destinations
Lake Ontario is shared by the Canadian province of Ontario and the U.S. state of New York. The largest city on the American side is Rochester; the largest on the Canadian side is Toronto. Both countries' cities of Niagara Falls are nearby. The Thousand Islands region lies at the lake's outlet.

American destinations worth visiting along the lakeshore include the historic village of Sackets Harbor, the city of Oswego (particularly during its large Harborfest celebration each summer, renowned for its fireworks display), and state beaches such as Fair Haven, Hamlin, Southwick or Westcott. A long-running Renaissance Fair takes place in Sterling during July and August.

The region includes:
 * Ontario —  Much of Central Ontario and part of Eastern Ontario, Canada including Toronto-Hamilton, Cobourg, Trenton-Belleville, Prince Edward County and Kingston. This region includes Niagara Falls and a substantial section of the Windsor-Quebec corridor.
 * New York State — Portions of Western New York and Northern New York in the United States of America, including Niagara Falls, Rochester and Oswego.

title: Lake Ontario


text:
Lake Oswego

Lake Oswego is a city in Oregon.

Get around
Interstate 5 travels along the western edge of Lake Oswego.

Highway 43 is also known as State St. in Lake Oswego.

title: Lake Oswego


text:
Lake Ozark

Lake Ozark is in Missouri.

Get in
Business Route 54 passes through Lake Ozark. It Intersects Hwy 54 near Bagnell Dam to the North (East) and near Osage Beach to the South (West) (Route 54 is an East-West Route. However, it travels primarily North and South in this area.)

Get around
Most people walk the strip, but be aware...it is all up hill from the dam. You will need a car or you can ride the city's Strip Express for $1.00. There are also taxis available.

See

 * The Lake Ozark “Strip” is the original development in the Lake of the Ozarks region. Business Route 54 is the original Hwy 54 and the only route across the lake was through the strip. In the 1970s a new Hwy 54 bridge was built allowing traffic to circumvent the Strip. Many original business from the 1930s and 1940s remain there.

Do

 * Go golfing at the Lodge of the Four Seasons
 * 1/2 hour helicopter rides beginning at $29 per person.

Buy
The Lake Ozark Strip is all Mom & Pop shops - an eclectic variety of crafts and collectibles.

Eat

 * Stewart's Restaurant, 1151 Bagnell Dam Blvd, is open year around for Breakfast and Lunch

The Horny Toad Entertainment Complex has several bars, good food and nice atmosphere for a 'lake restaurant'. Dock Knockers, Dog Days, Paradise. All good food with unique atmospheres and nice water views.

Drink

 * S.N.A.F.U., 1275 Bagnell Dam Blvd, is bar popular with bikers.
 * Rock Island Line, 1273 Bagnell Dam Blvd, is a small bar with pool tables. It is popular with bikers.
 * Rock Island Line, 1273 Bagnell Dam Blvd, is a small bar with pool tables. It is popular with bikers.

Sleep

 * Edgewater resort is an old resort with lake side cabins

Go next
There are many things to do around the Lake of the Ozarks area.

title: Lake Ozark


text:
Lake Patzcuaro

Lake Pátzcuaro is a popular vacation region in the municipality of Pátzcuaro, Michoacán, Mexico. The closest large cities are Morelia, Michoacan and Uruapan, Michoacan. The lake has a number of endemic fish and amphibian species living in it and the area is designated as a Ramsar wetland. Nature lovers will also find more than 200 bird species around the lake, including both native and migratory birds.

Islands

 * — The most famous and well established, take a boat over from the muelle at the base of Patzcuaro. Local shops, panoramic vistas, and the region's most famous Day of the Dead celebration.
 * — Small island. Possible camping?
 * — The largest and flattest island. The small lake on the island is the navel of the world. Cabanas for rent.
 * — Small island with traditional trojes for cabana lodging and a restaurant.
 * — An island with few people on it.

Major towns

 * — Situated on the southeastern shore of Lake Patzcuaro. Tourists crowd in for Semana Santa, Day of the Dead.
 * — Historic Purepecha site and now relaxed artists' town.
 * — Thriving market town with crafts of varying qualities and busloads of Mexican tourists to buy them. Famous carnitas!
 * — Former island which now has a road out to it as the level of the lake has gone down over several hundred years. Hat making industry from local plants. Narrow streets if you drive!
 * — Market town. Archaeological site of the ruins of the former Purepecha capital.
 * — Historic Purepecha town famous for the production of copper

Minor towns

 * Tocuaro — woodworking and maskmaking
 * Opongio — Mezcal distillery and restaurants.
 * Puacuaro —
 * Arocutin —
 * Ihuatzio — Ancient temple ruins called Yacatas.
 * Cucuchuchu — Take a side trip to an old forest and spot for a picnic. Also list the hotel.
 * Uricho —
 * Napizaro —
 * Santa Fe La Laguna - Famous for ceramics. Many of the artisans' homes are being upgraded to include a workshop and sales display area along with the home.
 * Las Cuevas —

Other destinations

 * Zirahuen — A beautiful Blue Lake.
 * Cuanajo — Cheap pine furniture.

Understand
A few of the towns around the lake, notably Patzcuaro and Erongarícuaro, have attracted ex-patriates from the United States, South America and Europe. Texans in particular are drawn to the area in the summer to escape the heat.

The natives believe that the lake is the place where the barrier between life and death is the thinnest.

By plane
Fly to Morelia airport, about an hours bus to Patzcuaro.

By car
Driving around the lake in a circular path along the shore is popular and an excellent way to visit villages.

By bus or shuttle
Purhepecha buses depart from Morelia at least hourly for Patzcuaro. From Patzcuaro, it is easy to find a colectivo or a taxi.

Collectivos carry people between most all villages with regularity and economy during daylight hours.

Get around
Traffic in this area during the Day of the Dead period would be considered very heavy. There is a Municipal dock in Patzcuaro with boats to Janitzio. If parking in the Municipal parking lot during this period, expect your car to be blocked in 24 hours or more. Parking is almost non-existent. Tour buses may be a better way in and out during this period. Still, worth the visit.

Do

 * Hiking Hike to el estribo on the edge of Patzcuaro for a fine view of the lake.
 * Boat trips to the islands. Three docks in lower Patzcuaro.

Buy
Patzcuaro, Quiroga Art in Eronga?

Eat
Street food is generally safe. Quiroga is especially known for its carnitas.

Vegetarians can do well in the markets.

Avocados/aquacates and tangerines/manderinas are about M$10 for a kilo; papaya is just 8!

Drink
Several restaurants have full bars; there is limited nightlife in this region.

In many small towns men drink on the plaza or spend time at home with family. Weddings and family social events comprise most nightlife.

Stay safe
Although Morelia and Patzcuaro are generally considered safe for tourism, there have been incidents of narcotraffic violence in Michoacan in the past. Travellers should check the security situation and assess their risk before visiting.

title: Lake Patzcuaro


text:
Lake Placid

 * For the city in Florida, see Lake Placid (Florida).

Lake Placid is a village of 2,400 people (2019) in the Adirondack Mountains in Essex County, New York, near the center of the town of North Elba and named after an adjacent lake.

While the village is a year-round resort, it is most known as the site of the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics. In a 1980 USA-USSR hockey game, the "Miracle on Ice," a group of American college students and amateurs upset the heavily-favored Soviet national ice hockey team 4-3. Two days later, they won the gold medal.

Lake Placid hosts a Winter Olympics summer training facility where one can watch sports like ski jumping, aerial jumping and figure skating. The town is charming and fun for the outdoorsy and/or adventure-spirited.

By car
Lake Placid is about 5 hours from New York City and 2 1/2 hours from Montreal. From Interstate 87 take Route 9N and follow the signs.

By plane
The Lake Placid Airport serves only charter and scenic planes. The closest domestic airport is Adirondack Airport in Saranac Lake. Plattsburgh is international in name only (no scheduled international flights); the nearest international airports are Albany, Burlington, and Montreal.

Get around
While it is easy to get around downtown on foot (arguably preferable, in fact, given the frequent traffic snarls on Main Street), and there is a free trolley service along the lake, you'll need a car to see any of the nearby area.

To get out onto the lake, short-term (one hour) boat rental is available.

See

Lake Placid is in the Adirondack Park, the largest state park east of the Mississippi River. It is home to 46 High Peaks, all of which rise above 4000 feet, and many of which can be viewed simultaneously from the summit of many of the neighboring mountains. On a clear day it is possible to see Vermont, New York, and Canada from the summit of Whiteface Mountain, which is located adjacent to Lake Placid.

Winter

 * Ice climbing: Adirondack ice forms reliably from November to March. Keene Valley boasts some of the best ice climbing in the northeast.

 * Speed Skating: The famed Speed Skating Oval in Lake Placid, home to some of the greatest legends in Winter Olympic history, is open to the public for speed skating and public skating sessions during the winter.

 * Cross Country Skiing: Miles of groomed Nordic ski trails on the famous Jackrabbit trail system, extending from Saranac Lake to Lake Placid, include amazing views of the High Peaks... or try your skills on Olympic trails.

 * Maple Syrup: Each year, the sugary scent of maple sap being boiled down to syrup fills the mountain air in time for the spring thaw.

 * World Cup Events: From snowboarding, bobsled, luge, skeleton to freestyle skiing, see some of the greatest talent each sport has to offer and enjoy the feats and skills of athletes who train year-round for the chance to compete against the best.

Summer

 * Mountain and road biking
 * Lake Placid is home to some of the best mountain biking in the northeast. The trails are technical and range widely in levels of difficulty. Two local bike shops offer group rides during the summer. Mt. Van Hovenburg and Whiteface Mountain are popular for cross country and downhill riding. For road biking, some of the best views can be seen between Lake Placid and Keene, as well as around Essex County.

 * Whiteface Mountain: The 8-passenger Cloudsplitter Gondola takes visitors from the base of Whiteface to the summit of Little Whiteface in about fifteen minutes with views of the trails, the Ausable River, and the Intervale Ski Jumping Complex. The Veterans Memorial Highway from Wilmington rises to the summit of Whiteface Mountain with a parking area at the top.

 * Biathlon: With the help of a range attendant, test your marksmanship with .22 caliber biathlete rifles at the Olympic shooting complex at Mt. Van Hovenburg. The shooting distance is 50 meters.

 * Hiking: All 46 High Peaks of the Adirondacks can be reached from the vicinity of Lake Placid by car. Some are more strenuous than others, and while many have well-beaten paths leading to their summits, many require significant bushwhacking to ascend. Local guides are available. Be sure to set out with a group of people with plenty of water, food, rain gear and safety equipment.

 * The Northville Placid Trail (NPT) is a 133-mile footpath that crosses the heart of the Adirondack Park in New York State from Northville, NY to Lake Placid, NY. It is considered a lowland trail in that it doesn’t cross mountain peaks or follow mountain ridges. The trail passes through what many consider the wildest and most remote parts of the Adirondack Park, notably the high plateau that encompasses the Spruce, West Canada, and Cedar lakes area, along with that of the Cold River. The highest point the N-P Trail reaches (3008 ft) is at the crest of the ridge to the E of Blue Mt. and Tirrell Pond.

Eat
Most visitor-targeted restaurants can be found on Main St. along the lake front. More local options are on Highway 86 and 73 on either ends of town.

Drink
There are several bars right along the main strip of the town.

Sleep
There are numerous resort hotels located in town as well as bed and breakfasts in the surrounding area. If a longer stay is desired, various condominiums and timeshare plans are available as well.

Go next

 * Keene Valley is less than twenty miles away and offers great hiking, camping, and climbing.
 * Wilmington is less than twelve miles away and offers great hiking, downhill skiing, ice climbing, mountain biking, and fly fishing. It is the home of Whiteface Mountain which hosted the downhill skiing events for the 1980 Winter Olympics.  It is also home to the West Branch of the Ausable River which is considered one of the best trout streams in the East. Near Wilmington is North Pole (New York), an early Christmas theme park.
 * Montreal, Quebec is a 2½ hour drive.

title: Lake Placid


text:
Lake Placid (Florida)

Lake Placid is a city in the Florida Heartland.

Get in
The center of town is between a few lakes, primarily Lake June-in-Winter and the larger Lake Istokpoga. The one that shares the name of the town, Lake Placid, is to the south. US-27 is the main road through the town and it follows a north-south path between these lakes. Interlake Blvd goes west-east between the lakes, as its name implies, intersecting US-27 and connecting it to a railroad crossing and the roundabout. FL-70 passes east-west to the south of Lake Placid, connecting with US-27 and Bradenton to the northwest. It leads to the Fort Pierce area to the northeast.

Go next

 * Sebring and Avon Park to the north
 * Bradenton to the west

title: Lake Placid (Florida)


text:
Lakeport

Lakeport is a city in Lake County in California.

Get in
To get to Lakeport from San Francisco, take U.S. 101 north to Hopland, then head east on State 175. It is about 2.5 hours drive at normal speeds, up to 4 hours with heavy traffic (mostly in Marin County and Santa Rosa areas).

title: Lakeport


text:
Lakes and Gardens

Lakes & Gardens is a region in North Dakota in the United States.

Get in

 * Devils Lake Regional Airport
 * Minot International Airport

See
Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, Washburn.

Do
Morrison Lake and Sweetwater Lake are popular destinations for water activities such as fishing and boating.

title: Lakes and Gardens


text:
Lakes and Mountains

Lakes and Mountains is a Maine region that encompasses the counties of Androscoggin, Franklin and Oxford, plus the northern portion of Cumberland County.

Understand

 * Tourism information from Visit Maine

Towns

 * — a quaint town with many buildings on the National Register of Historic Places
 * — a seasonal resort town on an island in Sebago Lake
 * — the principal gateway to Sugarloaf, a major ski resort
 * — — twin cities with a strong French-Canadian heritage
 * — home to the last active Shaker village in the U.S.
 * and Poland Spring — a historic resort area that is home to Range Ponds State Park
 * — the center of the Rangeley Lakes Region resort area
 * — a recreational area and suburb of Portland
 * — gateway to Mount Blue State Park

Other destinations

 * is mostly in New Hampshire, but extends across the border into this region.

Connect
As of July 2016, cell phone reception can be spotty in the northern part of this region, even in populated areas. Check the coverage maps for your carrier and prepare to find alternative methods of communication. AT&T Wireless is particularly unreliable, with locals preferring Verizon or Consumer Cellular.

title: Lakes and Mountains


text:
Lakes District

The Lakes District (Turkish: Göller Yöresi) is in the northern extension of Mediterranean Turkey.

Cities

 * — the pleasant hometown of Nasrettin Hoca, a Sufi that is the source of an endless number of satires
 * — Seljuk monuments, a UNESCO-listed mosque, Hittite ruins, and early 20th-century infrastructure projects on the eponymous lake
 * — one of the major towns of the region is a short distance inland from Lake Burdur
 * — a pleasant town on the lake of the same name also serves hikers doing the St Paul Trail
 * — the region's largest city is known for its floriculture; every spring hectares of rose fields around the "city of roses" flush in a pink bloom
 * — a town near the ruins of Antioch of Pisidia

Other destinations

 * — the ruins of an ancient Pisidian city amidst striking mountain scenery; there is a well-preserved stretch of a Roman road nearby
 * — with white sandy beaches and azure, crystal clear waters, this lake is knowned as the "Turkish Maldives".
 * — high over the mountains near the town of Ağlasun was one of the major Roman cities of the region.
 * (Yazılı Kanyon Tabiat Parkı) — about 20 km southwest of the village of Sütçüler, this national park is centred around a 10-km long, 100- to 400-m deep canyon, surrounded by verdant mountains. Parts of the canyon are dotted by Byzantine-era hermitages (hence the name, which translates "inscripted canyon" in Turkish), and canyoning opportunities galore.

Understand
Scattered by a variety of lakes — large and small, salt- and freshwater — the inland Lakes Districts is north of Pamphylia (Antalya Region) on the Mediterranean, over the Taurus mountain chain. It is substantially different from the neighbouring coastal areas, mass tourism destinations, to the south, and sees only a fraction of the number of visitors to them.

The Lakes District is more or less equivalent to the ancient region of Pisidia. In modern administrative terms, it corresponds to Isparta and Burdur Provinces and the western bits of Konya Province.

On foot
The Saint Paul Trail, an approximately 500-km marked hiking trail loosely following the first missionary journey of its eponym, starts from Perge east of Antalya and heads via Yazılı Kanyon, Adada, and Eğirdir to cross the lake to Antioch of Pisidia near Yalvaç, its northern trailhead.

Go next

 * To the east, many roads lead to Konya, a major city that was the capital of medieval Seljuks.
 * To the north, Afyonkarahisar is an old town dominated by a hilltop castle, and has extensive transportation options to the northwest of the country.
 * To the west, Denizli is the hub for visiting the thermal pools of Pamukkale and has transportation links onward to the Southern Aegean coast.
 * To the south, Antalya is a major resort and is the hub for visiting the rest of the Mediterranean coast.

title: Lakes District


text:
Lakes Entrance

Lakes Entrance is a town in East Gippsland where the Gippsland Lakes finally flow into the sea. It is a major tourist destination, with swimming and boating being the major attractions, but many other attractions like mini-golf and paddle boats which cater to visitors.

Understand
The town has a beautiful locality - surrounded by water, lakes and kilometres of deserted ocean beaches. However, like some other "seaside destinations", the town itself can tend to be a little tacky and run down. While not often attractive to New South Welsh people, it is the closest Victoria could offer on untouched sandy beaches.

Get in
Lakes Entrance is on the Princes Hwy (A1). Coaches meet the trains to Bairnsdale from Melbourne Coaches down the coast from Sydney and Canberra also pass through Lakes Entrance.

Get around
Lakes Entrance has paths and lanes which makes popular areas within the town accessible by foot or bike.

Some areas with paths or lanes for bikes include:

 * Esplanade, there is a wide footpath along the lake. Keep in mind that it is prohibited to ride bikes, scooters or skateboards over the footbridge leading to the Ninety Mile Beach.
 * Marine Parade
 * Eastern Beach, the footpath leading to Eastern Beach Road is bike friendly, and Eastern Beach Road has a bike lane. This will take you to Eastern Beach.

Do

 * Ocean Beach swimming. Cross the main footbridge across the inlet in the centre of town cross the sandhill, and you will be at the main ocean beach area.  A little further north along the road is Eastern Beach, which is patrolled between Christmas and Australia Day.
 * Paddle Boats and Catamarans - for hire directly opposite the footbridge.
 * Boat hire
 * Lake swimming. The jellyfish can be a little larger in the inlet here, but there is an enclosure for swimming - best at higher tides.

Eat

 * Lakes Entrance Bowls Club, barefoot bowls in summer, cnr Rowe and Bulmer street. Fresh and friendly cool in summer. 03 51 551410
 * Lakes Entrance RSL, upstairs, novelty mural and military display's throughout
 * Lakes Entrance RSL, upstairs, novelty mural and military display's throughout

Connect
Most of Lakes Entrance has celluar coverage from most national telecommunication companies such as Telstra, Optus and Vodafone.

As with any Telstra Payphone in Australia, Standard National calls (that is, within Australia) can be made for free using a payphone. Some of the locations where a payphone can be found and used are:

 * Myers Street, just outside of Foodworks.
 * Centrepoint Arcade, across the road from the front of the Centrepoint Arcade. There is also a public bathroom here.
 * Lakes Entrance Recreation and Camping Reserve, directly at the front of the entrance.
 * United Petroleum, on Princes Highway. This is the closest payphone to Eastern Beach Road.

Go next

 * Bairnsdale has a lot to offer for those interested in interior Gippsland cities and looking for a quieter, less visited destination

title: Lakes Entrance


text:
Lake Sevan Region

Lake Sevan Region is in Armenia, and it is the same as the Gegharkunik Marz of Armenia.

Cities

 * – This city is not on the lakefront and does not really cater to tourism. It is a convenient spot to get supplies however.
 * – A village on the eastern shores of Lake Sevan with some very nice views and relaxed, quiet atmosphere.
 * – A tucked away city in the southeast corner of the lake. There are a few small monasteries and chapels, mountains and valleys that only those making it this far will have a chance to see.
 * – A village on the eastern shores of Lake Sevan with some very nice views and relaxed, quiet atmosphere.
 * – A tucked away city in the southeast corner of the lake. There are a few small monasteries and chapels, mountains and valleys that only those making it this far will have a chance to see.

Itineraries
From Yerevan, once you get to Lake Sevan visit Sevanavank Monastery, then head south to Hayravank Monastery and Noratus Cemetery. If you'd like to explore further, you can continue on down to Vanevan Monastery and Makenyats Monastery, plus check out the towns of Kavar and Vardenis.

Understand
Lake Sevan is a popular summer beach destination and has many resorts, cabanas, fish restaurants and other amenities for visitors. Also, a main reason to visit is to see Sevanvank monastery, and other lakeside churches; most visitors come on day-trips from Yerevan.

Lake Sevan lies at 1,900 m altitude, twice that of Yerevan, and is fresh water, partly freezing in winter. The temperatures are significantly cooler than in Yerevan, and the winters much longer. This popular spot for a getaway in the summer is usually packed in July and August, when it's warm enough to enjoy the beaches and swim in the waters. Although Armenia is landlocked, this lake, which covers 5% of the country is vast, and much of it quite pristine, with some decent beaches.

In pre-industrial times the lake was much larger and deeper, but in Stalin's era it was drained unsustainably for irrigation and hydro-electric power, and its water quality and environs were degraded. It's now being rehabilitated and the water level is creeping back up.

Talk
Armenian and Russian are universally spoken. English, French and German spoken by a few, though English is gaining quickly.

By marshrutka
If you just want to go to the "kghzi" peninsula with the most popular beaches during the summer, then marshrutkas make frequent trips from Yerevan for cheap. Throughout the year you can take the Ijevan/Dilijan/Noyemberyan marshrutka and hop off at the lake as well, or depending on where you want to go in the region you can take a van directly to Vardenis or Martuni or Kavar.

By train
There is a train that can take you to the peninsula, and then continues around the top of the lake over to Shorjha, a beautiful spot. The train, while cheap, does not earn rave reviews.

By thumb
There are many cars crossing the region. So, you will not have issues finding someone to take you as far as you desire. Always offer a little tip in return—the equivalent of a marshrutka ride is common.

By taxi
Getting to Shorjha on the far side is trickier, and a taxi may be your best bet. You can get a taxi to the Lake with some time for you to enjoy the beach for about 10,000 dram round trip. Taking taxis around this area is not hard, but just stick to the established prices of 100 dram/km, and 1,500 dram per hour for waiting time.

See

Other destinations in the region include:
 * North shore – The north and west shore of the lake is much calmer than the area around Sevan city. The hills right behind make nice hikes.
 * North shore – The north and west shore of the lake is much calmer than the area around Sevan city. The hills right behind make nice hikes.
 * North shore – The north and west shore of the lake is much calmer than the area around Sevan city. The hills right behind make nice hikes.

Do

 * Swimming
 * Wind surfing and sailing
 * Paddle and row boating
 * Hiking and cycling opportunities are endless, check out the mountain ranges southeast of the lake, where popular mountain peaks are offered for climbing and hiking treks by local tour companies.
 * The two week Janapar Trail hike through Artsakh (Karabakh) starts in Vardenis, at the southeast corner of Lake Sevan.

Eat
There are a number of excellent fish restaurants along the shore, especially just north of the kghzi peninsula. Barbecued fish is cheap (not the ishkhan trout though), and is always juicy. The fried fish is usually quite nicely marinaded and is also cheap. Crayfish (rock) are also found at these restaurants, and are worth trying. The crayfish and fish are also sold along the side of the roads, by little street vendors holding their hands apart.

Drink
Vodka

Stay safe
Armenians tell of drownings due to rip currents and whirlpools in the lake. Though this does not appear to be documented, and is more likely a result of a population that does not have much swimming experience, don't swim out too far alone.

Go next
Any bus or van heading south past the peninsula will take you to Yerevan and Central Armenia. You can also head up northwest to Dilijan and Northern Armenia, or Georgia.

title: Lake Sevan Region


text:
Lakeside (Ohio)

Lakeside  is a city in Ottawa County, Ohio.

Understand
Lakeside was founded in 1873 as a Methodist summer retreat on one square mile of land on the Marblehead Peninsula. Lakeside is known as "The Chautauqua on Lake Erie." Chautauqua is an American summertime institution during which visitors can participate in activities, such as musical concerts, artists, lectures, and family activities throughout the summer. Lakeside boasts a full professional orchestra, a well regarded amateur chorus, and a packed daily schedule of creative, educational, and religious activities.

During the 11 week summer season (roughly Memorial Day to Labor Day) Lakeside is a gated community. Visitors must buy a gate pass to get in; the pass entitles them to use all of Lakeside's amenities as well as participate in Lakeside's daily activities. The Lakeside Association maintains municipal and community services, such as the roadways, pier, auditorium, parks, etc. Private homeowners own individual houses in Lakeside and most of the businesses in the downtown are privately run.

While the Lakeside community and activities are open to all, visitors are expected to adhere to a code of conduct. Lakeside is a dry community; no alcohol is served in any Lakeside restaurants nor allowed to be consumed anywhere on Association property. Smoking is likewise prohibited.

Lakeside events and classes are scheduled week by week. Sign up for many art activities is on Sunday afternoon.

Get in
By Car: Lakeside is located on the Marblehead Peninsula. The south entrance is on the left side of route 163.

By Train: While Lakeside has a rail station, trains have not run to Lakeside since the 1960s. It is possible to take the train to Sandusky, Ohio, then taxi to Lakeside (approximately 18 miles)

By Ferry: Ferries from Kelleys Island land at Marblehead, Ohio, an approximate one mile walk to the West gate of Lakeside or 1.5 miles walk to the South Gate. It is possible to take a ferry from Sandusky to Kelleys Island and transfer to a ferry to Marblehead.

Get around
For most people, walking is the best way to get around Lakeside. The community is rather compact, and most activities are in the "downtown" area. Bicycles are another option. For those who want to get around without the effort, golf carts are available for rent. Some (mostly older residents) use personal scooters as well. Only foot traffic is allowed in Lakeside's parks and walking paths.

Lakeside offers a shuttle service -- an extended golf cart operating on a fixed route every 15 minutes or so on a set route.

Cars are not a useful way to get around lakeside. Park your car on arrival and keep it parked. Parking is available by the south entrance (for a fee), at the Danbury High School (just outside Lakeside's south gate, for free). Some cottages have their own garages and parking, and parking lots are available at the hotels.

See

Do
Activities at Lakeside can be divided between those which are done on the land and water-based activities, as well as between educational activities (for children and adults) and ones primarily for recreation or entertainment.

On The Water

 * Swimming
 * Fishing
 * Sailing
 * Boat races
 * Kayaking

title: Lakeside (Ohio)


text:
Lakes Region (New Hampshire)

The Lakes Region is an area in central New Hampshire, home to many lakes, the largest of which, Lake Winnipesaukee, is the sixth largest natural lake in the USA.

Cities

 * - Home of Mt. Cardigan State Park.
 * - Home of Mt. Cardigan State Park.
 * - Home of Mt. Cardigan State Park.
 * - Home of Mt. Cardigan State Park.
 * - Home of Mt. Cardigan State Park.
 * - Home of Mt. Cardigan State Park.
 * - Home of Mt. Cardigan State Park.
 * - Home of Mt. Cardigan State Park.
 * - Home of Mt. Cardigan State Park.
 * - Home of Mt. Cardigan State Park.

Other destinations
There are several lakes throughout the region. Some of the most noteworthy lakes are:
 * — The sixth largest natural lake in the United States, this lake has over 200 miles (320 km) of shoreline and 274 islands.
 * — Where the movie "On Golden Pond" was filmed.
 * — Where the movie "On Golden Pond" was filmed.

Talk
English is by far the predominant language in the region, although it's not unlikely to hear tourists talking in various other languages. There are some New England expressions, such as Frappe (for milkshake) and you'll hear people say expressions such as "so doesn't she", when they really mean "so does she". Locals also say "New Hampsha". In regards to the sandwich name issue, it is called a "Grinder" in New England. "Can't get there from here" is also a popular phrase which is a common response when asking for directions because of the large lakes and mountains and lack of roads which traverse them.

Get in
Most tourists arrive by car via Interstate 93. Exits 20-24 serve the Lakes Region Area. From the east you can arrive via I-95 to Portsmouth, NH, and then take NH Rt 16 directly to NH Rt 11 and into the Alton Bay area where you can either take NH Rt 11 around the west side of the lake or NH Rt 28 around the east side of the lake.

By car
The simplest way to get around the Lakes Region is by car as there is no real public transportation system. As a result, many towns experience traffic jams during peak tourist seasons, such as summer and fall weekends.

By boat
Boat is a very common mode of transportation, particularly on the larger lakes where it is possible to reach many towns via water. Many visitors bring their own boats or keep them year-round in the region, although it is possible to rent boats from the various marinas such as Thurston's Marina in Weirs Beach. In addition, Lake Winnipesaukee can be cruised via the Mount Washington, Doris E, which offer cuises predominantly run from Memorial Day to Labor Day. You can also catch a ride on the Sophie C, a US Mail Boat, as it delivers mail to the various islands.

Do

 * - located in Bartlett

The Mount Washington Boat offers scenic day and evening cruises from several ports around Lake Winnipesaukee. The main port is through Weirs Beach though stops in Meredith, Center Harbor, and Wolfboro happen on different days of the week (check the schedule online).

There is a dinner cruise available most nights during the summer. This is a sit down dinner with waiters and a menu. Dress is very casual with many guests wearing shorts and a polo shirt or business casual clothing.

Some cruises at night feature special menus. If at all possible, reserve for the later cruise which features the sunset over the lake. Be aware that the weather gets chilly and make sure you pack a sweater.

For a more relaxing time consider the Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad which leaves from either Meredith or Weirs Beach on one or two hours tours. Most travelers take the two hour route which consists of a round trip from their boarding station to the end of the line in both directions. The train travels from Meredit to Weirs Beach (30 minutes) on down to Paugus Bay (30 minutes) and then reverses directions for a total round trip time of 2 hours.

There is a Hobo Railroad which is essentially the Winnipesaukee Railroad with an additional fee to ride it during the lunch time. You may purchase a box lunch which consists of sandwiches and a dessert.

If rain is in the forecast during your vacation, you may want to travel north on I93 to the COG Railroad (+1 603-278-5404) which takes you on a 2-hour or more round trip up Mount Washington. The fare for this is expensive ($72-78 for adults, $68-72 for seniors, and $41 for kids 4-12, Nov 2018). The trip is a great way to experience the summit of Mount Washington. It will be cold when you get to the top - so bring a sweater. Many days on the summit also feature very limited visibility - so check the weather first if an unobstructed summit view of the surrounding area is important to you.

Eat
There are numerous restaurants throughout the Lakes Region providing food for all nationalities and tastes.Some restaurants are seasonal, so it may be a wise idea to call ahead.

Stay safe
Lake Winnipesaukee is a big lake. The weather can change quickly and become dangerous. There are boats on the lake that make large wake and also speed boats. There is a 150-foot (45 m) separation rule, from boats or the shoreline when going above wake speed. Weekends are the most crowded, and during the week or off-season, the lake is almost empty of boat traffic. If you boat on the lake, you must have a map. There are many rocks close to the surface, and the navigation buoys are not easy to understand unless you are using a chart. Squam lake is similar, in that it is hard to navigate without a chart. Squam has a speed limit of 45 mph, and much less boat traffic, so you may feel safer on that lake. There is very little violent crime in the lakes region, but some people are uncomfortable being around motorcycle bikers during "bike week" in June. 99.99% of these guys are the friendliest people on Earth. Loud parties at night is the most frequent "crime" during the summer months.

title: Lakes Region (New Hampshire)


text:
Lake Station

Lake Station, formerly known as East Gary, is a bedroom community of Chicago in Lake County, Indiana.

Go next
I 80, I 90, and I 94 all split up in Lake Station. I 80 and I 90 head to South Bend, Toledo, and split near Cleveland to head, ultimately, to New York City and Boston, respectively. I 94 will take you to Detroit and to the Windsor-Quebec Corridor.

title: Lake Station


text:
Lake Superior Provincial Park

Lake Superior Provincial Park is in Northern Ontario region of Canada. From Lake Superior’s rugged coast, this park moves inland over mist-shrouded hills and deep canyons whose breathtaking beauty and rich autumn colours inspired Canada’s Group of Seven artists.

Understand
Located on the east shore of the world’s largest freshwater lake, Lake Superior Provincial Park was created in 1944 as a result of concerns raised by residents of Sault Ste. Marie for the need to protect a significant portion of the Lake Superior shoreline.

The park office is in the northern part of the park at Red Rock Lake. Senior staff, including the superintendent, can be reached at the park office between 9AM and 4PM during summer months.

The park's visitor centre at Agawa Bay provides information about the park and surrounding areas. There are washrooms and a gift shop open to the public from May through September. The visitor centre has a display area about the history of the park and the influence that Lake Superior Park had on the fur trade, the Group of Seven artists and shipwrecks in the region. There are trailer storage opportunities available, but arrangements must be made with senior staff at the park office.

Contact:

Landscape
The park's high, rounded hills are the remains of ancient mountain ranges, worn down by glaciers and covered by glacial sediments. Rushing rivers drop rapidly from the highlands to the shoreline, creating rapids and dramatic waterfalls. Faults shaped the magnificent Agawa Canyon, Agawa Rock, and Old Woman Bay.

The most common rocks in the area are granite and gneisses. Lava rock from Precambrian volcanic activity, diabase dykes along the shoreline, and relatively young Cambrian sandstone, are all relics of the park's geological past.

The park is in a transitional zone between two forest regions—the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence, and the Boreal. The transition is particularly striking in the autumn when the brilliant colours of the southern deciduous trees contrast with the dark green boreal evergreens.

Flora and fauna
There is a large abundance of wildlife in the park. Larger mammals include moose, commonly seen in the park, timber wolf, Canada lynx, bears, and white-tailed deer, whose numbers are limited because of deep snow and severe winters; smaller mammals include red squirrel, red fox, beaver and marten. More than 250 species of birds have been identified inside the park boundaries, and 120 species nest there. Great blue heron, gulls, loons and several varieties of warblers are among the most common feathered residents.

By car
The park is 120 km north of Sault Ste Marie (Ontario) and 20 km south of Wawa along the Highway 17 (Trans-Canada Highway).

By train
Passenger trains operated by Canadian National Railway provide the only access to the Agawa Canyon and some of the canoe routes along the eastern park boundary. Train tours are available.

By plane
The nearest airport with scheduled service is in Sault Ste Marie.

Fees and permits
Vehicle permits are required for day use ($15.50 per day, as of Sep 2021), and camping fees are charged for all overnight use. They are available at the main camp office, and at the Agawa Bay and Rabbit Blanket Lake campsites.

See

 * There is an amphitheatre in the Agawa Bay campground, and park staff make presentations here in the summer months.
 * There is an amphitheatre in the Agawa Bay campground, and park staff make presentations here in the summer months.

Do

 * Attend the park staff presentations - evening programs, cocktail parties, guided hikes, spirit walks and guest speakers. At Agawa Rock, interpreters are scheduled to talk about the pictographs and natural history of the park.
 * Fish: in the lakes and streams within the Park as well as on Lake Superior - there are good populations of lake and rainbow trout, whitefish and three species of salmon as well as good opportunities for catching lake and brook trout. To help prevent the introduction of non-native species, live-bait fish is banned on interior park lakes.
 * Go canoeing - canoe routes range from easy to challenging and often involve stretches of white water. Any boating on the open water of Lake Superior is recommended only for those experienced enough to recognize and handle rapidly changing conditions. Motorboats are permitted on Lake Superior but not within the park, except at Sand Lake where motors no bigger than 10 horsepower are permitted. Canoes can be carried on the Algoma passenger trains (not the tour trains) to provide access to the eastern part of the park.
 * Swim - there are beaches in each of the three park campgrounds - Agawa Bay, Crescent Lake and Rabbit Blanket Lake.
 * Enjoy the park in winter: the park is gated but accessible for skiing, snowshoeing and ice fishing. Snowmobiles are prohibited in the park except on Frater Road to access the Algoma Central Railway.
 * Some of the most spectacular hiking in Ontario is offered on the Coastal Trail: a challenging triple along the beautiful Lake Superior coastline. It is very demanding and can take between 5 and 7 days to complete. The Coastal Trail is part of the long-distance Voyageur Hiking Trail. There are basic backcountry campsites on secluded bays.  The stretch north of Katherine Cove away from the Trans-Canada Highway is the most peaceful, but also the most strenuous.  For experienced hikers only.
 * The hiking trails in the park can be accessed from Agawa Bay, Crescent Lake, or Rabbit Blanket Lake campgrounds, or from Highway 17. The 11 trails offer a wide variety of distances and difficulty from short half-hour hikes to multi-day trips. Orphan Lake Trail is a moderate difficulty trail that has a variety of terrain over a 8 km loop and takes approximately 2–4 hours to complete.
 * Train tours to Agawa Canyon are offered from Sault Ste. Marie.

Buy, eat, and drink
Bring in what you will need from Wawa or Sault Ste Marie.

Lodging
There are motels and hotels in Wawa or Sault Ste Marie.

Camping
There are campsites at Agawa Bay, and Rabbit Blanket Lake.

Backcountry
Backcountry campsites are found on the Coastal Trail and along the longer canoe routes. Sites include a basic privy.

title: Lake Superior Provincial Park


text:
Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe is a popular vacation and recreation region straddling the border between California and Nevada. The closest large city is Reno, Nevada. It is especially popular in the summer and winter. Summer activities include golf, boating and hiking. Winter activities include world class skiing, snowmobiling and ice skating. Year round activities include shopping, gambling, eating and taking in the scenery.

Cities

 * - Town on North Shore with Casinos. It's in Nevada, but is on the state line with California.
 * - A quaint west shore resort town west of Lake Tahoe.
 * - Town on the north shore. Small population.
 * - Town on north shore with good places to eat.
 * - Near the border between California and Nevada: You can sleep in California and head up the road to gamble in Nevada.
 * - Just north of South Lake Tahoe, it spans the border of the two states. It gives you 'walk-to' access for the casinos.
 * – It's on the northwest shore of Lake Tahoe. One of the two main towns on the lake (along with South Lake) this is a smaller, more relaxed town with a slight mountain hippy feel to it. Tahoe City is considerably less crowded and more relaxed than South Lake Tahoe.
 * - A beautiful Lake Tahoe town on the North Shore.
 * - Historic western railroad town off Interstate 80 between Route 89 and 237 northwest of the lake.

Understand

Lake Tahoe is a beautiful, deep blue lake nestled among mountain peaks. It has depths of up to 1,600 feet and the mountain peaks are in the 8,000- to 10,000-foot range. During the summer, boating, camping, and hiking are popular activities. Winter sports are popular during the colder months (December-April). Lake Tahoe has been a tourist destination since the turn of the 20th century, when steam trains and improving roads made it possible to visit with ease. The 1960 Winter Olympics, held at Squaw Valley, popularized winter sports at Tahoe.

By plane
Most visitors fly into, about an hour's drive to Truckee on Interstate 80. To reach the major casinos and largest lake community, South Lake Tahoe, take I-580 south from the airport then west on U.S. Hwy 50. North Lake Tahoe and Incline Village is best reached from the airport via I-580 south for 8 miles then west on Mount Rose Highway. Shuttle service is provided several times per day by either the North Lake Tahoe Express or the South Tahoe Airporter.

Major airports are also just south of San Francisco, about 4 hours away, Oakland, about 3 hours away, and Sacramento, about 2 hours away.

There are also two smaller general aviation airports closer to the Lake, one in Truckee that supports a short runway and mostly propeller airplanes, the second is in South Lake Tahoe. The South Lake Tahoe airport used to host commercial flights, and its runway is long enough to facilitate a 737 jet. There used to be several commercial airlines that flew into the South Lake Tahoe airport, but due to noise abatement and other political issues, and the fact that the Reno/Tahoe International Airport is only an hour's drive away, these flights have ceased to operate altogether.

By car
Getting into the Lake Tahoe region by car is perhaps the most popular method of transportation, but it is not without its hassles and headaches, especially for the first-time visitor.

Winter driving
Be aware that you're driving into a mountainous region that receives heavy snowfall throughout the winter season and other times. Although road conditions are usually clear between April and November, it is not unheard of for heavy snow to fall as late as June, sometimes spontaneously in seemingly warm weather. Always carry snow chains in your car. If roads are slick with snow or ice, CalTrans will implement chain control, which usually means you need chains installed on your tires for the affected stretch of highway unless you are in a four-wheel drive vehicle with snow tires. Before planning your trip, check local weather reports as well as the California Highway Information Network (CHIN) (call +1-800-427-7623 in California or +1 916 445-7623 from elsewhere) for traffic conditions.

If you are already near or in the Lake Tahoe region without snow chains in your car, but you find that you will need them, try to buy them where the locals might, such as a grocery store or auto part franchise. Prices for chains at gas stations visible from the highway will often be twice as expensive!

Some vehicles cannot accept regular snow chains due to low clearance between the wheel and the wheel well or the suspension parts. Your car's manual will have the necessary information regarding this. You may still be able to use a low-clearance chain such as SSC Super Z6 but ensure that it fits and works properly before you depart.

During chain control, men in orange jumpsuits will be on hand to install chains for you for a hefty fee of $30 (sometimes a little more if they need to cut your chains to fit). If you've never installed chains, the convenience of paying an expert do the job in less than five minutes may outweigh the amount of money you save while shuddering in the cold, hunched over the instructions for half an hour. The choice is entirely yours; a good method of learning how to install chains is to watch someone do it the first time so that you know how it to do it yourself the next time — just consider the $30-35 your lesson fee. (Or better yet, have an experienced friend teach you before you even leave.)

Four-wheel drive vehicles with snow tires or "mud and snow" tires almost never need chains — Caltrans usually closes the highway altogether for several hours before requiring four-wheel drive vehicles with chains. The latter tires usually have a "M+S" marking on them.

If you are an experienced driver in snow, you may find it ridiculous to be asked to put on chains. But the Highway Patrol makes no exceptions unless you have 4wd. You can't argue your way out if it, but you'll get over it and you will laugh heartily at the number of cars spinning out of control (even with 4wd) as inexperienced California drivers attempt to handle the snow by driving as if it isn't there. Take their foolishness realistically - they WILL hit you if they get close. Keep your distance.

Front-wheel drive cars with snow tires on the drive wheels under the weight of the engine do very well.

Rear-wheel drive trucks with no weight in the back do the worst.

Cars with bald tires with chains may still slip and be a major road hazard.

Big rig trucks, the 18 wheelers, can jackknife, and spin and crash, and often are the cause of road closures.

Windshield wipers during snowfall: It's best to find and use special windshield wipers for the snow, where the joints in the wipers are covered up and protected, otherwise, they may freeze, and be useless.

Route highways
To North Lake Tahoe: From the San Francisco Bay Area or Sacramento, take interstate highway I-80 East toward Reno and exit highway 89 South to Tahoe City. From Reno, take I-80 West toward Sacramento and exit Truckee taking Highway 267 south to the Lake.

To South Lake Tahoe: From the San Francisco Bay Area or Sacramento, take US Highway 50 East toward South Lake Tahoe. This is by far the most scenic way to enter the Lake Tahoe basin, with soaring views over the entire lake from Echo Summit down the last few miles to the valley floor.

By bus or shuttle
There is an Amtrak train station in Truckee, California, and bus service from various carriers there to points around the lake. Amtrak offers a combined bus/train service from San Francisco (via the Emeryville, California stop) to South Lake Tahoe. Greyhound stops in Truckee, with connecting local bus service to the lake. Many ski resorts offer bus and shuttle rides from certain pick-up locations in the San Francisco Bay Area, Sacramento, Reno, Truckee or from hotels in the Lake Tahoe region. Availability, pick-up locations, schedules and rates vary widely depending on the resort you want to go to. See the Do section below for a list of ski resorts, and check their website or call their office to see what your options are.

By train
Amtrak operates the daily California Zephyr train, which goes from Emeryville in the San Francisco Bay Area to Chicago and makes a stop in Truckee. Amtrak also runs several buses per day between Sacramento and Reno as part of the Capitol Corridor train to Oakland and San Jose.

Get around
Along the north shore and Truckee, there is bus service run by TART (Tahoe Truckee Area Regional Transit). Several services exist along the south shore as well.

Stateline casino resorts in South Lake Tahoe have free shuttle buses to most of the ski resorts. Most of the shuttle buses do not check if you are staying at the resort.

Cabs can be scarce, so a rental car may be a wise decision.

Hitchhiking is also common in the north shore, although usually for shorter regional distances. The majority of rides are given by local residents.

See
See the views of the Lake from the Homewood Chairlifts.

See the mountain valley on the hike up the Emerald bay hiking trail.

See the hillside letters which are marked on several mountain ranges throughout Nevada. Closest is the 'C' in Carson City. These letters are rumored to be used by pilots who are flying over the planes and use them as directional guides, but really they are a representation of many Nevadan school's pride, who have placed these letters on hills for centuries. Most of these letters still remain and have been taken care of by farmers.

Horseback riding
There are many places to go horseback riding in Lake Tahoe. Below is a list of stables where they offer guided trails and tours of Lake Tahoe mountain ranges.

Reservations advisable. June - October. Specialized in beginners and family groups. All rides include an extra half hour for you to get to know your guide, do your paperwork and participate in a discussion on horse behavior and safety rules. Children must be 7 years for trail rides. 1-hour and 2-hour trail rides, pony rides, rides for advanced riders, and private rides
 * Camp Richardson's Corral: 4 Emerald Bay Road (at Fallen Leaf Road), South Lake Tahoe, +1 530 541-3113. All rides are guided and at a walk - Kids have to be 6 yrs or older - weight limit of . Reservations are required. Open in the summer for horseback riding, and winter for sleigh rides. 2-hour and 4-hour trail rides. The Breakfast Ride, 8AM to 10AM, is a brisk morning ride to bacon and eggs, hotcakes and cowboy coffee. The Steak Ride, 4:30PM to 7PM, is an easy ride for Mom and Dad, but exciting for the kids, through wooded trails, across Taylor Creek and back to a western steak barbecue.
 * Cascade Stables: 2199 Cascade Road, South Lake Tahoe, +1 530 541-2055. June - September. Call ahead for rates & times. 1-hour rides to beautiful Cascade Lake, or to a scenic view overlooking Lake Tahoe and the south shore. For those who choose a more gentle ride, take the Meadow Trail skirting Lake Tahoe and Tallac Meadows. 2-hour rides to enjoy the spectacular scenery of Cascade Lake on a ride around the lake.
 * Northstar Stables: Northstar at Tahoe, Truckee, +1 530 562-2480
 * Squaw Valley Stables: 1525 Squaw Valley Road, Olympic Valley, +1 530 583-7433.,June through September. Ride the site of the 1960 Winter Olympics. Call for reservations. Has a wide variety of horses. Gentle horses for gentle people, spirited horses for spirited people, and for those who don't like to ride there are horses that don't like to be ridden. One-hour ride (9AM-4PM every hour). Two-hour ride (9AM, 11AM & 2PM). Half-day ride (1:30PM). Private rides - reservations required. Pony rides (10AM-noon & 1PM- 4PM - you lead 20 minutes).

Ski resorts
There are many resorts in the Tahoe region for skiers and snowboarders. Lifts are open whenever the snows begin (usually around mid-November) and close when the weather becomes too warm and the snow stops (usually around mid to late-April, though resorts have sometimes closed as late as July 4th). Conditions will vary depending on the resort, and not all mountains are the same.

Beyond Donner Pass
If you are heading east from the Bay Area, you have some skiing choices. These resorts are all on Highway 80 going East, before you hit Donner Pass.

Hiking
There are several parks along the shore and nearby, including Bliss State Park and Emerald Bay State Park.

There are many trail in the nearby Desolation Wilderness including Mount Tallac Trail.

Beaches

 * Sand Harbor, northeast shore.
 * Chamber's Landing, west shore, south of Tahoe City.
 * Meek's Bay, west shore, south of Tahoe City.
 * Tahoe City, North shore, in Tahoe City.
 * Emerald Bay, west shore, south of Homewood on 89.

Boat trips
The Tahoe Queen at Ski Run Marina and the M.S. Dixie II at Zephyr Cove Resort are both authentic Mississippi Style Paddle-wheel boats. They offer daytime scenic sightseeing cruises to Emerald Bay in addition to dinner dance cruises. +1-800-23-TAHOE

Several charter services offer boat tours to the mansions that dot the lake shore. Tahoe Keys Boat and Charter Rentals and Ski Run Boat Company offer guided boat tours of Lake Tahoe. Tahoe Keys had a very unique Party Boat that is 52 feet and can hold up to 49 people. This famous boat is a very popular for weddings. They also have rentals of other motorized personal watercrafts.
 * Tahoe Keys Boat Company: +1 530 542-2111
 * Ski Run Boat Company: Ski Run Marina, South Lake Tahoe

Year-round activities
Gambling is a popular activity year-round, many other activities are seasonal. In the winter the skiing in the area is world class and spread across many varied resorts, other winter activities are snow shoeing and snowmobiling. During the summer months boat rentals are available in most towns on the lake. Other activities that draw people to the area are: golf, hiking, mountain biking, and 4-wheeling.

Buy
You can rent skiing or snowboarding equipment directly at the mountain. However, to save money and increase your available choices, you might want to rent from one of the many Ski Shops in the North Tahoe Area including Granite Chief Sports, Squaw Valley Sports, Tahoe Dave's, and Porter's in Tahoe City. South Lake Tahoe has a dozen ski shops and rental businesses, including George's Discount Ski Rentals, The Ski Renter and Rainbow Mountain Sports. Also there are 2-3 companies who will deliver equipment directly to your hotel room. You can also rent from REI, Any Mountain, Helm of Sun Valley, and Marmot Mountain Works in the Bay Area (and probably other places too).

Eat
There are over 273 restaurants in Lake Tahoe to choose from. The types of food you can find there ranges from Chinese to Indian Cuisine. While there are several of the usual chain restaurants, South Lake Tahoe has almost 200 independent food businesses, a few who have operated there for over 50 years. To get a unique flavor of Lake Tahoe try several of the independent restaurants.

Drink
Tahoe City and Squaw Valley have a good selection of bars and nightlife. The major casinos and shows are located on the South Shore at Stateline / South Lake Tahoe.

Sleep
Hotels are, of course, an option. Book in advance, especially in the winter or summer seasons. You can get a room for as cheap as $30/night in South Lake Tahoe, get a package at a casino hotel or spend several hundred dollars a night at one of the many resort style hotels on or near the Lake or ski resorts.

Homeowners in the area do a brisk business renting/leasing out their homes, condos and cabins during the winter and summer seasons. They vary in price from a few hundred dollars/night for a short term rental to $800/month for a 1-room condo and up to $3,000/month for 4+ bedroom houses with hot tubs and other amenities. Short term rentals and longer term leases are advertised on local travel and tourism web sites, with real estate agencies as well as in the local papers.

Stay safe
Beware of bears. Do not feed the bears. Do not leave food or food wrappers in your car.

Beware of other wildlife as they may defend themselves if threatened, carry rabies, or themselves be in danger by your close presence.

Snowstorms blow in quickly and can cause power outages, especially in more remote locations, as well as blocking off roads with several feet of snow that may fall in a single night. Bring extra food, just in case, and always carry chains in your car as the road restrictions can come up quickly. If you are renting a car during October - late April request tire chains be included. This is typical when renting a vehicle in Reno but may be more difficult to find if picking up your vehicle in San Francisco or Sacramento.

Hitchhikers are quite common all around Lake Tahoe.

Shopping
There are plenty of places to shop at in Lake Tahoe. Some stores are located in outlet centers, at ski areas and others in downtown locations such as in South Lake Tahoe at the base of the Heavenly Tram and along the main streets in Tahoe City and Truckee.
 * Squaw Valley/Olympic Valley Shopping Area
 * Resort at Squaw Creek - Retail Promenade
 * Factory Stores at the 'Y' in South Lake Tahoe
 * Shops at Ski Run Marina
 * Shops at Heavenly Village
 * Boatworks Mall
 * Cobblestone Center
 * Tahoe City Marina and Mall
 * Tahoe/Truckee Factory Stores

Brothels
Just northeast of Lake Tahoe in the outer Reno area, there are also still 4 very famous brothels that have been there for decades. While some of these are no longer operating,if you are looking to visit these brothels their names are, Mustang Ranch Brothel - which was once owned by the IRS/U.S. Government. and Triangle River Ranch. The Moonlight Bunny Ranch Brothel (featured on HBO) and Kit Kat Ranch are 6 miles east of Carson City along U.S. Hwy 50. Many of the brothels in parts of Nevada have been shut down by the government.

Golfing
Golf can be enjoyed year-round in Lake Tahoe. Visitor's can even enjoy skiing and golfing in the same day! Below is a list of Golf courses in Lake Tahoe.
 * Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course and Lake Tahoe Country Club are in South Tahoe
 * The Golf Courses At Incline Village
 * Lake Tahoe Golf Course
 * Northstar-at-Tahoe
 * Resort at Squaw Creek Golf Course
 * Tahoe Donner Golf Course

Fishing
There are many places to fish in Lake Tahoe. However, you must buy a fishing license in order to fish in California and Nevada. If you are planning to fish in California and are under the age of 16 a fishing license is not required, or if you are on the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe and are under the age of 12 you will not need a fishing license either. Fishing licenses can be purchased at several charters throughout Lake Tahoe. Fishing is prohibited from 2 hours after sunset to 1 hour before sunrise.

Go next

 * Sacramento, the California state capital with excellent restaurants and attractions
 * Reno, in Northern Nevada, home of gambling and the University of Nevada, Reno
 * California Wine Country

title: Lake Tahoe


text:
Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo is a lakeside resort village in the Mackenzie Country in the South Island of New Zealand. It gets its name from one of the Southern Lakes in the Southern Alps.

Understand
Surrounded by mountains and far from the glare of city lights, Lake Tekapo's cloud-free skies make it the best place in the Southern Hemisphere to see the night sky. Local light-pollution laws require all exterior night-time lighting to shine down onto the ground, rather than into the sky. Status as a World Heritage Site is being sought for the area as the world's first starlight preservation area.

Get in
It is about 60 km north of Twizel on State Highway 8, the Central Southern Alps Highway, 2.5 hours south-west of Christchurch and three hours north of Queenstown.

Bus services to and from Lake Tekapo:
 * Southern Link Shuttles,, Fax
 * Intercity Newmans,, Freephone.
 * Intercity Newmans,, Freephone.

Do
There's excellent and relatively easy hiking around Lake Tekapo. Two tracks to the top of Mt. John starts near the western end of town (right before and right after Tekapo Springs). The shorter path takes 45 minutes to an hour to get to the top, following a switchback trail through some pine forest, while the longer path (taking 1½-2 hr) climbs more gradually along the lake shore, before doubling back to climb up to the top from the north. At the top of the hill you can follow a short loop track around the observatory for excellent views toward the Southern Alps, or stop at the cafe there for some excellent hot chocolate.

Another 1½-2 hr hike - the Peninsula Walkway - starts a short bit north of Mt John (most easily reached by car), and takes you around the peninsula which lies halfway along the length of the lake. This is a relatively new hike, and the path hasn't really been worn out yet. Make certain you're following the poles rather than sheep tracks which can divert in different directions altogether. This hike is closed from October to December for lambing.

There are also various organized activities:
 * Backcountry Ski Touring 2-5 days based at hut above snowline, touring the valleys, ridges and basins of the Two Thumb Range.
 * Hunting Safaris.
 * Backcountry Ski Touring 2-5 days based at hut above snowline, touring the valleys, ridges and basins of the Two Thumb Range.
 * Hunting Safaris.
 * Hunting Safaris.
 * Hunting Safaris.
 * Hunting Safaris.
 * Hunting Safaris.

Buy

 * Alpine Haven - Wide range of quality New Zealand products and souvenirs.
 * High Country Crafts - Good value New Zealand gifts.
 * Kiwi Treasures and Information Centre - Popular gifts and souvenirs, postcards.
 * Lake Tekapo Post Centre - Fishing licences and tackle also.
 * Tekapo Services - Supermarket and fuel.
 * Challenge petrol station - Snow chains, motor accessories.

Go next

 * Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park is about 100 km by road to the west.

title: Lake Tekapo


text:
Lake Titicaca

Lake Titicaca (Spanish: Lago Titicaca) is located on the border between northern Bolivia and southern Peru. Titicaca is the ancestral land of the Quechuas, Aymaras, Uros, Pacajes, and Puquinas. At 3821 m elevation, is considered the highest commercially navigable body of water in the world.

Cities

 * , Bolivia
 * , Peru
 * and, on Isla del Sol
 * , a small border town

Other destinations

 * - An island that has maintained its culture for several thousand years
 * The floating - a bit touristy/artificial, but still interesting and worth stopping-off at if you are on your way to one of the other islands
 * - An island that has maintained its culture for several thousand years
 * The floating - a bit touristy/artificial, but still interesting and worth stopping-off at if you are on your way to one of the other islands
 * The floating - a bit touristy/artificial, but still interesting and worth stopping-off at if you are on your way to one of the other islands

Understand
Covering some 8300 km2, Lake Titicaca is the largest lake in South America, not counting Lake Maracaibo in Venezuela, which is connected to the sea by a strait. The area of the lake is divided between Peru and Bolivia. Approximately 60% of the lake is in Peru and 40% of the lake is in Bolivia. Most of the Tiquina peninsula, which juts out from the Peruvian shore, also belongs to Bolivia.

Lake Titicaca was the foundation of the most influential pre-Hispanic cultures of the Andean Region. Many independent kingdoms grew out of this fertile area beginning in the 9th century, though interestingly most of these kingdoms were ultimately rivals, until the middle of the 15th century, when the Incas conquered the region, which they considered important because of its wool and meat production.

Today, Puno continues its vast agricultural traditions and also its ancestral rituals such as offerings to Pachamama (Mother Earth) and these ancient customs are ever-present in the lives of the inhabitants of the region.

The Titicaca Reserve was created in 1978, with the purpose of preserving the native flora and fauna and the beauty of the area’s countryside. There are 60 species of birds, 14 species of fish and 18 species of amphibians in the Reserve; one of the most famous of which is the giant frog of Titicaca, which can weigh up to 3 kg.

Get in
A 10-hour train ride from Cusco to Puno. Train tickets can be booked at http://www.perurail.com.

Buses link Puno with Cusco (8 hours) and La Paz (5 hours).

Get around
You can get around by train. Tickets at http://www.perurail.com

Sleep
Accommodation is located in Puno

Drink
Lake water is not drinkable without treatment.

Due to the high elevation of Lake Titicaca, headaches are a common complaint amongst travelers. Coca tea may help relieve headaches and help you acclimate to the altitude.

Bolivia

 * Tiwanaku

Peru

 * Juliaca

title: Lake Titicaca