Homestay in Lake Titicaca 4 days / 3 nights

Lake Titicaca is famous around the world as being the world’s highest navigable lake, at over 3,800m above sea level. There are many other lakes in the world higher than this, including several in Peru, although Lake Titicaca is probably the highest with regular boat services. The lake itself is immense, with an area of over 8,000 square kilometres, and if it were not for the fact that it is almost four kilometres high, it could almost be mistaken for the ocean. Lake Titicaca is also known to be the legendary birthplace of the Inca Empire, where Manco Capac and his sister-wife began their quest to found the capital of the Inca Empire.

The Lake has become one of Peru’s main tourist destinations, and taking a boat ride on this incredible body of water offers splendid views of the snow-capped Cordillera Real rising over the deep blue waters. The islands on the lake, as well as being very beautiful, provide a wonderful insight into the traditional life of the inhabitants, with many of these living in a similar fashion to their ancestors hundreds of years ago. The most interesting of the islands include the amazing Uros islands, where people live on floating bundles of reeds, and Taquile and Amantaní, where traditional crafts still dominate the way of life.

There are also many interesting archaeological sites near the Lake, including Sillustani, where the finely worked funerary towers rise out of the altiplano, and the Temple of Fertility, with dozens of stone phalluses emerging from the ground. The highland towns, where colonial churches mix with ancient traditions, are a fascinating look into a part of Peru few people experience.

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrival in Puno

We meet at Juliaca airport and drive in our private transport towards Puno. On the way, we stop at the Chullpas de Sillustani, an archaeological area only 34 km (21 miles) from the city of Puno and one of the most important necropolis in the world. Built by the Collas, the chullpas are gigantic funerary monuments, which stand at 4,000m (13,123 ft), in a plain surrounded by the beautiful Umayo Lake. Upon arrival in Puno, we check in to our chosen hotel.
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Day 2 Puno - Lake Titicaca Islands - Amantani Island

After breakfast, we are picked up and transferred to the harbour to board the boat that will take us on a first stop to Uros Islands. These artificial islands are made by tying together totora reeds, which grow in the lake, and form the base of the islands. The totora reed is undoubtedly the life stay of the islanders, and is used to build huts, boats, make furniture and even serving as food, as the tip of the reed can be eaten. The islands are anchored to the bed of the lake, which is only 4m below the surface, to stop them from floating away. The islands have developed somewhat in recent years, and there is now a hospital, a school a hotel and even electricity on some of the islands. There are 45 floating islands in total, most of them relatively close to Puno, of which about 60% are visited by tourists.

After this visit, we continue on to Amantaní, an island with no roads, electricity or plumbing. A few solar panels were installed on a previous government initiative, pumping light into some of the houses. Apart from that, it remains blissfully untouched. The hills are corrugated with ancient terraces that are still maintained and used to grow staples such as corn, potatoes and grains. The terraces reach towards twin peaks that are crowned by two ruined temples from the Tiwanaku culture, Pachamama and Pachatata, Mother and Father Earth. Upon arrival, we are welcomed by the local people and accommodated at one of their cottages, affording a fantastic view of terraced farmland and the azure blue waters of Titicaca. We spend the rest of the day in the island, enjoy a magnificent sunset and a night dance with our hosts, with the rhythm of a lively band playing traditional Andean music.
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Day 3 Amantani - Puno

After breakfast we depart from Amantani and continue by boat to the island of Taquile, the largest in the lake. Although being in an Aymara-speaking area, its 1200 inhabitants speak Quechua.

The island is essentially governed communally and is famous for its beautiful textiles, the UNESCO having proclaimed the textile art of Taquile as one of the 43 Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. Weaving is carried on every day by men, women and children, their colorful clothes containing hidden messages about the social condition and marital status of the wearer. We enjoy lunch in a local restaurant before starting our three-hour return trip by boat to Puno. Transfer and accommodation at the chosen hotel.
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Day 4 Departure day

After breakfast, transfer to the airport, train station or bus station for the continuation of your trip.
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