Uros Floating Islands – Amantani Island – Taquile Island Tour 2D/1N

DAY ONE

Day 1 begins with pick up from your hotel in Puno at 7:45am. You’ll then be driven in private transport to the port of Puno. Here you’ll take the 8:10am boat to the floating islands of Uros, located 10 km (30 mins by boat) from the port.

The indigenous Uru people, construct their islands out of huge blocks of Totora Reed, an aquatic plant native to Lake Titicaca. The islands are covered with a fresh layer of reeds every 20 days, and are able to float due to porosity of the blocks that release gases produced by decomposition. These blocks are then joined together and anchored to the lake bed using eucalyptus sticks. The Uru culture is one of the oldest ethnic groups on Lake Titicaca, who have inhabited its waters since the Incas began expanding their terrorities over the plateau hundreds of years ago. They dedicate themselves to fishing and bird hunting and are entirely dependant on the Totora reed with which they build their islands, houses, rafts and which also serves as food and fuel for the inhabitants.

After saying goodbye to the Uru people, you’ll take the boat a further 90 minutes to the island of Amantani, the largest island on the Peruvian side of Lake Titicaca. Amantani is home to 800 families who all speak the native Quechua language, as well as 2 sacred mountain peaks. The first is named Pachata (Father Earth) and the second Pachamama (Mother Earth). Both summits are treasures for ancient Inca and Tiwanaku ruins and, offer you a spectacular view of Lake Titicaca from above.

The inhabitants of Amantani are renown for their textiles and ceramics and also spend their time working the land, planting native crops like wheat, quinoa and potatoes. Your host family will first invite you to lunch with them upon arrival to the island, afterwhich you will take a walk to the summit of Pachata to see the view. In the evening you will have a cultural experience with the community, before staying the night with your host family in their homestead.

DAY TWO

Day 2 will begin with breakfast with your host family in their homestead on Amantani. Afterwhich you will be escorted to the port, to take the 90 minute boat ride to Taquile Island.

The Island of Taquile is home to around 2,200 inhabitants, all of which speak the native Quechua language. Like Amantani, its residents are famous for their fine handwoven textiles which are regarded as among the highest quality in all of Peru. Knitting is exclusively performed by males, who are taught the skill as children, and the women are experts in wool spinning and using vegetables and minerals to dye the wool.  The women are also the weavers of the Chumpis, the wide colourful belts that are commonly worn in the community.

When you arrive, you will walk along a wide trail to the Plaza de Armas, all the while admiring the breathtaking deep blue shores of Lake Titicaca. Throughout your tour of the island, you will visit places where local artwork is made and take lunch at a local family home.

After lunch, you will return by boat to the port of Puno and be transported by car back to your hotel in the city.

DAY 1 – PUNO – UROS FLOATING ISLANDS – AMANTANI ISLAND

• 7:45am : Pick up from the hotel in Puno
• 8:10am : Departure from the port of Puno
• 8:50am : Visit to 2 floating islands of Uros
• 10:30am : Depart by boat for Amantani Island
• 1:10pm : Arrive at the port of Amantani Island
• 1:15pm : Walk to a rural homestead to take lunch
• 4:00pm : Walk to Lake Titicaca viewpoint on Apu Pachatata
• 8:00pm : Peña show with the community and its visitors

DAY 2 – AMANTANI ISLAND – TAQUILE ISLAND – PUNO

• 7:00am : Take breakfast with your host family
• 8:00am : Departure from Amantani Island by boat
• 9:20am : Arrive at the port of Taquile Island
• 9:25am : 45 minute walk uphill to Plaza de Armas
• 10:10am : Guided tour and time to take photos
• 12:00pm : Take lunch at a family home in Taquile
• 1:30pm : Return by boat to the port of Puno
• 4:00pm : Transport from port to hotel in Puno