Day By Day
Day 1: Visit Uros Floating Islands & Taquile Island
At 7:00 a.m., we’ll pick you up from your accommodation in Puno and transfer you to the Puno harbor. From there, we’ll embark on a motorized boat across Lake Titicaca to the Uros Floating Islands. These remarkable islands were created centuries ago by the indigenous Uros tribe as a means of isolation and protection from rival tribes such as the Collas and the Incas. The Uros people crafted these floating platforms from bundled reeds harvested from the lake, complete with reed houses and canoes, forming their unique world.
Upon arrival, our local guide will provide insights into the lifestyle and customs of the Uros, a culture that dates back to pre-Incan times. After exploring the floating islands, we’ll continue our journey to Taquile Island, which will take approximately 2 hours. Taquile is home to a traditional Quechua-speaking community known for its ancient agricultural terraces.
The island remained relatively isolated from the mainland until the 1950s. The Taquileños, as the locals are known, uphold a society based on community collectivism and Incan moral codes. Their weaving tradition, preserved from early civilizations, includes intricate designs on pre-Inca looms. Notable garments include the “Chullo,” a knitted hat with earflaps, and the “Calendar Waistband,” which reflects the annual cycles related to rituals and agriculture. Upon reaching Taquile Island, we’ll walk up a narrow path offering stunning views of Lake Titicaca and picturesque houses inhabited by descendants of the Inca. You’ll have the option to enjoy local cuisine for lunch. Afterward, we’ll descend to the harbor and take the boat back to Puno, arriving around 5:00 p.m.
Price
Lake Titicaca Full Day Tour: 2024,2025 Updated Info
Price: $ 40.00 USD per person
what to bring
What you need take
- Warm jacket
- 1 windbreaker (for late afternoons and evenings)
- 1 sweater
- 2 t-shirts (you’ll get sweaty with all the hiking involved)
- 1 pair of leggings (I wore these by day and also slept in them)
- 2 pairs of socks
- 2 pairs of undies
- 1 bra
- 1 pair of running shoes or hiking boots
- 1 baseball cap or sunhat (to wear by day)
- 1 touque or chuyo (it gets really cold at night)
- 1 pair of mittens (I forgot these and my hands froze on the sunset hike)
- 1 pair of sunglasses (the sun can be a bit blinding at that altitude)
- Toiletteries:
- Toilet paper
- Deodorant
- Sunscreen
- Hand sanitizer
- Chapstick
- Toothbrush + toothpaste
- Not all homes have modern bathrooms with showers, and the ones that do may not have hot water. It’s best you have a shower before the start of your trip and then wait it out until you get back to Puno. Going 2 days without a shower isn’t so bad anyway!
- Flashlight (in case your home doesn’t have electricity)
- Camera with backup batteries (the scenery is beautiful!)
- Water bottle (you’ll want to bring these on the hike but you can also buy them on the island)
- Cash (there are no ATMs on the island)
Travel Info
How do I get to Puno?
There are several ways to get to Puno, depending on your starting point and travel preferences:
1. By Air
Fly to Juliaca: The nearest airport to Puno is Inca Manco Cápac International Airport (JUL) in Juliaca, located about 50 km (31 miles) from Puno. Several domestic airlines offer flights from Lima, Cusco, and Arequipa to Juliaca. From Juliaca, you can take a taxi or a bus to Puno, which takes about 1 to 1.5 hours.
2. By Bus
From Cusco: Several bus companies operate daily services from Cusco to Puno. The journey takes around 7-8 hours. You can choose between daytime and overnight buses, with some companies offering luxury services with reclining seats, meals, and entertainment.
From Arequipa: The bus ride from Arequipa to Puno takes approximately 5-6 hours. Like the Cusco route, there are several options ranging from standard to luxury buses.
From La Paz, Bolivia: If you’re traveling from Bolivia, buses from La Paz to Puno usually take around 8-9 hours, including the border crossing at Desaguadero or Kasani.
3. By Train
Andean Explorer: For a luxurious and scenic experience, you can take the Andean Explorer, a luxury train operated by PeruRail, which runs between Cusco and Puno. The journey takes about 10-12 hours, offering stunning views of the Andean highlands, along with gourmet meals and onboard entertainment.
4. By Car
Rent a Car: If you prefer to drive, you can rent a car and take the road from Cusco, Arequipa, or Juliaca to Puno. The roads are generally well-maintained, but the drive involves navigating through high-altitude terrain, so be prepared for winding roads and changing weather conditions.
5. By Boat
From Bolivia (Copacabana): If you are in Bolivia, you can take a boat from Copacabana to the Peruvian side of Lake Titicaca and then transfer to a bus or taxi to Puno. This option is less common but offers a scenic approach to Puno via the lake.
What time does the tour start and finish?
The tour starts at 7:45 a.m. and finishes two days later at 5:00 p.m.
What is the group size of the tour?
There can be up to 25 people on the tour.
How long is the boat ride to the floating islands?
The boat ride from Puno to the Uros Floating Islands on Lake Titicaca typically takes about 25 to 30 minutes. The islands are located relatively close to the shore, making it a short and pleasant journey across the lake.
What are the accommodations like with the host family?
Accommodations with a host family on Amantani Island are simple and basic, offering an authentic experience of local life. Here’s what you can typically expect:
1. Rooms
Basic Setup: The rooms are usually modest, with simple furnishings such as a bed, a few blankets, and sometimes a small table or chair.
Shared Space: Depending on the family, you may have your own room, but sometimes rooms are shared with other travelers.
2. Facilities
No Electricity: Most homes do not have electricity, so lighting is typically provided by candles or solar-powered lamps.
No Running Water: There is usually no running water, so you’ll have limited access to modern bathroom facilities. Some homes may have basic outhouses.
Toilets: Bathrooms are usually outside the main house, and facilities are quite basic, often just a squat toilet.
3. Meals
Home-Cooked Meals: Your host family will prepare traditional home-cooked meals for you, often using ingredients grown on the island. Meals typically include potatoes, quinoa, vegetables, and sometimes fish from the lake.
Simple Dining: Meals are served in a communal dining area, often the kitchen, where you can share the experience with your host family.
4. Cultural Experience
Immersive Interaction: Staying with a host family is a cultural exchange opportunity. You’ll participate in daily activities, learn about their customs, and experience their way of life firsthand.
Language: Most host families speak Quechua or Aymara, with some speaking basic Spanish. Communication can be a mix of gestures and simple phrases, adding to the authenticity of the experience.
5. Comfort
Rustic Living: The accommodations are rustic, designed to provide a genuine experience of life on the island rather than comfort. The focus is on cultural immersion rather than luxury.
Staying with a host family on Amantani Island offers a unique opportunity to connect with the local community and gain insight into their traditional lifestyle, but it’s important to come prepared for basic living conditions.
How many people can stay with the one family?
As the accommodation is quite small, a maximum of four people can stay with the one family.
Health and Safety:
A participant must declare if he/she has any sickness or medical disorder and must bring his/her own medication. We recommend that you meet with a doctor before you book the trek if you have questionable health
What gifts can we bring for the children?
You can bring books, toys and second hand warm clothes.
Storage during your trek:
You can leave any of your belongings that you do not want to bring on the trek at your hotel or hostel you were previously staying in. These hostels/hotels usually have a secure, locked room where you can store your belongings. If you do not trust your hostel, we would be more than happy to securely store your belongings for you.