Day 1:
You will be picked up direct from your hotel by our local guide at 7:30am. When you arrive at the harbour you will board a boat and make our way to “The Uros Floating Islands”, a small community that has lived on these reed Islands for decades. Centuries ago the small indigenous Uros tribe conceived of the islands as a way to isolate and protect themselves from rival tribes, the Collas and the Incas. The Uros people harvested the reeds in the shallows of the lake, bundled them together tightly and built floating island platforms complete with reed houses and canoes, creating in this way their own little world.
Following our time exploring the floating islands we will head towards “Amantani Island”, where we will spend the rest of the day and the night. Upon arrival you will be welcomed by the native families. The group will be divided into couples, and each couple will join a family for the evening. This gives you a chance to really appreciate the surroundings that they live in.
In the afternoon we will walk up to the highest point of the Islands to explore ancient ruins on a mountain called by locals Pachamama (mother earth). There are stunning views of the Lake from this lookout point and an amazing sunset. Soon after nightfall, we descend to the main plaza to meet our local families. We will then make our way to their houses for dinner, you will be invited to go to the little kitchen, a warm place where they cook with a primitive stove made of clay.
As the evening continues you will have a chance to attend a traditional party. The local families will provide traditional clothing to attend the Andean party, at the house; men are given ponchos and woolly hats, the hats are hand-made by the families, with unique styles, so that they can recognize you in the hall. Women are given colourful skirts, blouses and veils. The party takes place at the main folklore saloon and it is accompanied by one of the local orchestras. Overnight at a family house on the Amantani Island.
Day 2:
This day, starts at 8am when breakfast is provided. Following breakfast you will say farewell to the local family whom hosted you for the evening and then make your way to the harbour to meet the rest of the group.
We will then sail towards “Taquile Island” which will take approximately 1 hour. “Taquile Island” is a traditional Quechua speaking community, full of ancient agricultural terraces and some ruins dating back to the pre-Inca times. The Taquile population was relatively isolated from the mainland until 1950s, and the notion of the community and family is still very strong among them. The weaving tradition of the Taquile Island goes back to early civilizations, thus keeps elements from pre-Inca Andean cultures alive in the present. All weaving is done on pre-Inca fixed and pedal looms. The most characteristic garments are the so-called “Chullo”, a knitted hat with an earflap, and “The Calendar Waistband”, depicting the annual cycles connected to ritual and agricultural activities.
When you reach the island, you will walk along a narrow path, enjoying on the way impressive views of the Lake Titicaca and also see gorgeous little houses inhabited by the direct decedents of the Inca Culture. At the top, you will have free time to explore the Island on your own. Following your free time you will meet the group for lunch at one local restaurant. After lunch, we will descent to the harbour to take our boat back to Puno. We arrive there at approximately 17:00 hrs where the tour will end.
