Duration:
02 Days - 01 Night
Departure:
08.00 hrs.
Day 1º:
Visit
to the Uros Floating Islands & homestay on Amantani Island 08:00 h.
Early in the morning you will be picked up from your hotel by our
local guide and then transferred to the harbor. We start off our
boat excursion of Lake Titicaca by visiting “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.
After strolling around the floating Islands, we
continue our journey towards “Amantani Island”, where we will
spend the rest of the day and the night. Upon arrival, a group of
native families will welcomed you at the harbor, and afterwards the
guide will introduce you the family that will provide you
lodging in their house. The group is split in couples, so
each couple goes with one family. 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. There are stunning views
of the Lake from this lookout point and an amazing sunset. Soon
after nightfall, we descend to the main plaza and meet our local
families, and then we go to their houses for dinner. At dinner you
will be invited to go to the little kitchen (mind the head when
entering, their doorways are very small), a warm place where they
cook with a primitive stove made of clay. By night, visitors
are invited to a particular party. Our local families will
provide traditional clothing to attend this nice Andean party, at
the house; men are given ponchos and wooly hats, the hats are hand-made
by the families, with unique styles, so that they can recognize you
in the hall. Women are given colorful 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 2º
Visit to
Taquile Island and return to Puno in the afternoon 08:00 h.
After breakfast, we will have to say goodbye to our local family and
go down to the harbor to meet the rest of the group. Afterwards we
will sail towards “Taquile Island”
(1 hour aprox.), 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
visitors reach the island, they will have to walk up 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 of, you will have free time to explore
the Island on your own and afterwards you will have to meet the
group for lunch at one local restaurant. After lunch, we will
descent to the harbor to take our boat back to Puno. We will be
getting there by 16:00 h. approximately.
End of the tour.
