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From Cusco: Lake Titicata 2 Days and 1 Night

  • 2 Days and 1 Night
  • Max 12 people
  • Moderate
  • Expert Guide

There are innumerable attractions that Lake Titicata has, its delicious trout, the native boats that look like giant cobs made of totora or the same religious festival around the Virgin of Copacabana.

When you arrive back to the bus station in Puno, you need to pay the taxi for the bus ride back to Cusco. This is approximately S/ 1.50. look for the booth with the sign ¨TAMES¨. This is where you need to give them your bus ticket and they will apply a sticker of proof of tax payment.

Program

Early in the morning you will be picked up from the bus station by our local guide and then transferred to a hotel where you can stay for a couple hours before the trip begins at 08:00 am, the boat excursion of Lake Titicata begins 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 them 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 island, you will continue our journey towards Amantani Island, where you will spend the rest of the day and the night.

Upon arrival, a group of native families will welcome you aboard, and afterwards the guide will introduce you the family that will provide you lodging in their house for the evening.

The group is split amongst the families.

In the afternoon you 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, you will descend to the main plaza and meet our local families, and then you will go to their homes for dinner.

By night, visitors are invited to a particular party (weather permitting).

Our local families can provide traditional clothing to attend this festive 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 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.

After this you will then have your overnight at the family house on the Amantani Island.

08:00 am, after breakfast you will say goodbye to the local family and go down to the harbor to meet the rest of the group.

Afterwards you will sail towards Taquile Island (1 hour approx.), 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 the 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 keeping 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 called the Chullo, a knitted hat with an earflap, and the Calendar Waistbanda, depicting the natural 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 Lake Titicata and also see gorgeous little houses inhabited by the direct descendants of the Inca culture.

At the top 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, you will descend to the harbor to take the boat back to Puno.

You will get back to Puno by 17:00 hrs, (approx.) to reach the end of the tour.

Arrival to Cusco the next day…

05.00am arrival to Cusco (approx.) transport to accommodation is the responsibility of the traveller.

Inclusions

Includes

  • Sleepers bus (Cusco – Puno – Cusco).
  • Transfer from the bus stations -port.
  • Professional bilingual guide (English – Spanish).
  • Entrance fees.
  • Meals (1 lunch, 1 dinner, 1 breakfast).
  • 1 night in Amantani Island (family home accommodation).

Optional Inclusions

  • First breakfast, second day lunch.
  • Water and snacks.
  • Taxi transport: to Puno bus station and pick-up at Cusco bus station.
  • What you should bring: fruits, water and snacks. (kip in mind that meals offered on this homestay program is very basic and a local menu/diet so we suggest bringing some extra snacks).
  • Warm clothing, temperatures at night are very cold, we strongle suggest bringing gloves, woolly hats, warm coat and warm socks.
  • Toilet paper.
  • You should also bring cash (in Peruvians soles) to buy souvenirs, which are very unique and made by the local people as well as cash to tip your guide if you feel the service was satisfactory. Also bring cash for snaks and the meals that are notprovided.

Prices

Group tour:

Starting at: $135.00 USD per person.

  • *Group size from 10 to 35 persons.
  • *This option visits: Uros, Amantani, and Taquile.
  • *Included comfortable sleeper bus round trip.

Important to remember

  • Local families will provide every customer a bed and blankets. Accommodation provided on Amantani Island is very basic. If you need more blankets just request them to your local family. If you get very cold easily, we suggest packing or sleeping bag.
  • Bathrooms are located outside the rooms, so bring a flashlight along, as there is no electricity on Amantani Island, headlights are very useful.
  • We suggest bringing some toys, candies, notebooks, pencils, pens, books, or other small gifts for the little kids on the island or which can be easily purchased at the harbor market before departing. This is not required but the families would really appreciate this gesture from you.
  • When you arrive back to the stations in Puno, you need to pay the ¨tax¨ for the bus ride back to Cusco. This is approximately S/ 1.50 soles, Look for the booth with the sign ¨TAMES¨. This is where you need to give them your bus ticket and they will apply a sticker of proof of tax payment.

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