Description
This short itinerary extends your holiday in Peru by 3 days. It is designed to work with the Inca Highligts and Active Inca Highlights itineraries and starts on the morning you leave Cusco, modifying the last days of your trip.
Of course everyone wants to visit Cusco and Machu Picchu and that's why we have made those the basis of our trips. Lake Titicaca is our most popular destination after that, so if you have the time to spare check out this three day extension. Puno itself is not all that special - it's a sprawling town right on the shores of Lake Titicaca. It is the lake and the islands on it that are the big attraction here.
Lake Titicaca is the highest navigable lake in the world. At almost 4000 metres it straddles the border between Peru and Bolivia. It is here that the Quechua traditions meet those of the Aymara and it was from these islands that the Incas originated. The history is almost irrelevant though, as it is the day-to-day life on the floating reed islands of Uros, and the small communities on Amantani and Taquile, that are so fascinating today.
Uros Islands
The islands have been inhabited for many years by the Uros Indians who quite literally create their island home from layers of tortora reeds! They also use the reeds for building homes and their boats. The way of life was in decline but tourism over the past decade has created enough interest to revive the traditions and give the whole community a way to maintain a traditional and unique lifestyle whilst still being a part of the modern world. It is unbelievable to see how they live and they just love explaining their way of life to you.
Amantani Island
This terraced island is home to farmers and fishermen. It is a beautiful but barren place, with a handful of villages composed of about 800 families. And there are some very ancient ruins up on a high point of the island. Villagers here were some of the first in the country to embrace the concept of homestays. The accommodation they offer is pretty basic but the experience is very special. Lots of people who stay here with us say it was the most memorable part of their trip to Peru! Can this experience compete with seeing Machu Picchu? I don't know really - why don't you check it out for yourself.
Taquile Island
This is a far more prosperous island than Amantani with a thriving tradition of weaving and knitting. All the men knit hats - yup - the men! In fact the tradition is so unusual that the weaving on this tiny island has been recognised by UNESCO as being significant to our world heritage. You only have a short stop here but it is long enough to walk through the town, have lunch and perhaps buy some of the famed Taquile textiles at the cooperative warehouse in the centre of town. The island has limited electricity and a few small restaurants. The people of Taquile speak Quechua as opposed to the Aymara which the Amanatani islanders speak.
