Lake Titicaca Travel Guide (Uros, Amantaní and Taquile Islands)

To close off our trip to Peru we headed from Cuzco to Puno with the intention of covering Lake Titicaca (Lago Titicaca) as best we could over the duration of two days. Our trip started from Puno early in the morning when we boarded a boat bound for the Uros Island. The Uros people, who lives on floating reed islands, welcomed us to their floating islands where we had a chance to tour around and purchase some souvenirs. Afterwards, we took a traditional rowing boat made out of reeds to another island before heading off to Amantaní. Upon arriving our host family greeted us and we headed to our homestay where we had a traditional lunch consisting of Quinoa soup, potatoes, fried cheese and rice. Afterwards we hiked to the top of the Island (Pachamama) where we had incredible 360 degree views. It felt like we could almost touch the clouds. In the evening we dressed up in traditional attire (ponchos) and headed over for a dance party with live traditional music. The following morning we visited our final island (Taquile) before heading back to Puno. Overall, it was an incredible trip and one we recommend highly; however, be sure to do the two day trip and opposed to the one day option for a more relaxed time.
Lake Titicaca Travel Guide (Uros, Amantaní, Taquile) to Puno, Peru Travel Video Transcript:
So we are taking a really fun overnight trip from Puno today to visit Lake Titicaca. Yeah, we're going to visit several islands and do a homestay overnight. Yeah, and we'll get to meet the different communities that live here because we have Aymara people and Quechua people. So we've just arrived at our first island. And this one is called Corazon de Lago which means the heart of the lake. And this is an Aymara community that lives on a floating reed island so let's go have a look around. Let's check it out.
So it is a bit of a strange sensation walking on the reed islands because it is not solid ground and your feet do sink in a little bit but not to the point where you feel like you're going to fall through and you know go in the water. But still kind of interesting.
Okay, so what have we learned so far on this floating reed island? So we've visiting the Uros floating reed islands and there is approximately 80 to 90 of them. And the people who originally came here were escaping hostile neighbors.
So this is quite a secluded environment for them. Yeah, exactly. And also we learned that they don't really know like exactly how many islands they have here because they are constantly cutting them up if they have any problems with their neighbors. Yeah, if there is a divorce or if there is problems with neighbors they slash the island up. Yup.
We've made it to our third island of the day. This one is called Amantani and this island is actually home to Quechua people whereas the first two that we visited were home to the Aymara people. So, we will be doing a homestay here and spending the night. And right now we are walking towards our home. So, let's keep going.
So aside from meeting our host families, what I'm most excited for is food. Because it is already lunchtime. It's a little bit past our lunch time actually. And we forgot to pack snacks. Yep. So I'm starving. So before we settle in we're going to get some local food. Yeah, and apparently they are vegetarian on this island, so we're going to be having a Quinoa soup and then just like potatoes and roots and different vegetables. Cheese and stuff like that. Cheese, yes. So it should be good.
So are you doing okay? A little bit out of breathe? Yeah, a little bit out of breath. We're still feeling the altitude. Actually Lake Titicaca is higher than Cuzco if you can believe that.
Sopa de Quinoa. Ah, sopa de quinoa. Quinoa soup. Ah, que rico.
So we reached the top of Pachamama. How are the views? Oh, we sure did. The views are insane here. It is almost like you're touching the clouds. It is like you can reach up and touch them.
So we're all dressed up, we've had our dinner and now it is time to go to the party. And we are dressed up in traditional outfits. Party!
Alright, so it is a new day and we are visiting a new island. Yes, this is our last stop on Lake Titicaca. This is Taquile Island and we're just going to take a wander around and see what we find. Yes, maybe we'll find our guide and she can tell us a bit of the history of the place. Let's go find her.
This is part of our Travel in Peru series. We're making a series of videos showcasing Peruvian culture, Peruvian arts, Peruvian foods, Peruvian religion, Peruvian cuisine and Peruvian people. All things Peruano. The best of Comida Peruana and Cocina Peruana.
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All photos and video taken by Samuel Jeffery (Nomadic Samuel) and Audrey Bergner (That Backpacker).
Music in this video courtesy of Audio Network