This tour is recommended for the budget travelers with no much time for in depth cultural exploration. Upon the arrival on the island, the group enjoys a 1-hour hike towards the main village. On the way the guide will explain about traditions and live on the island. Once in the main village you will be given free time to explore the local handicraft market. Taquile has approximately 1,200 inhabitants. The people from this island have a Quechua origin and they are mostly small farmers. However, since mid 70s they have also become well known for their firm entrepreneurial spirit. Since the beginning of the tourism flow to the island, some “Taquilenos” have been participating directly with the tourism activities. Some of them have organized themselves to provide tourism services such as home stays, restaurants and boat transportation.

Itinerary

06:30 hrs. Early in the morning you will be picked up from your hotel in Puno 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. On the islands we will learn with our local guide about the life style and customs. After strolling around the floating Islands, we continue our journey towards “Taquile Island” (2 hour aprox.), a traditional Quechua speaking community, full of ancient agricultural terraces. 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 we reach the shores of Taquile Island, we 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. After lunch, we will descent to the harbor to take our boat back to Puno. We will be back in Puno by 17:00 hrs. approximately. End of the tour.

Included

• A professional guide, Bi-lingual Staff. (English, Spanish).
• Pick up from your hotel in Puno and transfer to the harbor.
• Drop off at your hotel in Puno at the end of the tour.
• Entraces fees to the Uros Islands and Taquile Island
• First-aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle

Not Included:

•  Lunch in Taquile.
• Extras & gratuities
• Hotel in Puno
• Breakfast and Dinner.
• Soft or alcoholic drinks.