Just one day of travel by bus, train or plane, and travelers from Cusco, Peru can arrive in Puno, on the shores of Lake Titicaca. After an overnight in a fairly comfortable hotel, it's possible to spend the next day exploring Lake Titicaca by boat.  The one day exploration includes a stop at the Uros Islands to meet the indigenous inventors of the "floating reed islands."  

Totora reed, a naturally growing grass in Lake Titicaca, is layered into floating islands, using a technique created by the innovative Aymara people.  Each island is owned and maintained by a local Aymara family. Islands vary in size from small (about the size of a little league infield) to very large (about the size of a football field).  Everything is made from totora reed including boats, houses and even beds.  

The floating reed islands are one of the best living examples of ancient conservation and sustainability practiced today. Of course, the creaters did not view it as a measure of preservation. Like most indigenous cultures, they were just using a local resource. The fact that it was renewable was not a factor. 

It's well worth the extra 2 days it takes to add a visit to Lake Titicaca to your trip to Machu Picchu.  

1 Day Boat Trip on Lake Titicaca.

Begins with pickup from your hotel in Puno and short ride to the dock where you board an enclosed double decker motorized boat that holds up to 20 people. Ride about 30 minutes from Puno to the floating (Uros) islands where your boat will stop. Passengers get off and walk around the squishy island as the Aymara inhabitants demonstrate how they build and maintain them. After about an hour or so to explore and meet your indigenous hosts you will board the boat and continue another 2 hours or more to Takile Island. Here you disembark to explore on foot and enjoy a wholesome home-made lunch prepared by local families who also perform with local dancing and music. Stroll to the center of the island village for a glimpse of life without the trappings of modern world. Step back in time. Board your boat and return to the dock in Puno where you will be transferred to your hotel. 

Lake Titicaca with Optional Homestay.

In addition to the one day visit on the lake, it's possible to include an optional overnight "homestay" on an island. The homestay is not on the floating reed islands. And it will add another day to your itinerary. After your visit to the Uros Islands, the boat will continue to Amantani Island, where local families take turns hosting visitors as a means of income and as a way to preserve their ancient culture.  Amantani Island is the most popular choice among travelers.  And you can expect to see other tourists. (but not as many tourists as you will see at Machu Picchu)

Amantani Island.

Amantani Island has no infrastructure, including electricity, plumbing or phone service.  It's like stepping back in time. There are no vehicles on the island, but if there were, it would be difficult for them to move around. There are dirt paths and a beautiful stone path to the summit, which is 14,000 ft / 4265 m above sea level.  (the lake is about 12,500 ft / 3810 m).  

After arriving by boat, your host family will escort you on foot to his or her home. Private homes are modified to add private bedrooms, but don't expect cushy bathrooms. Toilets may or may not have seats and may require using a bucket of water to flush. It's all part of the adventure of traveling to this distant destination. Your host will seat you in her eat-in kitchen and feed you soup and a main course of rice, potatoes, fava beans or some combination. After eating, you have the option to begin the walk to the summit to see the sunset (if it's clear.)  The rainy season is typically from December or January through early April.  And if not raining, conditions can be misty or foggy.  

The walk to the summit can take 1 to 1.5 hours.  Be prepared for cool temperatures. Possibly down to 32 F/ 0 C.  Once you hike back down to the village center, the locals often throw a party with dancing and drinking. And it's up to you to decide how late you want to stay up.  

Luqina Peninsula.

There is now another option for homestay on Luqina Peninsula.  Luqina is just getting started in the tourism business, so there are fewer tourists.  As a matter of fact when we went to check it out, we were the ONLY tourists!  The accommodations are newer and have been built to include a private bath in a very comfortable mudbrick cottage. Locals take turns hosting, so there may be some variations in the style and level of comfort. But because Luqina is less well-known, we found it to be much more intimate experience with our local host family.  

The one thing that makes Luqina different is that there is no mass hike to the summit. There is a summit and you could hike to it.  Another difference is that there is no community party.  The experience on Luqina is with your host family.  We ended up hiking across the peninsula to the other side where we found a beach and naturally formed stone arches.  

Adios Adventure Travel offers several options for visits in Lake Titicaca using our local guides and resources.  And we can help you decide if you want to include a homestay during your visit. No matter what you choose to do, adventure awaits for those who take the time to explore this amazing high altitude destionation.