Visit the Titicaca lake and its living culture. Learn how ancient cultures thrive using the lake resources, find islands made of totora reeds, also boats! and enjoy the textile art of the Taquile people. You can connect from Cusco by bus or from Lima by a commercial flight.
Features: Unique – Dialy departures – 12 people max
Inclusions:
- Roundtrip bus from Cusco
- Meals
- Professional guide
- Tickets
- Hotel in Puno
- Transfers
From $238
Itinerary
Day 1: Cusco - Puno
06.30 am We pick you up from your hotel and take you to the private bus station. We take a tourist bus to Puno city. This service is provided for tourism only so you won’t travel in a normal bus service. You have tours included along the way and you visit: the Andahuaylillas church, the mighty Temple of Wiracocha in Raqchi village, the majestic La Raya pass (road limit between Cusco and Puno, with a beautiful view of the Chimboya Glacier), and the fascinating Lithic Museum of the Pukará culture. Lunch is included at a tourist restaurant located in the middle of the journey, with peruvian-international food. The service arrives in Puno city around 5.30 pm, and we will pick you up from the station and take you to your hotel.
Day 2: Puno - Titicaca lake
07.30 am We pick you up from your hotel and take you to the lake’s dock. Then we take a full-day tour to Titicaca Lake, visiting the Uros floating islands and the Taquile island, where we will learn the costumes of the local people. The Uros people have lived on the man-made reed-covered floating islands known as the Uros islands since before the Inca era. There are 120 man-made islands that make up an archipelago and are located about 5 km (3 miles) from the Puno port. Taquile residents are renowned for having developed an original, locally-controlled sustainable tourism model that provides home stays, group lodging, cultural activities, local guides, and restaurants. Due to the island's remoteness, particularly during a time before motorized boats, many other local customs survived like weaving. Though the designs and hues may have changed over time, the meaning is still evident in their creations. Even UNESCO has acknowledged Taquile and its textile art as "Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity". Lunch is included at a local house in Taquile with peruvian-international food. We come back to the city and take you to the hotel later in the afternoon.
Day 3: Puno - Lima
Pick up time to be confirmed: According to your flight departure we will set the time to pick you up 3 hours before, since you need to be there at least 1 hour before.
Along the way we will make a short stop at Sillustani, an ancient Inca cemetery with huge tombs.
End.
Included:
Included on day 1:
Transfer to the bus station in CuscoTourist Bus ticket to PunoGuided tours along the wayEntrance to the places to visitLunch at a tourist restaurantTransfer from the station to your hotel in Puno01 night at a 3-star hotel in PunoIncluded on day 2:
Breakfast at the hotel in PunoPick up from the hotelTour to Titicaca lake and the islands onboard a speedboatProfessional English-speaking tour guideLunch with peruvian-international food at a local house in Taquile islandTransfer back to the hotel01 night in a 3-star hotel in PunoIncluded on day 3:
Transfer to the airport in a tourist van, with an stop to visit Sillustani Inca tombs on the way.Prices:
Prices in a group service:
For 1 pax: $463For 2 pax: $309For 3 pax: $269 For 4 pax: $249 For 5 pax: $238 Single supplement: $35Prices in private service: upon request.
Packing list
Booking terms
Highlights
- Explore Travel by bus from Cusco city and visit along the way the temple of Wiracocha, Andahuaylillas chapel and then discover the Titicaca lake and the surrounding islands to learn about the living culture of the Uros and Taquile people. You can connect with Lima at the end of the tour.
- Places to visit: The temple of Wiracocha, Andahuaylillas chapel, the Lithic Museum, the Titicaca lake, Uros Floating Islands, Taquile Island.
- Departures: Everyday at 6.30 am
- From: Your hotel in Cusco.
- Transport: Tourist bus and speedboat.
- Overnight: 02 nights in Puno in a 3-star hotel.
The Floating Uros Islands:
The fable-like Uros Islands are entirely made of totora reeds, and the reed beds they live in are absolutely essential to their inhabitants’ way of life. These islands on Lake Titicaca were initially constructed by the Uro-Aymara families who lived there centuries ago using totora reeds. The locals use totora reeds to construct their boats, which they use for fishing. Even some of the islanders’ handicrafts are created using totora reeds, and the welcoming residents of this community sell their creations to tourists as a memento of their trip to this enchanted location.
Taquile Island:
Prior to the Spanish conquest of the region in the 16th century, the island was a part of the enormous Inca Empire. The local Quechua people, who are descendants of the Incas, still refer to it as Intika. The Spanish aristocrat Pedro Gonzales de Taquila is the origin of the name Taquile.
Cultural limitations were imposed on the islanders by the Spanish. For instance, they were required to dress in campesino, or peasant, style clothing instead of the traditional Inca outfit. However, many other regional customs persisted due to the island’s remoteness, particularly at a time before motorized boats. Around 2,200 people live on the islands today and continue the long-standing tradition of subsistence farming and fishing.
Today, Isla Taquile is perhaps best known for its weaving heritage. Of course, weaving is a significant aspect of regional culture throughout much of Peru. Indigenous peoples use geometric and natural shapes, as well as colors, to represent their history and society. Particularly on Taquile Island, weaving is a fascinating tradition where both men and women use the loom.
Customer reviews
Juan
01/03/2023
Amazing, we love it so much, highly recommended guys.. our guide has good english and he is very knowledable
Jason
01/03/2023
It was fun, we learned a lot, especially in Sacsayhuaman, omg, I'm still having trouble to pronounce that word, I think it's sexywoman, haha..
Mia
02/03/2023
Our guide was amazing, very knowledgeable, and funny. Cusco's blue sky is just lovely, we also did the sacred valley tour and it's very similar however you ...
Laura
18/04/2023
Great experience. I loved the huge stones in Sacsayhuaman, and the mixed religions and tales the guide shared.