Duration: 4 days
Start: Juliaca
End: Puno
Price: from Please contact us for pricing
Note: Prices are per person and subject to change without notice.
Accommodations:
Highlights:
Physical Rating:
Group Size: Min - Max
Day 1. Juliaca - Puno
If arriving by air you will land in the town of Juliaca which is about 20 km from Puno and the shores of Lake Titicaca. From here you will be transferred to your hotel of choice.
If arriving by bus or train your trip will end in the town of Puno itself where you will be met and transferred to your hotel of choice.
Day 2. Puno - Uros Islands - Amantani Island - Puno
Located between Bolivia and Peru, Lake Titicaca is one of the most fascinating lakes in the world. It is situated at a very high altitude, at over 3, 800 meters above sea level, and a tour at Titicaca is definitely an unforgettable experience for any visitor.
Lake Titicaca is the world's highest navigable lake and the center of a region where thousands of subsistence farmers eke out a living fishing in its icy waters, growing potatoes in the rocky land at its edge or herding llama and alpaca at altitudes that leave Europeans and North Americans gasping for air. It is also where traces of the rich Indian past still stubbornly cling, resisting in past centuries the Spanish conquistadors' aggressive campaign to erase Inca and pre-Inca cultures and, in recent times, the lure of modernization.
When Peruvians talk of turquoise blue Titicaca, they proudly note that it is so large it has waves. This, the most sacred body of water in the Inca empire and now the natural separation between Peru and Bolivia, has a surface area exceeding 8, 000 square kilometers (3, 100 square miles), not counting its more than 30 islands.
Lake Titicaca is a sacred place for the Inca civilization, as the Incan mythology says that the first Inca king, Manco Capac, was born here. According to the Incan mythology, this is the place where the world was created from, when the god Viracocha came out of the lake and created the sun, the stars and the first people. You will have many places to discover on the shore of Lake Titicaca, as well as on the many islands that exist on the lake.
The reed islands dotting Titicaca's surface are the Uros floating islands made of reed and named after the Indians who inhabited them. Legend has it the Uro Indians had black blood that helped them survive the frigid nights on the water and safeguarded them from drowning.
The last full-blooded Uro was a woman who died in 1959. Other Uros had left the group of islands in earlier years owing to a drought that worsened their poverty - and intermarried with Aymara and Quechua-speaking Indians. But the Indians who now inhabit this island - a mix of Uro, Aymara and Inca descendants - follow the Uro ways.
Amantani Island has opened its doors to outsiders who are willing to live for a few days as the Aymara-speaking islanders do -and that means sleeping on beds made of long hard reeds and eating potatoes for every meal. There is no running water or electricity and nighttime temperatures drop to freezing even in the summer. But those happy to rough it catch a glimpse of an Andean agricultural community that has maintained the same traditions for centuries. Some Amantani residents live and die without ever leaving the island.
Prepared visitors usually bring gifts of fruit -a rarity on the isolated island and the socializing begins when a family member who speaks English offers a guided walk around the island, from where the views are something spectacular. Women wearing traditional black and white lace dresses pass by with slingshots in their hands to kill scavenging birds. B L
Day 3. Puno - Lake Titicaca - Puno
Today is free to explore the street markets of Puno or take a canoe out on Lake Titicaca with he opportunity to paddle the ancient lake. Or take a nature walk on the near by Island of Suasi. Suasi covers an area of 43 hectares containing species of flora and fauna native to the highland plateau, including three species of camelidae and one of "vizcachas" or large hares. Smooth paths cut across the island from north to south.
Or Visit Martha's Cabin: Martha Giraldo, owner of the island, manages a cultural cabin where travellers can learn about the uniqueness of the ecosystem in the Highland Plateau and Lake Titicaca area, with emphasis on human intervention throughout history in livestock-raising, farming, pottery and textiles. The cabin has two of the most complete libraries on the Highland Plateau. B
Day 4. Onward Travel
Today you are transferred to Juliaca airport, the bus or train station to connect with your onward journey. B
Additional nights are available on request.
PRICES FROM:
Exchange rates differ from time to time. For the most up-to-date prices of this holiday idea please fill out our Latin America Travel Quote form or call us on 1 888 469 2949.
NOTES:
Orient Express Luxury Andean Explorer train service Cusco to Puno or Puno to Cusco, Lunch Included
The Andean Explorer is available Monday, Wednesday , and Saturday. An Extra service charge is enforced from April to November for Friday departures.
Regular Public bus service Cusco to Puno or Puno to Cusco with lunch included
- Peru international departure tax $30 USD
- Peru domestic departure tax $8 USD
- Local currency is Soles
- Time Zone: GMT/UTC -5
- Dialing Code: 51
- Electricity: 220V, 60Hz
- Weights & measures: Metric
HOTEL CHOICES:
Puno:
Casa Andina Private Suasi - 4 *, Casa Andina Private Collection - 4 * Superior,
Libertador Esteves Hotel - 5 *
DEPARTURE:
Departs daily
PRICE INCLUDES:
- 3 Nights accommodation
- Airport transfers
- All transport
- Lake Titicaca and Uros Islands tour
- All meals as listed B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
NOT INCLUDED
- Visa fees (if required)
- Passport & Visa Costs
- Vaccination Costs
- Personal Spending Money
- Meals where not listed
- Drinks
- International Flights
- Travel Insurance
- Airport departure taxes
- Border taxes or fees
OPTIONAL EXTRAS
- Cusco Add Ons
- Machu Picchu extensions
- Nazca Lines extension
- Northern Peru Amazon Cruise
- Amazon Jungle expeditions
- Colca Canyon adventures
- Lima City stop over
- Arequipa extension
Visas
At the time of booking we will advise you of any visas or other documentation that will be required prior to your arrival.
Costs relating to the issue of visas or related documentation are the responsibility of the traveler.
As visa requirements change it is your responsibility to ensure that the correct documentation and visas are obtained before traveling. Failure to do
so may result in your not being able to join the trip.
For the latest information on visas please visit:
US Citizens
Canadian Citizens
Australian Citizens
General
Equipment List / Check List:
- Travel documents: passport, visa, travel insurance, air tickets, voucher
- Health requirements arranged
- Money: travellers cheques/cash/credit card
- Money pouch
- First Aid kit
- Day pack to carry your personal needs during the day
- Alarm clock and torch/flashlight
- Mosquito repellent
- Refillable water bottle and plastic mug for train journeys
- Ear plugs can be useful if you are a light sleeper
- Walking shoes with a good grip
- Camera
- Wet Wipes (disinfectant hand tissues)
Travel Insurance:
It is a condition of booking that all clients have comprehensive travel insurance. AI can offer Travel Insurance for your trip. Please request a quote
when booking.
Disclaimer:
Prices based on per person, twin/double share, unless otherwise noted, and pre-set group minimum numbers. Prices & itineraries are correct at the
time of printing. Itineraries & prices may change due to currency fluctuations, local conditions or events outside the control of A.I and her local
operators. Please see our booking terms & conditions for full details.
Please call us to inquire about departure dates.
