Home Stays on Lake Titicaca: Amantani Island

Interact with a Peruvian indigenous culture up close and personal through a cultural exchange on the islands of Lake Titicaca. Experience the traditional life on Amantani Island, seeing how this native community works the land, makes beautiful handicrafts and performs traditional dances. In addition, you will enjoy visits to floating islands, and get carried away by the astonishing beauty of the world’s highest navigable lake 3,811 meters above sea level.

Day 1: Puno
When visiting Lake Titicaca and the city of Puno it is best that you come from Cuzco or Arequipa as the altitude in these cities will prepare you for the very high altitude of Lake Titicaca (12,000ft). You can either arrive by train or bus from Cuzco or by flights from both cities. Upon arrival you will be picked up from our area representative and escorted to your hotel to assist you in check in. Once checked in you will have the rest of the day to relax and acclimatize more. Meals Included: None.

Day 2: Puno – Uros Island – Amantani Island
Today you will have an early start to take a boat to the floating reed islands and the Island of Taquile. Here you visit Uros Island and the surround other floating islands. You’ll arrive to Amantani Island just in time for lunch at a local home. You’ll spend the rest of the day having cultural exchange with the locals and doing some exploring around the island. You’ll spend the evening on the island with a local family prepared to accept tourist guests. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 3: Amantani Island – Taquile Island – Puno
Today you will depart at 8:00am and head to Taquile Island where you will visit the lesser touristy side of it. You’ll explore Taquile for a few hours and then enjoy lunch there. After lunch you’ll make the boat ride back to the dock where our representative will be waiting to take you back to your hotel. You’ll spend the rest of the day relaxing and enjoying views of the Lake. Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 4: Puno
Today you’ll depart in the morning to either the Juliaca Airport or to the train or bus station depending on what your next exciting destination is in Peru. Meals Included: Breakfast

More information about the home stay experience:
For many people this home-stay experience is a true revelation of a unique reality of Andean people. This cultural exchange experience is touching and fascinating as every traveler is welcome to share with the locals their time, some artistic talent, educational knowledge or just simple conversations.

For years, the local people from Amantani have been struggling for better treatment and payment from travel agencies. This Cultural exchange tour has been created to help them to receive a fair payment for their cooking and lodging services. We are committed to provide a safe boat for your trip, an excellent tour guide, to cover your entrance fees on the islands, as well as providing transfers from your hotel to harbor, plus a visit the non-touristy side of Taquile Island on the second day. You will be in charge of paying directly to your host family a fare of 30 soles per person. The community members have established this fare and think is reasonable.

Amantani island is located 26 miles (38 Km) away from the city of Puno (3 ½ hours of navigation in boat). Because of a more distant location, tourism on the island of Amantani has not developed in the same way as in Taquile. The main difference between the two islands is that home-stays have remained a more authentic cultural experience in Amantani.

The 3,600 inhabitants of Amantani have also a Quechua origin and they are mainly small farmers growing Andean potatoes, bailey and green beans. The "Amantanenos" have not been as successful in their tourism initiatives as their neighbors from Taquile. However, they have become excellent traders of the handicrafts that they produce such as the Andean grass baskets, embroideries, beautiful tapestry with baby alpaca fur and alpaca wool clothing.

A visit to Amantani necessarily implies to stay one night on the island. The houses are very simple and services are basic. There is no running water, no electricity and of course very basic toilets and showers.

Prices are per person and in US Dollar. Prices are subject to change around holidays such as Easter, Christmas, New Year and other local festivities.

Price Includes:
• Entrance fees to Uros, Amantani and Taquile Islands.
• English speaking guide(s).
• All land transportation for airport/bus or train station and tours.
• Boat transportation

Price Does Not Include:
• Meals and lodging on Amantani: 30 Soles ($US 11)
• Lunch on the second day: 20 Soles ($US 7,50)
• Travel insurance.
• Optional tipping of the staff.

The island family will also provide you with three or more clean blankets. However we suggest using your sleeping bag if you have one with you.

**There is a supplemental charge of US$ 3.00 per person for pick-up from hotels outside downtown: Hotel Libertador, Casa Andina Private Collection, Eco Inn and Posada del Inka.