Lake Titicaca, on the border between Peru and Bolivia, is the highest navigable lake in the world, standing at 3812m. I arrived in Puno, a Peruvian port town on the lake, from Cusco by bus (my typical mode of transportation). After spending one night in Puno and talking to some people on the docks, I was off the next morning on an island tour with an overnight home stay on Isla Amantani.
The 1st islands we visited were the
Uros, a group of man-made islands constructed of floating reeds. As they decay on bottom, they are replenished with new reeds on top, and when you walk, your feet sink in a little to the soft surface.
Out of over 40 floating islands, this was the one we visited
Reeds and the lake
The next and final stop for the day, was
Isla Amantani. There are no hotels on the island so travelers have the option to stay with local families and share traditional meals. The family I stayed with (a mother, father, grandmother and 6 children of varying ages) lived way up on the hill with no electricity or running water. Though a little rustic, the experience of staying with this family has given me an interesting perspective to ponder.
My home for the night
The children
From the top of Patchatata (Father Earth), one of the two island peaks
The family and I in traditional dress
Playtime
The family sheep
After waking the next morning, having breakfast and trying on some traditional clothes, it was time to meet the boat to go to the final island of the trip,
Isla Taquile (where everyone, including men, spin and weave) before returning home to Puno.
A local Taquileño boy playing in the main square, while wearing the tradition cap with some white on the end showing he is single
