Day 1

Arrival in Puno.

Pick-up at the train or bus terminal. Meeting with a representative of the Huayallano community. Night in hotel.

 

Day 2

Uros and Taquile Islands. Night on Taquile.

At 7:30 a.m., the Huayllano community representative will come pick us up at the hotel. From there, we’ll go to the harbor to get in one of the community’s boats. First, we’ll visit the floating Uros Islands, north of Puno bay. These islands, made of totora reeds and anchored with stones and earth, are inhabited by 2,000 people who call themselves kot-suña (“lake people”). According to legend, they have black blood to protect themselves from the cold and from drowning in the lake.

Next, we’ll head to Taquile, the lake’s biggest island, where we’ll dock at a small harbor near Huayllano. Here, we’ll meet the family that will host us and have some time to relax.

The Huayllano community organizes its tourism in a collective way. The families that live in this beautiful bay take turns hosting travelers, preparing their lunches, and showing them the island’s ancestral traditions.

At lunch, we’ll taste the island’s specialties. Afterwards, the families will show us their crops (chuño potatoes, quinoa, maize, fava beans, barley), medicinal plants (muña), plants that are used as natural dyes and as laundry detergent (chojo), and, finally, their handicrafts.

In the evening, we’ll have dinner with our host family and watch a typical dance. Night in the host family’s home. On Taquile, the houses are very simple and the services basic.

 

Day 3

Taquile. Return to and night in Puno.

After breakfast, we’ll have time to explore the bay’s surroundings, the beach and some archeological ruins. Then, we’ll walk to Taquile town, where we’ll have lunch.

Eventually, we’ll walk down to the harbor, get in the community’s boat and return to Puno, arriving around 5:30 p.m. Night in hotel.

 

Day 4

Collasuyo Community. Return to and night in Puno.

A member of one of the Collasuyo communities will come pick us up at the hotel and take us to the altiplano near Juliaca, at an altitude of 3,800 meters (12,540 ft). Collasuyo is home to more than 500 indigenous, rural families, who are experts in the transformation of alpaca fiber. We’ll eat, talk and dance with them, and they’ll take us through the process of working the alpaca fiber, from its selection to the final product: beautiful, warm sweaters. Night in Puno hotel.

 

Project contribution US$ 20.

The “project contribution” will be allotted to MINKA FAIR TRADE that will divide it at the end of the year according to the requirements of the communities of the producers.

Please note the following:

The collective management of earnings in Huayllano allows tourism to benefit all the families, not just a few private parties.

On Taquile, the house are very simple and the services basic. The local family will provide you with clean sheets and blankets.

The project contribution goes to MINKA FAIR TRADE, which will divide all funds at the end of the year among the producers’ communities, according to needs and requests.

All fair-trade tours guarantee the publication of the “transparent price,” that is, the communities’ net earnings from tourist services. Click here for details.

 

This tour includes:

Lodging in a family-run, three-star hotel (on days 1 and 3), in double or twin rooms with a private bathroom and breakfast included.

One night in a local family’s house.

2 lunches: days 2 and 3.

1 dinner: day 2.

2 breakfasts: days 2 and 3.

Tours described in the itinerary.

Roundtrip transport from the hotel to the harbor.

Roundtrip transport by boat Puno-Taquile.

Spanish-speaking guide.

Uros and Taquile entrance fees.

Pick-up upon arrival at the Puno train or bus terminal and transfer to hotel.

 

This tour does not include:

Project contribution (US$20 per person), to be paid in our Cusco office.

Lunches and dinners not listed in the itinerary.

Tips.

Transport to and from Puno.

Pick-up at Juliaca airport and transfer to hotel in Puno (additional cost of 10 Euros/US$14 per person).

 

Suggested packing list:

Sunscreen

Water bottle

Snacks

Toilet paper

Heavy clothing (we’re at 4,000 m/13,200 ft!)