Lake Titicaca, at an elevation of 3,800 meters (12,500+ feet) above sea level, is the highest navigable lake in the world. It is also the largest lake in South America, with a surface area of 8,340 km2 (5,560 square miles). Among the various islands lying offshore is the Island of Taquile. Inhabited since the pre-Inka times, Taquile possesses several archaeological sites, a vast amount of terracing and a wide network of walkways and footpaths connecting all points on the island. The present day population retains its traditional customs, native dress, and socio-political system. Furthermore, the people of Taquile are renowned for their talent as musicians and weavers, their fine textiles having attained international fame and officially recognized by UNESCO, in 2005, among 42 other Masterworks of World Cultural Heritage. We spend 3 days and two nights paddling the waters of legendary Lake Titicaca and we have the opportunity to explore the islands and interact with the local Indigenous people. This is a very authentic adventure and will leave you with a sincere feeling of whats its like to have been suspended in time in a culture untouched. by the rest of the world.

A non paddling less expensive option is available, please call of details.

SERVICES INCLUDED:

• Transfers
• Sea Kayaks
• Sea kayaking equipment
• Motor boat
• Lodging in Llachón and Taquile
• All tours listed
• Bilingual Guide
• Back up boat and support Kayak
• Admission fee into Taquile
• Meals described on the itinerary
• Hotel accommodation in Puno (Last night of the trip – Casa Andina Private Collection Puno)
• First Aid kid

Day 01 Puno –Llachón
We travel to the peninsula of Llachón, situated two and a half hours from the city of Puno. We will stay overnight in a rural hostel in this community on the shore of lake Titicaca, the owners of which –a local family of Llachón- will give us a warm welcome. ( Transfer from Juliaca’s airport to Llachón)
MEALS: D

Day 02 Llachón – Taquile Island
On the beach facing the hostel a motor launch will be waiting to take us and our sea kayaks to Taquile, navigating for one hour on the waters of the great lake. When we arrive at the first of the island’s ports, we will unload our kayaks and embark on our voyage, skirting the western shore of the island. We will paddle for about one and a half hours until reaching Kullata, a white sand beach on the lakeshore, directly facing out toward the high snow capped peaks of the Cordillera Real of Bolivia.. On this beautiful beach we will meet Hector Huatta –our local guide and close family friend. In fact he asked our trip leader Piero Vellutino to be the godfather of his son. As mentioned earlier, Taquile island is interconnected by a wide network of pedestrian roads of pre-Inka origin. Hector will lead us along them as we get to know the island, showing us the archaeological remains and ruins, pointing out the local flora and uses of the individual plants, discussing and explaining the traditional social and political system as well as the everyday life of the inhabitants of Taquile. Overnight at Hector’s rural Hostal.
MEALS: B+D

Day 03 Taquile Island – Llachón – Uros Floating Islands
Today we will paddle around to the eastern shore of the island, effectively circumnavigating it until reaching the same port that we departed from on the previous day. We will then load our kayaks back onto the motor launch and return aboard it to Llachón where we will eat lunch. Afterward, we visit the floating islands of the Uros, located in the vast labyrinth of the great banks of reeds called “totora” in the section of the lake known as the “Gulf of Puno”. The local inhabitants descend partly from the Uros people, considered to be one of the most ancient ethnic groups in America. The lifestyle of these folk is one of the most unique in the world, for here the dwellings, the rafts and lake craft and the islands themselves are literally woven of totora reeds. They float upon the surface of the lake and, though solidly anchored, possess an undulating motion which is clearly perceptible when walking on them. Following our visit, the motor launch conveys us to the port dock of a hotel on the shore of lake Titicaca.
MEALS: B+L

Day 04
Transfer from Puno City to the airport in Juliaca.
MEALS: B