Titicaca Programs
GreenTracks offers programs on both the Peru and Bolivia sides of Lake Titicaca. One program includes both. Custom itineraries are also possible. Tours depart from Puno, Peru or from La Paz, Bolivia. A visit to Lake Titicaca can originate from Cuzco or Lima.
Titicaca Map
Day Trips out of Puno, Peru:
Amantani Island
Taquile and Uros Islands
Overnight Trips out of Puno, Peru:
Uros and Amantani Islands, with overnight on Amantani
Uros and Taquile Islands, with overnight on Taquile
Uros, Taquile and Suasi Islands, with overnight on Suasi
Sillustani Ruins, Peru
Tiahuanacu Ruins, Bolivia
From Puno, Peru to La Paza, Bolivia via Lake Titicaca Catamaran
Amantani Island- Full Day trip from Puno.
Amantani Island is a circular island of about 9 square miles of area and is inhabited by Aymara people. This is an agricultural community of six villages, with most people concentrated in the village of Amantani. There are two sacred mountain peaks, called Pachatata (Father Earth) and Pachamama (Mother Earth.) The hillsides are terraced and planted with potatoes, wheat, and vegetables. Stone fences divide the fields and the pastures for cattle, sheep, and alpacas.
Amantani artisans work in textile and ceramic. A traditional celebration of the Feast Day of Santiago is held every July. There are also archeological sites of the Inca and the Tiahuanaco cultures.
Your experience of the time-less customs of the Amantani residents, in this picturesque environment will be memorable.
Our trip will begin and end in Puno. Lunch is included.
| Amantani Island - Full Day trip from Puno | |||||
| # people | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5/6+ |
| per person | $259 | $137 | $103 | $103 | $82 |
Taquile and Uros Islands - Full Day trip from Puno.
The Taquile Island society is based on community collectivism and on the Inca moral code "ama sua, ama llulla, ama qhella" (do not steal, do not lie, do not be lazy). The economy depends on fishing, terraced farming of potatoes, barley and broad beans, and tourism. Taquileños are known for their fine handwoven textiles and clothing. Travelers can buy well made woolen and alpaca goods as well as colorful garments whose patterns and designs bear hidden messages about the wearer's social standing or marital status. After a visit to Taquile we continue to Uros.
The best-known of the islands dotting Titicaca's surface are the Uros, floating islands of reed named after the Indians who inhabit them. The Uro Indians, who pre-date the Incas (and legend has it - the Sun itself.) The islands are made of totora reeds which must be replaced regularly by new layers of reeds. The surface of the islands is like walking on a waterbed. The reeds are also utilized to build homes and boats (the same as used by Thor Heyerdahl on his Peru-Polynesia journey.)
Our trip will begin and end in Puno. Lunch is included.
| Taquile and Uros Islands Full Day trip from Puno |
|||||
| # people | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5/6+ |
| per person | $245 | $131 | $96 | $96 | $77 |
Uros and Amantani Islands, with overnight on Amantani
A unique experience in a unique setting. Starting off from the town of Puno you will have a full day tour of Uros and Amantani islands and then spend the night in a local home on Amantani. The following day you will continue a tour of the spectacular lake before returning to Puno.
The best-known of the islands dotting Titicaca's surface are the Uros, floating islands ofreed named after the Indians who inhabit them. The Uro Indians, who pre-date the Incas (and legend has it - the Sun itself.) The islands are made of totora reeds which must be replaced regularly by new layers of reeds. The surface of the islands is like walking on a waterbed. The reeds are also utilized to build homes and boats (the same as used by Thor Heyerdahl on his Peru-Polynesia journey.)
Amantani Island is a circular island of about 9 square miles of area and is inhabited by Aymara people. This is an agricultural community of six villages, with most people concentrated in the village of Amantani. There are two sacred mountain peaks, called Pachatata (Father Earth) and Pachamama (Mother Earth.) The hillsides are terraced and planted with potatoes, wheat, and vegetables. Stone fences divide the fields and the pastures for cattle, sheep, and alpacas.
Amantani artisans work in textile and ceramic. A traditional celebration of the Feast Day of Santiago is held every July. There are also archeological sites of the Inca and the Tiahuanaco cultures.
The people of Amantani have opened their doors to visitors who are interested in learning more of their culture - and that means sleeping on beds made of long hard reeds. You will be assigned to a host family. You will shown the way to a mud-brick home set in an open courtyard to spend the night. This is truely a wonderful experience, yet still just a glance into the lives of the Ayamara people.
| Uros and Amantani Islands with overnight on Amantani |
|||||
| # people | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5/6+ |
| per person | $376 | $207 | $154 | $154 | $140 |
Uros and Taquile Islands, with overnight on Taquile
Starting off from the town of Puno you will have a full day tour of Uros and Taquile islands and then spend the night in a local home on Taquile. The following day you will continue a tour of the spectacular lake before returning to Puno.
The best-known of the islands dotting Titicaca's surface are the Uros, floating islands of reed named after the Indians who inhabit them. The Uro Indians, who pre-date the Incas (and legend has it - the Sun itself.) The islands are made of totora reeds which must be replaced regularly by new layers of reeds. The surface of the islands is like walking on a waterbed. The reeds are also utilized to build homes and boats (the same as used by Thor Heyerdahl on his Peru-Polynesia journey.)
The Taquile Island society is based on community collectivism and on the Inca moral code "ama sua, ama llulla, ama qhella" (do not steal, do not lie, do not be lazy). The economy depends on fishing, terraced farming of potatoes, barley and broad beans, and tourism. Taquileños are known for their fine handwoven textiles and clothing. Travelers can buy well made woolen and alpaca goods as well as colorful garments whose patterns and designs bear hidden messages about the wearer's social standing or marital status. You will be overnight guests of a local family in a rustic setting. At this altitude, and with clear skies, you will have a chance for some incredible star gazing.
| Uros and Taquile Islands with overnight on Taquile |
|||||
| # people | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5/6+ |
| per person | $355 | $193 | $149 | $149 | $135 |
Uros, Taquile and Suasi Islands, with overnight on Suasi
The best-known of the islands dotting Titicaca's surface are the Uros, floating islands of reed named after the Indians who inhabit them. The Uro Indians, who pre-date the Incas (and legend has it - the Sun itself.) The islands are made of totora reeds which must be replaced regularly by new layers of reeds. The surface of the islands is like walking on a waterbed. The reeds are also utilized to build homes and boats (the same as used by Thor Heyerdahl on his Peru-Polynesia journey.)
The Taquile Island society is based on community collectivism and on the Inca moral code "ama sua, ama llulla, ama qhella" (do not steal, do not lie, do not be lazy). The economy depends on fishing, terraced farming of potatoes, barley and broad beans, and tourism. Taquileños are known for their fine handwoven textiles and clothing. Travelers can buy well made woolen and alpaca goods as well as colorful garments whose patterns and designs bear hidden messages about the wearer's social standing or marital status.
Suasi Island is privately owned and in 1996 was established as a private ecological reserve. The owner desired to create a showcase of culture and ecology of the Altiplano, with its unique traditions and flora and fauna. There is an eco-lodge built of local materials–stone, adobe and tortora reeds–and located on the side of a flowered-terrace hill so that each room has a stunning lake view. The lodge produces most of its own food in vegetable and herb gardens on the grounds. This 106 acres island is home to all four of the South American camelids; llama, alpaca, vicuña and guanaco. There are hiking trails and canoe excursions around the island. You will overnight at the lodge (1 or 2 night program), then continue touring the lake the next day before returning to Puno by car. The lodge has a restaurant, bar and internet access.
| Uros, Taquile and Suasi Islands with overnight on Suasi |
|||
| # people (price per person) | 1 | 2-4 | 5 + |
| 2 days/1 night | $ | $584 | $ |
| 3 days/2 night | $ | $744 | $ |
Sillustani
Sillustani is an ancient site between Puno and Juliaca. Important are the tombs built above ground. The inside of the tombs are shaped like a woman’s uterus. When a person died, they were mummified in the fetal position, and placed into the tombs representing the mother earth - just like they came into the world, they returned. The doors of the tombs face east, because it is believed that is where the sun is born from the mother earth each and everyday.
A stop to visit the ruins at Sillustani is easily done on the way from Puno to Juliaca.
| Sillustani | |||||
| # people | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5/6+ |
| per person | $64 | $32 | $26 | $26 | $22 |
From Puno, Peru to La Paza, Bolivia
via Lake Titicaca Catamaran
2 Days / 1 Night (IN CATNL)
Route: Puno - Copacabana - Sun Island (South Side) - Inti Wata Complex - Sun Island (North Side) overnight at Sun Island - Chua - La Paz
Puno Departure: 06:30 Peru
La Paz Arrival: 12:30 (Next Day)
This program also operates in reverse:
La Paz Departure: 06:00 Peru
Puno Arrival: 17:30 (Next Day)
Program Description
Early overland transfer from Puno, Peru to Copacabana, Bolivia. Board the Catamaran. Lunch while sailing to Sun Island, the legendary birth place of the Inca Empire. Visit the Inca Garden, steps and fountain then the Inti Wata Cultural Complex including the Ekako Underground Museum, the traditional medicine and the Titikaka Reed Shipbuilders display centers, the Pachamama agricultural Inca terraces, a handicraft center, the Intica lounge and at the Manco Kapac look out the largest variety of Andean cameloids. Also, the Inti Wata Complex at Sun Island includes a unique sailing experience aboard a huge Titikaka Traditional vessel visiting the Pilkokaina Inca Palace.
Catamaran Cruise to Sun Island isolated Challapampa Village ½ a day of participative tourism. Visitors have the opportunity to interact with one of the most unspoiled indigenous Titikaka villages through an innovative program organized with the local community. You can share in some of the rituals and ceremonies. Watch folkloric demonstrations. Visit the inhabitants own local museum, houses, chapel and school. You can sail in their vessels to a Inca holy temple site and walk along the Inca trails.
Romantic candle light dinner and overnight on board the Catamaran in lake view cabins with private facilities.
The following day you will sail by Catamaran across the lake while enjoying the overwhelming panoramic view of the lake and surrounding snow-covered mountains. Program ends with land transfer to the city of La Paz and your hotel.
| Puno Peru to La Paza Bolivia | |||||
| # people | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5/6+ |
| per person | Ask | $319 | $319 | $319 | $319 |