Lake Titicaca, shared by Peru and Bolivia, is the highest navigable lake in the world. On the lake there are floating islands that the Aymara original group still occupy and maintain their traditional culture, one of those island is Amantani.
There are few larger islands also inhabited by Aymara in which tourists have an option to stay overnight with a local family, at Amantani island. Tour in Peru offers you a great opportunity to explore the islands on Lake Titicaca and have a closer look of real local family life at home stay.
Amantani Island
The island is located 26 miles (38km) away from Puno, by normal boat the trip from Puno takes around 3 ½ hours. Because the island is located more far, tourism and home stay are not developed same as in other closer and more popular islands like Uros. To know more about Uros people and their life have a look at Tour in Peru Blog.
The main difference toparticipate the home stay in Amantani is that home-stays have remained a more authentic cultural experience.
The Island host about 3,600 inhabitants and also have a Quechua origin, mainly all locals are small farmers. The most important crops for locals are Andean potatoes, bailey and green beans. With many years of generations experience Amantani people have become excellent traders of the handicrafts and clothing.
Amantani Island
The most important crops for locals are Andean potatoes, bailey and green beans.
Home stay at a local Amantani family
After the tour around the floating island, you will end up your day tour at Amantani Island where you will spend the night at a local family house. Upon your arrival, a native families will welcome you at a harbour, and afterwards the guide will introduce you to the separate family you are going to stay with.
In the afternoon after the lunch, it’s time to walk up to the highest point of the Island to explore the ancient ruins on a mountain called by locals Pachamama. From there you will get to enjoy the stunning views of the Lake Titicaca and the sunset!
Enjoy the sunset from Pachamama-highest point of the Amantani island
After the tour at Pachamama, everyone meets at the main plaza and meet their local families, and then go to their houses for dinner. At dinner you will be invited to go to the little home kitchen, mind your head if you are taller than the family members, doorways are very small.
Food at a family
Simply served meals at a local Amantani Island family from crops they groing themselves.
Local family will feed you a soup and a main course of rice, potatoes, fava beans or some combination. Do not refuse the coca tea if family will offer you, you are very high above the sea level, and tea is a great beverage to reduce altitude sickness in case you feel any.
Party with the locals in Amantani Island
Spend and evening dancing and listening music with local Amantani Island people
After the dinner and a little time of rest, you will be invited to a particular party at the main folklore saloon. The host family will provide traditional clothing for you to attend a traditional Andean party; where men are given ponchos and woolly hats, and women are given colourful skirts, blouses and veils.
All clothing and music, dancing and atmosphere is impossible do not enjoy the party with locals which is accompanied by one of the local orchestras.
Second day of the stay at Amantani Island
After breakfast with you host family it’s time to thank and say good bye. Our tour guide will pick you up and lead to the boat which will take you for the second day adventure on Lake Titicaca.
Contact Tour in Peru team to organize your tour to Puno and an amazing journey on Lake Titicaca with the home stay at a local family.
