2 day – Amantani Experience + Kayak

Day 1 – Day 1: Taquile Island / Amantani.

Duration: 2 days. Distance: 90 km

Enjoy Lake Titicaca’s authentic culture & traditions. This excursion begins at 7 am with a transfer from your hotel to the port. We then board the semi fast motorboat (7:30 am. departure) that will ensure this is an enjoyable journey. It Is 35 feet long with a covered section in case of rain or cold weather, comfortable bus type seats and fully equipped with a toilet on board.

We take a 2-hour boat ride direct to Taquile Island. On the way, our guide teaches us about lake legends, the origins of the Inca culture, Quechua language lessons & more. Throughout the trip we have the chance to enjoy the spectacular views offered by Lake Titicaca, arriving about 09.45 am, to this unique place, in the southern section of the island which is the less visited zone of Taquile Island. We have at least 4 hours to explore this paradise and enjoy a pristine sandy beach there. Hike for 1 hour (an easy and gradual hike) on a pre-Inca pathway with impressive landscapes, while we learn about the flora and fauna of the island. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. The members of the community will show us their dances, textiles and unique cultural expressions. Taquile Island is the home of an authentic community that conserves Incan laws and social system. However, due to inadequate tourism management, this is being affected nevertheless, this trip helps to encourage community life. Later at approximately 1.45 pm, we hike to the main port and descend about 500 steps down to the dock. We depart at 2.30pm to continue our journey to Amantani Island about 1 hour’s motorboat ride away. When you get to Amantani Island, you will probably see local families running down the hill to welcome you.

Please note that the local administration designates home stays according to a rotation system, which we are committed to respect. Here, you will meet your designated family who will lead you along narrow pathways to your home stay. Feel free to participate in their domestic activities. They will be happy to share with you about their daily life, which will enrich your cultural encounter. Depending on the season they might be farming, planting, herding or building a house. If you feel physically prepared for this activity, go ahead and take part in it. This part of the trip is carefully prepared, and arranged by your experienced guide, to make it an authentic experience.

Join in an optional football match with the locals, and then hike to the high point of the island to watch the sunset. After dinner your designated family will dress you up in traditional local costumes and take you to the community hall for a small celebration, it is a lot of fun! Feel the energy of this live culture.

Overnight at the Home Stay.

Day 2 – Day 2: Kayak Amantani to Llachon

Duration of the kayak activity : 2.5 hours. Distance: 10 kilometers OW

Enjoy Breakfast with your designated family, and then they take you to the main port. The team of “Titicaca Kayak Company” will be waiting for you there to have a training session and security briefing before kayaking for about 2 1/2 hours to Llachon. Sense the immensity of Lake Titicaca, and have a wonderful opportunity to experience the lake centre, which is profoundly silent, a wonderful retreat from the noise of the city. After this great experience, we arrive at Llachon.

Then we head to the incredible Uros Floating Reed Islands, which is a pleasant motorboat ride of about 2½ hours. Stepping on them feels very much like a waterbed but it is quite safe to walk on them. Meet the friendly inhabitants and if you would like a ride on traditional reed boats can be arranged with the local fishermen. Visit two of the 30 islands, then share an intercultural activity with the locals, and visit their houses. Later we continue to Puno arriving at approximately 1.00 pm. Transfer to your chosen hotel.

Important Note : This is a group tour trip, The ones not paddling will depart Amantani at 9am. and join to the paddlers on Llachon at 10.30am. to continue together and visit Uros islands before continue to Puno.

All Our kayak trips include:

* Experienced guides, certified by the ACA American Canoe Association (the only ones in the region).

* Safety talk & basic paddling instructions before every departure.

* Full sea kayak equipment: spray skirts for protection, personal flotation device, neoprene boots, paddle jacket, Hydro skin mambas, Whistles, paddle. (NRS and Harmony USA)

* High quality double and single sea kayaks (Perception, USA) with pedal rudders.

* Support – rescue motor boat to assist the participants, always nearby.

* Snack: energy bars and water