SEA KAYAKING ON LAKE TITICACA ( 3d/2n)

Titicaca - lying 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 and lesser archipelagos lying offshore, is the Island of Taquile. Inhabited in pre-Inka times by ethnic elements related to the mainland Colla and Lupaca cultures, Taquile possesses several archaeological sites, a vast amount of terracing and a wide network of walkways and footpaths connecting all points in the island. The present day population retains its traditional customs, native dress, and socio political moiety system. Furthermore, the people of Taquile are renowned for their talent as musicians and particularly as weavers, their fine textiles having attained international fame and officially recognized by UNESCO, in 2005, among 42 other Masterworks of World Cultural Heritage.

To navigate on the waters of Lake Titicaca and become acquainted with this island as well as a continuous interaction with its people, represents a unique experience allowing one a human insight deep and rich -as well as a very keen and lingering sensation of having remained suspended for awhile in time.

Itinerary

Day 01 Puno - LlachÓn

We travel to the peninsula of Llachón, situated two and a half hours from the city of Puno. We will lodge 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.

Day 02 LlachÓn - Taquile Island

In the beach facing the hostel a motor launch will be waiting to convey us and our sea kayaks to Taquile, navigating for one hour on the waters of the great lake. Upon making landfall at the first of the island's ports, we will proceed to unload our kayaks and forthwith embark on our voyage skirting the western shore of the island. We shall row 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 looming above the opposite, or eastern, lakeshore about 75 kilometers (approx 55 miles) distant. On this beautiful beach we shall find Hector Huatta - our local guide- waiting for us.

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 moiety system as well as the everyday life of the inhabitants of Taquile.

Returning to our campsite at Kullata we shall find dinner waiting and our tents set up and ready to rest in.

Day 03 Taquile Island - LlachÓn - Uros Floating Islands

Today we will row 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 shall 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.

SEA KAYAKING ON LAKE TITICACA -
One Day Extension (Amantani Island)

Itinerary

Day 03

Today we will row 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 shall then load our kayaks back onto the motor launch and proceed across to the neighboring island of Amantani, located about 18 kilometers north of Taquile and 30 kilometers northeast of Puno. We visit the island and make acquaintance with the local inhabitants who retain many of their traditional customs and traditional dress and derive their livelihood from textile handicrafts and livestock farming.

Day 04

On this following day, our motor launch will transport us 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.

SERVICES INCLUDED:

• Transfer Puno-Llachón
• Sea Kayaks
• Sea kayaking equipment
• Camping equipment
• Motor Launch
• Lodging in Llachón
• All tours listed
• Bilingual Guide
• Back up boat and support Kayak
• Admission fee into Taquile
• Dinner on Day 01
• All meals on Day 02
• Breakfast and Lunch on Day 03
• Hotel accommodation in Puno (Last night of the trip)
• First Aid kid

SERVICES NOT INCLUDED:

• Hotel accommodation in Puno (Before start the trip)
• Sleeping bags and Thermarest mats
• Breakfast on Day 01
• Dinner on Day 03

NOTE:

The extention included all meals on Day 03 and not included dinner on Day 04