ITINERARY
Day 1
Puno
Afternoon arrival by train or bus from Cuzco or by air from Lima or Cuzco/Arequipa. Meet MVE representative for transfer to Puno hotel to relax for the rest of the afternoon. The city of Puno is located on the banks of Lake Titicaca the highest navigable lake in the world at 12,555 feet above sea level. Puno is the folkloric capital of Peru because of its rich autochthonous dance heritage with over 300 dance forms from the estimated 1,500 actually practiced in all of Peru. Overnight in Puno Casa Andina hotel.
Day 2
Puno - Uros - Taquile Island
Early breakfast at hotel. You will travel by boat (45 minutes) to the floating islands of the Uros. Lake Titicaca is home to the unique floating island of the Uros constructed from interwoven totora reed. Many centuries ago the Uros constructed the floating island to isolate and protect themselves from their rival Incas and Collas. There are no pure blooded Uros left in Peru as they have intermarried with Aymara speaking natives that predominate the area. The primary economic activities are fishing, agriculture, crafts woven from totora reed and most recently, tourism.
Later you will travel to the island of Taquile. The island covers an area over 5 square km and is home to some 300 families. Taquile commands spectacular views of Lake Titicaca and the Cordillera Real of Bolivia. The island is covered with Inca terraces that are still cultivated today and the inhabitants maintain strong ties to their traditional ways of life and unique sense of group identity.
You will have a rare opportunity to freely observe life on the island as it unfolds and it is a common sight to see men knitting elaborate-designed hats as they walk to their fields or rest at the main square. Women work on traditional looms to produce fine textiles that are sold at their cooperative store near the central square. Men and women dress in their colorful traditional clothing. Afternoon return to Puno.
Overnight at hotel in Puno Casa Andina hotel. B,L
Day 3
Puno
After breakfast, you will travel to the pre-Inca complex of Sillustani located on a hilltop overlooking Lake Umayo 18 miles from the city of Puno. Sillustani is one of the most particular of pre-Inca complexes in all of Peru. The cylindrical and square shaped hand carved granite funeral towers are called "chulpas" and were built by the Collas people to bury their nobles. As is customary with pre-Inca and Inca beliefs, the noble Collas were buried with their personal belongings and food for their journey to the next world. Some of the "chulpas" reach over 36 feet in height. Later, you will drive to the airport for flight out.
B
Trip Difficulty: Journey requires moderate walking at high altitude (12,555 feet). Travelers with health conditions such as heart disease and high blood pressure should consult their physician before traveling.
Includes: All hotel accommodations based on double occupancy. Meals as specified in the itinerary, B=Breakfast; L= Lunch; D=Dinner. All transfers and boat trip to islands.
Not included:International or domestic airfares, airport departure taxes or visa fees, excess baggage charges, additional nights during the trip due to flight cancellations, alcoholic beverages or bottled water, snacks, insurance of any kind, laundry, phone calls, radio calls or messages, reconfirmation of flights and items of personal nature. Tips.
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