Lake Titicaca is not only the largest lake in South America, it's also overflowing with culture and history. Sitting at 3838m above sea level, this is the highest navigable lake in the world. Take a day trip on the lake to meet its most famous residents—the Uros people, who live on floating, man-made islands made of reeds collected from the lake. In the evening return to Puno, and enjoy some live music in this town famous for its festivals and dances.
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Day 1 Puno
Arrive Puno and transfer to your hotel for overnight in Puno.
Located at 3830m above sea level; as a result the weather can be extreme with very cold nights and a strong sun during the day. Puno is also known for its wealth of traditional dances: there are up to 100 different varieties, usually performed in the street processions celebrating Catholic feast days. If you are fortunate enough to be visiting at the right time you may even catch one of these celebrations. If you have free time, we suggest an optional visit to the chullpas (funerary towers) of Sillustani – fantastic ruins, located outside Puno.
Titicaca is also the largest lake in the world above 2000m, and the views from the islands are stunning. The most famous sites on the lake are the unique floating islands of the Uros people, made of Totora reeds. The Uros began their unusual floating existence centuries ago in an effort to isolate themselves from the Colla and Inca tribes. Sadly, the Uros language has died out, and today the islanders speak Aymara due to intermarriage with Aymara-speaking clans. Today about 300 families live on the islands, however their numbers are slowly declining.
The Totora reeds that grow in the shallows of the lake are used for making everything from the islands themselves to the model boats that the islanders sell. The islands are made up of layers upon layers of reeds; as the layers closest to the water start to rot, they are replaced with fresh reeds on top. The reeds are also used to build their boats, which if constructed well will last up to 6 months.
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Day 2 Puno (B)
This morning take a boat ride on Lake Titicaca to visit the floating reed islands of the Uros people. Visit various islands to enjoy scenic splendour and meet the friendly local villagers. Enjoy your afternoon at leisure in Puno.
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Day 3 Depart Puno (B)
Transfer to the airport for your onward travel.
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No Minimum
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A variety of accommodation standards are available for Independent tours, see your dossier for the accommodation class specific to your tour. Please remember that hotel/lodge/resort standards can be different from what you are used to in your home country, which is part of the appeal of adventure travel. Porterage is not included, but can be arranged directly at most hotels.
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Land Transfers & Included Tours/activities: Many of the land transfers and included tours will be by private van, car or taxi, while others may be shared with other travelers depending on availability, nature of the activity and destination. For transfers, you may have a local non English-speaking driver only, for included tours, an English speaking local guide will accompany you.
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Guided boat tour of Uros on Lake Titicaca, Arrival Transfers
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Enjoying the festive city of Puno, Cruising on famed Lake Titicaca, Explore the floating reed islands of the Uros people.
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Comfort hotels (2 nts)
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Car, van, boat, walking
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2 Breakfasts
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Eating is a big part of traveling. Travelling with G Adventures you experience the vast array of wonderful food that is available out in the world. Generally meals are not included in the trip price when there is a choice of eating options, to give you the maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat. It also gives you more budgeting flexibility, though generally food is cheap. Our groups tend to eat together to enable you to taste a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each other's company. There is no obligation to do this though. Your group leader will be able to suggest favourite restaurants during your trip. On truck trips in Africa, aboard the expedition ship Explorer or our Galapagos yachts, while trekking in remote regions etc. food is included, plentiful and made of fresh local ingredients. The above information applies to G Adventures group trips. For Independent trips please check the itinerary for details of meals included. For all trips please refer to the meals included and budget information for included meals and meal budgets.
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Puno domestic airport tax - USD $3.47
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