(3D/2N ) Sea Kayaking Uros /Amantani LLachon)

A brief history of Uros.-The Uros Floating Islands are located just 5km west from Puno harbor, at 3810m and 30min in a boat ride from Puno, Peru... The Uros is the name of a group of pre-Incan people who live on 41 self-fashioned floating man made islets located in Lake Titicaca. The Uros use the Junko or Totora reeds to make boats (balsas mats) of bundled dried reeds as well as to make the islands themselves.. The Junko or Totora is a cattail type rush growing native in the lake. Its dense roots support the top layer, which rots and must be replaced regularly by stacking more reeds on top of the layer beneath. The islands change in size, and more are created as the need arises. The Uros residents of the islands create their homes from the reeds. The roofs are waterproof but not humidity resistant. Cooking fires are built on a layer of stones to protect the reeds. Residents wear layers of clothing, mostly woolen, to protect themselves from the cold, the wind, and the sun which at this altitude can burn fiercely. Many women still wear the distinctive derby type hat and full skirts. The larger and most visited islands appear many travelers as floating souvenirs, and to some extent these indeed are tourist-traps, their inhabitants having succeeded in living off tourism. However, most of the smaller islands remain isolated from visitors and still practice a traditional way of life that includes old-technique fishing, bird-trapping, and relying on Junko or Totora for housing and transportation.

Llachon.- is a small village located in the peninsula of Capachica 46 miles away from the city of Puno (1 hour and 20 minutes drive). This community has 1,300 inhabitants spread out the peninsula and they belong to the ethnic group of Quechuas...The village of Llachon is only one-hour boat ride from Puno and the return by bus is very scenic.Since the community members of Llachon have commercial ties with the populations of Amantani and Taquile islands, they have realized that tourism could be an important activity to promote much needed development in their community. The major economic activities on this community are farming, livestock and fishing.

A few people have been trying to improve their motorboats so that they could transport tourists to the islands of Amantani and Taquile. Since year 2000, this community has intensively been working on improving their houses, building community restaurants and other infrastructure adequate for tourism activities. The visits include walks throughout the village, visits to local family houses, observation of farming and weaving activities, and tasting local food...Mr. Valentin Quispe -a strong minded and visionary man from this small community has taken the lead promoting his community as another attractive destination in the lake Titicaca area. When members of his community state that they are poor, Valentin replies that they cannot be poor with such spectacular natural scenery with the lake, the mountains, and their traditions..South Adventure Peru Tours is joining the community in its efforts to promote ecotourism and promote cross-cultural experiences with this native community. As we did for Anapia, we are supporting the organization of the community to provide different tourism services such as home stays, food, and boat rentals. This visit is appropriate for those travelers who are running short of time but they still want to have a taste of a cross-cultural experience with a Quechua community.

And for active travelers: On the highest navigable lake, half day, one-day and longer expeditions are available along the shoreline of the northeastern lakeshore including short excursions to the islands of Taquile and Amantani. Boat - supported and accompanied by guides, the longer expeditions also include home-stays and all meals. Try this low-impact activity, no prior experience required! All trips depart from Llachon but on request in some cases can depart from Taquile or Amantani Islands on special itineraries.

Departure: Everyday // Minimum: 2 passengers // Note: No previous experience required.

Itinerary of Adventure :

Day01: Puno / Uros / Amantani: Pick up at 6:40am from hotel to the Esteves Island, paddling 45 min. Then we will arrive to Uros Floating Islands. In the route you can see: a variety of birds, flora, fauna and different main activities of the inhabitants of the uros.

After all the activities we will go Llachón Peninsula (1 hour and 30min. In motor boat), then continue paddling 2 hours 30 min. To Amantani island, along the route you can see: crystal clear waters of Titicaca, the amantani, Taquile islands and the Cordillera Real in Bolivia, reaching Amantani Island, the guide fits the group in family houses, where we have lunch, afternoon take a walk toward the temple of Pachatata, then return to the family home for dinner and at night a SHOW PEÑA, overnight at a family home.

Day02: Amantani / Taquile: After breakfast, continue paddling 2 hours 30 min. Then we are going to arrive to Taquile, to get take a walk into town, the guide fits the group in family houses, where they have lunch, afternoon you have a walking tour to the ruins, then return home family for dinner and overnight at a family home.

Note: The group can do the social work (optional).

Day 3: Taquile / LLanchon / Puno: After breakfast, continue paddling 2 hours for arrive to Llachon, arriving at the family home in Llachon, we have lunch.

In the afternoon there is a cultural activity they show  handicrafts, agriculture and typical clothes of the place, and also will take walks around the beaches of Llachón after the visit, return to Puno by motor boat, arriving to Puno at 3:30 pm.

Includes:

• Instructor Guide (English / Spanish)
• Entrance fee to the islands
• Transfer: Hotel / Port / Hotel
• All equipment Adventure + Sea Kayak
• Support boat
• All meals and overnights at rural lodge + Cultural Activity
• Snack
• First aid kit.  

Terms and Conditions of trip, 2012