1.- OVERVIEW OF AMANTANI ISLAND
Amantani Island Peru is a natural island located in the district of Amantani, in the interior of the highest navigable lake in the world, Lake Titicaca. It is 4 kilometers east of the Capachica peninsula and 8 kilometers north of the island of Taquile. Its circular shape reaches almost 4 kilometers in extension and its maximum height reaches 3810 meters above sea level.
In the interior of the Amantani Island Lake Titicaca you can find about 400 families which are divided by communities such as Santa Rosa, Lampayuni, Sancayuni, Alto Sancayuni, Occosuyo, Occo Pampa, Incatiana, Colquecachi and Villa Orinojon.
The entire Amantani Island subsists mainly on agricultural activity with the production of potatoes, geese, barley and even beans. Of course, in recent times, their weaving skills have been one of the main attractions to attract visitors, which has greatly boosted the arrival of visitors seeking to learn the secrets of their culture, but also to connect in a different way with their culture, even many of the families have modified their Amantani Island Homestay with the intention of providing better services to visitors.
The visits to Amantani Island are mainly with a guide specialized in experiential tourism because the language used on the island is mainly Quechua or Aymara so it always requires the presence of a specialist to help us with the interaction with the local people.
2.- HOW TO GET TO AMANTANI ISLAND PERU?
Before thinking about visiting Amantani Island you must take into account where it is located, for all travelers the first thing will always be to get to Puno and this can be done by land from Cusco or Puno for which you must take a tourist bus as Tranzela, Cruz del Sur or others and during a journey of about 7 hours you will arrive to the city of Puno. The second option is easier using a flight ticket to the airport of Juliaca (this is the closest airport to Puno) from where you take a car trip to get to Puno, this last trip takes about 1 hour.
Finally when you are already in the city of Puno you must first get to the port which is 5 or 10 minutes from anywhere and board a motorized boat, which can be normal or fast, which then navigate the impressive Lake Titicaca and allow you to get first to the artificial islands of Uros and then to the Amantani Island. This is mainly done in the morning to ensure that the wind and tide do not cause changes.
| “Feet, what do I want them for?… if I have wings to fly” |
3.- THINGS TO DO DURING YOUR VISIT TO AMANTANI ISLAND
The list of things you can do during your visit to Amantani Island Peru is very large, of course it also depends on the season of your trip, your time of visit during the day and the number of people, however we assure you that you will always enjoy a cultural activity inside the Amantani Island Lake Titicaca. Among the main activities you will find:
- Elaborate Textiles: This society developed a unique talent for the elaboration of textiles and what stands out from others is undoubtedly that those who mainly perform this activity are men, this tradition is inherited by generations and for travelers who come to the Amantani Island is an incredible experience that can be part of.
- Astronomy: The high part of Amantani Island also serves as a special place to appreciate the stars in a different way, like many other cultures the people who lived on Amantani Island based their belief in astrological projections that allowed them to get a better agricultural use. For all those who enjoy a stay in an Amantani Island Homestay this experience becomes a way to understand the tradition and mystical culture.
- Agricultural activities: These are the main activity that provides economic stability within Amantani Island, besides being the main source of survival. When travelers come to Amantani Island to visit, they are invited to be part of these activities with the intention of bringing them closer to the villagers, helping in the basic activities of the island.
- Hiking: Inside Amantani Island there is more than just tradition and history, there is also a lot of culture and the proof of this are the hiking activities along its ancient trails that lead visitors to unique places that provide a panoramic view of the entire vast Lake Titicaca.
- Sailing: This activity is mainly carried out on the shores of Amantani Island, and is considered one of the most relaxing activities for travelers looking to relax without worrying about external details.
- Fishing: An activity that connects the daily work within the Amantani Island to the cold waters of Lake Titicaca in which can be performed in a rustic way to obtain resources and food. This fishing is a recreational experience for both children and adults who enjoy a calm time on the waters of the beautiful lake.
4.- IN THE MIDDLE OF LAKE TITICACA
“Discover the heart of Lake Titicaca at Amantani Island, Puno. Immerse yourself in rich traditions and breathtaking landscapes.
Experience authentic Andean culture with warm-hearted locals. Your unforgettable adventure awaits on this serene Peruvian gem!”
5.- CONNECTION WITH OTHER DESTINATIONS
Visiting Amantani Island represents a resting point before continuing your trip, it is possible to use Amantani Island as a reference or activity point before visiting other equally incredible places such as:
5.1.- Capachica Peninsula
This land ledge blends with Lake Titicaca in a natural way and contains very close to some of the most traditional communities that a traveler can find and at the same time get to know during his visit. The main communities are Llachon and Paramis that have become a paradise for experiential activities where people coexist with the villagers accompanying them in their routine would say walk to the viewpoint, artisanal fishing and sailboat rides.
5.2.- Copacabana
Located on the shores of Lake Titicaca in Bolivian territory, it contains very close to the island of the sun and the island of the moon where many historical and religious sites are attributed. According to tradition, many people come to these islands with the ideology of improving their sexuality and have the opportunity to have offspring, the island of the moon is associated with female fertility and the island of the sun with male virility.
5.3.- Bolivia
The neighboring country of Bolivia has iconic places that really seem to come out of stories and legends, not only for the large cities where visiting it becomes a panoramic experience over the air as La Paz, but also iconic and popular places as unique in the world, such as the Salar de Uyuni or the Potosi Mines.
Of all the places in Peru that you can visit in 2024, Amantani Island is undoubtedly the place where you can connect with the culture and yourself in an experiential way. Discover with Auri Peru how incredible it can be to enjoy ancestral activities while you get to know one of the most beautiful places in the world, contact us now to take the first step in this next adventure.
“The adventure is worth it.”
