If you are considering going to Puno, and you are still not sure what attractions to visit, then Amantani Island is exactly what you are looking for. The island is considered an attractive place for both ecotourism and archaeological and experiential tourism, which is why it is very famous among tourists looking for an experience beyond the city.
The island is located in the Amantani district and is part of the group of islands found in Titicaca.
Within the territory of this island you can find a system of platforms built by groups such as the Lupaka and Pukara in pre-Hispanic times, as well as the Inca culture itself.
The Pachatata Ceremonial Center is also considered an archaeological point of interest in Amantani. This is located at the top of the Coanos hill and, of course, we cannot ignore the Pachamama Ceremonial Center on the Llaquistiti hill. Both centers still maintain their annual ceremonies and rituals to this day.
Today, Amantani is home to an average of 4,000 people, all of whom are Quechua speakers who are fluent in Spanish. The latter is great information for various cultural reasons, but mainly for the visitor it will be due to the fact that they will be able to communicate perfectly with their guides, since they are the most suitable for this.
Currently, the residents of Amantani still live in modest adobe houses and dedicate themselves to rural activities such as agriculture and livestock, which can be observed by tourists. Visitors themselves can also participate in these activities if they want to connect even more with this adorable little town. Furthermore, textile making is another essential work carried out by the residents, so it would not be surprising if you see women, of all ages, spinning some garment along your route.
You will be able to see chullos, ponchos and other various garments that you can later purchase at the town fair.
It is also interesting to present the island as a mystical tourist destination, considering that it still performs different rituals inherited from more than half a century ago. For example, we have the case of the so-called Qhapaj Pachamama Raymi, a ceremony that takes place in January and focuses on the issue of reproduction, in which the entire population of the island participates, divided into communities, to ask for the protection of the Apus.
The Incas considered the mountains and snow-capped mountains as Apus, which they saw as protective spirits that watched over everything in their territory. Today, that importance is still maintained by the Andean man.
During your trip, you can spend the night in the comfort of local homes. Accommodation in Amantani is perfect to get to know these neighborhoods and their families better. They are responsible for serving their guests and providing quality service. You can't miss this incredible experience where you can have a fascinating and rich cultural exchange.
Likewise, the inhabitants of Amantaní offer various activities for their visitors that will allow them to learn more about their culture through their traditional dances, music and more. You can buy some of the beautiful crafts they make to make a good memory of this visit.
A visit to Amantani will also allow the traveler to enjoy healthy and traditional local delicacies based on products such as potatoes, fish, beans, goose, etc., which are served in different local establishments. The most exquisite and varied dishes can be enjoyed during the holidays, and travelers are recommended to visit the island especially during the festive season. It is also important to know that, although the island is open to tourism all year round, the ideal months to visit are between May and October.
Visiting the island of Amantani is a good option to rest from the stress of the city and live an unforgettable moment. In this place you will see the abundant and varied vegetation that this land has, which is ideal for enjoying the sounds of animals and fresh air.
In addition, this island, 4,000 meters above sea level, has the privilege of having the largest area of Lake Titicaca. Therefore, you will have the opportunity to discover the beauty of this legendary lake.
Despite being a tourist destination, it remains in its natural state, that is, it has not been modified for tourist activities. For this reason, one of the unmissable plans is to take a relaxing walk along the trails to Pachatata and Pachamama, which are perfectly preserved. In each of them, you will see the charming landscapes that make up this island. Likewise, from its summit, Llaquistiti, you will have a perfect view of Titicaca and you will be able to observe its magical sunset.
Another reason to travel to the island of Amantani is to meet the ancestral communities, which preserve the traditions of their ancestors. Together with them you will learn about their culture, which is very interesting. Also, they will allow you to learn about the history of this place through its ancestral knowledge.
During the trip you can spend the night in the comfort of the homes of local families, which is perfect to get to know these communities better. They are in charge of serving their guests, offering them quality attention. Therefore, you cannot miss this incredible experience in which you can carry out a fascinating and enriching cultural exchange.
Likewise, the inhabitants of Amantani offer their visitors fun parties, in which you will learn more about their culture through their traditional dances, music and more.
Finally, you can compare some of the beautiful crafts they make and take home a nice souvenir from this visit.
Titicaca is one of the largest lakes in South America. Its cold, turquoise waters surround the city of Puno and its surroundings. This majestic water source receives hundreds of visitors throughout the year, who get to know and navigate its waters.
This river, which is part of Peru's natural heritage, has the islands of Taquile, Amantaní and Uros, which keep pre-Columbian traditions and customs alive.
Likewise, within this lake you can practice water sports such as diving, rowing and sailing. However, these activities can only be carried out in specific areas.
In this beautiful territory there is a myth, which states that the children of the Sun God emerged from Lake Titicaca, Manco Cápac and Mama Ocllo, who were in charge of founding the empire of the Sun. This and other myths are part of Andean mythology, which are of great importance for the culture of the native peoples of this region.
Likewise, in Amantai an important ritual of gratitude to nature is celebrated. Every third Thursday of January the metaphorical ritual is carried out between Pachamama and Pachatata, the two protective hills of the island. Pachamama represents Mother Earth and Pachatata represents Father Sky. Both show the Andean duality that gives life.
Since pre-Inca times, these temples have been opened once a year for this festival. Tourists are invited to observe the sunset from the height of these temples. For this activity, don't forget to bring your camera because the show is truly magical.
Likewise, this ritual of worship to Mother Earth and Father Sky is an offering so that the crops are prosperous.
This island, which has been inhabited since prehistoric times, has stone structures that are proof of this. Also, within this ancestral territory it is possible to find terrace systems, which apparently were made by communities such as the Pukara, Lupaka and Incas.
Amantani also has a variety of fields, eucalyptus trees and flowers in its 9 kilometers of extension. In this place you can explore natural paths surrounded by majestic vegetation, where you can see the species of animals that live in this region. Likewise, this natural setting is perfect for taking the most incredible photos, as the blue of the waters of Lake Titicaca contrasts with the green of the trees, forming an amazing landscape worthy of being photographed.
There are four ways to get to this beautiful island:
From Lima. You can go directly to Puno with one of the bus services available in the capital and you would only have to go to the port, once you have arrived in the city, to take a boat to the island of Amantani. The other option is to take a plane to the city of Juliaca and from there take your tour, which we explain below in the two different cases.
From Juliaca with a private car. You must travel the asphalt road Puno – Juliaca heading northeast until km 25. At this point you will find the deviation that will take you to the Chifron pier in the Capachica district after traveling 37 km facing east. It is here where our lake journey begins towards the island of Amantani.
From Juliaca by bus. In the city of Juliaca we can find a bus terminal to Capachica and whose journey takes less than an hour. The boat to Amantani Island takes less than two hours.
From Cusco. Through our train, the PeruRail Titicaca. Marvel at the beautiful landscapes offered by the Cusco – Puno route from the observatory car and spend a pleasant moment on board with all the luxuries that our service offers. Once in the city of Puno, you can take the boat that will take you to Amantani.
Additionally, you can take a tour from the lake port of Puno, which lasts 3 hours. This small tour crosses the floating islands of Uros and the peninsulas of Chuchito and Capachica.
Many are the routes that take you to Machu Picchu, but none is like the Inca Trail Tours, the most famous pedestrian path in the Americas. After flying from the capital of Perú, Lima, you will arrive in Cusco to walk for four days along a path through forests and dense fog, millenary stone steps and discovering the ruins of ancient fortifications and Inca cities, and all the time enjoying majestic views.
