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An Amazing 2 Day Homestay on Lake Titicaca – Why it Needs to be on Your Peru Itinerary

A blonde woman in sunglasses and yellow waterproof taking a selfie from a green canoe on a flat lake with other duos behind in orange and green canoes

Updated on March 22nd, 2023

As the largest lake in South America, Lake Titicaca is an essential addition to any Peru itinerary. Each island has its own personality & traditions, making it the perfect way to explore the culture of this fascinating country. To enhance this experience, I recommend staying overnight with a local family. Here is my guide on all you need to know about a homestay, Lake Titicaca style!”

Where?

A close up Map of Peru, showing the coast and Lima, with an avatar of a blonde woman

Lake Titicaca, Peru

Uros-Reed-Island-hut-An-Amazing-2-Day-Homestay-in-Lake-TiticacaWhy?

As part of a 3-week exploration of the wonders of Peru back in 2017, I made sure I had Lake Titicaca included on my itinerary. I was on the Absolute Peru tour with G Adventures which featured a unique opportunity to stay with a family on one of the islands. I was sceptical over how authentic the experience would be, a little nervous about the facilities we might have but also intrigued & excited over the prospect of this amazing privilege.

As a result, I am sharing my experience with you. If you go to Peru, you cannot miss the chance for a homestay, Lake Titicaca style. Through telling the story of my visit I hope to encourage you to do the same!

Lake Titicaca - A mini guide to this legendary region - Peru, South America
A Reed Island. An Amazing 2 Day Homestay in Lake Titicaca Uros Reed Island People Taquiles Island

For all the information you need for your perfect Peru Itinerary, check out 3 Weeks to Discover the Wonders of Peru & Your Ultimate Guide to Visiting the Amazon Rainforest.

Lake Titicaca

Lake Titicaca lies on the border between Peru & Bolivia. It is the largest lake in South America & the highest navigable body of water in the world.

Inca legend has it that this lake is the birthplace of the sun. Where the earth, & life itself began. As a result, they call the lake “Cradle of the World”. Surely somewhere this mythical should be on everyone’s bucket list?”

Sue and a local lady in traditional costume An Amazing 2 Day Homestay in Lake Titicaca

Peru itself is a melting pot of different cultures & nowhere is this more evident than on the islands of Lake Titicaca. Despite the short distances between islands, the residents have distinct cultural differences. The most accessible islands from Puno & therefore most regularly visited, are the infamous Uros Floating Reed Islands, Taquile & Amantaní Islands. You can organise a Lake Titicaca homestay on any of these. As part of my tour, we stayed on Amantaní.

See below for some of the most popular tours on Lake Titicaca in Peru:

An Amazing 2-Day Homestay in Lake Titicaca – Why it Needs to be on Your Peru Itinerary

Top Tips for booking a Lake Titicaca homestay tour
Villagers in traditional costume on a reed island Amazing 2 Day Homestay in Lake Titicaca

If you find the prospect of spending a night with a local family tempting, then look no further. If you are travelling independently, it’s easy to pick up a one- or 2-day Lake Titicaca tour of the islands from Puno. There will be lots to choose from, for a full range of prices.

Most importantly, go with an operator who maximises the money given to the host family. This will not always mean the priciest option. Ask before you book to make sure that they rotate islands & hosts. This way your visit will benefit the whole community. If possible, see if you can pay the family directly.

Villagers in traditional costume on a reed island Amazing 2 Day Homestay in Lake Titicaca

Some organisations may give your hosts just what it costs to feed you for the night. This is not acceptable & going for the cheapest tour will not help the communities to thrive. Ask questions to make sure you feel comfortable with the tour you choose. The local people use the money from tourism to support themselves & it allows them to maintain their traditional lifestyles. They receive payment for your stay, but also through selling their handicrafts.

If you don’t want to do a tour at all, you can still get ferries to the islands but will need to have plenty of time on your hands. There is an admission charge for each island (less than 10 Peruvian Sol). There are details below on what to take, rules to follow & some tips on the local languages.

Quechua-&-Aymara Lake Titicaca Language Guide
 
Shoe shaped boats. An Amazing 2 Day Homestay in Lake Titicaca Uros Reed Island People Taquiles IslandPuno

The starting point for any Lake Titicaca tour in Peru will generally be Puno. We started our day with a journey on ‘Peruvian limousines’. Our guide had introduced this with a glint in his eye. I was intrigued.

On leaving the hotel, we were greeted with a line of rickshaws, ready & waiting to whisk us off for our adventure. Racing through the streets of Puno was the perfect way to start our journey!”

Local Inhabitants of a reed island Amazing 2 Day Homestay in Lake Titicaca

Once we arrived at the dock, there were a few shops to buy some last-minute supplies. It is essential you take a gift for your host family, such as foods they cannot grow themselves. Here is the place to buy them – see below for details.

Uros Floating Islands
Blue Heron on a reed island Amazing 2 Day Homestay in Lake Titicaca

Our first stop was one of the famous Uros Floating Reed Islands, 7km east of Puno. For centuries the Uros community have lived on the totora reeds, plentiful in the shallows of the lake. They speak Aymara & originally chose to live on the lake to escape the aggressive Incas. The islands are built from the reeds, as are their homes & boats. The totora also provide sustenance when eaten. You can peel them like a banana & apparently it tastes similar to heart of palm. Our guide advised us not to sample them as they can play havoc with your system. You have been warned!

There are a number of islands closest to Puno which reminded me of a little of a Peruvian Disneyland. The residents seemed desperately vying for attention from passing tourist boats. We were lucky & ventured a little further out to one which stood alone.”

The base of the island is anchored with rope & once complete, they have a lifespan of 20 years. The totora reeds are constantly replenished from above & laid in a criss-cross fashion to form the islands. Three families lived on ours, along with their pet cat. Yes, I said cat! They also had power generated through solar panels. For 10 Peruvian Sol we were also able to have a short ride on one of the reed boats. The visit was concluded with the opportunity to buy some of their handicrafts.

Taquile Island
Taquiles island Amazing 2 Day Homestay in Lake Titicaca

The next stop on our Lake Titicaca tour was the beautiful Taquile Island. Taquile lies 35km from Puno & is only 7km2 in size. The island has a population of just 2200 Quechua speaking people & a very Mediterranean feel. We learnt about the local traditions while tucking into a delicious trout lunch, with a backdrop of the sparkling lake.

Taquiles Island Traditional Costume An Amazing 2 Day Homestay in Lake Titicaca Uros Reed Island People Taquiles Island

Knitting is a big thing here & the men take the lead on creating amazing designs to impress potential suitors. Key to the traditional male Taquile dress are the pointed hats which each man knits for himself. The ladies will judge their handiwork before deciding whether to marry them. They wear red hats if they are taken & red & white if they are single. The ladies themselves create ornately embroidered waistbands for their husbands.

If you are looking to buy handicrafts from Peru, then the store in the main square here is run by a community co-operative. Each item is marked to ensure the money goes directly to its creator.

Their handiwork is legendary. I bought a pair of fingerless gloves which have rarely been off my hands since!”

When I visited, the sun was shining, the lake was resplendent & with a couple of fellow travellers, I took my time to walk along the path which circumnavigates the island. It was a peaceful & beautiful afternoon.

Homestay Lake Titicaca – Amantaní Island

Amantaní is again an Aymara speaking island which is mainly agricultural, with the residents cultivating their own food.

Homestay traditional costume. An Amazing 2 Day Homestay in Lake Titicaca Uros Reed Island People Taquiles Island

By the time we arrived, it was dark as we were whisked away by our lovely host Sandra. She was dressed traditionally & looked resplendent in her bowler hat & multicoloured skirts. Sandra led us on a short walk to the family home she shared with her husband, Roberto & cute 7-year-old daughter Evelyn.

As the elder stateswomen of the group, my roommate Sandy & I had struck it lucky! We were shown to our own pristine ensuite room with a bathroom & fully functioning flushing toilet. It was way more than we were expecting. We hadn’t requested any special treatment but it appears we were more fortunate than some of our friends.

Top tip – if you have any specific comfort requirements for your stay, speak to your guide ahead of time. There may be a choice & it could put you at the front of the queue for the best room!”

Homestay An Amazing 2 Day Homestay in Lake Titicaca Uros Reed Island People Taquiles IslandGetting to know you

Sandra had prepared dinner for us on the small stove in their main living & dining room. It was a simple but delicious vegetarian feast of soup & stew with rice, washed down with lots of tea. Another surprise came when she amazingly also spoke some English. This made communication a lot easier between us all. Sandra & Roberto told us they were in their mid-twenties. To us, they looked significantly older. The family clearly shared a lot of love, a wicked sense of humour & had a real bright spark in cheeky Evelyn.

Sandy had had the brilliant foresight to bring a few souvenirs from home in Canada. The family (especially Evelyn) loved them.”

When she presented her gifts it created a real bonding moment between us all. I wish I had been told this information before. Top Tip – Think ahead & bring a little something personal as a gift for your hosts.

However, I was struck more by our similarities than our contrasts. They lead a very different life to us, we don’t speak the same language or have any idea of the challenges & triumphs we have each faced. But we were still able to connect, to understand & to share a laugh together…generally at our expense!

Kayaking An Amazing 2 Day Homestay in Lake Titicaca Uros Reed Island People Taquiles Island

We headed to bed, exhausted by 8pm. Nights are cold here, but we were provided with numerous blankets & I slept very well!

Kayaking on Lake Titicaca

We were up early for a traditional breakfast which we helped Sandra prepare. She had mixed some dough & we took it in turns to stretch into flatbreads which she then fried. We had them warm with jam & a boiled egg – perfect sustenance for our morning activity, kayaking!

Interestingly, not many people take up the chance to mess about closer to the water, but I would thoroughly recommend taking out a kayak if you get a chance.  The peace & tranquillity as you paddle around this vast & mystical lake is spellbinding.

Team line ups in Traditional Costumes. An Amazing 2 Day Homestay in Lake Titicaca Uros Reed Island People Taquiles Island

Then it was dress-up time! When we returned, Sandra was all prepared with outfits for us to act out our own version of their beautiful traditional look. I loved it! We re-joined our fellow travellers, all traditionally dressed as we shared stories of our adventures. Trust me, Sandy & I had been very fortunate!

Our hosts danced, we tried unsuccessfully to emulate them. We all laughed together before we were whisked back to the boat for our return trip to Puno.”

Practicalities
The Effects of Altitude

Lake Titicaca sits at an elevation of over 3800m. Therefore my advice is to have some time before you head to the lake to acclimatise. I had been living at altitude in Bolivia & Peru for 6 weeks before my visit. You may be breathless & not able to do as much as you would usually.

However, most importantly, days can be warm & sunny & the altitude means the sun is more intense. Sunburn can be a real issue. In addition, temperatures can plummet at night so make sure you bring plenty of layers.”

Peruvian Flag. An Amazing 2 Day Homestay in Lake Titicaca Uros Reed Island People Taquiles Island

For more on Bolivia, head to 3 Amazing Days on Bolivia’s Salar de Uyuni (Salt Flats) & Beyond!

If you are interested in learning about the effects of altitude, check out my posts about Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.

What should you take for your Lake Titicaca Homestay?
Day trips
  • Warm clothing as mentioned, it gets cold at night.
  • Waterproof jacket or poncho.
  • Totora Reeds. An Amazing 2 Day Homestay in Lake Titicaca Uros Reed Island People Taquiles IslandWarm &/or peaked hat & sunglasses.
  • Sunscreen.
  • Walking boots & socks.
  • Money in Peruvian Sol. Ensure you have small notes as you will not be able to get any change on the islands.
What to buy in Puno
  • Drinking water
  • Snacks
  • Taquilles Island. An Amazing 2 Day Homestay in Lake Titicaca Uros Reed Island People Taquiles IslandToilet Paper
Overnight stays
  • Fruit & food from the dock in Puno before you leave as a gift for your host family. Consider tinned milk or fish, cooking oil & pasta, basically anything they cannot grow themselves is appreciated.
  • A gift from your home country to make the visit more personal.
  • Torch with batteries
  • Sleeping bag (not essential) or just a liner if you are worried about using their bedding.
  • Personal medication & toiletries.
  • Hand towel.
  • Traditional Costumes. An Amazing 2 Day Homestay in Lake Titicaca Uros Reed Island People Taquiles IslandYour curiosity & a sense of humour!
Rules for visiting the islands
  • DO NOT give the children sweets! There is no dental care available. You are not helping them.
  • NEVER give anyone money unless it’s in exchange for a purchase. Even giving a banana or a pencil can encourage begging in the future.
  • DO NOT give money to the family you stay with; this could change expectations for the future. The food you bring is enough & only do that if you are staying overnight.
  • ALWAYS ask before photographing anyone & never offer money to do this. You may be asked for a “tip” for the photo & if so give a small coin (no more than 1 Peruvian Sol)
  • DO enjoy any clothing you may be offered by your family while you are on the island but don’t feel any pressure to buy it at the end. If you do like it, feel free to ask the price.
  • DO bring back all your non-degradable rubbish, plastic etc. I hope this goes without saying!

In conclusion, the coronavirus has led us all to appreciate & re-evaluate how we travel & the impact we have. A Lake Titicaca homestay is a unique opportunity to connect with the fascinating people of Peru & give a little something back to the community. I hope I have given you all the information you need to do this in a sustainable & ethical manner. I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Beautiful bird An Amazing 2 Day Homestay in Lake Titicaca Uros Reed Island People Taquiles IslandInterested to read more?

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34 Comments

  1. Loved reading about your adventure and watching the video. Not sure I would have tried the plant from the lake! Kayaking on that serene water and getting dressed up in traditional attire looked fun. Loved the accompanying music – made me want to get up and shake my maracas!

    1. Thank you, Angela! I’m glad I refrained from eating the reeds too & getting dressed up was loads of fun. pleased to hear you enjoyed the video too & I have some great images of you shaking your maracas now as well! Sue x

  2. I did a Lake Titicaca homestay a few years ago too. We may have been there around the same time, lol. It was a lot of fun. Did you stay the night before in the town near the lake? I forget the name now but remember being in a cheesy club where we all danced crazy to YMCA and then had to take a rest because of the high altitude. lol.

    1. Thank you, Sarah, & would be funny if we were there at the same time! Where I stayed before was Puno which I’m sure is where you were & that sounds like a fun night! Sue x

  3. Si senora, Lake Titicaca should be on everyone’s Peru itinerary for sure – although I was sooo dizzy and had to pop pills that gave me a nosebleed. If after that, I say that it was one of my Peruvian highlights, it’s definitely for a reason. However, I stayed at a hotel in Puno which was totally okay. Since my daughter studied in Lima, I had my share of homestay there 😀

    1. Thank you, Renata. Sorry to hear that you suffered so much from the altitude but pleased that you were still able to enjoy Lake Titicaca. And plenty of homestays too! Sue x

  4. We would definitely want to visit Lake Titicaca when we finally get Peru back on the travel planning board. Although I am not sure a homestay would work for us. But if we did, I was interested to learn that some organizations don’t fairly compensate people for homestays. Definitely something to check on. I love the variety of things to do as you tour the different spots. Fascinating that men too the lead for knitting! Some great tips for visitors. P.S. Thanks for your translation table. One to keep for our visit.

    1. Thank you, Linda, & really pleased that you found the post useful. Hope you do get the chance to visit for yourself soon. Sue x

  5. We’ve yet to visit Peru but when we do, would definitely be heading to Lake Titicaca. Authentic experiences such as this homestay add such depth to the travels. So interesting to read that the men knit the hats to impress their suitors. Particularly appreciate the tips you have included for booking the homestay as well as the phrases in the local dialect.

    1. Thank you, Aditi – really pleased that Lake Titicaca will be on your itinerary & that you found the post useful. Sue x

  6. Sue, what beautiful memories and experiences! Loved reading your adventure here and dressing up sounds do much fun. I hope to visit the ‘Cradle of the World’ one day. I’ m saving this post so I will return to read it.

  7. Great blog! I went to Lake Titicaca 20 years ago but it doesn’t look like it’s changed much. This post is making me want to go back and do a homestay!

  8. I loved reading about this area in high school and since then it’s been on my bucket list for when I plan a trip to Peru. It looks like there are a lot of fun things to do here!

  9. What a great in-depth post about Lake Titicaca. This was one place I missed while visiting Peru and it’s definitely on my list for next time! Pinned for future travels. ?

    1. Thank you Megs & sorry you missed it when you visited! However, I always believe it’s good to have a reason to go back 😉 Sue x

  10. I loved this area of Peru. You make me glad I didn’t do the homestay because I had no idea they don’t pay the hosts well and you should research the right companies! Great point and will do next visit. Your experience sounds lovely and I have no doubt this was a great time!

  11. Wow you bring back beautiful memories of Lake Titikaka and Puno. I’d love to go there again some day. I remember how hard it was to carry my little one up the hill from the lake. A local help me and it was so much appreciated.

    1. Thank you, Jyoti, & really pleased to have brought back some lovely memories for you. Going with small children sounds like it was challenging though but I bet it was a special moment being helped by one of the locals. Sue x

  12. My daughter used to study in Lima, hence, although I had three weeks in Peru, I needed to rush a bit since I wanted to spend time with her, obviously. Unfortunately, she wasn’t able to travel around with me all the time. So anyway, sadly, I had only a single day for Puno and the lake and the islas and Taquile….you see where I’m going with this. It was too short for a deeper experience. On the other hand, I suffered badly from the height, took pills that gave me a nose bleed – in the end, I was kinda happy leaving and going down to Cusco. Nevertheless, Lake Titicaca is absolutely fascinating.

    1. Thank you, Renata, hopefully, next time you will make it to Lake Titicaca & I hope the altitude is kinder to you when you do. Sue x

  13. We were supposed to travel to Peru and Bolivia last year. And then that pesky pandemic happened, and we stayed home.
    Your article has made me more determined than ever to re-instate our trip!

    1. Thank you Jennifer & I really hope you get there. Sorry to hear about the cancellation…you’re right, pesky pandemic!

  14. We are planning to do a homestay (1 or 2 days) at Lake Titicaca, is there a person or a company you have been through? We are also planning to go to Bolivia afterwards. Do you have any recommendations on the best way to get to the Uyuni salt flats in Bolivia?

    1. Thank you Mohamed. As I say here I was on a 3-week tour of Peru with G Adventures who organised my homestay. In the post there are some tips on how to choose a homestay option – there are plenty on offer if you head to Puno & speak to a number of agents there. The most important thing is to feel comfortable that the company are rewarding the family appropriately for their hospitality. I loved Bolivia & the Salt Flats – for all the details check out my post here – https://www.suewherewhywhat.com/countries/bolivia/. Get Your Guide have a number of options depending on your budget & time commitment – https://www.getyourguide.co.uk/s/?lc=l95303&q=Uyuni%20Salt%20Flat&searchSource=3&partner_id=3OLFI2X&utm_medium=online_publisher&placement=content-end or you could head to Uyuni & you will easily be able to pick up a tour from there. Enjoy – I loved both Peru & Bolivia.

  15. Aloha Sue! Thanks for such an informative post, I’m grateful to have stumbled upon your site! I’m planning to travel to Peru later this year, and a night or two with a local family on Lake Titicaca is on my MUSTS list. If we arrive in the evening off the perurail train, will there be anyone at the dock to guide us, or do the boats/ferries only run during the daytime? Do we need to arrange our stay with a family ahead of time through a tour company, or could we meet a family upon arrival?
    Mahalo in advance for any helpful tips!

    1. Aloha & Thank you, B & I’m already excited about your trip! I know that on my boat trip we were sailing at night but that was more because we were delayed (enjoyed Taquile Island too much) & it was only our group on the boat. I can’t say for sure that it is common for the boats to run at night. If you use the links in the post, you can find tours to do homestays that you can book in advance through Get your Guide. Other than that my best advise is that if you have a day or 2 in hand, get to Puno & head straight out to speak to some local tour companies, or ask your hotel/hostel for some suggestions. Being resourceful, you could also follow the Get Your Guide links, find the company name who provides the tours (usually at the bottom) & contact them directly with all your questions. As I say the most important thing is that the family & community get the most value from your visit. I hope that helps & have a safe trip!

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