Remote Taquile Island (2 Days – 1 Night)

Remote Taquile Tour Overview

Taquile Island is located 36 Km (22 miles) away from the city of Puno. It takes a 2 and half hour boat ride to arrive in the island’s main dock. The island highest elevation is 4100 m (13451 feet); it has a length of 5 Km (3.10 miles) and a width of 1.5 Km (0.93 miles). To walk across the island takes about two hours.

In our tours in Taquile we follow enjoyable paths that gradually take us to the main village or to other more remote sectors of Taquile. These other paths of access to the main village allow you to catch spectacular views of Lake Titicaca. We avoid climbing up the 535 stairs that take the visitors to the main village but it is unavoidable to walk the stairs down to go back to the main dock.

Taquile is home of a Quechua population of 2,000 people who are mainly farmers, fishermen and above all renowned weavers. A demonstration of traditional Andean weaving is the highlight of this visit. The textiles from Taquile are of extraordinary quality. Textile experts from around the world have recognized that “Taquileño” textiles are not only among the finest in the world but also extremely rich in natural colors and designs of fascinating symbolic culture.

By the age of seven, boys are proficient knitters. In fact, the entire family is involved in knitting or weaving. Children knit “chullos” (hats), gloves and finger puppets of condors and llamas, common animals of the Andes. Women hand-spin the soft fleece of the sheep and alpaca into fine yarn for sweaters and blankets. Men weave wide, colorful belts called “chumpis” on a handloom. Selling these handicrafts to tourists is the major source of income for many families.

In July, villagers observe the Feast of Santiago Apostol with music and dancing. Whether celebrating weddings or religious holidays, there is always a reason to enjoy the folk music and dance that is an important part of island life.

Why choose the Remote Taquile Island Tour?

Since the beginning of the tourism flow to the island, the “Taquileños” have been participating directly in the tourism business. They have become successful entrepreneurs running little hostels, restaurants and boat enterprises in the island. Today, Taquile is the most visited island near Puno and unfortunately also very crowded and busy during daytime. However, Taquile has less visited zones where you can still find homestays (and not hostels). By staying a night in Taquile you can enjoy nice walks in less touristy sectors accompanied by a host family member.

The presence of hundreds of tourists who visit the main town of Taquile every day took away much of the rural and quiet charm. To preserve the authenticity of our tourist destinations as much as possible we propose to visit a more remote and calmer side of Taquile. The typical traveller who goes for one day does not have time to arrive to this side of the Island.

In this tour, we will connect you with a local family who welcomes you into their house and accompanies you to discover the corners of Taquile less seen by the hordes of tourists who arrive in a hurry every day. To make this trip more affordable we have designed a combination that uses the boat that goes to Taquile every day for the group excursion. We contact the local family in advance and organise for them to pick you up in the main town square. From noon you will stay with the local family and have free time to enjoy getting to know the island as you please. The next day at noon you will meet the group of the day and your guide to return to the city of Puno on the boat shared by the group.

Tour Itinerary

ITINERARY: UROS > TAQUILE ISLAND > PUNO (Combined Classic + Remote Taquile)

All itineraries are subject to change due to circumstances beyond our control including, weather, road or trail conditions and flight schedules.

Note: This visit starts with the regular one-day Classic Taquile Island group tour itinerary. Then we connect you with a host family and they will accompany you to explore less touristy sectors of the island.