Taquile & Amantáni

★★★ Isla Taquile

Taquile is the opposite of the touristy Uros islands: a real, vibrant community of around 2,200 Quechua-speaking residents who have preserved their traditions like few other places in Peru. UNESCO has declared the textile art of Taquile an intangible cultural heritage of humanity.

The special thing: On Taquile, the men knit — and masterfully so. The colorful knitted hats (Chullo) reveal marital status: red = married, red-white = single, patterned = authority. The women weave delicate belts and fabrics, whose patterns tell stories.

The ascent from the pier to the village square (537 steps, 30–45 min) is strenuous at 3,950 m — go slowly! At the top, you are rewarded with a breathtaking 360° view over the lake to the snow-capped peaks of Bolivia. On the village square, there are simple restaurants with lake trout and quinoa soup.

2.5h by boat from Puno (or 30 min from Uros islands). Usually visited as a combined tour with the Uros.

★★ Isla Amantáni

The larger, less visited neighboring island is perfect for those who want to stay overnight with a host family. The approximately 4,000 residents live from agriculture and textile crafts. There is no electricity (only solar), no Wi-Fi, and no cars — just the lake, the stars, and the silence.

The overnight stay with a host family is one of the most touching experiences Peru offers: cooking together, stories by the fire, traditional dances in the evening, and the indescribable starry sky at nearly 4,000 m altitude. In the morning, the sunrise over the lake — unforgettable.

At the summit of the island (4,130 m) are two pre-Inca temples: Pachatata (Father Earth) and Pachamama (Mother Earth). The ascent takes 1–1.5h, but the view at sunset is worth the effort.

Copacabana & Bolivia

From the Peruvian shore of Lake Titicaca, it is only a short crossing to Copacabana in Bolivia — a charming pilgrimage site with the Basilica of the Virgin of Copacabana. From here, you can visit the Isla del Sol, the mythical birthplace of the Inca Empire.

• Border crossing Kasani/Yunguyo: 2.5h by bus from Puno. Border formalities are straightforward (visa-free for Germans).
• Isla del Sol: 1.5h by boat from Copacabana. Inca ruins, hiking trails, and spectacular views.