Overview
This two-day Lake Titicaca tour takes you from Puno to the Uros floating islands, then on to Amantani Island, where you spend the night in the home of a local family. On the second day you visit Taquile Island, known for its textile art, and return to Puno in the afternoon. It is one of the most authentic community tourism experiences on the lake: you eat what your hosts eat, watch the sunset from the top of the island and share an evening with the family.
Tour at a Glance
| Duration | 2 days, 1 night |
|---|---|
| Start | Hotel pickup in Puno between 7:45 and 8:00 am |
| Return | Puno at about 4:00 pm on day 2, dropped at your hotel or the main square |
| Route | Puno – Uros floating islands – Amantani Island – Taquile Island – Puno |
| Accommodation | Homestay with a local family on Amantani |
| Meals | Lunch and dinner on day 1, breakfast on day 2 |
| Group size | Shared group of 1 to 16 people, or a private tour |
| Departures | Daily |
| Transport | Motorboat with a covered section |
What the Amantani Homestay Is Like
A homestay on Amantani is not a hotel stay. You sleep in a simple room in a family house, eat home-cooked meals at the family table and share their daily routine. The islanders live from farming and fishing, and the island has no cars or hotels.
Expect basic, clean rooms with warm blankets, simple bathrooms and limited hot water. Electricity on the island is limited, so a headlamp is useful. Nights are cold all year because the island sits above 3,800 meters (12,500 feet), and the climb to the viewpoint goes higher still.
Most travelers say the evening with the family is the highlight of the tour. Your hosts may speak Quechua and Spanish, and your guide helps with introductions. A few words of Spanish and a small gift for the house, such as fruit, rice or school supplies for the children, are always appreciated.
Lake Titicaca Homestay: Why Amantani
Several islands and peninsulas on Lake Titicaca offer homestays. Amantani is the most popular choice for a first visit because it combines a real family stay with the two best-known islands on the same route: the Uros floating islands on the way out and Taquile on the way back. Everything is organized in one trip from Puno, with a guide, boat and meals included.
What Is Included
- Hotel pickup in Puno and transfer to the port
- Motorboat for the whole route
- Professional bilingual guide
- Entrance fees to the islands
- One night in a homestay with a local family on Amantani
- Lunch and dinner on day 1, breakfast on day 2
- Return to your hotel or the main square in Puno
Not Included
- Reed boat ride on the Uros islands (optional, 10 soles per person)
- Lunch on Taquile on day 2, unless you add it when booking
- Drinking water, snacks and souvenirs
- Tips
Group or Private Tour
The shared group tour leaves every day with up to 16 people and is the most affordable way to visit Amantani. If you prefer your own pace, choose the private tour: you get a private boat and a private guide, and you can spend more time at the places that interest you most. Private guides are available in English, Spanish, French and Italian. For groups of 6 or more we offer a group discount on request.
Prices for each option appear in the booking box on this page.
What to Bring
- A small backpack for one night. You can leave your large luggage at your hotel in Puno.
- Warm clothes for the evening and night: fleece, down jacket, hat and gloves.
- Sun protection: hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. At this altitude the sun is strong and the lake reflects it, so reapply sunscreen every 2 hours.
- Comfortable walking shoes or trainers for the paths on Amantani and Taquile.
- A headlamp or flashlight.
- Cash in soles for the reed boat, water, snacks and textiles. Cards are not accepted on the islands.
- A reusable water bottle and any personal medication.
Best Time to Visit Amantani
The tour runs all year. The dry season, from May to October, brings clear skies and the best sunsets, but nights are very cold, especially from June to August. The rainy season, from December to March, is greener and quieter, with afternoon showers and milder nights. Whenever you travel, bring warm layers for the night.
Other Ways to Visit Amantani
If you only have one day, the Amantani full day tour visits the island without the overnight stay. To compare all the ways to reach the island, read our guide on how to get to Amantani Island from Puno. For more tours on the lake, see all our Lake Titicaca tours.
How to Book
Choose your date, group or private service and number of travelers in the booking box on this page, then complete the form. We confirm your reservation and send you the pickup details for your hotel in Puno. The tour runs every day.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Amantani Island homestay?
It is an overnight stay with a local family on Amantani Island, on Lake Titicaca. You sleep in their house, share home-cooked meals and join them for the evening. It is part of a two-day tour from Puno that also visits the Uros floating islands and Taquile Island.
How long does the Amantani tour take?
Two days and one night. Pickup in Puno is between 7:45 and 8:00 am on day 1, and you return to Puno at about 4:00 pm on day 2.
How do you get to Amantani Island from Puno?
By boat from the port of Puno. The trip takes about 3 hours including the stop at the Uros floating islands. On this tour the boat, hotel pickup and guide are included.
What are the homestay conditions on Amantani?
Rooms are simple and clean, with warm blankets. Bathrooms are basic, hot water is limited and electricity can be limited, so bring a headlamp. Each family hosts 2 to 4 guests.
Which meals are included?
Lunch and dinner on day 1 and breakfast on day 2, all with your host family. Lunch on Taquile on day 2 is not included unless you add it when booking.
Is it cold at night on Amantani?
Yes. The island is above 3,800 meters, and nights are cold all year, with temperatures that can drop below freezing from June to August. Bring a warm jacket, hat and gloves.
Do I need to bring my luggage?
No. Bring only a small backpack for one night and leave your large luggage at your hotel in Puno.
Can I pay by card on the islands?
No. Bring cash in soles for the reed boat, water, snacks and textiles.
Should I bring a gift for my host family?
It is not required, but it is appreciated. Fruit, rice, cooking oil or school supplies for the children are good choices.
Can I take a private Amantani tour?
Yes. The private tour includes a private boat and guide, so you set your own pace. Guides are available in English, Spanish, French and Italian.