Spend 2 days and 1 night on the Chimu floating islands, in the middle of Lake Titicaca, sharing daily life with the Uros-Aymara families who still build their islands with totora reed. This is not a photo stop: it is a living-culture experience where you sleep, eat, work and celebrate with your hosts.
You will learn how a floating island is built and maintained, sail on an ancestral totora raft, fish with local techniques, spot endemic birds of the Titicaca National Reserve, take part in craft workshops and share an Andean bonfire with stories and legends. Lodging and all meals are provided by the host families at the Chimu Island Lodge.
Puno, the folkloric capital of Peru, invites you to discover the imposing Lake Titicaca, the Uros floating islands and the hospitality of its people in a unique living-culture experience.
Why travel with ViajaXmundo: we are an authorised travel agency in Peru (Authorisation N° 326-2022-GR/GERCETUR-SGFC), a specialised bilingual guide joins you throughout the programme, this is direct community tourism where your payment stays with the host families, and we travel in small groups with a genuinely participative itinerary.
At a glance
The Uros Chimu homestay is a 2-day, 1-night living-culture experience on the Chimu floating islands of Lake Titicaca, at 3,817 m, about 25–30 minutes by boat from Puerto Titicaca in Puno. You sleep at the Chimu Island Lodge and share meals, a totora raft ride, artisanal fishing and craft workshops with Uros-Aymara host families.
Start and finish
Your hotel in Puno, via Puerto Titicaca
Boat ride
About 25–30 minutes from Puerto Titicaca
Altitude
3,817 m (12,523 ft)
Lodging
Chimu Island Lodge, run by the host families
Meals
2 lunches, 1 dinner and 1 breakfast
Group size
2 to 15 travellers
Best time
All year; our pick is April and May
Optional activities
Totora kayak and Titicaca frog observation, USD 5 each
Updated · Permit rules by SERNANP and Peru's Ministry of Culture
Tour Details
Why hike the Classic Inca Trail
Sleep on a floating island
Spend the night on Chimu island, a floating platform of totora reed built and maintained by hand by the Uros-Aymara families. Lodging is at the community lodge, with the sounds of Lake Titicaca as your only soundtrack.
Sail on an ancestral totora raft
Board a traditional reed raft for a guided ride through the totora beds, learning how the plant is sustainably harvested and why it sustains life, transport and housing on the lake.
Itinerary: day by day
Day 1Chimu floating islands3,817 m
Day 2Chimu floating islands3,817 m
All stops and altitudes
Day
Stop
Altitude
1
Chimu floating islands
3,817 m (12,523 ft)
2
Chimu floating islands
3,817 m (12,523 ft)
Day 1
Cultural Experience on the Chimu Islands
Start: 10:00 am · End: 9:00 pm (overnight on the island). We pick you up from your hotel in Puno and transfer you to Puerto Titicaca, where you board for the Chimu islands with your specialised bilingual guide.
10:00 am: arrival at the Chimu Islands. The host families welcome you, introduce themselves and explain daily life on the floating islands, including how the islands are built and maintained with totora reed from Lake Titicaca, an ancestral process passed down through generations.
1:00 pm: traditional lunch prepared by the local families at the family restaurant. Afterwards there is a demonstration workshop of totora craftwork (rope and "quesana" making with ancestral techniques), followed by a hands-on contemporary craft workshop where you make keyrings and necklaces inspired by the sun and the totora reed boats.
As night falls, we gather round a bonfire for Andean tales: stories, legends and local traditions shared with your hosts, followed by a traditional dinner. 8:00 pm: overnight at the Chimu Island Lodge.
Includes today:
Hotel pickup in Puno
Specialised bilingual guide
Transfer from your hotel to Puerto Titicaca
Entrance tickets for the activities
Lunch and dinner
Lodging at the Chimu Island Lodge
Max altitude: 3,817 mAccommodation: Chimu Island Lodge
Day 2
Nature and Tradition on Lake Titicaca
Start: 8:00 am · End: 2:00 pm. 8:00 am: traditional breakfast prepared by the host families.
10:00 am: interpretive ride on an ancestral totora raft (maximum 15 passengers). You learn about the totora bed ecosystem, the sustainable management of the reed and its role in everyday life. You will see the lake's fish species (carachi, pejerrey, trout, ispi and mauri) and take part in artisanal fishing alongside local residents. The ride also includes watching endemic Lake Titicaca birds such as the keñola, as well as ducks, choca and tiqui.
11:00 am: free time to explore the Chimu floating islands and enjoy the scenery at your own pace. 12:30 pm: traditional lunch at the family restaurant with typical dishes of the area.
2:00 pm: farewell to the host family and end of the living-culture experience, followed by the transfer back to Puno.
Includes today:
Specialised bilingual guide
Hot drinks (infusions)
Breakfast and lunch
Ancestral totora raft ride
Craft workshop souvenir
Return transfer to Puno
Max altitude: 3,817 m
What's included
Includes
Hotel pickup in Puno
Transfer from your hotel to Puerto Titicaca and back
Round-trip boat transport to the Chimu Islands
Specialised bilingual guide
Entrance tickets for all scheduled activities
1 night lodging at the Chimu Island Lodge
2 traditional lunches
1 traditional dinner
1 traditional breakfast
Hot drinks (infusions)
Totora craft demonstration workshop
Hands-on contemporary craft workshop
Ancestral totora raft ride
Artisanal fishing with local residents
Birdwatching in the Titicaca National Reserve
Andean bonfire with stories and legends
Craft workshop souvenir
Not included
Flights or intercity buses to Puno
Accommodation in the city of Puno
Meals not listed in the itinerary
Totora kayak ride (USD 5 per person)
Titicaca frog observation (USD 5 per person, min. 4 passengers)
Paddle a totora reed kayak on the calm waters around the Chimu islands, accompanied by a local host. Approx. 30–40 minutes. Payable on site, no advance booking required.
Titicaca Water Frog Observation USD 5
Guided observation of the Titicaca water frog (Telmatobius culeus), an endemic and endangered species of the lake. Requires a minimum of 4 passengers. Payable on site.
How to prepare
Choose the best time to travel
Any month of the year works for Puno, but the season changes the experience. High season (May to October): drier, stable weather, sunny days and clear skies, ideal for Lake Titicaca; higher demand means higher prices and less availability, and the busiest dates are the last week of June, the last week of July and the first week of August. Low season (November to April): fewer visitors and promotional prices, but frequent rain, cloudy skies and possible route disruptions. Our team's pick is April and May, when the weather is pleasant, the landscape is still green and in bloom, and the crowds of the following months have not arrived yet.
Watch out for altitude sickness
Warning
Puno sits at high altitude and Lake Titicaca reaches 3,817 m, which can cause altitude sickness (soroche). Acute mountain sickness is the body's difficulty adapting to the lower oxygen at high altitude; it is common among travellers, it is not a cause for alarm and it usually disappears once the body adapts. To prevent it, rest on your first day in Puno, keep activity light, drink plenty of water and coca or muña infusions, and eat light meals.
Bring the right clothing
Important
Puno has changeable weather at high altitude, and the night is spent on the lake, where temperatures drop sharply. Rainy season: waterproof clothing, trekking shoes and warm layers for the cold nights. Dry season: light but warm clothing: windbreaker, long-sleeved shirts, trekking shoes and a wide-brimmed hat for the sun. With climate change you will probably need clothing for both seasons, so always check the forecast before your trip.
Always look after your safety
Important
Peru is generally a calm country with friendly, hard-working people, but as anywhere, opportunists exist. Do not stray far from the city's historic centre, which is monitored by security cameras and police patrols. Book tourist services only with duly authorised travel agencies: around the Plaza de Armas there are many informal agencies offering discounts of up to 50%, and cheap usually ends up being expensive. ViajaXmundo Perú operates under authorisation N° 326-2022-GR/GERCETUR-SGFC.
Packing list
Small travel backpack
Ideal for carrying personal items, water, documents and essentials during day trips.
Comfortable, lightweight clothing
Wear comfortable clothing that allows ease of movement during walks, sightseeing and outdoor activities.
Waterproof jacket or windbreaker
Protects you against sudden weather changes, light rain and wind, especially in mountain areas.
Comfortable walking shoes
Sports or trekking shoes that give comfort and stability on different types of terrain.
Sunscreen
Essential to protect your skin from solar radiation, especially at high altitude or during long outdoor exposure.
Cap or hat
Recommended for sun protection during walks, visits and outdoor activities.
Reusable water bottle
Keeps you hydrated throughout the journey and helps protect the environment.
Portable battery
Very useful for keeping phones, cameras and other devices charged during excursions.
Frequently asked questions
Where are the Chimu floating islands?
On Lake Titicaca, within the Titicaca National Reserve, about 25–30 minutes by boat from Puerto Titicaca in the city of Puno. They belong to the Uros island group, at 3,817 m above sea level.
What altitude is the tour at and is it hard?
The maximum altitude is 3,817 m (12,523 ft) and the difficulty is moderate. There is no trekking involved: the activities are calm, such as walking on the island, boat rides and workshops. The main factor is the altitude, so we recommend acclimatising in Puno beforehand.
Where do I sleep?
At the Chimu Island Lodge, run by the host families on the floating island itself.
Which meals are included?
Day 1: lunch and dinner. Day 2: breakfast and lunch. All are traditional dishes prepared by the host families, plus hot infusions.
Is the guide English-speaking?
Yes, the programme includes a specialised bilingual guide.
What optional activities are there and how much do they cost?
A totora kayak ride (USD 5 per person) and Titicaca water frog observation (USD 5 per person, minimum 4 passengers). Both are paid on site.
How do I book and how much do I pay up front?
You book with a 40% deposit of the total price; the balance is paid before the service starts.
What is the best time of year to do this tour?
It runs all year. The dry season (May to October) offers clear skies and stable weather; the rainy season (November to April) has fewer visitors and better prices. Our recommendation is April and May.
What should I bring?
Warm and waterproof clothing, trekking shoes, a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, high-factor sunscreen, a torch, personal medication and cash in soles. See the full packing list above.
What happens if the weather is bad?
The lake's conditions may force the schedule or the raft ride to be adjusted. The guide and the host families decide on site, with safety as the priority.
Terms and conditions
Booking and payment
A 40% deposit of the total price confirms your booking. The balance is paid before the service starts.
Weather
Lake conditions may force the schedule or the raft ride to be adjusted. The guide and the host families decide on site, with safety as the priority.
Authorised agency
ViajaXmundo Perú operates under authorisation N° 326-2022-GR/GERCETUR-SGFC.
