|
In order to broaden the options for those wanting to visit indigenous communities living beside Lake Titicaca, Aracari has recently prepared a tour to the village of Luquina Chico, a small and rarely visited rural population living on the tip of the Chucuito peninsula, around 1 and a half hour's boat ride from the town of Puno. This visit, we feel, will give our guests the chance to relax in a friendly and unassuming environment, while having an authentic look into the lives of indigenous Aymara speaking Peruvians who continue thousands of years of tradition.
While staying at Luquina Chico, our guests will have the unique opportunity to experience the lives of Andean people whose way of life has not yet been drastically affected by tourism to the region, such as has been the case on the nearby islands of Uros and Taquile. It isn't that we don't recommend visiting the latter islands, but after visiting Uros en route to Luquina, a stark difference can undoubtedly be noticed.
Specifically, travel to Luqina Chico over the past few years has been strictly regulated and managed as a part of a well ran community based tourism experience. All of the benefits derived from receiving guests to the village through this initiative go directly towards alleviating poverty in the region and to supporting the community financially, helping people to raise their standard of living and making basic necessities affordable. For the purpose of this sustainable tourism, the locals have made great effort to receive travellers in a responsible fashion that is of benefit to their community.
Arriving at the village by boat, visitors are greeted by friendly and smiling members of the community, dressed in gorgeous and bright, colourful clothing. Men from the village converge to play musical instruments, a sign of how welcome the community is to receiving visitors from far afield. The ambiance is most relaxing, with small, terraced farms, adobe buildings, a natural beach and barren, windswept shrubbery defining the landscape, perfect for peaceful and undisturbed reflection while gazing out on to the expansive lake.
As a part of the community based tourism initiative here, travellers can spend time with the locals, gaining an insight into such daily activities as farming, fishing, sailing, cookery, child rearing and energy consumption. The latter of these could be said to be very ecological, given that food is refrigerated using an improvised water cooling system and is cooked above basic wood burning stoves, making this an appropriate option for sustainable tourism.
As the sun sets over Titicaca in its usual spectacular fashion and darkness falls, the festivities begin. These are to the tune of the local style of Andean music which despite sombre notes remains lively and kicks off some traditional dancing which guests are more than welcome to try their hand at. To see just how much they would size up with an Andean identity, visitors also are given the wonderful and privileged opportunity to try on the local dress.
The accommodation at Luqina Chico is most amiable; thirteen families receive visitors here, and Aracari guests can expect a high standard of service including clean, comfortable beds with thick, warm blankets and pillows and a very clean private bathroom with a shower and hot water. There is, of course, a commanding view of the lake as well.
What Aracari likes the most about this accommodation is that, although it is naturally has basic amenities, great care has gone into the decoration and arrangement of the room, which includes such thoughtful touches as a bedside lamp, textile art of intricate patterns and vibrant colours, splashes of colour through wall hangings and decorations, all of their own unique design. This is a testimony to how hard the people of Luquina Chico have worked and trained to receive guests here as a part of their community based tourism project.
After a recommended one night stay, the morning is graced with more of the activities mentioned above. The villagers then wave goodbye as travellers embark on the boat journey back to Puno.
|
Dear Marisol,
Thanks a lot for your support and the opportunity to spend one day in Luquina. It was very interesting and the experience so authentic that we really enjoyed it. We also found accommodation, the food etc very comfortable and the place so peaceful. Also the family was very nice with us and their two children very- very lovely.
Best regards,
Giorgia and Luigi, Italy |
|
|
|
|
| We suggest you allocate 3 to 5 days for a visit of this area.
We can design tailor made itineraries to this and other destinations in Peru.
The following set itineraries cover Lake Titicaca:
Itinerary 2: (9 days) Cuzco, Machu Picchu by Luxury Train, Lake Titicaca, Lima Visit
Itinerary 3: (11 days) Rainforest, Cuzco & Machu Picchu by Luxury Train, Lake Titicaca and Lima Visit
Itinerary 4: (13 days) Arequipa & Colca, Lake Titicaca, Cuzco & Machu Picchu with overnight, Lima visit
|
|
|
