Amatani Island

Amantani has opened its doors to outsiders who are willing to live for a few days as the Aymará-speaking islanders do -and that means sleeping on very small beds and eating meals that have prepared in their very primitive kitchens. There is no running water or electricity and nighttime temperatures drop to freezing even in the summer. But those happy to rough it catch a glimpse of an Andean agricultural community that has maintained the same traditions for centuries. Some Amantaní residents live and die without ever leaving the island.

Journeys to Amantaní begin at the Puno docks aboard sputtering wooden motorboats operated by the islanders. At the end of the four-hour trip, visitors are registered as guests and assigned to a host family. The family, usually led by a shy patriarch, shows the way to its mud-brick home.

The following pictures are of my stay on Amantani island:

Victor: the Patriarch of the family. He met us at the boat and walked us up to his home where we stayed for 1 night.

In Victor's dining room

Quinoa soup was delicious!

The primitive kitchen that prepared our delicious meals

Dressed in ethnic outfits

Outside my room. Door way in is very tiny!

My room: had to lower my head to get through the door, 3 Alpaca blankets were all I needed! Very warm!

Before I went to sleep, Victor brought me a bed pan. The only toilet was in an outhouse down the hill.

They raised chickens and sheep

On our hike to the top of Amatani island

Rest stop before climbing the last hill!

Sunset from the top of the island=13,000+ feet high

Walking down to the harbor

Me and our guide going from Amatani to Taquille island. Hat I have on was made by Victor.