Isla Taquili Things to Do

After you disembark from the boat you have to climb up to the main village hiking for about 30 minutes. Then you arrive to the main square of the island, where there are many men waiting for tourists to take them pictures. Of course they wait for some tip after the pic!

Although Taquile is surrounded by water all around, the lake didn't seem to play an important role in people's life here. The villages are all uphill, and life seems to happen at a certain distance from the waters.
I guess in summer people (at least tourists) may have a swim in the lake's water, they seemed clear and inviting, but I couldn't tell, as I was there in autumn...

All the villages and houses are built in red stones and there are even some old churches around, small and simple, but nice. There are not really "architectural treasures" here, but the whole thing is harmonious and it goes with the landscape...

Another must see activity is simple have a great view of the sunset from el cerro de La Luna.
To get there, you should consider something like an hour walk with lots of ups and downs, but the view you will reach is simply beautifull..
Consider also theat you are walking at abt 4.000 m asl, so drink a lot of water....

This is the tipical place for backpackers, nothig really to do here, just hang around, chill, meet people and enjoy the landscape.
On the way, it will happend to meet young guys that are working making some pullovers...strange.....

The perfect place, something you gotta not to miss!

Taquili Island is a unique and fascinating place. Here the island locals have maintained their way of life even in times when western culture and technology has influenced so many other unique cultures. It is not to say that they are completely unaffected because tourism provides a huge source of income to the island. However, the island people have taken control of the number of tourist that visit and they are the only tour operators that bring in tourist.

The people here still wear their traditional dress and are constantly knitting new ones. Even while walking they work from a ball of string to make a hat, waistcoat, or a blouse. They are very colorful. Men wear red caps if they are married, and red and white if they are single, although it is a tiny island so I’m sure they all know each others status. There are no cars on the island or dogs. They speak Quechua here.

You get around on foot through the picturesque stone walkways between stone walls. The island has the typical terraced hills like the rest of the country where they grow crops in the red earth. The water surrounding the island is as blue as the Aegean. White capped mountains of are to the east.

The best thing to do here is to walk around and explore the nooks and crannies of the islands and meet its people who are always smiling and courteous. Try to stay the night if you can as most of the tourist leave with the sun and the atmosphere at night is very pleasing. The moon over the lake at night is incredible with the snow capped Cordillera Real on the horizon. It gets cold at night but the beds have about a foot thick of blankets to cover you. Remember that you are 2.5 miles high here. Early in the morning you may have a light amount of snow over everything. Muy linda!

Taquile is an Island where men knit. As they are walking, they knit. They even knit while they ascend the 550 steps I told you about. Their typical costumes (shown in this pictures) depends on the status: whether they are married or single, old or young, and according to their job.

after climbing,follow tne stone path through the fields to main gate,just retribution for your severe efforts!