Boat from Llachón to Taquile
>> Friday, July 24, 2009
Some of the guidebooks suggest going to Llachón for a night and then heading to one of the islands on Lake Titicaca the following day. We did this and although it as a rough ride getting there, I'm glad we did. From Cusco, you can take a bus to Juliaca or Puno and then a combi to Llachón. For us, it was a long and sweaty ride. Ask around and stay the night in the one hostel on the penninsula. The rooms are cold but safe with a bathroom!
While you're in llachón, be sure to hike the mountain up to watch the sunset. Be careful of the altitude if you're not accustomed to it.
If you want to get to one of the islands on Lake Titicaca the following day, you're going to have to go back to Puno (about 2 hours), or hire a boat for about 80 soles like we did.
The ride to Taquile is about an hour and you'll be surprised how calm the water is on the lake. Ask the driver of your boat when you get close to Taquile to drive you around the other side of the island, as to avoid the 500 steps up. Those steps can be killer if you're carrying a 35 lb backpack!
This is a little video of the boatride:
