Taquile Island – What You Should Know
James Bustamante is Native to New York but born to Peruvian parents. He has been traveling throughout Latin America since early 2003 and finally made his home in Peru. James has made his way by eating and traveling through almost every country in Central and South America.
Last Updated on July 19, 2022 by James Bustamante
A fantastic destination to visit with picturesque landscapes in Puno is Taquile island. This remote destination is just one of many small islands we’ll find as we tour the massive Lake Titicaca. The island of Taquile has a local community that focuses on making knitted handicrafts. Interestingly, men do most of the knitting in this particular culture.
The craftsmanship of these knitted products is so renowned that UNESCO has protected them as a subject worthy of world heritage, a very prestigious title to receive.
Where is the Island of Taquile?
To get to Taquile island, we’ll first need to get to the city of Juliaca in the Puno region. The flight from Lima will take an hour and twenty minutes in most cases. Once we arrive at the Juliaca airport now, we have to get to the city of Puno. We recommend hiring a private driver or booking one through the agency. The drive from Juliaca city to Puno is quick, about an hour to an hour and ten minutes. Throughout the drive, you’ll see the vast highland prairies and golden fields on the way to Puno.
Once we reach the city of Puno, we recommend you have an overnight stay before starting any of the lake tours.
The Island of Taquile is located around 22 miles (36 km)from the city of Puno. To get to the island, we’ll first need to board a motorboat at the docks and then travel an hour and a half through Lake Titicaca. There are several schedules to do this tour; however, we recommend the early morning boat tour to get a chance to visit the floating islands of Uros.
Lake Titicaca is located very high up; it is the highest navigable lake in the world. At its highest point, the island has an elevation of 13,651 feet (4,100m) above sea level. When first arriving in Puno, it is common for travelers to feel light-headed. We suggest a day to acclimate to the elevation before touring the lake since it is even higher than the city of Cusco.
Do People Live on The Island of Taquile?
Yes, there is a local community in Taquile. The Island of Taquile, located on Lake Titicaca, is home to a Quechua (the language of the Inca) population of approximately 2,000 inhabitants who are mainly farmers, fishermen, and, above all, are considered to be master weavers.
Upon arrival at the island of Taquile, you’ll see locals walking around with their sheep which serve various uses. The local communities eagerly await small groups of travelers to perform local dances, show how they weave textiles, guide them to the artisan market, and take them to one of the many family-owned restaurants.
The Weavers of Taquile Island
Most of the weavers within the Quechua community living on Taquile Island are males. At around seven years of age, boys in Taquile must demonstrate their ability as weavers by making their first wool caps or “chullos.” Male children and adult men knit using special needles, while the women mainly work in spinning sheep or alpaca wool into very fine and clean yarn to make clothes, specialty garments, or blankets. Traditionally the whole family is involved in the art of both spinning and weaving.
Creating traditional Taquile garments is an essential source of income for many families on the island. The pieces created by the master weavers and their families are up for sale in the local market. However, selling their works is not the only way the weavers make a living. They also attract crowds of tourists who want to see the entire fabrication process.
Villagers will hold daily demonstrations of their high-quality handicrafts and techniques. Internationally renowned experts have stated that “taquileño” textile art can be considered among the most extraordinary in the world. These fabrics use vibrant Andean colors, designs, and symbols representing their way of life.
Items Made By The Weavers of Taquile
Below are some of the most influential items made by the Expert weavers of Taquile. All of the handicrafts are a reflection of this highland lake culture. In their products, you will find Andean colors that go hand in hand with local beliefs. Many of their items are solely based on religious ceremonies such as the “Istalla” while others serve a more practical purpose like the Unkuna.
- Chuspa – A type of handbag
- Chumpi – A type of decorative belt
- Liclla – A Type of Andean Pashmina
- Poncho
- Chalina – A Type of Scarf
- Istalla – A type of quilt that is used for religious purposes involving the Coca leaf.
- Chullo – A type of stocking cap made from Alpaca or Llama wool.
- Challe – A type of white scarf that is mainly used by men.
- Chuco – A head covering used by the women made in black.
- Unkuna – A colorful quilt made to carry corn and other crops.
When is The Best Time to Travel to Taquile?
The best time of the year to travel to Taquile is in July. Suppose you are lucky enough to visit this island during this local holiday. In that case, you will find a very festive atmosphere where the people of Taquile celebrate the religious festival of Santiago Apostle. You’ll be able to partake in lots of music and dancing as they celebrate life with the beautiful sound of their drums and zampoñas, a traditional Andean pan flute that can vary in size.
If we had to suggest a more general timeframe to visit Taquile island, try to go between April – August once the yearly rainy season has ended. Anytime before or after that might make the lake a bit uncomfortable.
Tourism in Taquile
Tourists began arriving at the island of Taquile over 30 years ago once Peru became a tourism hub. Therefore, tourism to Taquile island became a new and vital source of income. Many of the “Taquileños” saw this increase in tourism and began participating directly by creating new businesses.
Several local families became small business owners, including small hostels, hotels, and restaurants, and even invested in buying boats to transport tourists around Lake Titicaca.
At one point, the increase in tourism began to show some downsides in the community. In the maelstrom of tourism, the community started to lose some of the “essence” of a remote and quiet place and became one of the most visited destinations on Lake Titicaca. This became a serious issue for a culture that has lived in mostly isolated for many years.
Unlike the people of Cusco and Machu Picchu hike, the locals have gone a different route. Due to the increase in tourism to the island of Taquile, they now only accept small groups, around 100 people per day is the general limit, as a way to preserve the authenticity and peaceful charm of the Island.
Conclusion
The Island of Taquile is a beautiful destination located in one of the most secluded lakes in the world. It is a place where the local culture has remained mostly unchanged from the time of their ancestors.
Next time you travel to Puno to see Lake Titicaca, make sure to include a visit to the island of Taquile, and you won’t regret it. If you want to know more about Peru, Cusco, and Machu Picchu Travel, check out the rest of our blog posts at Peru Travel Blog, and be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for our special packages.
Peru Tourism Ministry: https://www.mincetur.gob.pe/turistas-que-pernoctaron-en-la-isla-taquile-en-el-lago-titicaca-retornaron-a-punoal-mejorar-las-condiciones-meteorologicas/
