would you do it with kids?
It was an “immediately no” for me too.
Until we did it anyway.
Lake Titicaca is the world’s highest navigable lake. (12,500 feet)
Getting there:
🚍7 hours by bus from Cusco
🛥️3 hour boat ride takes you to Amantani island, where local families warmly welcome tourists into their homes.
My thoughts on the experience:
💭I’ll admit, I expected to be more immersed in the family life of our host. Instead, it felt very structured with scheduled meet ups/tours with the rest of the tourists from our boat. During this time though, a lot of cultural insights and history was taught.
💭On the two day tour you arrive at 1 PM on the first day and leave by 8 AM the next morning. It felt like a quick turnaround.
💭The food was far tastier than I expected but with the altitude we didn’t have much of an appetite.
💭 Nights drop down to 32°F and they do not heat their homes so we were sleeping in hats and gloves.
💭Toilet is in an outhouse
Is it a tourist trap? 💸
In many ways, yes, but there was also genuine connection and a lot of learning!
Am I glad we did it?
Yes. My kids still talk about our host family and it is one of the most memorable experiences from our time in Peru.
I’ll make a full video soon on our two day tour experience and the other islands we visited.
Traveling with kids to Lake Titicaca offers a remarkable opportunity for family bonding and cultural education. While initially hesitant about the trip, I found that the experience was more enriching than expected, even though it felt somewhat structured with group activities. One important aspect to consider is the altitude—at 12,500 feet, it can noticeably affect appetite and energy levels, especially for children. Bringing layers and warm clothing is essential since homes on Amantani Island are not heated and temperatures drop significantly at night. This was a learning curve for us, as our family had to adapt to sleeping in hats and gloves! Staying with local families creates genuine moments of connection despite the tourist-focused schedule. It’s less like a typical homestay; instead, expect a blend of cultural performances, shared meals, and guided tours. The food exceeded our expectations in flavor, giving our kids exposure to traditional Peruvian cuisine. The rustic accommodation, including the use of outhouse toilets, required some preparation and flexibility. However, these small discomforts added to the authenticity of the experience and became memorable stories for our children. For families contemplating this journey, pacing is key. The quick turnaround—arriving mid-afternoon and leaving early next day—means you need to optimize time for rest and exploration. Consider supplementing the trip with visits to nearby islands, which also offer rich cultural and natural experiences. Overall, our family’s Lake Titicaca visit became a cherished travel highlight. It encouraged my kids to appreciate the diverse ways of life and sparked their curiosity about world cultures. If you’re considering whether to do this with kids, my advice is to embrace the adventure with open minds and plenty of warm clothes. The memories and lessons gained are well worth it.