I have to say group tours leave me a little cold – its often a bit like “ticking” off touristy must-dos, getting on and off buses, being deposited at shops full of the usual tourist tat and mixing with people who actually like that sort of stuff … Having said that, neither of us had experience in Peru and so devoting one week out of our four to an organised tour seemed like a good idea.

We decided to join a yoga themed experience of Peru organised by Jenna Jasso, an Austin Texas based yogi – and what a great decision it turned out to be. With 8 other like-minded people and our Peruvian guide Marita we are connecting with this country and people in a way we could never have done on our own.

The group met on Saturday 18th in Cusco and within a few hours it was like we were family. From Canada; Melvin with an energy to just hike and keep on going, from Colombia; Tatiana on a 3 week break from her job but missing her Mum already, from the US; Denise from Louisiana with a smile that would stop traffic, Jeremy the nutritionist who insists on doing handstands in the most unlikely places, Michael with his own yoga and meditation business and a presence that lights up a room, Scott the chief dispenser of bear like hugs and the amazing Jenna, the group leader and organiser, founder of Yogaporvida and the absolute yogi bear of yogis. Last but definitely not least, the incomparable Marita – formerly from Cusco but now living in Puno. With energy to burn and a wicked sense of humour, Marita gave us heart-felt insights on her country and culture that I will never forget.

On our second day we departed Cusco by mini bus and 12 hours later arrived in Puno on the shores of Lake Titicaca. It wasn’t all driving – there were stops to try the local bread made by a lady resplendent in a top hat, visit the ancient Inca ruins at Raqchi, photograph the amazing mountain scenery at 4400m (the highest point of the journey where even Jeremy struggled to do his handstands) and visit a museum on Incan history which appeared closed for the day but was subsequently opened by a flustered looking man summoned by Marita from a few houses up in the village.

We arrived in Puno in the dark but woke to the view of Lake Titicaca – the world’s highest navigable stretch of water straddling the border between Peru and Bolivia. We loaded ourselves onto our own private boat (very posh I know) and steamed off to our first stop – the strange but fascinating floating reed islands just a few hundred metres from Puno harbour. We landed on one of the islands and were treated to a fascinating account of island building and culture by the island’s President. Around 20 voting citizens live on the tiny and slightly damp mass of closely packed reeds – their income seemingly coming mainly from tourism judging by the masses of woven blankets and other trinkets for sale. It was fun but not, I felt, terribly authentic. But authenticity was definitely to come at our final destination – the island of Amantaní.
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​Amantaní is an isolated island – a decent 3.5 hours boat trip from Puno (although apparently you can do it in an hour in an emergency) with a population of about 4,000. Traditionally strongly agricultural based, the economy has been bolstered in recent years from tourism. There are no hotels, backpackers or hostels – instead you stay with host families. Ours put us up in their best rooms – we weren’t sure where the couple and their five kids slept …. Dinner was made by the family in the most basic of kitchens – by our western standards anyway.

The following morning we had the option of getting up at 4am and making a strenuous climb to the top of island. Well hello …! Jo and I stayed quiet and hidden in our room. We were sitting at the breakfast table stuffing ourselves when our weary companions arrived back some five hours after their departure. Apparently the experience at the top of the island was amazing – at least that’s what I think I heard over my noisy chomping of a particularly crunchy piece of toast and jam …

We visited the local school to play with the kids and to distribute much needed donations in the form of books, pens and even toys. It was a humbling and profound experience for me. These kids come from families with very little in terms of material possessions, but their outlook on life and their sheer joy at participating in the games was infectious. Just a “wow” moment …

The return on the boat to Puno saw us arriving at the city in the dark. Sitting on top of the boat watching the sun set over this beautiful and peaceful Lake was just something out of this world.
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Surely the rest of the tour can’t get any better than this?