A Peruvian woman with a small herd of sheep overlooking a grand lake with small mountains in the distance.

See Island Weavers at Work On This Photographic Tour of Peru's Lake Titicaca

The islands of Amantaní and Taquile on the Peruvian side of Lake Titicaca are rich in tradition and renowned for their textile heritage, which can be experienced during a homestay. Visitors might be left breathless by the landscape, too — at an altitude of 3,812 metres, Titicaca is the world’s highest navigable lake.

Titicaca is the world’s highest navigable lake and found on the border of Peru and Bolivia.
Annapurna Mellor
Story and photographs byAnnapurna Mellor
Published September 5, 2026
This article was produced by National Geographic Traveller (UK).
A native Peruvian woman sitting on the ground next to a big lake, weaving a traditional hat.
A close-up of woven, striped fabric.
The island of Amantaní is home to around 4,000 people, divided among 10 communities, including several textile producers.
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A rocky landscape with stone arches leading to simple villages.
The Ruta de Circunvalación trail circles the island, with stone arches marking the entrance to each village.
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A close-up of funnel shaped flowers.
A close-up of a local woman's upper body, focusing on the delicate embroidery of her traditional dress.
Shaped by centuries of terraced farming, the landscape is dotted with native flora, including the vibrant cantuta, Peru’s national flower. Its vibrant red blooms adorn the blouse of Pilar Rosmery Yucra Quispe, a weaver from the island’s Pueblo community.
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A native Peruvian couple in the garden in front of their house, the woman weaving a long piece of fabric on the grass, while her husband adjusts a wooden tool.
As well as producing traditional textiles, she runs a homestay, Tikawasi, with her husband, Jose Luis.
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Three men casually leaning against the railing of a small boat with their backs to the camera and the open lake spreading out in front.
Textile traditions are safeguarded by Unesco Intangible Cultural Heritage status on the neighbouring island of Taquile.
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A local woman standing in the door frame of her rustic stone house, pulling out a piece of yarn.
Its inhabitants spin wool and knit in their homes before bringing their goods to the central cooperative in the main square to be sold.
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A simple town square with a group of locals in traditional, colourful dress performing a dance.
The square is the heart of community life, hosting festivals and weddings, as well as daily dance performances for visitors.
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A close-up on a plate of food with boiled blue potato, jerusalem artichoke, avocado and a cheesy bread.
The interiors of a simple farm kitchen with a stove and kettle on the floor and a shelving unit to the side.
Farming is also organised cooperatively, with fields following a rotation of potatoes, corn and grains before a fallow period. The produce is cooked in traditional clay ovens and served with fish from Lake Titicaca or fried cheese from the nearby Puno region.
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A man walking along a path with a flat and mostly arid landscape stretching out behind him.
A friendly Peruvian couple sat on a bench outside their home and posing for a portrait.
Mario and Juliana Huatta Yucra live in the heart of the island, where paths from their doorstep lead to sandy beaches and pre-Inca ruins and offer views of the snow-capped Bolivian Andes.
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A selection of woven hats hung over wooden rails.
Like all the men on the island, Mario learned how to knit a chullo pintay (an Andean hat with ear flaps) from a young age, under the guidance of his grandfather. A man’s eligibility for marriage is traditionally tested by pouring water into the finished hat, and seeing how long it can hold without letting a single drop escape.
Annapurna Mellor
Published in the September 2026 issue of National Geographic Traveller (UK).

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