It’s not a secret that going a holiday, exploring new places and traveling in general is one of the greatest experiences in life but most osf the times we end up just being a “tourist”, behind a camera, just checking boxees on a list… that’s why so many people is looking more authentic experiences, real cultural immersion and a way to make each holiday deeper. That’s experiential tourism, and there’s no better place to start than in Peru.
This country has been the go-to for people who are looking for rich experiences in a unique, interesting culture, with places like the Peruvian Andes the main attraction, but in recent times, you can get all of that, but even richer and more authentic.
There’s no better place for this experiential tourism than Puno, a place that’s not about luxury hotels or tour buses. It is a place where living the real way a local would do it is possible while still enjoying a holiday.
Puno is often known as the folklore capital of Peru, and you can feel the ancient culture in every corner. Here on a tour Puno, you won’t be just another tourist; here you can choose to stay with a local family, and you are able to share their everyday life, their spaces, their food, and their stories.
This kind of travel lets you slow down and look people in the eye. It is a deeper adventure that will push your comfort zones and reward you with new perspectives.
A Warm Welcome into a Real Andean Home
The first thing you will notice as soon as you get to Puno is how prominent silence is here compared to a big city; there are no cars with loud honks, and in some places, there’s not even bright city lights. No, here, instead, you are welcomed by a host family wearing traditional hand-woven outfits.
The family might hand you a cup of muña tea to help you acclimate to the mountain air and weather. Then you will be taken to their house, which is nothing like what you have seen before; the walls are made of adobe and are really thick, the blankets are heavy alpaca wool, and the floor is usually just the earth or cold stone.
It feels ancient, but you will also feel like you’re invading someone else’s life, and I know by now you must be wondering: Is it awkward to live in someone else’s house? And the short answer is: Not at all.
You see, those families have chosen this; it was their choice to do it and have been welcoming visitors for generations, and it’s mostly natural to them. All you need to do is be open-minded and respectful, because they are welcoming to their daily life.
This is what makes a tour in Puno so authentic, real, and unique.
Learning About the Land with Local Farmers
There in the Altiplano, the land is not just a place to build a house, no, for them it is a friend and something they live with as a fundamental part of their life. That’s why one of the biggest highlights or activities in this experience is heading out into the fields to learn Andean farming techniques.
But keep in mind that this is not some kind of staged show or demonstration, no, it’s the real thing. For example, if it is planting season, then you will be out there with a tool called a “chaquitaclla”, which is a traditional foot plow that has been used since the time of the Incas.
You will experience real work, and it is hard work, but there is a deep satisfaction in physical labor that connects you to the earth.
This is a highly rich experience where local farmers will show you how they grow hundreds of types of potatoes or how they use “waru waru” (raised beds surrounded by water channels that protect crops from the freezing night frost).
As you work alongside your hosts, you start to understand why they respect the weather and the seasons so much.
It’s not like any other thing you have experienced before; here you are participating hands-on in the lifeline that has sustained these towns for ages.
Tasting the Tradition of the High Altiplano
While trendy restaurants are amazing, and fusion food is a solid pick, here you will experience a more honest, fresh, and filling alternative, one that feels more authentic and ancient. Most of the food in the homestays in Puno comes directly from the garden or the lake, which makes it fresher and healthier than any other option.
A good example of a local dish is the “quinoa carretilla” or fresh bread baked in a stone oven, for lunch you might have “Pachamanca,” which is a dish where meat and vegetables are cooked underground using hot stones. Like an ancient barbecue.
Another example is the “chuño”, which is a type of naturally freeze-dried potatoes that can last for years. They have a unique, nutty flavor that is the backbone of highland cooking.
Now, when it comes to actually eating the food, all you need to keep in mind is that eating here is a communal event. You sit with the family, sharing big bowls of soup or fresh fish from the lake. There is no scrolling on phones or eating in a hurry; here, you will talk, laugh, and learn about the different types of topics.
The flavors are simple but intense because the ingredients haven’t traveled across the world to get to your plate. They were pulled from the ground just a few hours ago. It is “farm-to-table” in its most authentic form.
