Uros Islands Peru — The Floating Islands

Located on a small area of Lake Titicaca, which is the world’s highest lake that is navigable, the Uros Islands Peru, are also known as Islas Flotantes or Floating Islands. They are made from totora reeds harvested from the lake.

There are approximately one hundred and twenty (120) islands scattered about the Peruvian side of Lake Titicaca. These man-made islands are inhabited by the indigenous people, the Uros.

Ponto is the main town on the mainland to access the islands. The islands are about three (3) miles (5 kilometers) from the mainland.

Uros Islands Peru — A Bit of History

Descended from the earliest inhabitants of Lake Titicaca, the Uros have had a floating experience and lifestyle for hundreds of years. These mobile islands were built in order to protect themselves from invasion, as when threatened they were able to move these islands to a different part of the lake.

Although this strategy worked for quite some time, they were eventually discovered by the Spanish and Incas.

Not a lot is known about their history, but the Uro are descendants of one of the most ancient cultures in the history of the Americas. It is surmised that they descended from the speakers of the Pukina, the ancient language of the Incas.

Although the language is now extinct, its vocabulary is used by a group of traditional healers in the Bolivian Alps called the Kallawaya. It is a mixed language with seventy (70%) from the Pukina.

The Uro have maintained many aspects of their original culture even though their native Uro language was abandoned about five hundred (500) years ago as they intermarried and traded with the Aymara tribe on the mainland. The Uro now communicate mainly in the Aymara language.

The islands used to be located around the middle of the lake but were relocated/rebuilt in 1986 to the Peruvian side of the lake due to a catastrophic storm.

Now a Few Interesting Facts

• the totora reeds are strong, waterproof, and pliable as well as inexpensive construction material harvested from the lake. Their springy surface is safe on which to build homes. The totora are also used to construct boats used for boat trips for tourists and fishing.
• there are about two thousand (2000) Uro people in Peru and twelve hundred (1200) live on the floating islands
• for many generations their main industry has been fishing, gathering bird eggs from the reef beds, and bird hunting, but now tourism is a viable income stream that has resulted in improved conditions overall such as solar panels, sanitation, TV, and cell phones
• they have an elementary school on Uros but further education must be obtained on the mainland
• the totora roots float to the surface during the rainy season and are buoyant at harvest. The men of the village collect the roots and the reeds are bundled and stacked. Eucalyptus stakes are driven into the bottom of the lake and the islands are anchored with rope. Each island can be maintained for thirty (30) years by adding new layers of reeds on a regular basis.
• a guided tour from Puno, Peru is the best way to visit the islands. Each tour visits two (2) islands.
• handicrafts are made by the islanders and available for sale
• the dry season is the best time to visit (April to November)
• because of the high altitude of Uros and Lake Titicaca (12,500 feet or 3810 meters) it is best to get acclimated at a lower altitude first such as at Cusco or Arequipa
• Lake Titicaca is the largest lake in South America (3200 square miles or 8300 square kilometers). It is also as deep as 920 feet or 280 meters.
• the Lake Titicaca frog is the world’s largest entirely aquatic frog
• Juliaca Airport is located in Puno

Uros Islands Peru — Things to Do

* Watch the sunset and then Stargaze — the sunsets are simply gorgeous in this part of the world; later in the evening enjoy a bit of stargazing when it gets dark.

* Swimming — this is a fun thing to do in the largest lake in South America. Just stay close to the island while swimming as there are a lot of fishing and tour boats moving about throughout the day.

* Kayaking on the Lake — this is another fun activity on the lake.

* Take a Boat Tour — check out some of the other islands on a boat tour.

* Relax — just hang out and enjoy the beauty of the area and the richness of the culture. Also, if so inclined, indulge in the local wine and beer.

* Spend some time in Puno (on the mainland) —

• take a ride in a tuk-tuk (Taxi Cholo) that looks like a giant white egg
• visit the Basilica of St. Charles Borromeo on the Plaza Republicana (Plaza de Armas)
• try the hard-boiled quail eggs sold by local vendors
• hike to the Sulutano ruins
• visit the Huajsapata Park
• check out the mirador Kuntur Wasi

Uros Islands Peru – Not You’re Usual Travel Experience

These islands provide a fascinating and unique experience where you can relax and enjoy the richness of an ancient culture.

Staying on the islands includes roughing it a bit as there are no amenities such as a flushable toilet and hot showers. Also if you need to connect to the internet the best you will be able to do is a cellphone hotspot. Also, depending on the season you go it can get pretty chilly at night.

The homes on the island are sturdy and provide a bed with plenty of blankets

It’s not necessary to bring a lot when you visit the islands as most places include breakfast with the accommodations and lunch and dinner for an additional charge. Most folks leave their luggage at their hotel in Puno.

Travel to Puno can be by air, bus, or train.

For accommodations in Puno there are hotels as well as hostels. The Bothy hostel has a double bed, free breakfast, and the owners will set up a tour to Uros.

When traveling to Peru Uros is a recommended stop for a very special experience to check out floating islands and learn about the diverse ways of life of the indigenous people. Consider putting it on your travel itinerary.

Happy travels,

Joseph William

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