Lake Titicaca at 3,810 metres, is the highest navigatable lake in the world, one of the most fascinating things about Lake Titicaca are the Uros, the pre-Incan people that live on 42 mad made floating islands 5 km from the the port of Puno.
Uros ladies in traditional dress
A few hundred live and maintain the islands that are made made of totora reeds, which grow in the lake, the reeds dense roots interweave to form a natural layer about one to two meters thick that support the islands and lets them to float on the lake. The islands are kept in place by ropes attached to sticks, driven into the bottom of the lake. An island lasts about 30 years and the need to be topped up with fresh reeds every 3 months.
Rebuilding the islands with fresh reeds
The reeds are not only used for living on, they also an import and part of the Uros diet and medicine. The bottom of the reed is called the chullo and like the Andean people of Peru rely on the Coca Leaf for relief from a harsh climate and hunger, the Uros rely on the Totora reeds in the same way.
Tourists aboard a traditional Uros reed boat
To visit the islands you can take a tour from the port of Puno, you’ll get driven out in a boat and taken to a couple of the islands where you are given a tour and told a little more about how the Uros live. As you approach the islands it does have the strange feel of a theme park as countless tourist wonder the islands and ride around in the traditional reed boats.
One of the many Uros ladies selling handicrafts on the islands
When we had an opportunity to ride the reed boat we declined as we didn’t have enough money on us, instead waiting on the island which actually turned out to be a blessing as we had a much better experience playing with the friendly Uros children.
Uros children well pleased with their new pens
Despite the number of tourists a trip to the Uros floating islands is still a must do on a trip to Peru.
These are a wonderful group of islands worth visiting atleast one in a lifetime. They are really exotic and worthy of consideration as a travel destination for one and all
Hey, found you through TBEX. Really interesting post, I hadn't heard of these islands before – definitely somewhere to consider visiting. x
This place looks beautiful. This made me think of Beavis and Butthead Do America; Beavis takes too many pep pills and starts blathering on about "titcaca." Regards!
Wow that's awesome. They live on islands they have built!
I´ve been in Lake Titicaca and I had the oportunity to enjoy the floating islands of the Uros people. This experiences was amazing because I had the oportunity to learn how to work in this places and understand more about their traditions. So if you have the oportunity to visit Lake Titicaca you should enjoy floating islands. Also, there are a lot of places to know and if you want you can do it with a travel agency. For me was perfect Turperu that helped me in everything from hotels, restaurants and tours. I recommend you, the web is http://turperu.com.pe/pages/inf_tour.php
I wonder when will I have the opportunity of visiting these islands. Its really beautiful…
There have been many news reports concerning rain-related damage in the department of Puno, and, on account of those stories, Libertador Hotels, Resorts & Spas wishes to set the record straight that the devastated area is very far away from the destination’s major hotels, around 100 kilometers in fact, and that is why hotel managers and tour operators in Puno are guaranteeing that travelers will be 100% safe.
“It’s important for tourists to know that hotels are located far from the affected area and that they can stick to their travel plans to go to Lake Titicaca and other destinations around the region with no danger whatsoever,” stated Luis Barboza, Libertador Operations Manager. He went further and asked media to inform that roads connecting Puno with Tacna, Arequipa, and Cusco are operating normally, as are those crossing the border into Bolivia, and that access to the Juliaca Airport is completely open and has not been affected by the rains.
As some may know, this is the week in which Puno celebrates “La Candelaria”, perhaps its busiest tourist time of the year. The feast is in full swing, and those tourists who have already reached Puno are enjoying the traditions, culture, and natural settings this marvelous destination has to offer.
Lima, Peru
February, 4, 2010
Beautiful images! No doubt that Puno is one of peru’s best choices, I had the nearly mystic opportunity of visiting Puno a lot of years ago and to stay at the “Libertador Lake Titicaca”, located in one of the islands right in the lake! I remember it had a perfect view. There was where I had seen one of the most perfect sun awakenings ever! If you want more information you might find it on their web:http://www.libertador.com.pe/en/2/1/6/puno-hotel, Good Luck!