The floating islands of Uros are located near the shores of Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world. These islands are made of totora reed, an aquatic plant that grows in the lake’s water. They are inhabited by the Uru or Uros people, an Aymara native population.
The Uros people are said to be descendants of Lake Titicaca’s first residents. The Uros have lived on the waters of Lake Titicaca for hundreds of years. To defend themselves against invading groups, the Uros constructed moveable islands out of the unique totora plant. If a threat appeared, they could simply relocate their islands on the lake.
Nowadays, the Uros Islands are located on the Peruvian side of Lake Titicaca, a few kilometers from Puno city. These islands were originally located in the center of the lake, but after a terrible storm in 1986, they were rebuilt closer to the lake’s coast.
Around 1,200 people still dwell on Lake Titicaca’s floating islands. The modest totora plant is the backbone of Uros existence, harvested from large beds that grow in abundance on the lake. Totora reeds are used to build homes, boats, and the islands themselves.
On the other hand, Taquile is a natural island located on the Peruvian side of Lake Titicaca. Around 2200 people live on this island. The inhabitants of Taquile are known as Taquileños.
The Taquileños govern their society through communal collectivism. Their society is guided by the old Inca moral code of “ama sua, ama llulla, and ama quella”. This is a Quechua expression that means “do not steal, do not lie, do not be lazy”. The economy of Taquile island is centered on fishing, agriculture, and tourism.
On this full day tour from Puno, you will explore the reed islands of the Uros and the charming Taquile Island. This is a perfect tour if you want to visit the most important landmarks of Puno in a short period of time. Explore the world’s highest navigable lake in the world with Sanvil Turismo!
At Sanvil Turismo we offer the best travel packages in the Puno region. Our tour guides are professionals with years of experience guiding treks and tours in Peru. They are experts in the history and traditions of each destination you will be visiting.
You can also check our half day tour to the Uros Islands, or our 2-day tour to the Taquile and Amantani islands. We also offer day tours to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, Machu Picchu, and the Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain. Enjoy a unique vacation in Peru with us and explore the wonders of South America.
Puno hotel transfer.
6:00 am
We will pick you up from your hotel in Puno at 6:00 am. Then, we will board our boat at Puno city’s pier to visit the famous Uros Islands. Once we arrive there, our staff will give you a guided tour of the place. You will learn about the traditions and customs of the Uros people. As an optional activity, you can board a totora boat to have a short trip through the islands.
After exploring the Uros Islands, we will board our boat to travel to Taquile Island. Once there, we will have a short walk to the most important landmarks of the island. The island of Taquile is perfect for getting great views of Titicaca Lake. After the tour, we will have lunch at a traditional restaurant.
At 2:30 pm, we will board our boat to return to Puno city. We will arrive there around 5:30 pm. Then, we will transfer you back to your hotel in Puno.
