Uros Floating Islands

The Uros islands are made of totora, the reed that grows in the shallows of Titicaca: blocks of root mat are cut, lashed together and anchored, then layered with cut reed on top, and because the underside rots continuously new reed has to be added above every couple of weeks. Walking on one feels spongy. The Uros people took to the water long ago - the usual account is as a defence against Colla and then Inca pressure - and about 120 islands sit in the bay near Puno, with houses, boats and even watchtowers built from the same material. What visitors need to know is that the islands near Puno are heavily oriented to tourism: the standard visit is short, scripted, involves a demonstration, a reed-boat ride for extra payment and a sales stand. Communities further out live differently and some offer homestays.

History

The Uru considered themselves the owners of the lake and its water, and called themselves Lupihaques, "sons of the Sun". Their island settlements were first built for defence, since they could be moved if a threat arose; trading and marrying with the Aymara on the shore, they gave up their own language about 500 years ago, and in 2004 only two people still spoke Uru (Wikipedia, Uru people).

Highlights

• The construction - reed root blocks layered with cut totora and constantly renewed.
• The rebuilding - fresh reed added on top every few weeks as the base rots.
• The boats and houses - everything on the island made from the same plant.
• The tourism model - short scripted visits, demonstrations and craft sales.

When to go

April to November for lake conditions. Two to four hours for the standard trip, longer if visiting islands further out or staying overnight.

What to expect

The nearest islands are a commercial operation and the visit is brief and formulaic - many travellers find it uncomfortable. Extra payments are expected for boat rides and photographs. Sun on the water at 3,810 metres is severe. Islands further from Puno give a fuller picture.

Nearby

Taquile and Amantaní are further out on the lake; Puno is on the shore.

Key facts