Like many of the attractions youll come to visit on a peru holiday, the artificial uros floating islands are the result of the incas. Be sure to bring along a small gift to express your appreciation for your hosts hospitality. On the island you can help the locals collect reeds, fish on lake titicaca, learn how the people prepare meals and cook, there are even opportunities to stay the night. The floating islands have been moved closer to the town of puno, making it easier for tourists to visit them.
Everything you need to know about punos floating islands. Uros floating islands puno updated april 2020 top tips. Unravelling the origins of the uros people ancient origins. The floating islands of lake titicaca intelligent travel. The uros floating islands of lake titicaca, peru just. The islands of uros are an equally ingenious feat of physics and ingenuity. The uros people live on floating reed islands in lake titicaca. Get out on the highest lake on planet earth on a day trip that covers the uros floating islands islas uros and taquile island isla taquile. The floating uros islands on lake titicaca are often a highlight on tourists trips to peru. The uru people, or uros, live on over 40 selfconstructed floating islands on lake titicaca in peru.
They live on an approximate and still growing 120 selffashioned floating islands in lake titicaca near puno. In fact, i hadnt even heard of them before arriving in peru. Its inhabitants, the uros tribe, predate incan civilization and continue to hunt and fish the. The friendly uru people are happy to welcome you to their islands, and will share with you their history, culture and traditions.
Take a trip from the port of puno and navigate these shimmering waters to the legendary floating islands of the uros people, constructed entirely out of the buoyant totora reed, a bulrush wetland plant which grows naturally in the lake. The magical and mysterious floating uros islands of peru. Jun 11, 2017 these islands are not made of rock and soil. We will see all the cabins, the floating islands and meet its friendly. Your first day on the lake will begin with a trip to the uros islands, which are located 25 miles 40 km off the coast of puno. They call themselves lupihaques sons of the sun and consider themselves descendants of the ancient uros, who are the first major ethnic group to have settled in the andes, but much debate has taken place in academic circles surrounding their origin and lineage. Everyday people come from all over the world and learn about the traditions and customs of the famous floating islands.
The lake rests at a dizzying altitude of 3810 meters 12,500 feet above sea level. The uruiruito still inhabit the bolivian side of lake titicaca and the desaguadero river. Explore islas uros holidays and discover the best time and places to visit. The cost was s 165 each a night and this included pickup from our hostel, boat ride to the island, some lessons on the local history and.
Just 7km east of puno, these unique floating islands are lake titicacas top attraction. Dont get me wrongthe floating islands and its surrounding on lake titicaca is great for photography enthusiasts but its such a tourist trap when you get off your ride onto one of the many floating islands. On lake titicaca, one ancient people, the uros, live on islands made of living reeds that float around the lake. According to a 2011 census, some 1,200 uros people still live on 62 artificial lake titicaca islands that form an archipelago some 5 km 3 miles from the port of puno, peru. The quality of guided tours varies greatly, and some people come away feeling they were taken to the islands only to buy trinkets and watch staged cultural demonstrations. The uros people have been living on the lake for hundreds of yearsthey were. Uros and taquile islands day trip from puno puno, peru. Uros floating islands puno aktuelle 2020 lohnt es sich.
These floating islands are about 5km off the coast of puno and the history behind them and the indigenous people living here for thousands of years is interesting and not something you should miss. Ill be honest, after seeing so many other incredible sights, its often the location i forget to tell people about when they ask about what i did in peru. Home to one of the most fascinating indigenous groups on the continent, the floating islands of uros are a highlight of any south american itinerary. One of the famous reed islands on the worlds highest navigable lake. Sep 23, 2016 t he uros community lives about 8 kilometres from the peruvian city of puno. Compare below a list of the best lake titicaca floating islands tours at cheap local prices. Sep, 20 the uros are a preincan people who live on fortytwo artificial floating islands in lake titicaca puno, peru and bolivia. Find cheap deals and discount rates that best fit your budget.
Travel guide resource for your visit to uros floating islands. The floating island of uros has approximately 105 islands, and we will arrive to the islands where we will visit two islands, which still maintain their original culture, our guide will explain about their origin and customs of their inhabitants of the floating islands of the uros. Marvel at the skills of the indigenous people who make the islands out of reeds, and go. The lake sits at 3,810 meters above sea level about five. We visited the families on santa maria and were greeted with open arms and huge smiles. The boat ride to and fro puno is about 70 minutes and another. The lake sits at 3,810 meters above sea level about five kilometers from the nearest mainland town, puno. Book uros floating islands hotels close to top sights, landmarks, and popular restaurants, and discover what this fantastic destination is really all about. The uros and taquile islands in luxury service full day. It is not certain how long they have been there or why the uros chose the centre of lake titicaca for their home. A tour to the uros floating islands on titicaca lake is a must for everyone that. On this adventurous 2day tour, spend time on these remote islands and enjoy amantani hospitality during an overnight home stay.
Todays spotlight is on the floating islands in lake titicaca. The floating islands of perus lake titicaca the washington post. Hundreds of years later, incredibly, the uros islands are still afloat. Floating islands are a common natural phenomenon that are found in many parts of the world. The uros islands are a group of 70 manmade totora reed islands floating on perus lake titicaca. The floating islands of titicaca houstonia magazine. My host and guide on the trip to uros was ivan, a local who was born on a floating island and still lives there with his parents, brother, wife and children. Check any national, local, and health advisories for this destination before you book. Uros islands are made of many layers of reeds and reed beds, free to float in the lake and attached only to the sea bottom by a handmade rope tied to a rock. The floating islands of lake titicaca are the home of the uros, who consider themselves the owners of the lake and its waters. Tribuna is currently the largest of these floating islands. This is one of the only floating reed islands where the money goes directly to the community and not a tour company in puno. The floating islands of uros are certainly one of the most charming discoveries of our trip so far.
The journey started with a stop at one of the floating islands of the uros. Uros floating islands puno all you need to know before. The mysterious floating islands of lake titicaca in peru. The uros people live on 42 artificial floating islands on lake titicaca. The uros floating islands a day at the uros islands lake. Why you should visit the glorious uros floating islands this year. Browse expedias selection of 164 hotels and places to stay in uros floating islands. Located on majestic lake titicaca, the floating reed islands of amantani, taquile, and uros boast a history dating back to preinca days. The uru or uros are an indigenous people of peru and bolivia. The uros people have lived on lake titicaca for hundreds of years. The floating islands of titicaca why visit a freezing cold lake at the top of the andes. There are three islands in the lake, huaca huacani, toranipata and. They call themselves lupihaques sons of the sun and descendants of the ancient uros, a preincan people. Despite some complaints about the experience feeling a little contrived, learning about their history and present day living arrangements is a remarkable experience that is entirely worthwhile.
There are three islands in the lake, huaca huacani, toranipata and santa maria. In november, i had joined a group of ten on a small motor boat and headed out to uros island, one of lake titicacas 42 floating islands. The lives of the uros people are interwoven with these reeds. If you are looking for an authentic quechua experience stay over night on taquile island close to uros floating islands. Nov, 2017 my blog and photos will provide you everything you need to know about the uros floating islands and why you must add this place to your traveling adventures. The uros use bundles of dried totora reeds to make reed boats balsas mats, and to make the islands themselves. Feb 25, 2011 and yet, as curiosities go, few are as singular, or as misunderstood, as the floating manmade islands of the uros in the middle of lake titicaca. They exist less commonly as an artificial phenomenon. Review of uros floating islands, puno, peru tripadvisor. Book now your hotel in uros floating islands and pay later with expedia. The floating islands of the uros people are certainly one of the continents most impressive curiosities. Homes, boats, furniture, a church, a school are all made from these reeds.
Titicaca uros floating islands afternoon tour findlocaltrips. Lake titicaca is the highest navigable lake in the world, at over 3,800 meters above sea level. Dec 03, 2015 this is a very unique experience even though some find distasteful how touristic the tour is. What i didnt expect is that id be similarly lost for words on the manmade uros floating islands of lake titicaca. If you want to know where to begin, then puno is the place to be. Visit the uros floating islands and taquile and learn about their unique history and culture on this 1day2nights trip from cusco. Uros floating islands aerial video on lake titicaca. Youll get a glimpse into local life as you travel between the habited islands which are made entirely from reedsand benefit from the insider knowledge of your guide. The floating islands of uros are certainly one of the most interesting discoveries of our trip and were glad we made it here. Uros floating islands and taquile island, full day. The uros floating islands and everything on the islands is made from a reed called the totora plant. Enjoy the company of real, local people who spend their whole lives floating. The 44 or so floating islands inhabitants include the uros people, and the islands are mainly constructed by reeds. There is even a watch tower made of the totura plant on one of the islands.
Almost everything on the island is made out of reeds houses, beds, chairs, boats, etc. At lake titicaca in peru there are more than 80 floating islands on which people live, and have done so for perhaps more than 3000 years. Lake titicaca is the worlds highest navigable lake and it is located in the andes mountains right on the peruvian and bolivian border. Today the descendants of the uros and their amazing islands are an important part of the peruvian tourism industry. Nov 17, 2014 the uros islands are a group of 70 manmade totora reed islands floating on perus lake titicaca. Choose from 10 hotels in uros floating islands with prices starting from usd 7 per night. The 10 best uros floating islands islas uros tours. Until recently the only option for visiting the islands were on the daytime with a tour, or independent. The magical and mysterious floating uros islands of peru genius nobody knows exactly when the people of uros starting building floating islands on the worlds highest navigable lake, but what they. A floating island is a mass of floating aquatic plants, mud, and peat ranging in thickness from several centimeters to a few meters. Titicaca uros full day kollasuyo travel findlocaltrips. The uros people of lake titicaca puno, peru atlas obscura. Uros floating islands puno 2020 all you need to know.
The floating islands of perus lake titicaca washington post. Until the 1980s, they continued to live in relative isolation, about 9 miles out from shore, but in 1986, a devastating storm destroyed their floating homes and they were forced to rebuild closer to the mainland. Hundreds of the years ago the uros people created these floating islands made of totora reed by stacking one reed on top of another until a stable platform was built. Nobody knows exactly when the people of uros starting building floating islands on the worlds highest navigable lake, but what they. Since then, many uros have left the floating islands to join mainstream society, but a large number have preserved their traditional way of life on the islands. Book your tour of punos floating uros islands with explorandes, one of the. The uros islands have become hugely popular with tourists. The uros are a preincan people who live on fortytwo artificial floating islands in lake titicaca puno, peru and bolivia. They are a community of 2,629 people, who live in a group of 91 islands made of woven totora reed. The history and design of the floating island is very interesting and well explained. They have been created entirely with the buoyant totora reeds that grow abundantly in the shallows of the lake.
I use the word curiosities because the origins of the islands are a slight anthropological mystery. But a recent option for accommodation on the islands opens an opportunity to get a better experience of the life on the floating islands and to create better connections with the locals. Uros titicaca lodge floating island was created for travelers looking for unique experiences and beauty of nature where you find inspiring activities, excursions with locals and gastronomy with identity and pleasant spaces designed to relax with privileged to admire the lake and nature views. Uros floating islands puno 2020 all you need to know before. There are many different ways to book a tour to the uros floating islands on lake titicaca. Its inhabitants, the uros tribe, predate incan civilization and continue to hunt and fish the plentiful land and waters they occupy. We offer a trip with visits and stops along the way, where you can enjoy inca ruins, colonial art, history, beautiful landscapes of puno and cusco. Reconnect with nature on the floating islands of uros on lake titicaca. It is for sure one of the most original attractions on lake titicaca, only few kilometers away puno on a motor boat and by small channels amongst the reed banks we arrive to the uros reed floating islands. Uros floating homestay interesting, but touristy, is the opinion youll often hear from people who visit the uros floating islands on a day trip from puno.
It is a fascinating way of life, with a culture completely unique to perus ancient traditions and history. Andean actors gather to reenact the legend of manco capac and mama ocllo on an uros island. Jul 25, 2017 uros floating homestay interesting, but touristy, is the opinion youll often hear from people who visit the uros floating islands on a day trip from puno. The uros people famously built their homes on floating totora reed islands to escape the invading incas centuries ago and still maintain that way of life today. Enjoy lake titicaca onboard modern, comfortable and fully equipped boats. Photographer enrique castromendivile captured andean actors performing. Unlike those attractions however, the floating islands were not built by the incas. A guided visit to the incredible uros floating islands, with the best operator in puno. The indigenous people of uros have harnessed the power of the totora reed and have been living on the islands for centuries. Lake titicaca is located in puno, and these 44 aweinspiring floating islands are built on the lake. They lived on these islands as they sailed around the lake to fish or hunt for their food. You can find out about the history of puno with a trip to mirador puma uta. Depart from puno and head out across lake titicaca toward uros, a group of manmade floating islands constructed entirely out of reeds. Titicaca uros lago explorer full day findlocaltrips.
Uros island tour trip to floating islands inside the. Traditionally fishermen and weavers, they now include tourism as a mainstay as visitors to the lake enjoy the sensation of walking on a floating layer of reeds. The uros people live on about 40 floating islands in lake titicaca. Jan 16, 2015 uros floating island, lake titicaca, peru isrc. Qhas qut suni are an indigenous people of peru and bolivia.
Some people say that the uros people moved onto the lake for protection. Book your tickets online for uros floating islands, puno. The latter is harvested from the extensive marshes and continuously piled up on top of the existing layers, thus compensating for the continuous decomposition. Lake titicaca floating islands tours puno findlocaltrips. Necessities like rice and batteries are welcome, as are coloring books and crayons for children. Tourist bus transportation to and from puno is included in the package. The uros use totora not only to make their floating islands, but to build their houses and boats. There are many tour operators to book tours with so we highly recommend waiting until you arrive in puno to book something.
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