Floating Islands of the Uros

Set off on an unforgettable experience to the Uros Floating Islands, a unique enclave in Puno Bay, just 20–30 minutes by boat from the port. This 3-hour excursion brings you close to the daily life and customs of one of the oldest peoples of the Andean high plateau.

The islands—true works of traditional engineering—are built entirely of totora reeds, an aquatic plant that is essential to Uro culture: they use it to build their houses and boats, and also as food and fuel. Each island is formed by large blocks of totora roots whose porosity and the gases released as they decompose create natural flotation. The islands are anchored and require constant care: the upper layer of reeds is replaced roughly every 20 days to keep the surface firm and habitable.

When you visit the Uros, you don’t just observe a way of life that has endured for centuries; you also take part in a genuine cultural experience. You will discover how this community lives in harmony with Lake Titicaca, preserving traditional fishing and bird hunting, and adapting ancestral knowledge to live in balance with the water.