How to Visit the Uros Islands of Lake Titicaca in Peru

This guide explains everything you need to know about visiting the floating Uros Islands in Peru. The reed islands and the people that live on them on Lake Titicaca are fascinating. Here’s what you need to know…

This Uros Islands travel guide is based on our ride through Peru as part of our round the world trip. The guides on this website are constantly updated with info from contributors to keep them current, up-to-date and as helpful as possible for you.

The Uros Islands, Peru Guide

By Andy Davidson

Mad or Nomad: Round the World Motorcycle Traveller

Lake Titicaca

Lake Titicaca is the highest navigable lake in the world (3,812 metres) and the largest lake in South America.

The Incas believed it was the birthplace of the Sun God – Inti, and Manco Capac and Mama Ocllo, who were believed to be the founders of the Inca Empire.

But, even before the Incas, the Uros people inhabited the lake and its surroundings – having lived on the lake for centuries. And they’re still inhabiting the lake to this day.

Today, the lake is shared by Peru and Bolivia, and you can find the Uros people living on the Peruvian side. This guide talks about the Uros people, how you can visit them and our experiences.

Uros

The Uros people inhabit Lake Titicaca and live on floating islands they make out of totora reeds that they’ve been living on since the days of the Inca Empire. During the times of the Inca, they lived on the islands to hide and escape slavery because their mobile islands could quickly and quietly be moved and hidden.

They build their islands, homes and boats out of floating totora reeds and there’s around 120 of them in this region.

Nowadays, many of the Uros still live a traditional lifestyle and live of fishing, but they have also embraced tourism and a lot of them make a living from making and selling reed handicrafts to tourists, homestays and showing people around their homes and their way of life.

How to visit the Uros people

Excursions to visit the Uros people are made from Puno in Peru. It’s a large city in Southern Peru on Lake Titicaca.

We recommend staying in Puno as there are loads of accommodation options and great hotels there. Check this link to booking.com to see what’s on offer.

You can usually book a tour from whichever hotel you’re staying at. Make sure you get a tour in whichever language you speak.

We recommend using Viator to shop around for more highly rated tours. Here’s our top selection on viator.com

What happens on the tour

Your tour should include pick-up and drop off back to your hotel. You’ll be picked up and taken to the mariner, jump on a boat and in about 30 minutes you’ll enter the area where the Uros people live.

The boat will dock by one of the floating islands, where you and the other tour members jump off and can walk about the island. The owners and your guide will explain how the islands are built and what life is like on them. They’ll then show you around where they live.

The family living on the island will have hand-made trinkets and souvenirs for you to buy if you wish.

After about 30 minutes, you’ll be offered a ride on one of their traditional boats, which usually requires an extra charge.

You’ll then leave the island and head to a larger one where you can buy food and snacks before being taken back to the mariner.

What to take with you

You’ll need cash for souvenirs, appropriate clothing for the weather, water and your own snacks and a camera.

Our experience and thoughts

The Uros visit felt very tourist led. It’s always a tricky one in these situations because it can feel superficial, but then again, you’re supporting their way of life. How that sits with you is personal. For us, it was a bit too touristy, but we’re still glad we visited because it was interesting seeing how these islands are constructed and this very unique way of life.

Read more on motorcycle travel in Peru

Thanks for checking out the Uros Islands Guide. We hope you enjoyed it! Here’s a few more articles on travel in Peru and South America that we recommend you read next.

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