The floating islands of the Uros in Titicaca Lake, Peru

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When we opened this trip almost a year ago, I knew that there would be certain places, that would give certain experiences that would make me awesome. I knew that I would be enthusiastic about Machu Picchu, in awe in front of the huge statues of the Easter Island and would look at Perito Moreno in Argentina with an open mouth. What I hadn't expected was that I would be similarly speechless on the artificial floating islands of the Uros in Lake Titicaca. In fact, I hadn't even heard from you before I arrived in Peru.

I think this is one of the miracles of travel: discoveries. The floating islands of the Uros are certainly one of the most attractive discoveries of our previous journey. Here is the reason.

The people of Uru or Uros live on over 40 self-made floating islands in Lake Titicaca in Peru. The lake is located at 3,810 meters above sea level, about five kilometers from the next city on the mainland, Puno. The islands consist almost exclusively of dried Totora-Schilf, which grows naturally and plentiful in the lake.

The Uros went into the water over a thousand years ago to defend themselves against the aggressive inca and colla cultures nearby. The construction of the islands takes months and must be continuously waited, but they can be laid in no time when they are in danger.

We booked a day tour of Amaru Tours in the lobby of the Intiqa Hotel in which we lived. The tour started with a visit to the island of Taquile to get an impression of local culture, followed by a traditional lunch on the Chucuito peninsula. Both stops are beautiful, but the most impressive are the floating islands.

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When we got from our motorboat to the springs, it was initially worrying. I noticed that I was no longer on a boat, but not exactly on the dry. We were sitting on a small bank of reeds in a circle, while two islanders explained how the islands were built and cared for. The Totora Schilf is the center of Uros culture and is used for the construction of the islands as well as the buildings, boats and many of the handicrafts that you sell on the islands. Even a large part of the nutrition and medicine of the islanders revolve around the reed, with the root to produce iodine, to treat wounds and to produce a reed flower tea that is widespread on the islands.

After the demonstration, we had a lot of time to explore the island and get to know the three families living there. Depending on the size, the floating islands offer space for two to ten families. They hold rabbits, guinea pigs and ducks and prepare their meals over small firing on stone piles. In the middle of the islands there are also ponds for trout breeding.

The whole experience was surreal, but encouraging. It is good to know that there are still cultures that survive in their traditional means, as far away from the western lifestyle as you can imagine.

Out there in the middle of the quiet Titicaca lake, the isolation really applies. No noise from the mainland, no buzzing electricity and no floor under your feet.

It's a real miracle.

The essentials

was: a visit to the floating islands of the Uros as part of a full-day Titicaca-Tour from Puno in Peru. The tour visits the island of Taquile and the floating islands of the Uros, including lunch in Luquina Chico, Chucuito peninsula. There are opportunities to sail on traditional boats from Luquina and on reed boats between the floating islands.

Where: Puno, Peru. We stayed in the Intiqa, a clean and comfortable hotel in the city of Puno on the mainland. The rooms are huge, which was quite a change to the three-man tent in which we were before! At this height, the area can be cool, but the hotel provides heat bottles and all -day tea to combat the cold. Breakfast is included in the price and a number of restaurants and bars can be easily reached on foot.

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When: The best travel time for Lake Titicaca is the dry season from May to September. The average temperatures are between 16 and 17 ° C (60 to 63 ° F). We were there in mid -April and it was certainly a bit fresh, but we enjoyed the clear sky with a bright sun. Note that at 3,810 meters above sea level it will always be a bit cool in the air, especially at night, so put on warm.

like: Puno can be reached by many Peruvian cities by bus. There are direct buses from Cusco (5-8 hours) and Arequipa (6 hours). After our flight with Nazca Lines we came from Nazca and switched to A Arequipa. Our favorite bus company in Peru was Cruz del Sur, but there are many other options. Juliaca is the next major city and has flights from Lima via Arequipa (2 hours). Book flights via skyscanner.net. There is also Cusco's (incredibly expensive) tourist train, which offers an excellent view of the landscape on the way. Go2peru is a great resource for organizing the transport.

We booked our tour via Amaru Tours in the lobby of the Intiqa Hotel. They offer a number of packages for guests who book their tours and accommodations together, so ask about it.

Do not forget that the Titicaca lake is 3,810 meters above sea level, so make sure that you acclimatize properly, otherwise you will not enjoy your stay. Try to avoid lying directly into this height.

Mission statement: Atlas & Boots 
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