Traverse the Uros Island

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Puno is on of the most emblematic regions of the Peruvian sierra not only because of its ample commercial value but because it shares with Bolivia one of nature’s most phenomenal and important entity in the world: lake Titicaca.

At one of the extremes of lake Titicaca’s 8490 sq. km (5275 sq. mile) body, the archipelago of the Uros (3810 msnm) can be found. Located at 4 km (2.5 miles) from the city of Puno, the group of floating islands – known as Tupri, Santa Maria, Tinajero, and Negrone – have the peculiar characteristic of being made of brushes and reeds. This characteristic is also true for the homes and rafts used to collect food by the island’s inhabitants.

The Village Lake

Self-named “Kotsuña”, which means “village lake”, the Uros people are the Inca’s predecessors and form a way of life that lays nearly untouched since its beginning, save for an increased number of foreign visitors that arrive year to year to their islands with intentions of experiencing their lifestyle.

This type of tourism for the islanders is a major economic fountain to the point that they include travelers in their excursions on their rafts to fish, gather necessary resources, and even hunt wild birds.

In addition to that, visitors participate in the islander’s dances, are offered their traditional foods like smoked carache (tiny lake fish) and toasted grains, are given tours of their museum of dissected animals, are offered cloaks and hand knitted clothing tailored by the island’s women. And if visitors wish to stay more than one night, they can count on tourist’s residences made of brush and reeds that are held together by stable anchored poles.

How to Get There

Agencies like Inkas Cusco offer tours which include transportation to the archipelago and back to the hotel. And yes, there certainly are three and four star accommodations.

Casa Andina’s hotel chains stand-out the most with Casa Andina Puno Tikarani which is 45 minutes from airport de Juliaca, Casa Andina Puno Plaza which is in the most important commercial point between la Plaza de Armas and the Jiron Lima, and there is Casa Andina Piravate Collection Puno which is on lake Titicaca’s waterfront.

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