In Lake Titicaca, there are several islands, some of them are natural with mountains and solid land, while others are not – they are man-made, built, woven, and renewed long before the Sun God commanded his children, Manco Capac and Mama Ocllo, to rise from the waters of this giant lake to found the Inca civilization.
These floating islands are the ancestral home of the Uros people — an indigenous group from the Altiplano; the islands form a strange and fascinating archipelago woven from reeds called Totora. This aquatic plants can grow up to three meters tall and thrives in swamps, wetlands, and lakes throughout Peru.
The Totoras are used for building homes, boats, suspension bridges, and various tools, the ancient Uros utilized it to create islands that served as a refuge from enemies who sought to enslave them.
HIGHLIGHTS
Meeting place
Our tours to the Floating Islands of the Uros have two departure times in the morning. If you book the first shift, we’ll pick you up at your hotel at 8:45. If you choose the second, we’ll collect you at 11:45.
Both pick-up times are approximate. Please, note that the transport will pick up other passengers in the historic centre of Puno. If you prefer to avoid the wait, consider booking a private tour.
If you are not staying in the city centre, we will arrange a meeting point one day before the tour.
If you have any questions, check the Details and Notes tab. There, you will find all the information about our tour.
From Puno to the Floating Islands of the Uros by boat
After picking up all of our clients, the vehicle will take you to the lake port. Upon arrival at the dock, a tourist boat will be waiting for you.
The departure might take a few minutes, but don’t worry. The boat ride takes about 25 minutes to reach the islands, and you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy this unique place.
Visit to the Floating Islands of the Uros
Get ready to discover one of the most striking and accessible attractions of Lake Titicaca: the totora archipelago formed by the Floating Islands of the Uros. These islands are woven using a technique that dates back to pre-Inca times.
The Uros are one of the oldest peoples of the Altiplano, and their history is marked by difficult moments and persecution. This state of distress led them to “weave” the totora islands, which became their homes.
At 3,800 m a.s.l., most of these islands are within the boundaries of the Titicaca National Reserve, a protected area established by the Peruvian government to safeguard the integrity of the highest navigable lake in the world.
Cultural interaction with the Uros people
During the visit, you will interact with the descendants of this Altiplano culture. They will share their traditions, customs, and how they live on their islands and homes made of totora, a reed that thrives in Lake Titicaca.
As expert navigators and fishermen, the Uros craft various handmade items where totora is the main raw material, just like everything in their small “world.” If you admire their work, feel free to purchase some — this will help support the local economy.
Take advantage of your time to walk across the islands (you’ll feel the surface sink beneath your feet), enjoy a ride on a totora raft, and climb up the viewpoints, which will give you a unique perspective of the vast lake.
Return to Puno
After fully enjoying this immersive experience, you will return to Puno by boat. There will be no stops on the way back.
Ending place
After a boat trip of approximately 25 minutes, you will arrive at the lake port. Our transport will be waiting for you to take you back to your hotel in the historic centre of the city.
The estimated arrival times are 12:00 (first shift) and 15:00 (second shift). Please note that these are approximate times.
PRICE
The prices shown in the table are:
- Per person in US dollars ($).
- Pple. = people.
- Group = group service, shared.
| Pple. | Type of tour | |
|---|---|---|
| Group | Private | |
| 1 | $20 | $95 |
| 2 | $20 | $55 |
| 3 | $20 | $45 |
| 4 | $20 | $35 |
| 5 | $20 | $30 |
DETAILS
| Details | Type of tour | |
|---|---|---|
| Group | Private | |
| Schedule | – 08:45 to 12:00 – 11:45 to 15:00 | You decide |
| Days | Every day | Every day |
| Language | es/en simultaneously | en or es |
| Size | 5 to 30 pax. | You and your friends |
| Included | Type of tour | |
|---|---|---|
| Group | Private | |
| Pick up from your hotel | ✅ | ✅ |
| Food | ❌ | ❌ |
| Guide | ✅ | ✅ |
| Driver | ✅ | ✅ |
| Tourist vehicle | ✅ | ✅ |
| Boats | ✅ | ✅ |
| Personalized service | ❌ | ✅ |
| Tickets for the Floating Islands of the Uros. | ✅ | ✅ |
| Drop-off at your hotelhotel | ✅ | ✅ |
Accessibility: This tour is not suitable for people with reduced mobility.
What do I bring?
- Sweaters or jackets.
- Anti-slip shoes.
- Raincoats.
- Caps or hats.
- Sunscreen.
- Sunglasses.
- A bottle of water.
- Local currency in cash.
WhatsApp:
NOTES
Pick-ups and schedules
Group tours:
- The pick-up and tour completion times are approximate.
- Pick-ups are only available from hotels located in the historic centre.
- Your pick-up time will depend on the location of your hotel.
- If you’re staying outside the historic centre, we’ll arrange a meeting point.
- If the vehicle has difficulty reaching your hotel, we’ll arrange a meeting point.
- We do not provide pick-ups during festivals, strikes, or heavy vehicle traffic.
- All pick-ups and meeting points will be organized the day before your tour.
Private tours:
- Pick-ups are punctual.
- Pick-ups apply for the entire city of Puno.
- All pick-ups will be arranged the day before your tour.
- The tour completion time is still approximate; however, we will do our best to finish the tour as scheduled.
Type of vehicle and seating
Vehicles:
- Authorized by the Ministry of Transport of Peru.
- Clean and modern vehicles.
- Vehicles include Sedans, 4x4s, H1s, Vans, Renaults, and Mercedes Benz (depending on the size of the group).
Seats – group tours:
- You reserve a seat on the bus, not a specific seat number.
- If you are picked up first, you can choose some seats (your pick-up time will depend on the location of your hotel).
- Couples are seated together 95% of the time; however, we cannot guarantee this to 100%.
Type of boats
- Authorized by the Ministry of Transport of Peru.
- Boat size for group tours: 30 pax.
- Boat size for private tours: 5 to 15 pax — depending on the size of your group.
Guide
He is fully authorized by the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism. This tour is focused on hiking, not on history.
Group tours:
- He will accompany you to show you the way.
- Intermediate English.
Private tours:
- He will always be to take care of the service.
- Intermediate-advanced English.
- There is plenty of explanation throughout the tour.
Operability and itinerary
This tour is subject to changes without prior notice due to weather conditions, strikes, or any other events that may prevent the normal operation of the tour. Please also refer to our terms for further details.
CANCELLATIONS
Cancellation of the tour is free as long as you do so at least 48 hours in advance, otherwise we will charge 100% of the tour price. See also our terms.
REVIEWS
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REVIEWS
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