Titicaca reed islands
Hem / Resor & Turism / Titicaca reed islands
Therefore, many scholars affirm that the Uros were the first inhabitants of Lake Titicaca, even being ancestors of the Tiahuanaco culture (1400 B.C). In this sense, the Bolivian part occupies 40% of the Lake while the Peruvian part occupies 60%.
The Uros floating islands are located west of Titicaca Lake, and northwest of Puno, the closest land city to the islands (7 kilometers of distance in 30 minutes on a boat).
Therefore, being able to enjoy a train trip with the different tours in Peru is an unforgettable and magical experience. In addition, like the islands, the boats are usually moored at the bottom of the Lake. Once arrived there, the process to take a boat and go to the islands of the Uros is the same, these depart from Puno port from 07 to 8 am, every day, the tour boat lasts 20 minutes to get to the floating islands and 02 hours more to navigate through all the islands.
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Being pacific people, the Uros didn’t want to fight, they just wanted to live in peace without threats or foreign influences.
For sanitation, tiny outhouse islands are stationed nearby the main living areas. Of course, they select the best roots, since those stained with earth can sink very easily.
Over the first roots layer, many layers of totora reeds are piled up until obtaining solid stability.
Take advantage of the wonderful tours and get to know in-depth the cradle of the Inca Empire. So retreating to the Lake to float in the middle of it, far from coasts, was a good way to defend themselves against the aggressive Collas and Incas.
In this form, having their mobile islands, if a threat arose, the Uros could move them to another safe part of the Lake, without any problem.
Collectors-hunters par excellence, they subsisted on fishing trout, and catfish in the lake and hunting the Kingfisher, in addition to domesticating the Andean partridge Ibis for the consumption of eggs.
On the other hand, they have lived a self-sufficient lifestyle; fishing catfish and trout on the Lake, the hunt of kingfishers, and Ibis breeding for egg consumption are their basic sources of food and wealth, even a few people have cattle that graze on the border of the Lake or the same floating island.
How were made the Uros islands
The Lake is home to numerous legends and stories.
The texture is a bit dry and reminiscent of non-sweet sugarcane.
Dry Totora is also burnt as fuel for cooking. So, we highly recommend exploring the city and enjoying the many things to do in Puno, before getting to the islands.
In conclusion, you could get there in the following ways:
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Around 500 years ago, the Incan Empire was expanding rapidly and invading small villages.
The Uros people realized they could build islands and escape into the deeper parts of the lake. The residents need to replace the totora reeds about once a month in the dry season. Reed islands have almost doubled in quantity over the last 10 years.
There is a population of over 1000 people living on the Lake Titicaca Floating Islands.
Life on these tiny floating reed islands is uncomplicated and tranquil.
History Of Uros Islands - Lake Titicaca
The Uros people are descended from Titicaca’s most ancient tribes. They will be happy to help you fulfill your vacations in Peru.
The Uros islands and their remarkable floating communities on Lake Titicaca offer a fascinating glimpse into an ingenious way of life that has endured for centuries.
In Lake Titicaca in the Andes Mountains at an elevation of nearly 3,810 meters (12,500 feet) above sea level, there are man-made islands of reed that are home to the Uru people, an indigenous group of Bolivia and Peru that has adapted to life on the water in truly extraordinary ways.
This is a far cry from their former domain that once spanned much of Lake Titicaca. According to history, the Uros were forced to build their floating islands and houses in the middle of Titicaca lake when the Inca Empire expanded their lands and threatened them. Once dry, the reeds are tied together with rope. If you are staying in this lakeside town, you will see plenty of offers for a half-day tour of the Uros Islands.
A 3–4-hour floating island tour goes for around 30 soles ($8).
Over the years, the islands have focused more and more on tourism. On several of the bigger islands, residents have set up to accommodate overnight guests.
Uros Khantati comes highly recommended. It costs about 10 soles, and the money goes directly to the island family.