Uros Floating Islands on Lake Titicaca and Taquile Island tour popularly known as full-day Lake Titicaca Tours from Puno is one of our signature tours.
At 3812 meters above sea level (12506 ft.), Lake Titicaca is the highest navigable lake in the world. It straddles the border between Peru and Bolivia. There are many small islands on the lake. The prominent ones though are Uros Floating Islands, Taquile, and Amantani.
This full-day tour from the city of Puno takes you to the reed islands of Uros and Taquile Island.
Uros Floating islands are just seven kilometers away from the city of Puno. The island is home to Uros People. They are a native community. These islands are made entirely of totora reed using the limited resources available.
People here have maintained their age-old traditions and customs. Most of them even converse in Aymara, the native language.
Although Uros Islands are closer to Puno, it still lacks electricity. People here survive on solar panels.
Taquile Island of Lake Titicaca was regarded as a priceless possession of the Incas. It was once a political prison. People here speak Quechua.
The island is home to famous craftsmen. In fact, UNESCO protects the tradition here.
Unlike most places, men here do the knitting work. They often begin at the age of eight. Women spin the wool. They dye them using vegetables and minerals.
Accompanied by our local English-speaking tour guide, you will discover the hidden life on the World’s highest navigable lake. Lake Titicaca.
Read more about Taquile and its Textile art.
Puno Hotel Transfer
0700 AM
We will be picking you up from your hotel in the historic centre of Puno between 0645 and 0700 in the morning. Before boarding the motorboat to Uros Island we will have a brief stop at the boat pier where you can buy some snacks and water.
As you will embark, a traditional Andean folkloric musician will be welcoming you to the local tune. The guide will then introduce the crew and give you an overview of the day’s itinerary as the boat will breach the green waters of Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world.
Our first stop will be at the iconic floating islands of Uros. During the journey from the mainland to one of the Uros Islands, you can see totora plants that grow on Lake Titicaca. These constitute the basic source of food and, at the same time, they serve as a maintenance system that the Uros have to perpetuate the existence of the islands.
Local women, dressed in traditional attires would welcome you as our bot would be anchored to the shores. The head of the island would then demonstrate how they build these islands using totora plants and would share a few words in their native language (Aymara).
Natives here are known for their handicrafts, so you may buy some if you would wish to. You will then have an option of sailing on the traditional totora reed boat (10 Soles) to the main island of Uros. If desired, you can get your passport stamped here as a souvenir.
From here, we will start with a 2.5 hours boat ride to Taquile Islands. You may walk up to the open deck on the upper level of the boat and get some photos of the floating islands with a backdrop of Andes mountains as you would be passing through.
Taquile Island is a small mound on the Peruvian side of Lake Titicaca. Locals here have established a steady trade in knit handicrafts. These are made by the men of their community.
Taquile is home to a Quechua community of 2,000 people. They are mostly farmers, fishermen, and most importantly, weavers. The island’s fine textiles are globally well-known. In fact, they are protected by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity.
Contrary to the tragically outdated view that knitting and textile work is the work of women, the men of Taquile Island do most of the delicate thread work. The craftwork is divided into knitting and weaving. Women do the weaving while men do the knitting.
The tradition begins as young boys learn this when they turn 8. The most popular of these crafts is the chuyo hat, which many locals wear. You can also find women making yarn or other tasks related to the creation of these items.
Its 2,000 residents are aware of the appeal of the beautiful island and the traditional Spanish clothing. The villagers have created a unique model for their tourism industry, where they act as a community to manage both the tourists’ comings and goings as well as the attractions that they offer.
After basking in nature’s beauty and Andean culture on this full-day trip, we will be serving a Traditional meal at a local restaurant overlooking the lake.
After lunch, at around 0230 PM, we will be boarding the boat for your journey back to Puno. We will be arriving by 04:30 in the evening.
Our representative will be waiting for you at the port and drive you to your hotel in Puno.
I booked this in the last minute and wasn´t sure if they would accommodate. They quickly wrote to me and scheduled my transfer from the hotel. The tour was very nice. I visited two islands which were different and interesting. It was nice to see how the people living here have preserved their traditions and culture so nicely. A must do trip.
It was a perfect Day trip. Fast boat, lots of interesting facts along The way. Uros Islands was really different and cool. Taquile Island was beautiful. Lunch was really good. The guide was well organized as well as The whole trip. I can highly recommend it!
It was a really nice and well organized tour. From taking a boat, visiting Uros, walking uphill with incredible views and having a delicious lunch at Taquile. Tour guide was very knowledgeable and professional. Highly recommended.
The dAy spent on this trip was fantastic. We visited so many native people living in their own circumstances The tour was great as was our guide. The lunch on the island was good. All in all, it was a great tour. Worth much more than was charged.
This was a very well organized tour to both islands on Lake Titicaca. It was an interesting trip, learnt a lot about the culture traditions and Custom of people living there. The guide was second to none. Can totally recommend them.
