Visit the Fantastic World of the Floating Islands in Lake Titicaca

Located on the Peruvian side of the lake, the floating islands of Lake Titicaca constitute an attraction that immediately gets the attention of the people that visit this spectacular man made living space. The islands are not as known as other destinations in Peru like Machu Picchu or Lima, but this beautiful place has charms of its own. They were created by the Uros, Pre Incan people that live in the high plains –Altiplano in Spanish- of Collao, and their presence extends to territories in Peru and Bolivia.

The Uros are known for their worship to the moon, the name means “sons of the dawn”, and their main activities are fishing –the Carachi and the Pejerrey being the main fish they catch-, the hunting of birds and the recollection of duck eggs.

The floating islands of Lake Titicaca –there are more than fifty and each one has a name- are constructed using Totora reeds, a plant found in the region that is also used to build vessels and different types of craft art. The islands use an anchor to prevent the abrupt moving by the currents and they must be covered with Totora every year to prevent sinking.

The Uros are friendly people and they welcome the tourism activity every year in this spectacular landscape that combines the blue of the lake with the striking yellow of the Totora islands and vessels that sail the zone. The place also has more than 70 species of birds, ideal for people that enjoy doing bird watching.

Walking the islands is like walking in a water bed, with soft spots that reveal the actual water beneath the Totora reeds, a sensation that becomes normal once you get to see and talk with some of the locals that have being living there for years.

The construction process consists in the careful cutting of the totora and the following creation of blocks from roots that measure 15 centimeters. The multiple blocks are joined with rope conforming a giant living space that gives birth to an island. 

Experience this unique landscape in beautiful Peru by staying in this magnificent hotel: Titilaka