Uros Islands

The forty-two floating man-made islets in Lake Titicaca Puno, Peru

Uros Islands are located just five kilometers west from Puno port, they sit at 3810 meters above sea level. It is a group of forty-two floating man-made islets in Lake Titicaca Puno, Peru. The Uros use the totora plant, which grow naturally on the banks of Lake Titicaca, to make basically just about everything, their houses, furniture, boats and even eat the tender bottoms of the reeds.




The legend of the islands says that the full-blooded Uros had black blood that protected them from the freezing temperatures on the water and also from drowning. Uros tribe fled from the enemies into the lake. This was their last retreat, and that's how they survived.They call themselves be kot-suña, or people of the lake, and consider themselves the owners of the lake and its waters. Today, they continue living by fishing, weaving and now, tourism.

Uros islands main Facts

As I mentioned before somewhere in the website, the Andean people of Peru rely on the Coca Leaf for relief from a tough climate and hunger, the Uros rely on the Totora reeds in the same way, when in pain, the reed is wrapped around the place in pain to absorb it. They also make a reed flower tea. The white bottom of the plant is often eaten for iodine.


The Uros do not reject modern technology: some boats have motors, some houses have solar panels to run appliances such as televisions, and the main island is home to an Uros-run FM radio station, which plays music for several hours a day. Early schooling is done on several islands, including a traditional school and a school run by a Christian church. Older children and university students attend school on the mainland, often in nearby Puno.

Uros islands in Lake Titicaca has fascinated generations of people since pre-Inca times with its intense blue water. The Carache is the main fish of the lake and the Uros use it for food and to barter with Aymara Indians living on the mainland in Puno. They swap fish against other products such as potatoes, fruits and clothes.

Puno Peru Hotels

If you are planning to visit Puno, Lake Titicaca, Uros Islands or other beautiful locations in the area, you will probably stay in Puno. Book your hotel in advance, there are lovely hotels within the region, you can search Puno Peru Hotels below (cheap and expensive).

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Related Information

Travel Lake Titicaca Puno Tours
Travel to Lake Titicaca is a unique experience, It is the largest lake in South America (water volume), and based on Incan mythology, the creator god Viracocha rose up from Puno Lake Titicaca to create the sun, moon, stars and human life.

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The Peru Puno area can be found on the Collao Plateau. Puno sits on Lake Titicaca, the western part of the lake is located there and seventy percent of the region is made up of the Andean Mountains, the Amazon rainforest covers the rest.

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Peru Titicaca Lake or Lake Titikaka is located high in the amazing Andes Mountains on the border of Bolivia and Peru. It sits 3,812 m (12,500 ft) above sea level and it is also the largest lake in South America (water volume).

Uros Islands
Uros Islands are located just five kilometers west from Puno port, they sit at 3810 meters above sea level. It is a group of forty-two floating man-made islets in Lake Titicaca, Peru.

Lake Titicaca Travel
The legend tell us, it was here that the first Inca king, Manco Capac, was born. Manco Capac would create the Kingdom of Cusco, where the Inca Empire started.



Go from Uros Islands to Titicaca Lake

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source: Wikipedia