Por: Huillca Expedition
The Uros Island is one of the most important destinations in the Peruvian highlands. This set of artificial islands is built from totora reeds, an aquatic plant that grows in Lake Titicaca. The islands are created by overlapping layers of totora reed roots and weaving them together with mats, forming a stable floating base.
This place is home to one of the ancestral peoples still concentrated on the Collao plateau in the department of Puno.
Location of Urus Island
The Urus Islands are located on the west side of Lake Titicaca at an altitude of 3810 m and at a distance of 7 km from the city of Puno.
How Urus Island is built
Currently, there are approximately 80 floating islands constructed with totora, an aquatic plant that grows on the surface of Lake Titicaca. To build these islands, blocks of totora, about 1 meter thick, are used. The inhabitants cut blocks of totora measuring 10 meters long by 5 meters wide, which are transported by boats. They use eucalyptus logs and synthetic ropes to join the blocks and allow the roots to interlock, forming a stable surface.
Once the blocks are joined, more totora is harvested from the lake and laid on top of the existing surface, adding an additional thickness of 1 meter. In total, the island has a thickness of approximately 2 meters.
On this floating base, they construct houses, communication towers, and other structures. This construction process generally takes about a year, and the islands can last between 20 and 25 years. Maintenance of the islands is carried out once a week during the rainy season and twice a month during the dry season.
The Urus motorboats
For daily navigation and tours, fast motorboats are used, allowing visitors to explore the islands with ease. These high-speed vehicles facilitate the tour of Lake Titicaca, offering a comfortable and efficient experience for those who wish to discover the different islands.
In addition to motorboats, there are also traditional boats made of totora reeds, known locally as “Mercedes Benz”. These boats are made entirely of totora reeds and are an authentic and traditional way to navigate the lake. Using these boats, visitors can tour the lake and explore other islands, enjoying a more immersive experience connected to local tradition.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Uros Islands and Lake Titicaca
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What is on the Uros Islands?
- The Uros Islands are a group of floating islands on Lake Titicaca, inhabited by the Uros indigenous community. The islands are constructed from totora, an aquatic plant used to build homes and boats. Visitors can explore these floating islands, learn about Uros culture and traditions, and view handcrafted items made from totora, such as textiles and small souvenirs.
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What language is spoken on the Uros Islands?
- On the Uros Islands, the primary languages spoken are Quechua and Aymara. These languages reflect the cultural and linguistic heritage of the highland region.
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How to get to the Uros Islands?
- To reach the Uros Islands, you need to depart from the city of Puno, located on the shores of Lake Titicaca. You can take a tourist boat from the Puno port, which typically takes around 30 to 45 minutes. Organized tours also offer transportation and guides to facilitate the visit.
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How much does it cost to visit the Uros Islands?
- The cost to visit the Uros Islands varies depending on the tour and services included. Generally, a boat tour from Puno costs approximately S/. 50 to S/. 100 (USD 15 to USD 30), which includes entry to the islands and a guided tour.
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How much is the entry fee to Lake Titicaca?
- The entry fee to Lake Titicaca for visiting the Uros Islands is usually included in the tour price. However, additional fees may apply for entry to specific areas or extended visits to other islands on the lake.
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What do people eat on the Uros Islands?
- The diet of the Uros Islands inhabitants includes staple foods such as lake fish, quinoa, potatoes, and crops grown on small plots. They also prepare traditional dishes using local ingredients.
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How do the Uros Islands float?
- The floating islands of the Uros are constructed from layers of totora, an aquatic plant that grows in Lake Titicaca. The totora roots float and form a stable structure that allows the islands to remain afloat. Additional layers of totora are regularly added to maintain the stability and thickness of the islands.
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What are the people living on Lake Titicaca called?
- The people living on Lake Titicaca, in addition to the Uros, include various indigenous communities such as the Aymara and Quechua. Each group has its own unique culture and traditions, contributing to the region's rich diversity.
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How many floating islands are there on Lake Titicaca?
- There are approximately 40 floating islands on Lake Titicaca, inhabited by the Uros community. These islands form a unique cluster of communities living on the water.
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What does Titicaca mean in Aymara?
- In the Aymara language, "Titicaca" is generally translated as "puma rock" or "puma stone," derived from the words "titi" (puma) and "kaka" (stone).
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What is the maximum depth of Lake Titicaca?
- The maximum depth of Lake Titicaca is about 280 meters, making it the highest navigable lake in the world and one of the largest lakes in South America.
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What is a floating island?
- A floating island is a structure built on a body of water that remains afloat due to its construction with lightweight and buoyant materials, such as the totora used in the Uros Islands.
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How are floating islands constructed?
- Floating islands are built by layering totora, an aquatic plant that is cut and woven to form a floating base. The island's stability is maintained by regularly adding more totora and maintaining the structure.
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What supports a floating island?
- A floating island is supported by the buoyancy of the materials used, such as totora, which creates a stable base on the water. The floating structure is kept afloat by air trapped in the totora stalks.
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What is the name of the moving island?
- In the context of the Uros Islands, there is no island that moves independently. However, floating islands can be modified or relocated by their inhabitants if necessary, but this activity is relatively rare and does not involve constant movement.