| Islands of the Uros | |
 | |
| State | Peru |
|---|---|
Islands of the Uros are an artificial island group of the Titicaca lake belonging toPeruvian plateau.
To know
These islands are made with rushes (totora), as are the homes of the residents built on them and their boats. Tourism is now an important resource for the islands' economy.
Until recently the only option to visit the islands was via a day trip with a tour or independently. But recently they have developed a solution (analogous to that of Amantaní) to stay in the Uros islands, opening the opportunity to a better life experience on these floating islands and to create a greater and better contact with the locals.
There are often no more than five families on the island.
Background
It is believed that they may have moved to these islands to escape hostile tribes, including the Incas. The islands can of course be moved from one side of the lake to the other and they have done so quite recently due to the Peruvian revolutionary movement Sendero Luminoso, as they expected to be safer near the mainland.
Spoken languages
The people of the Uros Islands, previous to the Incas, speak the Aymara language. Since the inhabitants speak Quencua almost exclusively, good communication is not possible.
Territories and tourist destinations
How to get
Dozens of agencies a Puno they organize a guided tour, often in combination with a trip to the island Taquile. Overnight stays can be arranged on one of the Uros islands and go to Taquile the next morning.
To go on your own, you must be at the port around 7:00 am and ask around for departing boats with still seats available.
How to get around
What see
- Reed artesania. Work built from the rush; the same plant that is used for the houses and for the island itself.
- Early risers. Only possible by sleeping on one of the islands and coordinating in advance with one of the locals. The best time is at dawn (5:30 am) and with the lake calm, the sunrise will be an unforgettable sight.
Events and parties
What to do
- Send a postcard. There is a post office on Qananpacha Island. The owners claim it is the only floating post office in the world. Not all tours go there, you need to ask before booking if the tour will stop there or not.
Shopping
How to have fun
Where to eat
The typical dishes of the Uros are:
- Trucha - Only available on islands that have a restaurant. Because it takes preparation time and is only available when there is a long stop or when you are staying overnight.
- Reed - The underside of a new cane (white in color) is actually edible and surprisingly not that bad. It is worth a try.
- Muña mate - A tea made from a herb that grows in the environment of Lake Titicaca. This herb is said to help cope with high altitude problems. While it's not particularly flavorful with a minty flavor, it's worth taking at least a few sips.
Where stay
Average prices
- Qananpacha Hospedaje, ☎ 51 951 835 264, 51 950 951 489.
Prices are very affordable. Bed: 15 sol, half board: 40 sol. A recent alternative is accommodation on one of the islands called Qananpacha. The rooms are equipped with a double bed completely made of rushes, in the islands there is also a restaurant and a post office. Not all agencies stop on this island during the tour, so it is best to contact thehospedaje to make a reservation. They can also arrange transfers from the port of Puno. - Uros Khantati (Cinco Esteras hotel with Camas Flotantes) (The needle Titicaca), ☎ 51 951 695121, 51 951 472355, @[email protected]. 165 sol per person. This is one of the only floating reed islands where the money goes directly to the community and not to a tour operator Puno. The price per night includes transport to the hostel, boat ride to the island, some lessons on local history and their way of life, cultural events, fishing and 3 meals.
Prices are very affordable. Bed: 15 sol, half board: 40 sol. A recent alternative is accommodation on one of the islands called Qananpacha. The rooms are equipped with a double bed completely made of rushes, in the islands there is also a restaurant and a post office. Not all agencies stop on this island during the tour, so it is best to contact thehospedaje to make a reservation. They can also arrange transfers from the port of Safety
How to keep in touch
Around
Other projects
Wikipedia contains an entry concerning Islands of the Uros
Commons contains images or other files on Islands of the Uros
