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Uros Floating Islands
FLOATING ISLAND.
The Floating Island (Islas Flotantes) of the Uros people are to Puno area’s major tourist attraction and, as a result, have become somewhat over commercialized.
Despite this, the excursion remains popular because there is nothing quite likes it anywhere else.
Intermarriage with Aymara-speaking Indians has seen the demise of the pureblooded Uros, and none exist today. They used to speak their own language but nowadays speak their own language but nowadays speak Aymara. Always a small tribe, they began their unusual floating existence centuries ago in an effort to isolate themselves from the Collans and the Incas. Today several hundred people live on the islands and eke out a living with fishing and tourism.
The lives of the Uros are totally interwoven with the Totora reeds that grow abundantly in the shallows of Lake Titicaca. These reeds are harvested and are used to make anything from the islands themselves to little model boats to sell to tourists. The islands are constructed from many layers of reeds. The reeds rot away from the bottom and are replaced at the top, so the ground is soft and springy, and you must be careful not to put your foot through a rotted-out section. The biggest of the islands contains several building, including a school, post office, basic snack bars and souvenir shops.
Solar energy panels have recently been introduced. The inhabitants of some islands have built small huts (museums) with stuffed birds inside or observation platforms so that you can climb up about 7m or 8m and survey the surrounding from the rickety perch. Small donations are requested. The building walls are still made of Totora, but some of the roofs are now tin.
From tightly bundled reeds, the Uros build canoe-shaped boats for transport and fishing. A well constructed boat can carry a whole family for about six months before beginning to rot. You can usually persuade one of the Uros to give you a ride on a boat, but be prepared to pay and give a tip for taking photographs. Plenty of women will try to sell you their handicrafts, such as models made from Totora and embroidered wall hanging. Be prepared to buy something.
Tours in Uros Floating Islands
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Titicaca Lake 3 Days - 2 Nights (US$ 161.00)
Includes: Amantani & Taquile Islands, Puno, Titicaca Lake, Uros Floating Islands, -
Titicaca Lake: Uros - Amantani and Taquile Islands 4 Days - 3 Nights (US$ 170.00)
Includes: Amantani & Taquile Islands, Puno, Titicaca Lake, Uros Floating Islands,
