Uros & Taquile

Description Uros and Taquile Island Tour

With the “Uros and Taquile Island Tour”, you can venture to cross the limits and navigate through the mythical waters of the Titicaca Reserve and the inhabitants and their ancestral culture await for you.

That is why we will visit the Uros Island, which is a group of artificial islands made of totora reeds that grow in the vicinity of the lake, located north of the Bay of Puno. Its inhabitants are the Uros, an indigenous community that is considered a descendant of the Pukinas (the oldest inhabitants of all America). The totora reed is an essential part of their life, because in addition to being used in the construction of the islands, it is also used medicinally. Their diet is mainly based on the consumption of fish obtained through artisanal fishing.

Taquile Island, a natural island that is characterized by the kindness of its inhabitants and their typical costumes that have maintained their tradition over the centuries. This dress, in women, consists of several skirts of different colors covered by a larger black skirt. On the head they wear a black cloak, which serves to protect the neck and face from the sun’s rays. The men’s clothing also predominates the black color in the pants and they wear a white shirt that is accompanied by a small and tight vest. An interesting detail is the use of the chullo or wool cap, since this garment can express the differences between married and single men. The tail of the chullo indicates when a man is in search of a mate.

For years this island was used as a prison, but today it is known because its inhabitants of the Quechua ethnic group, carefully preserves a traditional way of life. In an effort to stay true to their roots, the Taquileños barely use electricity, have not built hotels, have banned cars and are extremely reluctant to let foreigners settle on their land.

The Uros Taquile tour is one of the most popular activities to do when visiting the city of Puno, as well as the Amantani tour, and everyone who comes to Peru must do the Machu Picchu tour which is Peru’s main tourist attraction.

MAIN POINTS OF VISIT

• Puno (3,827 masl)
• Uros (3,810 masl)
• Taquile (3,950 masl)

Day 1: Pick up from Hotel – Port of Puno – Uros Island – Taquile Island

• 06.30 – 07.15 hrs Transfer from the Hotel to the Port of Puno.
• 07.20 hrs Departure from the port towards the Floating Islands of the Uros.  You will be able to observe a beautiful panoramic view, landscape. Our guide will show us the existence of the floating islands of the Uros. Today the people of the Uros still maintain their own culture and tradition, as well as artisanal fishing, especially Carachi and silverside. When fishing is abundant, they preserve the fish by drying them in the sun. They also hunt wild birds and collect duck eggs. There are 75 islands that live at present and each island is well organized.
• After the tour in Uros we continue to Taquile, we will navigate by boat for 2 hours and a half. During the navigation we will be able to observe the mountain range – the Cordillera Real.
• 10.00 hrs Upon arrival we will start the tour in Taquile with a 1 hour walk up to the village, where we will have direct contact with the villagers, share work experiences, learn about their culture, traditions, customs, handicrafts, daily activities, dances and music. Taquile Island is huge and is characterized by its beautiful weavings, and its friendly people, we will enjoy the beautiful scenery of Lake Titicaca in its greatest magnitude.
• Spinning and weaving are done mainly by men, starting at the age of eight, life in Taquile is still largely unchanged by modernity. The tour in Taquile will be done in an average of 2 hours and 1 hour will have to taste a delicious typical lunch.
•  Lunch on the island. We will taste the typical – natural food of the place.
• 14.00 hrs Approximately we return to the city of Puno.
• 17.00 hrs Arrival to the port.