Info About Lake Titicaca and the Floating Islands

An Overview of Lake Titicaca

Stradling the border between Peru and Bolivia, Lake Titicaca is the world’s highest navigable body of water. The lake is tied into legends from many indigionous cultures, with some myths suggesting the lake is the birthplace of the Incas, others ascribing mystical powers to the Tiwanaku civilization. Even the truly ancient Puraka culture had claims to the sacred elevated lake in the Andes. Lake Titicaca is also home to the Titicaca National Reserve, an environmental preserve sheltering giant frogs, the Titicaca Grebe, vizcachas and Andean foxes.

However, for tourism purposes, the most compelling feature of the lake is rooted in the floating islands. These artificial islands are created by the indigenous Uros people who stack layers of totora reeds across vast surfaces of water. The Uros continuously add new layers to the platforms and use the water-resistant plants to construct woven boats, houses, mattrasses and tools. These islands ensured the Uros people survived through ages of strife, navigating their floating islands away from dominant shore-dwelling tribes.

Sadly, the 70-or-so floating islands which exist today are largely tourism recreations. The original islands were located in a much deeper part of the lake, but the majority of these structures were damaged or destroyed following a vicious storm in 1986. Now, the islands are anchored far closer to the town of Puno and use tourism as their major source of income, rather than fishing, hunting and egg collecting. Modern technology, such as solar panels and imported structures have become mainstays across all the islands.

Reaching Lake Titicaca

Lake Titicaca can be reached from either the Bolivian side or the Peruvian side, though the Peruvian side has much stronger tourism infrastructure installed. For those visiting from the Peruvian side, long distance buses stop at the town of Puno, which offers ferry services throughout the lake.

Even with boats available, Lake Titicaca is huge, and takes a considerable amount of time to cross. Engine-powered boats still require an hour or so to visit various destinations throughout the islands. While the Floating Uros Islands are largely centralized, there are other attractions and islands throughout the lake.

Most guest visiting Lake Titicaca choose to take tours, making navigation and transport far easier. Be warned, however, that the lake relies heavily on tourism funds. As such, the vast majority of stops are designed to sell trinkets, pedal overpriced snacks and earn repeated, excessive tips.

It’s possible to explore the Uros Floating Islands independently by taking ferry services and then using kayak or canoe rentals to hop between islands. To visit islands much further in the lake, motorized boats are likely needed. It’s also possible to skirt the lake shores with personal vehicles, as Route 3S, 34I and 16 all visit many lakeside communities.

Bear in mind that Lake Titicaca crosses the border between Bolivia and Peru. While certain attractions, such as the Isla del Sol doesn’t require documentation, some locations, piers and land-borders require a passport to continue.

Finally, bear in mind that the high-altitude sun of Lake Titicaca is somewhat harsh. Stock up on sun protection when visiting.

While large group tours visiting the area are cheaper, they’re often blatant money grabs. Private tours or independent explorations are recommended.

Islands Around Lake Titicaca

Uros Floating Islands

These are a series of artificial islands made by reeds which float upon the water’s surface. The current town was rebuilt closer to shore after a storm some decades ago. It is best experienced by kayak. There are overnight options, reed-weaving workshops and regular performances for tour groups throughout the island. The double-headed woven boats are especially popular for tourism photos.

Isla del Sol 

This is a large, rocky island on the Bolivian side of Lake Titicaca. It’s extremely easy to hike and has a rugged beauty and thin, cold beaches. The cliffs offer impressive views over the water. Many of the lower portions of the island are traced with unique stone walls, designed to manage lake-tides to better grow crops. Likewise, other stone walls throughout the island help manage livestock. The island is important to the various cultural heritages of the lake region, with many ruins scattered about. Some of the more famous of these ruins includes the labyrinth-like Chincana ruins on the north side of the island and the Inca Stairs to the south.

Isla de la Luna

This is a secondary, small island on the Bolivian side of the lake, found to the east of Isla del Sol. The location is considered sacred in Incan mythology, which suggests the island is where Viracocha commanded the rising of the moon. There are archeological ruins of interest in the area, including those of an Incan nunnery.

Taquile Island

Found on the Peruvian side of the lake near Puno, this island is unique for its indigenous people, known as Taquileños. The small island population is known for its incredible Textile Art, which was recognized as a UNESCO Intangible Heritage of Humanity. The island is home to several tourist stops, some restaurants, a series of small ruins and an arch known as the Puerta de piedra Taquile.

Amantani

Located on the Peruvian side of Lake Titicaca, this circular island is known for it’s terraced hillsides, alive with cultivated wheat, quinoa and potatoes. The island contains both Incan and Tiwanaku ruins atop each of its two mountain peaks. Other features found on the island include the Museo de Amantani, archeological zones, several small towns and tourism amenities.

Submerged Ruins

In the year 2000, a team of diving archaeologists discovered an underwater temple which predated the Incan Civilization. Though studies are ongoing, there are theories that these ruins were crafted by the Tiwanaku people. Various artifacts have been recovered and a terrace for crops, a long road, and an 800 meter wall have all been mapped.

Exploring the Floating Islands

The Uros Islands are anchored using ancient techniques near the Peruvian city of Puno. It takes roughly half-an-hour by boat to reach the islands from the city’s docks. Bear in mind, that each island only lasts for 30 to 40 years when properly built. Therefore, new islands are always being made and old islands are often split.

The islands offer many unique features. There are buildings which offer overnight stays and local kayak and canoe rentals allowing guests to freely island hop. The best way to reach the islands is by taking a boat from Puno.

There are numerous activities to enjoy on the islands, though the majority of them are oriented towards tourism rather than authenticity. Most of the performances are entirely in Spanish. Events include the weaving of reeds into tools, miniture boats, dolls and souvenirs. Uros people receive very small percentages of the tour profits, so sales and tourist activities are how they earn most of their money.

Visitors can also eat totora reeds, which serve as a basic food stable for the Uros Islands. The bottom portion of a totora can be peeled like a banana before being eaten. The flavor is subtle and the texture is crisp.

Other local foods to try include lake-caught catfish and trout, domesticated ibis eggs and locally hunted meat. There are no stores on the islands, so guests wishing to overnight may want to bring snacks.

Visitors can also take rides on the totora reed boats. which are bright, double-headed modes of transportation. Bear in mind, these usually have a small fee attatched to them.

It’s also possible, if slightly uncommon, to stay overnight on the islands. However, amenities are scarce, so expect a place to sleep, some heavy blankets and little else.

Crossing Country Borders

For those crossing the border between Bolivia and Peru, passports are needed. This is especially true when crossing the main land borders or taking rides from Puno, Peru to Copacabana, Bolivia.

However, when staying on the lake, it’s unlikely visitors will need to produce ID unless specifically required by a tour agency. For example, guest traveling between Puno and Isla del Sol won’t need to display their passports.

Due to the logistical challenges when traveling between the two countries, some travelers prefer to fly through larger airports between Peru and Bolivia.

Other Points of Interest Around Lake Titicaca

While Lake Titicaca is extraordinary, there are several other locations nearby that merit attention.

Puno

From the Peruvian side, the city of Puno is the main access point to Lake Titicaca. While the city itself isn’t remarkable, the town is known for it’s various folkloric traditional festivals. Visitors can enjoy the baroque-style Puno Cathedral, the restored B&B 19th-century steamship the Yavari, the bright Coca Museum & Costumes and the picturesque Iglesia de San Juan Bautista.

Copacabana

This is a Bolivian town on the East side of Lake Titicaca, famed for its religious festivals and access to Isla del Sol and Isla de la Luna. The town is considered a major backpacker destination, with many ruins found in the nearby regions. Some of the most prominent landmarks around the city include the Catedral de la Virgen de la Candelaria with Moorish domes and sacred sculptures, the distinct Cerro Calvario observation point overlooking the lake, the eye-catching Museo del Poncho and the ancient archeological site of La Horca del Inca (Mirador del Inca).

Chullpas of Sillustani

Found on the shores of the nearby Lake Umayo outside of Puno, Sillustani is a pre-Inca cemetery with structures known as chullpas. Chullpas are cultural landmarks from the Qulla (or Colla) people, made into uniquely round funerary towers. The Qulla people were eventually conquered by the Inca Empire in the 15th century.

Chucuito Temple of Fertility

Found in the small village of Chucuito, Inca Uyo or the Chucuito Temple of Fertility once served as an ancient fertility temple for the Inca. The rectangular ruins surround an enclosed field filled with phallic-shaped stone structures. There are debates regarding the authenticity of the site, as some argue the phallus-shaped rocks were shifted into their current position to draw in tourism during the 20th century.

Aramu Muru Portal

Found along a quiet portion of Route 3S, this is an abandoned stone carving known as “Gate of the Gods.” The structure is part of an unfinished Incan construction project, depicting an oddly, semi-cut block into a canyon setting.

Horca del Inca

Found in Copacabana, Bolivia, this site translates to “Gallows of the Inca.” However, since Spaniards actively destroyed and mislabeled most everything they touched, neither of these monikers are true. Instead, this site was built as a astronomical observatory by the pre-Incan Chiripa people in the 14th century. Reaching the remains of this site requires a steep, upwards hike.

Luquina

Found on a peninsula on the eastern portion of Puno, this is a quaint, authentic Peruvian highland, lakeside community. The town of Luquina is popular for quiet, authentic travel experiences, with local homestays, meals and cultural performances.

Puma Punku and the Sun Gate

Located to the East of Lake Titicaca on the route leading to La Paz, Bolivia, this unique structure is a monolith carved into a blocky gateway. The structure was created by the Tiwanaku culture from a single piece of stone, weighing roughly ten tons.

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